Balmoral bonnets

[thescot]

*** on MossieCroft Balmorals! I have on in navy. Getting rid of that grosgrain on the headband was brilliant. I have a couple of the "classics" as well, but this one is my favorite.

I can imagine that the MossieCroft bonnets are pretty comfortable since they have only wool sweatbands--at first. But there are a couple of things about the ones in the photo that kept me from buying one a long time ago:

1. Grosgrain swearbands are a part of the balmoral design, and I really like the look.
2. A wool sweatband is pretty itchy on a regimental tam, so I was a little hesitant
3. A close inspection of the picture here and on ebay reveals that the top of the bonnet is actually a flat circle sewn to the sides which makes it a tam-o-shanter instead of a balmoral bonnet.

Balmorals are made from one piece of wool material sewn to the ribbon sweatband. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with the ones shown. In fact, I have what is supposed to be an offficer's tam-o-shanter that looks very similar, and I like it. But I wasn't sure these were lined since I bought one once upon a time (from someone else) that looked similar, but it had no lining and was essentially a beret with a toorie. I never wore it, and I'll give it to anyone who wants it.

Berets may have evolved from bonnets, but they aren't bonnets. Balmoral bonnets are pretty heavily lined with silk and have a lot of body. That's why I think you should do a lot of looking and trying and research: finding what you really want to live with is important.

I have three black balmorals (one with a red toorie from glengarryhats, one with a black toorie, and one that is diced), a khaki from glengarry hats. and I have a bottle green balmoral. I rotate them around depending on what I have on, even if it's just jeans. All have been washed and worn and washed and worn, and they have taken on a character that I like.

Like I said, a good bonnet will last just about forever. Good luck.