Balmoral - sizing, style, etc.

**piperdbh** · 11th February 10, 07:29 AM

You can always take the toorie off the hat, or make a smaller one, or a different color.

**Lallans** · 11th February 10, 07:32 AM

Being a person with a larger hat size (+8) I know a fair bit about hats shrinking, generally to my detriment. In my experience, if your balmoral is a little loose it will shrink up on its own even if you don't wet it down- fortunately with a knitted hat this doesn't really matter since if they end up too tight they can be stretched out a fair bit. But I would definitely avoid hot water for the first year. FYI, Glengarryhats.com's size 8 balmoral is a little smaller than other ones I've tried on.

In Canada where I live, balmorals are not even noticed and unlike glengarries have no military connotations, altho my dark green one with white dicing once prompted someone at a support-the-troops rally to ask what regiment I was connected to... (the answer being 'none', I took it off for the duration).

I couldn't keep a balmoral on in daytime in the summer, but with my 'Gillette-style' haircut they are fine any other time of the year, let's say 60 degrees F or cooler, as long as long as it's not ear-freezing cold weather. If you pull them over your ears then, they probably look pretty stupid.

The long-established Scots stores here only tend to sell balmorals that are (1) navy blue or (2) lovat blue, with only two types of dicing. That's another reason why the above-mentioned seller is such a great resource, and very probably why my green job was mistaken for a military one.

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 07:45 AM

I've hesitated on buying a bonnet because of the pom-pom and bow. But just last night I ordered THIS balmoral. It'll be tweed and have no toorie or ribbons. The seller was prompt and very helpful with my questions.
Just another option, one that might be more palatable to the wife.
Good luck!

**slohairt** · 11th February 10, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

In Canada where I live, balmorals are not even noticed and unlike glengarries have no military connotations, altho my dark green one with white dicing once prompted someone at a support-the-troops rally to ask what regiment I was connected to... (the answer being 'none', I took it off for the duration).

Actually, the Balmoral does have military connotations in Canada, as it is worn by the Black Watch of Canada, Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, the Lorne Scots, the Scotia Highlanders, and the Calgary Highlanders.

**mull** · 11th February 10, 10:03 AM

Newenglander,
That is a very nice looking hat. Good find.

**Macman** · 11th February 10, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

Actually, the Balmoral does have military connotations in Canada, as it is worn by the Black Watch of Canada, Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, the Lorne Scots, the Scotia Highlanders, and the Calgary Highlanders.

John, I took him to mean that lots of civvies wear balmorals, too, without the military connotation.
Wear I live, the balmoral wouldn't get a second glance, and lots of non-kilted gents wear them.
The Canadian Scottish Regiment wears khaki balmorals too

, so we're used to seeing them around town on our reservists.

**ForresterModern** · 11th February 10, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

I've hesitated on buying a bonnet because of the pom-pom and bow. But just last night I ordered THIS balmoral. It'll be tweed and have no toorie or ribbons. The seller was prompt and very helpful with my questions.
Just another option, one that might be more palatable to the wife.
Good luck!

I have the exact same tweed Balmoral (sans tails) in the grey tweed from Mossie Croft, and love it. Goes great with my winter coat, and still puts a little scottish flair into the look. They also make a variety of Bals and tams in different colors, although they do not necessarily follow the same design specs as historically correct ones. Still great bonnets at a good price.

j

**auld argonian** · 11th February 10, 11:51 AM

Here's a link to some pretty good instructions on making a tam.

I'm not sure just who this mysterious "troop 7" is that posted it...maybe some semi-secret paramilitary organization that's bent on world domination while wearing tams...or maybe it's just a Brownie troop...I dunno.

http://www.troop7.net/Resources/7.%2...0construct.pdf

...anyway, it looks like a pretty simple exercise and opens thing up to all types of fabric from tweed to wool to tartan.

Enjoy!

Best

AA

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I'm not sure just who this mysterious "troop 7" is that posted it...maybe some semi-secret paramilitary organization that's bent on world domination while wearing tams...or maybe it's just a Brownie troop...I dunno.
Best

AA

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

I have the exact same tweed Balmoral (sans tails) in the grey tweed from Mossie Croft, and love it. Goes great with my winter coat, and still puts a little scottish flair into the look. They also make a variety of Bals and tams in different colors, although they do not necessarily follow the same design specs as historically correct ones. Still great bonnets at a good price.

j

Glad to hear a good review. It was very much an impulse buy!
Is there a handy spot where you attach your clan badge? I know that more traditional ones have a place specifically for it, but didn't seen one on the tweed version (which is fine with me).