Quote Originally Posted by AllenJ View Post
I like the look of Balmorals- I just really dislike the puff ball toorie bobbing around up top. Has anyone tried snipping it off? Would that be sacrelige or put a large hole in the top?
I'm with you AllenJ, I dislike the "puff ball" on top of the Balmoral, too!

The Balmoral is indeed in the same hat "family" as the beret, just a bit floppier with tail ribbons & puff ball.

I own 3 Balmorals in different colors & the first thing I do is take a stitch ripper, go into the inside of the Balmoral & rip out the stitches holding the torrie. Once I've removed the torrie & the threads, there's no visible hole; it's like the puff ball was never there (just the way I like it)! I also spray a mist of water all over the Balmoral & shape it to my head.

For most of us, part of wearing kilts is all about freedom in what we wear. So, if you want to remove the torrie, exercise your freedom, mon - go for it!

Here's a photo of me in one of my torrie-less Balmorals (I'm the one on the left with the Claymore). Also, here's a pic of a stitch ripper, in case you're unfamiliar with one.

Cheers!