Balaclava

[mungbeanz]

I'm considering buying a balaclava for the winter to keep warm. Do you think I would have any problems walking around Birmingham city centre wearing one? Are there any regulations in place about such a garment?

[heathfield]

I don't see a problem if the face is fully exposed, but if it's the ski-mask type, expect people to be very suspicious about your intentions!

[Teddio]

Providing you don't wear it back-to-front you should be fine.
Failing that, wear the "Birrus Brittanicus". It served the ancient Britons well.

[ludwig]

You'll be alright as long as you wear it underneath a niqab.

[LazyGun]

@ Ludwig - LoL! Has my vote for best answer :)

[237SJ]

Lots of hikers wear balaclavas - I climbed up Kilimanjaro wearing one (it froze). I can`t see that the law can say you can wear one up in the hills but not on the street.

[ichkeria]

Wear it under a niqab and you'll have the EDL after you :-)
Can you imagine the fuss if the top layer is removed to reveal a further layer of deception underneath ...

Seriously, I have a vague recollection that balaclavas were banned in N Ireland at one time as they were regarded as paramilitary dress, but I think that would only have been enforced as part of the whole ensemble of parka, dark glasses, etc etc.

[sandyRoe]

The NI Office produced some anti-terrorist television advertisements in the 1970s where the gunmen pictured wore balaclavas and fingerless mittens. For some reason the mittens never caught on.

[ichkeria]

I remember fireworks (but NOT sparklers!) being banned in shops, spoiling our hallowe'en celebrations.
Though on reflection probably one of the strange benefits of the troubles.

Fingerless mittens are de rigueur when you're trying to prime a device on a cold morning in rural Tyrone :-)

[sandyRoe]

But if it didn't go off you'd left the authorities the grounds to offer you free board and lodgings for 10 or 15 years.

[beegeebee]

Just think of the furore at Matthew Bolton college!! Now what say you??

[joko]

well they're not illegal, so i don't see why not.
you may be asked to remove it indoors - shops, bars, banks etc but that's up to them - their rules.

[mikey4444]

Back in the 50's and 60's, it was common to see boys with hand-knitted balaclavas on, but they used to itch like hell. Think hard before take the plunge mungbeanz !