A Balmoral problem...

[Todd Bradshaw]

You're not even married yet and she is already snipping off your small round bits?????

I had an ivory toorie on a green Harris Tweed tam I made for a while. It was OK until I figured out that it looked just like a golf ball sitting on a putting green.

Several of the styles from places like this one don't have toories.

http://www.historicalcaps.net/userimages/procart11.htm

[NPG]

The tourie is as much a part of the traditional bonnet of Scotland as is it's heat-retaining, rain-shedding sloped flat shape and it's one-size-fits-all ribbons. But it is not 'part and parcel'. If you don't like the tourie (that's 'tourie', not 'torrie', by the way) simply don't wear it. Most of us don't. There are alternatives (the very best is still the simplest 'none') and Jock has offered several you might want to consider (the Anzac/SA slouch and the fore-and-aft, are just two) but stay away from military/band uniform and civilian costumery (berets, historical/histerical headgear) and live with our wonderfully, patiently evolving traditional dress.

Thank you for your post. I appreciate the correction of the spelling, I do not know why I had thought it was spelled that way. Regardless, as I said in my post it was not me who snipped the tourie from the Balmoral, I have no problem with it I wore it proudly with the tourie for years. I do appreciate the opinions and options that have been offered here, I will consider all of them and perhaps hide the scissors from my fiancée from this point on.

[NPG]

You're not even married yet and she is already snipping off your small round bits?????

I had an ivory toorie on a green Harris Tweed tam I made for a while. It was OK until I figured out that it looked just like a golf ball sitting on a putting green.

Several of the styles from places like this one don't have toories.

http://www.historicalcaps.net/userimages/procart11.htm

Now that is an image. None of my balmorals are green so I suppose I'm lucky there. I'll check out that site thank you.

[ForresterModern]

My balmoral solution: I wanted different colored balmorals to accent my attire, so here is what I did, I snipped off the toorie and hot glued a bit of Velcro to it so it sticks to the wool, I bought a few wool puffballs in assorted colors and glued Velcro to them too, now I'm free to wear my balmoral without a toorie, or with any of a selection of colored toories to bring in some color if I choose

Brilliant !!

There are all manner of similar bonnets without the toories---French or Spanish berets (if a quality one is purchased) are very nice substitutes and far bigger than the current small and tight cut of the military berets; Irish caubeens are nice although limited in colors typically. There are a number of knitters on the forum (and on etsy) who will custom make a bonnet in you desired color, size, and brim size (overall diameter)--the one in my avatar photo was made by our own Dixiecat, although she may be temporarily retired from the forum. Scottish Tartans Museum used to have them, and a general search on google for "Scottish wool bonnet" should turn up several sites as well.

There are two ways to go with bonnets---the Jock Scot way with "one bonnet for nearly all occasions" approach (his is fawn or duck egg I believe as he describes it). Personally I think it can be a wonderful wear and accessory with the kilt or without, and have several in several styles, sizes, colors and manufacture. Then again I have always worn hats, in particular my bonnie bonnets.

If you like the black Bal look but without the toorie I would suggest a quality Spanish or southern French wool lined and leather trimmed beret of similar quality to Mackie Balmorals in my opinion. The leather band is quite comfortable compared to the wool directly on the skin of the forehead, especially on a hat sweaty day.

[AFS1970]

I know there are after market torries available. I bought one once because I wanted a different color. than the one that came with a hat once. I have seen them in red, black, and both light & dark blue.

[Richrail]

I just ordered a new navy blue Balmoral from http://www.glengarryhats.com and sent a note to get a black pom instead of red. Ian is great to work with and was able to accommodate my request.

[NPG]

Thanks, everyone I appreciate all of the options and advice. I will weigh the options and discuss the future of touries in our home with my fiancée and figure something out that is hopefully both appropriate and accommodating.

[Panache]

The Scots did invent the game after all!The obvious thing to do is get a new girl, but I suspect that is not an option! The kilt and the balmoral is part and parcel of that scene. Other traditional choices is the useless Glengarry, the practical and more informal "fore and aft" and or "the deer stalker"------------beware Scottish tailors and merchants are not consistent with their labelling here. A Panama is also an established option as is I think a Tilly style in hot weather. An Aussie slouch hat is an option too in hot climes. Bareheaded is probably the most traditional option----weather permitting.

A nice tweed bucket hat is also an option....



Cheers

Jamie

[Jack Daw]

My balmoral solution:

My wife likes my black balmoral but feels the toorie is a bit much depending on the rest of my outfit. I wanted different colored balmorals to accent my attire, so here is what I did, I snipped off the toorie and hot glued a bit of Velcro to it so it sticks to the wool, I bought a few wool puffballs in assorted colors and glued Velcro to them too, now I'm free to wear my balmoral without a toorie, or with any of a selection of colored toories to bring in some color if I choose

GAD!! You should be tarred and feathered!


(....or, not)

[Jock Scot]

A nice tweed bucket hat is also an option....



Cheers

Jamie

Yes absolutely the tweed bucket hat is an option, particularly when the weather is bad and there is no other option.