Flat Caps. No no and thrice no! Suitable hats when wearing your kilt. Discuss

[muirkirkca]

Have no particular problem with them except the tartan ones.

[Zardoz]

Wow! It's good to see that Flatcaps have replaced hose as the topic of the month!

As for my opinion....

I think they are fine!

Basically, because I'm bald, if its cold out, or sunny, I'm wearing a cover. And it's gonna be either a Tam, Flatcap or for very casual... a ballcap!

The flatcap I'm wearing in this photo came from Ireland, (where they are called 'vintage caps') and I think of my working class Irish roots when I have it on. I didn't need to see the vintage photos to justify wearing it with the kilt, I simply find it to be suitable headgear for some situations.

Even though I'm in Texas, and own cowboy hats, I do not think they should be worn with kilts, I see people at our Games wearing their cowboy boots and hats, and I think about how that must look to the average citizen, I'd bet it looks comical. I know some of them are trying to beat the Texas sun, but it just looks off to me.

[Carolina Kiltman]

As a certified, card carrying, member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Old Farts, I'll just throw in my tuppence worth. (At least they still had tuppences when and where I grew up!)

Flat tweed caps should match the tweed jacket (with leather trim) which in turn was matched by the waistcoat (vest) and the plus-fours. In short, a totally coordinated outfit. Worn by the gentlemen of my youth when they were in the Great Outdoors, doing such things as shooting innocent wildlife, buying horses and the like. (Most of these were Irish or Anglo-Irish. (My Father, an American living abroad often wore leather putees over his tweed trousers, but then allowances were made for his being a "Yank".)

For the Kilt wearers; I only remember the Balmoral or TOS, and the latter only for those in uniform.

For me, unless the person is a piper, I do not care for the Glengarry.

Thus endeth the rant

[SteveB]

Phil - the count is up to 11 pages and growing.

Mael Coluim - the performer pictured is wearing what looks to be a contemporary version of the kilt. For some on this board the garment is not a kilt. (BTW - I own a Utilikilt).
For those whose traditional opinions which I deeply respect, while I am wearing a kilt (Tartan, wool, knife pleats, etc.) I respect the heritage of Scotland, and wear what is considered the proper traditional accessories. ( In this I agree with Jock Scot, Chef, cajunscot, etc.)
When I am wearing a kilt like garment (The similarity to the kilt is pleats in back and aprons in front, such as the Amerikilt, Utilikilt, etc) I dress in a far more casual manner to include flat caps, baseball caps, scrunched hose, sneakers, steel toed boots, lack of kilt pin, and whatever else.
While I am out shoveling that white s#@t that we have been overly blessed with this winter, I will wear a ball cap, so as to have the visor protect my eyeglasses from quickly becoming useless.
What hat is proper to wear with the kilt? I will stick to the Balmoral, and Glenngarry. Indoors no hat is worn and the discussion moot.
When I wear the kilt, I am being seen by the public as an ambassador of the Scot heritage. I should honour it properly.
When in kilt like garments, most of the public around here think of the Utilikilt movement. This is a U.S. thing from Washington State, that has become a popular garment with ball caps, T-shirts, work boots, and low socks. Just about as opposite to the wearing of the kilt as Highland attire as you can get.

My observation, and my tuppence worth.

I hope I have not offended anyone with this post, as it is intended to present a set of perceptions, that I have personally observed.
Peace