Trying something out (headwear)

**English Bloke** · 5th June 12, 09:57 AM

It's not working for me Line, sorry. Not 'cause of the colour or any of that, just the shape.

**Scout** · 5th June 12, 10:06 AM

I think you could pull this off with a little work on the shape. My bet is that if it's right off the shelf, the beret probably still has a liner in it. The first thing I'd do is cut that out, give the whole thing a good soaking in cool water and shape it to my noggin. Pick a time when you don't have anything pressing to do for awhile and wear it until it dries back out.

Now I think I'll join Skiballa and dig through my old footlocker. I've still got a few of those around too!

**Woodsheal** · 5th June 12, 10:23 AM

The beret is no different from the flat, knitted Scots bonnet of times past. It's simply from a different part of Europe, and bears a different name. Both are descendents of the universally worn flat knitted caps of the Middle Ages. This makes the balmoral the beret's "first cousin", as it were....

**jhockin** · 5th June 12, 10:30 AM

just be sure not to wear it in Northern Ireland !

**cable scot** · 5th June 12, 11:19 AM

Line,
With a bit of shapeing It'll look cool,thoe a cockade would be nice.

**Finn** · 5th June 12, 11:25 AM

Hi!

I have some experience with a caubeen. I purchased mine (an MoD issue in dark green) from Woodsheal a few years back. I am still in love with it, but it IS a sartorial statement. Its a bold bit of headgear. My (now) ex-wife loathes it. Even one of my oldest & dearest friends (a woman) was hard-pressed to be complimentary.

I have a forest green bonnet which more closely resembles a beret and is not as divisive.

Just my two cents...

**tulloch** · 5th June 12, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by linedrive

this might be the more frugal route.

Frugal is good.

**Off kilt-er dude** · 5th June 12, 04:55 PM

I like it, looks good to me. But I'm the kind of guy that will take the brightest and most obnoxious of colors and wear them for fun!

**Mickey** · 5th June 12, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

AirBORNE!!

Seriously, I think it looks great. Super conversion job too!!

I like the look. I also have a maroon balmoral because that's what my wife picked out for me. During our recent Irish Festival, some yakov smirnov started in on me about Airborne, clearly not recognizing my EGA badge on it. I think I need to pick a fawn or pony up for one or Ryan's bonnets in silver. I look great in the maroon, but I didn't think of the implications.

**Arnot** · 6th June 12, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by Mickey

I like the look. I also have a maroon balmoral because that's what my wife picked out for me. During our recent Irish Festival, some yakov smirnov started in on me about Airborne, clearly not recognizing my EGA badge on it. I think I need to pick a fawn or pony up for one or Ryan's bonnets in silver. I look great in the maroon, but I didn't think of the implications.

I am a retired paratrooper and there are no implications. Your Balmoral is just that. It's not a beret with flash and crest. You have simply chosen a bonnet in a color you/your wife like.