Wide brim hats vs. tam, Glengarry, Balmoral, etc.

[KenB]

I am interested in finding out what the "rabble" feel about wide brim hats.

After having the tops of my ears treated for the results of years of sun damage and having a skin cancer removed from my face, maybe a beret, tam, Glengarry, and/or Balmoral might not be the best choice for protection. They do not give great protection except to the top of the head.

I am going brimmed from now on. Just need to do a wee work in finding the right "lid"

[Jock Scot]

With the scientific knowledge we now have it would be silly to ignore the facts-------dangerous facts and we already have ignored them for too long for many of us. Maybe for the first time in history we may be seeing fashion led by common sense.

There are plenty of broad brimmed hats to choose from and perhaps the panama, the Tilly, or the Aussie slouch hat, maybe the future fashion for kilt attire where the sun's rays are a danger. My money is on the panama.

[DougC]

If you want a reasonably priced fur felt, try Akubra. I've got a campdraft model I really like. If you are leaning towards straw, Sunbody in Houston, Texas has a nice selection. Personally, I think wide brimmed hats are great--I wear them at the beach all the time sans kilt (and with board shorts).

[creagdhubh]

There are many members on the forum that wear wide brim hats, to include panama, fedora, and cowboy styles. I rather like the look of a panama hat with Highland day attire myself, not to mention the protection from the sun that it would bring. However, I am not sure whether or not I will actually 'pull the trigger' on one just yet. I am rather partial to wearing a Balmoral with my Highland day attire, and I foresee that being a difficult thing for me to let go any time soon.

Best of luck!

[Earl D]

Well you gotta do what ya gotta do. I have a safari style wide brimmed hat that I wear with my kilt when the sun is blazing down and it's hotter than all get out. Does it look right-NO! But no one has come up to me at any festivals or games to complain about it. Last time I wore it, some guy came up to me and said "Nice hat, I shoulda worn mine." His ears were already red and starting to blister.

You could get a Pith Helmet and then join the Pith Helmet Enthusiasts Group.

[Chas]

I am currently saving up for a real Panama - there are so many imitations about.

Regards

Chas

[Peter Crowe]

I believe that a wide brimmed hat can be acceptable with the kilt. When I attend the summer games in Maine I usually keep within the confines of THCD, but during the heat of the day dispense with tweed Argyle jacket and tie in favour of an open necked shirt. I wear a 'Tilley' style olive green sun hat to protect my head. If you can afford it and want to be more 'dressy' a quality Panama hat is very appropriate. Remember THCD is not a uniform but a series of conventions that absolutely allow for common sense responses to environmental and weather based factors.

[Riverkilt]

Hellya! Works for me in the desert. Go for it!

[Santa Kona]

I just found a wide brim straw hat at a Civil War Encampment. I plan on changing the current band with a dicing band supplied by Chris at Dunadd.

[SlackerDrummer]

I love the look of the balmoral bonnet, but if it's a case of keeping the sun at bay...no contest.