Headwear?

[just4fun63]

I have a question for you traditional kilters, what is correct for headwear?
I seem to see a lot of “disdain” for headwear in the community of kilt wearers.
What are your feelings on headwear?
I feel a need to protect my head from the sun when possible.

[Tobus]

Just to be clear, are you asking about "correct" in the context of Highland traditions?

[just4fun63]

Just to be clear, are you asking about "correct" in the context of Highland traditions?

Actually I let the question be open ended as I hope to learn about both traditional and “what’s OK”

[Taskr]

IMO "what's ok" is just about anything you're comfortable with, though I'll admit to not yet seeing hockey helmets or hard hats (one tv commercial excepted). I have some flat caps and a Tilley that go well to my eye for style. As mentioned, its about practicality. I'm not in a highland regiment or pipe band, so I have no glens or tams for 'traditional' wear but I find the tam can look very nice with civilian attire.

[Father Bill]

Am I correct in thinking that headwear, along with socks and shoes, causes a degree of controversy here? I do have issues with people wearing hats (of any description) indoors, particularly at mealtimes, but that is down to my upbringing. As for what to wear with a kilt, well surely it depends upon practicality. Here in Scotland protection from the sun is not an issue compared with keeping the rain off so I would say that needs must and the most suitable headgear is what suits the conditions at the time.

Good for you, Steve. I agree about indoors and particularly at meals. Hats must come off then or label someone as having no notion of traditional manners.

You'll find quite a range of headgear, and frankly, if you're one who burns easily and in a sunny location, you'll need to vary from tradition. A "Fore & Aft" is traditionally Scottish - a bit like a fedora only with the brim narrower at the sides, but then, that doesn't protect your ears much, does it? Neither does a deerstalker.

Flat caps are controversial inasmuch as they're more Saxon than Highland (thus the disdain), but then they don't protect ears either, and for that matter neither does a Glengarry, and a Balmoral only protects one... a little bit.

So what to do! Some folks wear a Tilley style https://www.tilley.com/ca_en/men/hats/winter-hats.html And some just wear a fedora.

If you're in Highland type weather, then I'd suggest a Balmoral, but in sunnier climes, a Tilley or Fedora type is probably a good bet.

[Tobinn]

I wear either a flat cap because I've worn one for about 30 years - when it's not blistering hot (here is ever-sunny Florida, USA) or a sort of wide-brimmed garden hat when it's sunny/hot out. Most other headgear I just find otherwise impractical for these subtropics.

[Manu]

I might be an oddity in the kilt world, as I do not wear headwear while kilted, ever. I find that a little bit of sunblock on my ears and nose does the trick pretty well for me. I've never found hats to be flattering on me, I got a small head

[figheadair]

I might be an oddity in the kilt world, as I do not wear headwear while kilted, ever. I find that a little bit of sunblock on my ears and nose does the trick pretty well for me. I've never found hats to be flattering on me, I got a small head

You're not an oddity, I likewise don't seat headwear as a rule. We are in good company, neither does HRH The Prince Charles.