To bonnet or not to bonnet, that is the question

**Nile** · 23rd May 13, 09:57 AM

I just received my new Indigo Balmoral with red toorie from the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop. My first one ever and I really like it though my wife isn't too crazy about it. Personally, I like the red toorie but when it grows old and tired, I'll probably replace it with a dark one. Anyway, a great quality bonnet, that's well made and fits perfect.

I spend a lot of time outdoors and am very thin on top so hats are a must. I generally wear my Tilly when sailing because of it's comfortable, it has a wide brim and high 'spf'. However, when I wore my Tilly, while kilted, to a Celtic festival in Maryland last Fall, a fellow came up to me and asked if I was from Australia. I didn't understand why at the time but, it does have a sort of "outback" look to it.

Now that I have one, the Balmoral bonnet will be my head covering of choice (when appropriate) when kilted but, I'll be wearing the Tilly on the sailboat (even when sailing kilted).

Nile

**Jack Daw** · 24th May 13, 05:34 AM

I'm not keen on head cover, and I only wear a glengarry for piping and parades. If it is VERY hot and sunny, I will wear a wide-brimmed hat of some sort or a rain cap.

**flyrod6057** · 8th June 13, 11:03 PM

Well, as a result of this thread, I went out and purchased a Tilley hat. I figured it would come in handy for the games, yet would be appropriate for a wide range of activities. So, I wore it to my family's clan gathering today. It was about 90 degrees (32C) and not a cloud in the sky. I found my personal piece of Tilley portable shade 100% up to the task. So, while my Balmoral is near and dear to my Celtic heart, the Tilley will be accompanying me to the games in case the mercury rises too far...

**OC Richard** · 15th June 13, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

Well, as a result of this thread, I went out and purchased a Tilley hat. I figured it would come in handy for the games, yet would be appropriate for a wide range of activities.

Ditto! Though the one I just bought isn't Tilley brand, but in that style. I wore it today on a long walk in hot sun and it provides total shade but gives a nice breeze to the head. Baseball hats bake my head (I need to get a mesh one). This "Tilley" will be my go-to Games hat.

**Stoo** · 16th June 13, 09:39 AM

Being a baldy man I have a preference for hat wearing. When kilted I wear anything from a flat cap to a trilby. I have a favoured straw trilby for summer wear as this keeps off the sun and also allow air to circulate (I do sweat a lot). I don't yet own a bonnet but I am looking Ito getting one for winter wear. I was given a very smart tweed deerstalker for my birthday which I will be wearing on my autumn walks.

**flyrod6057** · 16th June 13, 10:38 AM

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The new Tilley in action!!!

**Aussie_Don** · 9th July 13, 01:37 AM

Glengary in the cold with a MacGregor crest.

Leather Aussie "cockie's" hat for shade in the hot
weather, though I never felt completely comfortable
with a "Non-Scottish" hat. But, there is a major
difference between the gentle Summer sun in the
Highlands, and the Antipodean blowtorch sun that
we have to deal with in Oz. So, wide brim hat it
must be.

-Don

**thescot** · 15th July 13, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

Well, as a result of this thread, I went out and purchased a Tilley hat. I figured it would come in handy for the games, yet would be appropriate for a wide range of activities. So, I wore it to my family's clan gathering today. It was about 90 degrees (32C) and not a cloud in the sky. I found my personal piece of Tilley portable shade 100% up to the task. So, while my Balmoral is near and dear to my Celtic heart, the Tilley will be accompanying me to the games in case the mercury rises too far...

I have had a Tilley-like hat--and Ultimate Hat, I think is the brand--for many years that I purchased for sailing. It has two straps so you can put one under your chin and the other behind your head if it's a real blow. And for that purpose, or for any other sun drenched purpose, it's the stuff!

But . . . I would not wear it with Highland attire simple because I don't care for the look. It's akin to an old boony hat from the USMC i have hidden out around here somewhere. We also called them "floppies" back in the old Corps. (Some of you young buck Marines will understand, and the old guys will know exactly what I am talking about.) It's just a little too floppy for my tastes.

So I stick with the balmoral--which is a little warm, I guarantee you--or, if I'm feeling really saucy and don't mind looking abit military, a glengarry. Either is easily removed for brow wiping and do not look out of place or sloppy. The military tam is also a favorite, and though it makes my head itch a little, it's also lighter than the balmoral.

But, after reading this, I might consider my medium brimmed rain hat from Stetson. It's called a Gable, or something to that effect because it has a turned-down brim and recalls the one Gable wore in It Happened One Night. (A real classic, but that's for another day.)

**kiltedrennie** · 15th July 13, 06:40 PM

I wore my Tilley this weekend at the Saline Celtic Festival. We had sunny skies and 90+ degree temps. Worked like a charm. I was going to wear a sea grass woven hat for more air flow but my wife nixed it. She felt it was too casual for the kilt.