Caubeen suppliers?

[Finn]

Greetings, all!

Lately I've been taken by the look of the caubeen, traditionally headgear of Irish military units (UK, RoI, C). I really like that it is close to the bonnet/tam and beret. It is the high crest and hackle that really catches my eye.
Which vendors do the Rabble recommend? More importantly, are there any I should avoid? If it has any bearing, I like the "rifle" green.
As an American without any ties to the above militaries (US only), is there a color of hackle that is more appropriate? I am not associated with any organizations which wear the caubeen.
Thanks!

[auld argonian]

http://www.glengarryhats.com/otherha...7leeei0e8f9t96


Best

AA

[JS Sanders]

I've purchased a number of items from Glengarryhats.com. Everything I've recvd has been quite good - as good as imports from Scotland. Good value too.

Sometimes the order arrives with one week, on other occasions it was closer to a month. I'd check with them for availability before placing the order if you have a time limitation.

Slainte,
steve

[macwilkin]

Savannah kilts also offers caubeens and the Irish Defence Force "glengarry":

http://www.weddingsavannah.com/Headwear2.html

I believe our own piobear has ordered from them before.

Regards,

Todd

[PiobBear]

I've a standard one from J. Byous Co. It's very well made (in the USA, not Pakistan) and fits very well (they're made to order, so expect a wait). It compares very favorably with an MoD one that I have, but is a bit lighter, doesn't have a quilted liner, and fits better. I might have to get one of their new "tropical weight" ones; a caubeen's a very warm bonnet to wear in Florida. Mine has one of their green rosettes with a reproduction of the brass harp of Erin of the 69th New York Volunteers; the Irish Brigade.

To each their own, but I personally I don't wear hackles. They're traditionally military and often, like the red hackle of the Black Watch, awarded for conspicuous gallantry in action; it feels rather presumptuous to me to wear such a thing I haven't earned. If I was going to wear one, I suppose I'd wear an Irish tricolor hackle, which is clearly civilian with no regimental association.

[Jock Scot]

Might I tactfully suggest that the hackles should not be worn with civilian dress.

[Finn]

Jock & PB~
I accept your explanation. The rosette/cockade with a badge should be enough.
PB~
Thanks for the recommendation.

[Mael Coluim]

I have two Caubeens from J. Byous and can vouch for their quality.

[Zardoz]

I have a made to order Caubeen and Tam from J.Byous / Savannah kilts , they are a great deal. I'm thinking about one of their 'tropical' versions too. In truth, I hardly ever wear the caubeen execpt when walking in the St.Pats parade. I wear the tam more often though, as daywear and to Irish events and ren faires and such. It is a more 'flexable bonnet IMO. It comes with a removable stiffener for the badge area that can make it stand high like a caubeen, but it still has the tourie (pom-pom) and less formal look of a tam. Sometimes I take the badge and stiffener off for a even less formal look. You could ask them to leave the tourie off, or send it loose and place it with a safety pin etc..

Here's the J.Byous tam with stiffener and badge at the Texas Ren Fest;

[Jack Daw]

My latest is a caubeen from glengarryhats.com. I like it very well indeed, but I had to wait about four weeks for it. I didn't mind the wait, but my inquiring emails to the vendor owner went unanswered, which was not a comfort. Regardless, I like that caubeen and the vendor has a good selection of doublets for pipers.