What hat with a PC?

[davedove]

I am sooooooo confused! Is that a PC oor an Argyle? Is the Hat a Glenngary or a Balmoral? And he's wearing a belt which I thought was taboo! I think I'll bag the whole thing and wear my Hawaiin shirt and Saffron Kilt with pink crocks!

Brooster that is what you wear for a white tie event, completely different than what you would be looking for. Again I think something like the photos I put up would do you fine.

The gentleman is also wearing his sword and is therefore under arms and should have on his cover.

[JSFMACLJR]

The gentleman is also wearing his sword and is therefore under arms and should have on his cover.

The picture is used to illustrate Court or Levee Dress for a gentleman. He is shown wearing a bonnet, because he would obviously wear one out -of -doors, but of course would remove the bonnet when inside. He is not "under arms" as you put it; gentlemen just wore swords to court functions!


Sandford MacLean

[JSFMACLJR]

A hat with a P.C.Jacket is not appropriate

It is if you are travelling to an event, it's raining, and it's cold out! Now of course, one removes the bonnet when going inside.


Sandford MacLean

[Phil]

I am sooooooo confused! Is that a PC oor an Argyle? Is the Hat a Glenngary or a Balmoral? And he's wearing a belt which I thought was taboo!

You are right to be confused - the man in the picture is wearing a regulation doublet over a red waistcoat and, as with the Montrose & Kenmore doublets, a belt can be worn over it. The hat is a Glengarry.
Attitudes towards the wearing of hats has changed completely over the last 50 years or so. Until the 1960's no self-respecting gentleman or lady would venture outdoors without a hat nor would a lady be seen in church without one. Just hark back to Humphrey Bogart / Mickey Rooney films and earlier and try to imagine when you saw them without a hat! It was as essential a form of dress as shoes. Politeness, however, required that a hat be doffed to a lady you passed on the street and, similarly, it would be considered the height of rudeness not to take off ones hat when indoors. Comments such as "I'm so sorry you can't stay" would be in order just as "Here's your hat...what's your hurry?" to a guest who had outstayed his welcome. The guiding principle is to wear whatever outergarment and hat you wish while travelling from your home to wherever the celebration is and once you arrive there, remove your hat and outergarments, place them in the cloakroom or wherever and get on with enjoying yourself!

[siva011]

Wow all this stuff has my head spinning. Under arms, not under arms, black tie, white tie, after 6pm, before 6pm, before 6pm but after 3:22pm except on the solstace......

I respect tradition, but I also live under the philosophy that as a "gentleman" born into one of the original 13 colonies, if we always kept to tradition exact I'd have to wear one of those white wigs with my evening wear. Sometimes I stick with tradition, other times I forge my own path. I mostly stick with the philosophy to wear what is comfy, and for me if that is a hat, it's a hat. If I want to wear a hat while indoors in public or at my home because it makes my bald head comfy, so be it. If I go into your house, or a church, you bet the hat comes off. I don't think I'm "unschooled", rather one who is respectful enough of tradition yet open minded enough not to be a "slave" to it. Please no offence was meant to anyone on that last comment, just MY personal philosophy. To each their own.

All this about manners really is in the eye of the beholder as well. You may call me "heathen" and "unschooled" for wearing a hat indoors, but the people in my family from Japan would call you heathens and unschooled just the same for wearing your shoes while indoors, especially in a place of worship or a private house. If one won't remove their shoes indoors in public, why must someone else remove their hat?

[Bugbear]

Well, I understand the point about being confused. I've backed away from this until I can find a clearer understanding of what the Scots of our forum are innately seeing in the formal Highland attire.

I don't want to repeat the "flat cap" mistake that I made early on.

[gilmore]

...The guiding principle is to wear whatever outergarment and hat you wish while travelling from your home to wherever the celebration is and once you arrive there, remove your hat and outergarments, place them in the cloakroom or wherever and get on with enjoying yourself!

Last winter I went to the Fox Theater in Atlanta for the first time in years, to see a Scots military band. It's one of those old movie houses from the early 20th century that has been restored. I wore a balmoral, and when I got there was surprised to find that they no longer even have a cloak room (or hat check room, as sometimes called.)

[Hamish]

Under the circumstances - location, time of day, etc., etc. - and I am surprised that no-one has yet suggested this, I think a parasol would solve the problem!

Take care,
Ham.

[Weasel Mender]

Under the circumstances - location, time of day, etc., etc. - and I am surprised that no-one has yet suggested this, I think a parasol would solve the problem!

Take care,
Ham.

The question has now been answered.....Hamish has spoken

Parasol for sun, brolly for rain (note to Bruce who lives in the desert.....rain is when water falls from the sky)

Weasel

[BroosterB1]

The question has now been answered.....Hamish has spoken

Parasol for sun, brolly for rain (note to Bruce who lives in the desert.....rain is when water falls from the sky)

Weasel

Water from the SKY!??? What Jimson weed have you been chewing? Water from the sky! Harrumph! Such a thing! Next thing you'll be saying men should wear pants!