How do you put on a balmoral?

**Crawdad** · 4th February 13, 06:22 PM

I've been wearing a glengarry for a while now and really like it. I recently got a balmoral though, and I find it is much harder to put on than the glengarry and get it comfortable. My wife says it's because I wore a flight cap for years in the Air Force and the glengarry is very similar. No doubt she's right, but that doesn't solve the problem. Is there a proper way to put on a balmoral that doesn't require both hands to get it adjusted? I like to have the variety of multiple hats to wear, but right now I'm much more comfortable with the glengarry so I wear it most of the time. Any suggestions?

**Jordan** · 4th February 13, 08:25 PM

Interesting Question. Personally I'm the other way around but then I wear a Beret a lot and I can never get comfortable in my Glengarry or uniform Forage cap (Same idea as your Flight Cap).

I'm not sure if I can adequately answer but I kind of place it on my head with my left and pull the loose material with my right hand. I know that's not a good description hopefully someone else will be better able to help or post a video.

Jordan

**plaid preacher** · 4th February 13, 09:52 PM

I think there is a certain amount of variation for style in this one ... PLease accept my comments fofr what they are worth - which if you combine them with a buck 50 will get you a cup of coffee at a coffee shop. MY two beefs, looking at a lot of photos around here is that many folks wear their headgear too far bak revealing great expanses of forehead. I would also say that many purchase headgear that is too large. I would say that if should probably sit fairly similar to your flight cap... just above the brow line perhaps a bit lower since there is no visor to contend with, and then the band should sit parallel to the ground along the side of your head to the back, or even rise up a little toward the back - never down.

Most importantly, abuse the heck out of it - that will get rid of the flat pancake sitting atop your head. There is a thread on here somewhere where the owner loads his new balmorals with rocks and throws them in a stream overnight! Abuse it! The trick is soak it well - a sink will suffice if you don't have a stream - wring it out well, place it on your head and shape it by smoothing the material across to the right (or however you want it) and then wear it around the house for the rest of the day allowing it to dry and from to your own head.

**Lime** · 5th February 13, 02:06 AM

Sir Jock Scot did a splendid thread a little while ago called "Jock's New Balmoral" which will answer any questions you have on the Balmoral ever!

It can be found here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...almoral-57667/

**creagdhubh** · 5th February 13, 05:49 AM

Welcome to the rabble, Crawdad!

I always use two hands when putting on and adjusting my Balmoral bonnet. I first get the band portion of the bonnet just right on my head or to my liking, which tends to be positioned straight and low on the brow, just a wee bit above my eyebrows (I have never been fond of Balmorals placed further back on the head and canted, exposing large amounts of the forehead) ensuring that the cockade is positioned over my left temple and the ribbon bows are centered in the rear. I then firmly hold the band of the Balmoral to prevent the whole thing from moving (though it seldom does, since a proper fitting bonnet should not move around on your head too easily) as I pull the right side of the Balmoral down at the same time. I have never "Jocked" any of my Balmoral bonnets, as I prefer to allow the natural process of years of use to effectively "break in" my bonnets. To each is own, I suppose.

I used to wear a Glengarry bonnet once in a while, yet I have always preferred the Balmoral style. I have since sold off the two Robert Mackie Glengarry bonnets and I only wear Balmorals nowadays. I have seen quite a number of Americans at various Highland games and gatherings/events of a similar nature, wearing the Glengarry bonnet. I think many of them prefer this style of bonnet because it may prove easier to wear than its counterpart, can be a bit more compact when carrying and has more of a military look to it. If you are much more comfortable with the Glengarry bonnet, then by all means, go with it! It's all about personal preferences and what you feel comfortable in.

A couple of photos of me wearing the Balmoral bonnet.

Cheers,

**Crawdad** · 5th February 13, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the advice. You've pretty much confirmed that I am doing it correctly, but that there's not a way to put it on as quickly and easily as I can the glengarry. Think I'll use the glengarry for everyday wear and keep the balmoral for special occasions.

**BBNC** · 6th February 13, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Welcome to the rabble, Crawdad!

I always use two hands when putting on and adjusting my Balmoral bonnet. I first get the band portion of the bonnet just right on my head or to my liking, which tends to be positioned straight and low on the brow, just a wee bit above my eyebrows (I have never been fond of Balmorals placed further back on the head and canted, exposing large amounts of the forehead) ensuring that the cockade is positioned over my left temple and the ribbon bows are centered in the rear. I then firmly hold the band of the Balmoral to prevent the whole thing from moving (though it seldom does, since a proper fitting bonnet should not move around on your head too easily) as I pull the right side of the Balmoral down at the same time. I have never "Jocked" any of my Balmoral bonnets, as I prefer to allow the natural process of years of use to effectively "break in" my bonnets. To each is own, I suppose.

I used to wear a Glengarry bonnet once in a while, yet I have always preferred the Balmoral style. I have since sold off the two Robert Mackie Glengarry bonnets and I only wear Balmorals nowadays. I have seen quite a number of Americans at various Highland games and gatherings/events of a similar nature, wearing the Glengarry bonnet. I think many of them prefer this style of bonnet because it may prove easier to wear than its counterpart, can be a bit more compact when carrying and has more of a military look to it. If you are much more comfortable with the Glengarry bonnet, then by all means, go with it! It's all about personal preferences and what you feel comfortable in.

A couple of photos of me wearing the Balmoral bonnet.

Cheers,

Is that a clan badge on your balmoral? One way to help it point in the right direction. Looks great!

**Pleater** · 5th February 13, 08:47 AM

I wear a balmoral type most days when there is no strong sunlight - which has been every day for a while.

To get it right for my needs requires two hands and a mirror - though 'right' is relative as it changes from day to day. Some days it is doing duty as a halo, sometimes it is tilted to the left, or forwards and flatter.

I do have some military berets, but they are less adaptable being smaller and either my head has grown or they have become smaller over the decades.

Possibly the more rigid construction of the glengarry makes it more of a hat than a cap as it tends to retain its shape.

From time to time I will roll up the balmoral to stash it away if it rains and my hood is too small to wear the cap as well, so they are perhaps not being worn for events as smart as you are envisaging for yours.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**ForresterModern** · 5th February 13, 09:11 AM

To make it simple, put on the bonnet and position the band where it is comfortable and such that the cockade is over the left temple just in front of the ear. Using your left hand to stabilize the position of the left side of the bonnet at the cockade, take your right hand and put it on the crown and drag it over your right ear, maybe a little in front or behind by personal preference for the look. Go outside and get on with life (try not to wear it indoors unless in a large hall-like public place----think train station or airport---a gentleman {virtually} always removes his hat when indoors). Enjoy.

**creagdhubh** · 5th February 13, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

To make it simple, put on the bonnet and position the band where it is comfortable and such that the cockade is over the left temple just in front of the ear. Using your left hand to stabilize the position of the left side of the bonnet at the cockade, take your right hand and put it on the crown and drag it over your right ear, maybe a little in front or behind by personal preference for the look. Go outside and get on with life (try not to wear it indoors unless in a large hall-like public place----think train station or airport---a gentleman {virtually} always removes his hat when indoors). Enjoy.

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