Balmoral - sizing, style, etc.

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 07:45 AM

I've hesitated on buying a bonnet because of the pom-pom and bow. But just last night I ordered THIS balmoral. It'll be tweed and have no toorie or ribbons. The seller was prompt and very helpful with my questions.
Just another option, one that might be more palatable to the wife.
Good luck!

**mull** · 11th February 10, 10:03 AM

Newenglander,
That is a very nice looking hat. Good find.

**ForresterModern** · 11th February 10, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

I've hesitated on buying a bonnet because of the pom-pom and bow. But just last night I ordered THIS balmoral. It'll be tweed and have no toorie or ribbons. The seller was prompt and very helpful with my questions.
Just another option, one that might be more palatable to the wife.
Good luck!

I have the exact same tweed Balmoral (sans tails) in the grey tweed from Mossie Croft, and love it. Goes great with my winter coat, and still puts a little scottish flair into the look. They also make a variety of Bals and tams in different colors, although they do not necessarily follow the same design specs as historically correct ones. Still great bonnets at a good price.

j

**auld argonian** · 11th February 10, 11:51 AM

Here's a link to some pretty good instructions on making a tam.

I'm not sure just who this mysterious "troop 7" is that posted it...maybe some semi-secret paramilitary organization that's bent on world domination while wearing tams...or maybe it's just a Brownie troop...I dunno.

http://www.troop7.net/Resources/7.%2...0construct.pdf

...anyway, it looks like a pretty simple exercise and opens thing up to all types of fabric from tweed to wool to tartan.

Enjoy!

Best

AA

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I'm not sure just who this mysterious "troop 7" is that posted it...maybe some semi-secret paramilitary organization that's bent on world domination while wearing tams...or maybe it's just a Brownie troop...I dunno.
Best

AA

**NewEnglander** · 11th February 10, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

I have the exact same tweed Balmoral (sans tails) in the grey tweed from Mossie Croft, and love it. Goes great with my winter coat, and still puts a little scottish flair into the look. They also make a variety of Bals and tams in different colors, although they do not necessarily follow the same design specs as historically correct ones. Still great bonnets at a good price.

j

Glad to hear a good review. It was very much an impulse buy!
Is there a handy spot where you attach your clan badge? I know that more traditional ones have a place specifically for it, but didn't seen one on the tweed version (which is fine with me).

**ForresterModern** · 11th February 10, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

Glad to hear a good review. It was very much an impulse buy!
Is there a handy spot where you attach your clan badge? I know that more traditional ones have a place specifically for it, but didn't seen one on the tweed version (which is fine with me).

Actually these Bals/tams are made in pieces rather than being a single felted and formed piece of wool, so they have an edge to the top that is very defined by the seam where the top and then side pieces meet. Another seam is where the head band joins the side pieces to complete the hat. The side pieces are not as much space as I am used to in my one-piece tams or Bals and I have not used a cap badge with it to date. I suppose one could, and one could build his own rosette for it as well. You could even build up some inside vertical support for the area where you want to attach the cpa badge to keep it from flopping down under the weight of the badge, as the fabric used for these is somehwat less substantial than the felt typically used for the traditional Bals, which can hold the badge up without inside the cap help. This particular tweed one is of similar weight material to a tweed jacket, so unless one put some facing on the inside to stiffen it up it is relative soft and moldable. A rosette would probably work well enough by itself to support the side of these tams, although I have not tried it.

j

**Mael Coluim** · 12th February 10, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

I've hesitated on buying a bonnet because of the pom-pom and bow. But just last night I ordered THIS balmoral. It'll be tweed and have no toorie or ribbons. The seller was prompt and very helpful with my questions.
Just another option, one that might be more palatable to the wife.
Good luck!

That is indeed a good find!