This hat needs Jock'd.

[ThistleDown]

I'm not sure who might be 'The Lairds' you refer to, BBoy, but most of us with years behind us just let the rain do the trick: wear the thing, squeeze the water out, hang it to drip, put it on the next day, squeeze the water out at the end, hang it up -- day after day after day. A new shirt is a new shirt until it has been washed a time or two, too, but I can't believe you really wash it, blow dry it and shave it before you first put it on. Come now! This is a head-covering we are talking about.

[Grizzly]

..... I can't believe you really wash it, blow dry it and shave it before you first put it on. Come now! This is a head-covering we are talking about.

The most sensible thing I have read in a long while Rex.

[Benning Boy]

I'm not sure who might be 'The Lairds' you refer to, BBoy, but most of us with years behind us just let the rain do the trick: wear the thing, squeeze the water out, hang it to drip, put it on the next day, squeeze the water out at the end, hang it up -- day after day after day. A new shirt is a new shirt until it has been washed a time or two, too, but I can't believe you really wash it, blow dry it and shave it before you first put it on. Come now! This is a head-covering we are talking about.

If one lived in a dismal enough place to let rain and daily wringing do the work that would be the organic, all-natural way to go about it. However for those living in more pleasant climes more expedient processes are relevant. Beret wearing US Army troops have been doing basically as I described for quite a while. It gets rid of the dreaded Pizza Boy look fast, and gives one the appearance of a veteran. Well worn US Army berets eventually loose their fuzziness in time. Thus, shaving the fuzz off to begin with adds to the old soldier appearance. All that remains is to let sun and dust do their work.

Blow drying a beret or bonnet into shape is no more a sacrilege than steam ironing the fell of a kilt into shape, as I see it.

[Bruce Scott]

As a long term Army beret wearer, I am pretty much in agreement with Benning Boy. The process I used over a period of 25 years in Armour (black berets) has been to plunge the thing into very hot water with a little added detergent to assist in the wetting process. I would then squeeze out the excess water and jam and the still steaming beret onto my head and give it an initial shaping before fitting the badge. If you fit the badge first it invariably ends up askew after shaping. Then it's back on the head to ensure everything looks okay. Once satisfied, toss the hat, badge and all, into the washing machine and spin out the remaining water. Then its back on the head while still damp for a final shaping. I would then wear it until dry. The Australian issue beret used to be a very stiff affair with a crown that was close to 12" in diameter as it came off the QM's shelf. Hot water was essential to gain the necessary shrinkage to achieve the look that we preferred.

[plaid preacher]

Canadian Forces is exactly the same. Take your beret home, rip out the the lining - it's too bulky to get a proper form - soak it on til thoroughly wet, shape and wear until dry. Not sure what the highland regiments do with their tams, but I think it involves a coat hanger.

[MacKenzie]

Jocking phase I

Ok from this angle.

IMG_20141125_202012_810.jpg

Not so much ok. Still too much stay puft.

IMG_20141125_202130_509.jpg

[Bruce Scott]

I don't think that type of TOS responds all that well to 'Jocking', although pulling the crown forward over the eyes may help.

There are some different styles of wearing here but most still have the landing pad look.

[MacKenzie]

That's a great pic, Bruce. Either of the fellows on the right is what I'm shooting for, more or less, but the quilted liner is giving the hat too much "puff". I think I have it headed in the right direction.

[Pleater]

Gotchah - the man with the sporran, his cap's top disc looks to be slightly domed rather than mortar board flat, but the ring is straight, so it sits slightly lower on the head whilst not losing that close kin to a Frisbee look. I wonder if the padding has had the middle removed so it is only in the outer ring of the tam, providing shaping but not support....

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[MacKenzie]

Gotchah - the man with the sporran, his cap's top disc looks to be slightly domed rather than mortar board flat, but the ring is straight, so it sits slightly lower on the head

You've said what I've been thinking.