What is Traditional Highland Dress?

[artificer]

The baseball cap has now been reduced to "ballcap" has it? May I suggest that that moves it somewhat closer to being accepted as tradtional US attire ...
Rex

You, good sir, may suggest anything that you like. I, for one, would take great issue with that suggestion. It's 'tradition' is that of ball-parks, truck (lorry) drivers*, and a certain baggy-pant-ill-mannered set. I'm not the most formal of men (I try never to wear more than a linen shirt and shorts. I'm slowly trying to phase the shorts out for the kilt, but that's taking some work), but I draw the line at my **** hanging out of my pants as if I were wearing my father's trousers, or some giant, foam-fronted, cap.

*No offense intended for those whose profession is to shift everything we need in life around on our roads, my uncle drove for almost 20 years... but you must admit, drivers aren't usually the most 'stylish'.

[ThistleDown]

You, good sir, may suggest anything that you like. I, for one, would take great issue with that suggestion. It's 'tradition' is that of ball-parks, truck (lorry) drivers*, and a certain baggy-pant-ill-mannered set. I'm not the most formal of men (I try never to wear more than a linen shirt and shorts. I'm slowly trying to phase the shorts out for the kilt, but that's taking some work), but I draw the line at my **** hanging out of my pants as if I were wearing my father's trousers, or some giant, foam-fronted, cap.

*No offense intended for those whose profession is to shift everything we need in life around on our roads, my uncle drove for almost 20 years... but you must admit, drivers aren't usually the most 'stylish'.

No? You reject the idea that a bit of head gear could be adopted as traditional -- a symbol for a nation -- because it is a fashion among some folk in another nation? Or is it because it looks culturally inappropriate when worn with a suit?

[artificer]

No? You reject the idea that a bit of head gear could be adopted as traditional -- a symbol for a nation -- because it is a fashion among some folk in another nation? Or is it because it looks culturally inappropriate when worn with a suit?

I reject it for several reasons;
1) It's only been around for the last 80 years (which, I realize, is a long time for America).

2) It's sole creation seems to be for a sport that, is at best, 2nd in today's America {(Football)-(unfortunately, the American version, not the Premier League/FA/World Cup Variety) is 'America's Game' in this day and age.} BTW: I also HATE American Football.

3) If it appears anywhere but 'Wal-Mart' it's uncouth. Even in today's America.
If you are in any restaurant above one star and are wearing a baseball cap, YOU are the embarrassment (even in today's America). You may, even, be asked to doff your cap, or leave.

4) Most people who wear the 'cap' don't even know what a 'Chav' is...
It doesn't matter what the wear represents elsewhere, it's where it was founded (much like the flat cap being a no-go today in Scotland with the kilt). If you wear it, you're a tit (unless you're playing sport or working under an automobile).

5) If the symbol of my nation is the baseball cap, I'm more than willing to re-locate to Canada or Scotland or Germany. Gods forbid I should ever have to put on a baseball cap when I'm not trying to shade my eyes from sun or grease (auto repair).

6) It is also a killing offense with a suit.

ps. If I came off like a snobbish b@stard, well, good. Apparently I'm still able to type after LOTS of G&Ts.

[ThistleDown]

I reject it for several reasons;
1) It's only been around for the last 80 years (which, I realize, is a long time for America).

2) It's sole creation seems to be for a sport that, is at best, 2nd in today's America {(Football)-(unfortunately, the American version, not the Premier League/FA/World Cup Variety) is 'America's Game' in this day and age.} BTW: I also HATE American Football.

3) If it appears anywhere but 'Wal-Mart' it's uncouth. Even in today's America.
If you are in any restaurant above one star and are wearing a baseball cap, YOU are the embarrassment (even in today's America). You may, even, be asked to doff your cap, or leave.

4) Most people who wear the 'cap' don't even know what a 'Chav' is...
It doesn't matter what the wear represents elsewhere, it's where it was founded (much like the flat cap being a no-go today in Scotland with the kilt). If you wear it, you're a tit (unless you're playing sport or working under an automobile).

5) If the symbol of my nation is the baseball cap, I'm more than willing to re-locate to Canada or Scotland or Germany. Gods forbid I should ever have to put on a baseball cap when I'm not trying to shade my eyes from sun or grease (auto repair).

6) It is also a killing offense with a suit.

ps. If I came off like a snobbish b@stard, well, good. Apparently I'm still able to type after LOTS of G&Ts.

Artificer I for one am very, very happy to read of your rejection of ballcaps as traditional US headwear. Are you about to move on to something similar for Tom Mix' 10-gallons, John Wayne's 5(?)-gallons and maybe even Clint Northwood's half-gallons?

We don't have the same feeling about the flat caps in Scotland, of course. For its utility it is super; slap it on your head and you will be warm and dry on most days. We don't have too much bright sun to contend with, so its tiny brim is just fine, and a quick nod of the head moves the collected wee pool of water on top in a quick cascade down over your nose and chin. Off it comes as you go indoors and into a pocket whilst you visit.

Up here, in the wettest of times, though, there is nothing quite like a fore-and-aft. Warm, lovely, toastie, *sigh*, sun-shielding, rain down the back and over the collar, good visibility....

In between the informality of the cheese-wedge and the slightly more formality of the coming-and-going (and both sides of both), there's the Highland bonnet! (stiffen your back and raise your chin). Now there's a bit of traditional head gear worth the honour.(shouts and cheers and claps and snears).

(Edit: what, the "baseball cap" has evoved even further? Moving onward from the "ball" cap, it is now simply called "the cap"? Just anothwer step towards acceptance as tradition, I say. But, in my ignorance and with much shuddering, I must ask: what is a Chav?)