Would you ever wear a feather in your cap, particularly in the U.S.?

[Dale Seago]

Here in the US you're going to have difficulties with Federal law, including up to a $25,00 fine, if you're in possession of eagle feathers without documentary proof of sufficient Siberian-American ancestry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_feather_law

Lots of folks are unaware of this; I know of it because my paternal aunt was probably the last surviving traditional Comanche medicine woman and was (through adoption) an enrolled member of the Comanche nation; so she did have eagle feathers and other parts (wing bones for ceremonial pipe tampers, for example) around the house.

For my part, I do occasionally wear one of my African Grey Parrot's scarlet tail-feathers in my bonnet.

[Jock Scot]

I don't think any Scot will have a problem there Geoff.

[Urchurdan]

I wouldn't wear a feather, but have on occasion cosidered a small hackle - never got round to it though, low on my 'like to have list'.
The foot soldiers of the tartan Army have never been shy to sport feathers in their hats, I have never seen an eagle feather, but most seem to sport pheasant feathers. The four hatted members of this group all have feathers.
Not to my taste, but our members should note, that among the numerous members of the tartan Army,they pretty much view it as their own business if they do or not, and hang convention.

[Harold Cannon]

I always wondered about Turkey tail feathers. As my heritage is both Scotch-Irish and Cherokee I wondered if it would be a bad idea. As a youth when I used to dance at different events I wore three turkey tail feathers in the spreader of my horsehair roach. Just a thought anyway.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You will never stop posers and frauds (the bogus "Of that Ilk" crowd) from passing off. The world is full of fake Rolex watch wearers, people whose necks turn green from their gold chains, and those who strut around with turkey feathers in their bonnets at the local Highland Games. Often these are the same people who show up at Tartan Balls wearing more medals than Hermann Goering...

Of course, those entitled to feathers know who the fakers are and can spot them before they smell them. How's that? Well, it's simple, really. Those who are actually entitled to feathers rarely wear them. Feathers are worn on specific occasions, and just attending a Scottish gathering isn't enough to make one put on his feathers. But the social frauds don't know that, so they show up in feathers, invent preposterous stories, and are laughed at by those who know how the game is really played.

Feathers, in a sense, are like military medals. If you are not entitled to them, don't wear them. If you do, be advised that although the real armigers may not know who you are, they will definitely know what you are.

[JSFMACLJR]

I am armigerous. I wear a feather occasionally--not often-- especially if I am acting in any sort of official capacity. I prefer not to wear an eagle feather because my crest badge is clear evidence of my status as an armiger.

PS. I didn't vote, because there wasn't a choice that read: "Yes, as an armiger I sometimes wear an eagle feather in my bonnet."

[creagdhubh]

I am armigerous. I wear a feather occasionally--not often-- especially if I am acting in any sort of official capacity. I prefer not to wear an eagle feather because my crest badge is clear evidence of my status as an armiger.

PS. I didn't vote, because there wasn't a choice that read: "Yes, as an armiger I sometimes wear an eagle feather in my bonnet."

Quite right Sandy and I agree with you!

[artificer]

Often these are the same people who show up at Tartan Balls wearing more medals than Hermann Goering...

MoR FTW! This has to be my favorite inter-webz tidbit of the day

[Jock Scot]

Mike Oettle.

Mike I am well aware that a bearskin and busby are not the same thing, but as you well know many people do not know the difference and mistakenly think a bearskin is a busby, grrrr. BUT I have discovered over many years that if you mention the dreaded word alongside bearskin then they know what you are talking about------ a bearskin!

[Riverkilt]

I often wear feathers I've found in a hat. I consider feather's spiritual gifts. Very common to wear them with western hats in the western U.S. Don't wear them in Scottish headgear though.

Red Tail Hawk feathers are also illegal in the U.S. except for Native Americans.

A feather in a western style hat is, as mentioned, dashing.