What EXACTLY are the differences between a:

Balmoral
Tam
Caubeen
Beret
Just plain bonnet flat cap

:confused: :confused: :confused:

I had thought that a beret was the basic flat cap with nothing else. The balmoral has a torrie and ribbons. The tam was a knitted version of the balmoral that attempted to replicate the tartan (much like argyle socks/hose). I never heard of a caubeen, but it looks like an "Irish balmoral." The orignal just plain bonnet was a large flat cap that was either woven/knitted (usually in a blue wool yarn) or two round cut fabric pieces sown together.

Yet, after what I've seen on this forum, I'm questioning how well I know the differences and what makes each one what it is (its defining characteristics).

The structure is VERY similar, but what makes one one and not another?

Can a balmoral be a balmoral without a torrie and ribbons?

Does a balmoral have to have that stiff part (for the badge)?

Is a tam an unstructured balmoral?

Help clear up my confusion, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:confused: :confused: :confused: