Buy a balmoral?

**creagdhubh** · 2nd December 13, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

One issue I have with my Robert Mackie Balmoral is that the ribbon is colour matched to the lovat blue balmoral. After a couple of wears at our summer highland games I have a nice band of sweat stain across it so I tend to wear my military TOS more often. I will likely replace the band with black ribbon, but if you live somewhere warm, this is something to consider.

Personally, I think the sweat stain adds character to the overall look of the Balmoral!

**BCAC** · 3rd December 13, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

One issue I have with my Robert Mackie Balmoral is that the ribbon is colour matched to the lovat blue balmoral. After a couple of wears at our summer highland games I have a nice band of sweat stain across it so I tend to wear my military TOS more often. I will likely replace the band with black ribbon, but if you live somewhere warm, this is something to consider.

You should be able to carefully wash those stains out quite simply.

**Pleater** · 3rd December 13, 03:07 AM

They do need to be washed - head gear can get soiled, smelly and harbour bacteria enough to cause rashes or even open sores. Gentle dunking in warm water with a drop of detergent or even a rub with hand soap will clean off oil and remove salts - though if the soiling is heavy it might need to soak a while. Several rinses with a splosh of white vinegar in the last one (to give it a pH where wool is happiest) should restore the cap. Squeeze it in a towel to remove water then stretch it out into shape and let it dry in a warm place.

**creagdhubh** · 3rd December 13, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

They do need to be washed - head gear can get soiled, smelly and harbour bacteria enough to cause rashes or even open sores. Gentle dunking in warm water with a drop of detergent or even a rub with hand soap will clean off oil and remove salts - though if the soiling is heavy it might need to soak a while. Several rinses with a splosh of white vinegar in the last one (to give it a pH where wool is happiest) should restore the cap. Squeeze it in a towel to remove water then stretch it out into shape and let it dry in a warm place.

Excellent advice, Pleater. I wonder though, for Highland bonnets to become that severly soiled and smelly, what on Earth is that particular person doing? Running a marathon whilst kilted and wearing a bonnet?! I realise it's a rather subjective topic; relative to each individual case, since most people perspire in varying amounts. Speaking from personal experience, I've never had any severe soiling or profuse sweat stains on my Balmorals, and believe me, I've worn them on some extremely warm days, but that's just me. I understand that everyone is different. Perhaps over time, and in my own particular case, an accumulation of sweat and soiling may be cause for alarm and proper cleaning as you so aptly described.

Kindest regards,

**Nathan** · 3rd December 13, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

They do need to be washed - head gear can get soiled, smelly and harbour bacteria enough to cause rashes or even open sores. Gentle dunking in warm water with a drop of detergent or even a rub with hand soap will clean off oil and remove salts - though if the soiling is heavy it might need to soak a while. Several rinses with a splosh of white vinegar in the last one (to give it a pH where wool is happiest) should restore the cap. Squeeze it in a towel to remove water then stretch it out into shape and let it dry in a warm place.

The only washing I ever did with my military headdress was to soak it under hot water periodically to re-form it. I never had a rash or sore of any kind as a result of sweat getting on the wool or leather band (when I wore a beret) of my headdress. Wool is truly an amazing fabric.

That having been said, I've washed many a cotton baseball cap for getting smelly so I will certainly give your method a try as it seems far less labour intensive than replacing the ribbon!

**Pleater** · 3rd December 13, 10:03 AM

My military sourced berets have a leather band, which seems to cope with anything, as do the caps I create for myself as I make them without a fabric band - it is the ones with the bound edge which I think would become rather nasty if left as the tape will be either cotton or man made fibre, or a mixture of the two.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**TheOfficialBren** · 4th December 13, 08:51 PM

My hat size is smaller than what Glengary Hats offers.

53.3 cm, or 21 in.

What are some recommendations from the rabble in the same price range but similar in quality?

Also, are Tam O'Shanters inappropriate for civilian wear?

Thank you.

**kiltedrennie** · 6th December 13, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

My hat size is smaller than what Glengary Hats offers.

53.3 cm, or 21 in.

What are some recommendations from the rabble in the same price range but similar in quality?

Also, are Tam O'Shanters inappropriate for civilian wear?

Thank you.

There are several knitters here who will make one for hire sized just for you.

I'm one of them, but unfortunately I'm swamped with my day job (which has become a night job too!) I'm afraid it would take me too long to get the job done to anyone's satisfaction, including mine.

**MrLion** · 7th December 13, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by kiltedrennie

There are several knitters here who will make one for hire sized just for you.

I'm one of them, but unfortunately I'm swamped with my day job (which has become a night job too!) I'm afraid it would take me too long to get the job done to anyone's satisfaction, including mine.

Here's an Etsy link to handmade old-fashioned balmoral bonnet, only $30.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/11698410...op_home_active

Oops, their sizes only go down to 56 cm, may be a good resource for others though.