Just ordered a Balmoral

[Bruce Scott]

Yes Tobus, I did a search online and Jock's post showed up, so I generally followed his instructions. I just soaked the hat in a washing machine though instead of a creek. There was no way I could stand to wear a wet hat until it dried however, so I just carefully took it off and put the hat stretcher inside to keep it from shrinking. If it doesn't work out right I'll try the process again, but will try to get more water out of the hat, then maybe I can wear it until it's dry.

There is no need to wear the thing sopping wet nor to keep it on your head for an extended period. I wore berets for 25 years in the Army and would frequently shape and set them using hot water with the addition of some liquid laundry detergent. The detergent ensures that that the fabric is fully wet and that the water runs right through the crown. Once really wet, squeeze out the excess water and throw the beret / bonnet into the washer and spin dry on the spin cycle for a couple of minutes. At this point it will remain damp and can be shaped on the head. Once you're happy with the look take it off your head carefully so as to retain the shape and, keeping it in shape, sit it somewhere to air dry.

That's the method I used with this TOS:

[PatrickHughes123]

For some reason I feel like the flat cap I've been wearing just doesn't look quite right with the kilt... not bad... just not exactly the look I'm after. I ordered the tan one because I think it will do best in the approaching warmer weather and the color should also work with anything. I'm slightly concerned about looking like I'm wearing a costume or something however, but a regular ball cap with a kilt just looks crazy to me. So far my biggest challenge regarding wearing the kilt is finding the appropriate headgear.

If you want my personal opinion it is this. Your tan colour balmoral looks excellent. I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the kilt, I think you should be dressed head to toe in kilt wear. For the head, Glengarry/Balmoral/Feather Bonnet. For the top half of the body, a Ghillie Shirt/Prince Charlie Jacket with Plaid. For the bottom half of the body, a traditional tartan non-pocket kilt with sporran, kilt pin and kilt belt. For your feet, hoes, ghillie brogues, tartan flashes and sgian dhu.

So as long as you are following this, you will look fine. Regardless of the colour/decoration of your Highland headwear.

Interesting, you will like this. I live in Scotland. And I buy my kilt wear out of a kilt shop chain called Tartan House of Scotland. In there they sell plain black balmorals and plain black glengarries, black balmorals with red/white/black dicing and black glengarries with red/white/black dicing. They don't sell feather bonnets. Same with other kilt shop chains that I have visited. That seems to be the standard; in Scotland at least. And if you want any other kind of balmoral/glengarry, you have to get it online.

[OC Richard]

I wore berets for 25 years in the Army and would frequently shape and set them using hot water with the addition of some liquid laundry detergent. The detergent ensures that that the fabric is fully wet and that the water runs right through the crown. Once really wet, squeeze out the excess water and throw the beret / bonnet into the washer and spin dry on the spin cycle for a couple of minutes. At this point it will remain damp and can be shaped on the head. Once you're happy with the look take it off your head carefully so as to retain the shape and, keeping it in shape, sit it somewhere to air dry.

Thanks for that! Great to know.

Yes the traditional Mackie Balmorals have an odd shape when new and do need to be moulded to the head.

I recently had that issue with a WPG reproduction Great Wars TOS. New, the thick wool thing was a stiff disc, sort of like wearing an LP on your head. I didn't know about the detergent & spin dry method. I just got it completely soaked and shaped it while on my head and it pretty much retained its shape afterwards. You see it in my avatar there.

Your outfit looks fantastic and I love the shape you got on your bonnet. Isn't that the "fawn" from Mackie?

And the tartan... I think I've seen it somewhere before

[OC Richard]

I buy my kilt wear out of a kilt shop chain called Tartan House of Scotland.

In there they sell plain black balmorals and plain black glengarries, black balmorals with red/white/black dicing and black glengarries with red/white/black dicing.

This is interesting because it's different than the traditional Glengarries and Balmorals made by Mackie.

In addition to numerous other colours, Mackie has long made:

Dark blue Balmorals and Glengarries, no dicing.

Dark blue Balmorals and Glengarries, red/white/black dicing or red/white (Argylls) dicing.

Black Balmorals and Glengarries, no dicing.

The blue is so dark that it's often mistaken for black- you can have a black one and a blue one in your hands and have a hard time telling them apart except in good light such as outdoor sunlight.

It's the bane of the civilian Pipe Band world: inevitably there will be a mix of black and blue Glengarries in the band.

The army's Glengarries are the dark blue. Civilian pipe bands tend to wear black to match their black Argyll jackets.

[PatrickHughes123]

This is interesting because it's different than the traditional Glengarries and Balmorals made by Mackie.

In addition to numerous other colours, Mackie has long made:

Dark blue Balmorals and Glengarries, no dicing.

Dark blue Balmorals and Glengarries, red/white/black dicing or red/white (Argylls) dicing.

Black Balmorals and Glengarries, no dicing.

The blue is so dark that it's often mistaken for black- you can have a black one and a blue one in your hands and have a hard time telling them apart except in good light such as outdoor sunlight.

It's the bane of the civilian Pipe Band world: inevitably there will be a mix of black and blue Glengarries in the band.

The army's Glengarries are the dark blue. Civilian pipe bands tend to wear black to match their black Argyll jackets.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Tartan House of Scotland does sell blue Glengarries, not sure about Balmorals though. I understand, it is that dark, military navy blue. Yeah, I remember it took me a few seconds one time to realize it was dark navy blue rather than black.

[Bruce Scott]

Thanks for that! Great to know.

Yes the traditional Mackie Balmorals have an odd shape when new and do need to be moulded to the head.

Your outfit looks fantastic and I love the shape you got on your bonnet. Isn't that the "fawn" from Mackie?

And the tartan... I think I've seen it somewhere before

Thanks, the bonnet is a fawn 'officer's pattern' TOS that I picked up on eBay and the tartan is Scott weathered green.



Tartan: https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/scott-g...tartan-fabric/

[KMCMICHAEL]

Bruce Scot

What is that Tartan sir?

Thanks

[tokareva]

Someone please explain what is going on with this model,what is the tartan piece for,unit ID?

s-l300.jpg

I like this one. Could I get away with wearing it without insulting someone in the UK forces?

s-l1600.jpg

[Bruce Scott]

Bruce Scot

What is that Tartan sir?

Thanks

It's Scott, Weathered Green.

[Bruce Scott]

Someone please explain what is going on with this model,what is the tartan piece for,unit ID?

s-l300.jpg

'The British Soldier in the 20th Century 2; Field Service Head Dress 1902 to the present day' by Mike Chappell p. 11:
"The practice of wearing tartan patches on T.O.S. bonnets began in the 9th (Scottish) Division in 1915. Battalions of the Division were ordered to wear these distinctions in the manner of "battle patches"; cap badges were not worn in the line... The fashion started by the 9th Division was gradually copied and survives to this day."


Now all battalions of the RRS wear a Government 1A Tartan patch but with different coloured hackles.