Balmoral question

[dtandthekilt]

Greetings from Loudon, NH. When wearing a balmoral should the ribbons in the back be left hanging or tied or does it make any difference? I read somewhere how they should be, but can't remember where I read it.

Thanks,
Don

I haven't lived here all my life... yet.

[fudgeman]

Can't help with your question. The "experts" will be along soon. But, from Charlotte, NC

[Spc. Scott]

from Ithaca, NY!

I have had a hard time getting a bow to look right to me (I didn't spend much time on it) so for the time being I have left mine long.

Like fudgeman said, those with a bit more knowledge on the subject will be along shortly.

[thescot]

You may have to iron the ribbons first to make sure they're nice and flat before tying the bow.

And match the angle of the ribbon when you cut off the excess.

[piperdbh]

I agree with TheScot's advice, but here's my variation: I made a loop out of each ribbon and crossed them, the way some people tie thier shoes. Then, instead of tying them in a knot, I simply stitched them together in the crossed formation. That way, the loops are bigger, and the tails of the ribbons are a little longer. I've got a big ol' punkin head, and the longer ribbons look better on me.
There's a theory about tied vs. untied ribbons. Some folks say that untied ribbons signify that your affections are not "tied up" by some bonnie lass, whereas tied ribbons show that you're off the market. Whether there's any truth to it or not, I don't know, but I read it somewhere, I think in So You're Going to Wear the KIlt. That handy little volume also advises you to take a brand-new Balmoral and wet it thoroughly, wring out the water, then kick it along a dusty path. Rinse it, wring it, then hang it on a bush to dry. That'll make it look not-so-new. I did all that with mine, except for kicking it along a dusty path. It does soften the "shelf" (the overhang on the right side), which makes it wear better.
Hope this helps. Let us know how it turns out.

[piperdbh]

By the way, I'd recommend that you replace the toorie on top with one made of the colors in the tartan you plan to wear the Balmoral with. My tartan is navy, green and red, so I took yarn in those colors and made a toorie (pom-pon) to attach to my Balmoral.

[thescot]

. . . but I read it somewhere, I think in So You're Going to Wear the KIlt. That handy little volume also advises you to take a brand-new Balmoral and wet it thoroughly, wring out the water, then kick it along a dusty path. Rinse it, wring it, then hang it on a bush to dry. . .

I absolutely concur with this advice. A new Balmoral always (usually; never say "never" or "always") looks pretty . . . what's the word? . . . pressed.

You really should give it a good washing and working and dry it outside before you wear it. It needs to be somewhat floppy and soft, and that crease from the shelf needs to disappear.

At least that;s one man's opinion. And I speak form experience. I've done this will all my bonnets and berets. ith:

[McMathTX]

I don't own a balmoral, but am thinking of getting one so the answer is of interest to me too. In the meantime, welcome from Fort Worth!
Dean

[thescot]

With a bit of practice, you can get it tied to look pretty good. Then put a couple of stitches through the knot and forget it for the rest of your life.

If you purchased a really good balmoral, chances are the ribbons were sewn together for the first couple of inches below the grosgrain sweat band. Pick those out first. Then, tie a simple knot before making the bow. You time the bow just like a bow tie and make the loops and knot work out to a nice neat little package about 2 1/2" or so in total length. Then you'll have to trim the excess ribbon, cutting the ends at an angle.

A balmoral really should have the robbons tied at the back, but if you just don't want to, the kilt police probably won't cite you. At least, not with anything greater than a warning ticket. :P

BTW, welcome aboard from the frozen southland of Georgia.

[dtandthekilt]

Wow! Many thanks to all of your responses. I have always wanted to show my heritage and finally got time to engage in it. I find it interesting in the response about the pompom that Piperedbh suggested. Many thanks to "thescot" for your information on the bow. The first time I will be wearing my kilt and attire will be at the Burns celebration this weekend and seems like I will be all set.