Thank you everyone for all the well expressed opinions.

As for the loafers

I wore them today with a kilt and though they were quite comfortable, I suspect that they are not going to a regular part of my kilted wardrobe. They will probably look better with my brown and khaki trousers anyway.

As for the new deer stalker hat

I wore the second outfit all day yesterday and didn't get one single "Sherlock Holmes" remark. Perhaps as Sara noted, the overall design and shape/size of the peaks makes it look more like a hat and less like a costume prop. A very nice hat that will get a lot of use.

As for the infamous "other" hat

I am still quite fond of it (if it is indicative of Kangol's quality I need more Kangol hats). It actually looks even better with the colors of my regular cut tweed jacket (a brown one). I'm sure it will still get kilted use (much to Jock Scot's horror! ) My trilby Gaffer has a place of honor on a brass elephant shaped hook that is reserved for the hat I reach before before I even think about what I am wearing. Tradition is a great thing, but everyone needs to express themselves a little.

As to deer stalkers and inverness capes in general

It really is a pity that these two items have become so associated with the Great Detective. Today I took the children to the San Francisco Zoo. On our walk to the main entrance we made a slight detour to look at the ocean. The day was stormy- cold, windy, and raining heavily. Yet standing there I found that both deer stalker and inverness cape kept me wonderfully warm and dry.The snug fitting deerstalker (my older gray one) never threaten to fly off.


They aren't for everyone, but even if a tad flamboyant for modern America, they are extremely useful and practical items.



Cheers

Jamie