Balmoral Toorie Colour

[English Bloke]

So how do you make a torrie then? forgive my higorance... I'm pushed to sew on a button.

[haukehaien]

I also like the idea above of buying one with a red torrie (easiest to find), ripping it off, and inserting one that you have made in a color that matches or compliments your kilt/jacket/eyes/hose/pinky ring/etc.

I might have to steal that idea, God bless X-marks!

For the ultimate in convenience, sew a velcro patch to the balmoral, attach another to your toories, and you can switch them out to match whatever you feel like.

[Good Egg]

How to make a Toorie:

Loop the wool around 3 fingers until you have a big woodge. Tie the woodge very tightly in the middle and trim too shape.

Forget the Hi-tech velcro attachment method, attach the toorie with the Mk 1 safety pin. Its better than sewing 'cause the toorie sits better on your bonnet and can be changed as desired.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks Jock, I knew that I could count on you to give a view of the situation from across the pond. Thanks to Barry and Piperdbh also. The red toorie, to me at least, has always seemed to be a caricature if you will, of Scottish attire. I've been thinking of changing it to a more subdued colour which wouldn't seem to stand out and scream look at me. Dark green, or lovet green would be my first choice of colour.

So, if your toorie isn't red, what colour have you chosen?

I have two balmorals. One is at least 30 years old, a bit past it now, its a sort of duck egg green, although it might not have started out quite like that, and has a matching toorie. My newest(I am not keen on it) is grey with matching toorie. Both are diced. In my humble opinion there is nothing wrong with a red toorie on a black or dark blue bonnet.I have to say,in passing, that I prefer not to see the military look with balmorals. That particular look is best for those serving and with the headwear that is issued to a particular unit.

[Standard]

I have to say,in passing, that I prefer not to see the military look with balmorals. That particular look is best for those serving and with the headwear that is issued to a particular unit.

Does this have to do with the style of the balmoral, the colour, or how it is worn?

[Jock Scot]

Does this have to do with the style of the balmoral, the colour, or how it is worn?

I have given the question a fair bit of thought and I think that on all three counts I am not keen on the military angle.The balmoral, in the context that we are talking about, is after all, civilian headwear and not military attire. I wonder if this is one of those trans-Atlantic things? I am uncertain if your ex servicemen (I am not ignoring ex service women, but a balmoral is male attire) follow the British custom of "Regimental ties",or I guess in the USA, "Corps ties". For us, "the tie" signifies our military past and that seems to do for most Brits.. I detect that in the USA, ex servicemen can and do have a need/wish/ right(not sure if they are the right words) to still wear military badges and "militarize " civilian attire to signify their service. I hasten to add that in my book, any service person of any nation is fully justified to tell, in effect, the rest of the world of their time serving their country. Each country to their own system, I wonder?

[EagleJCS]

How about Day-Glo Orange? No? Hi-liter yellow? Lime green?

All kidding aside, a black or navy toorie would work well on a black Balmoral if you don't want the red toorie. Or, as has been suggested, go without.

[Standard]

Yes, I understand your meaning now Jock. Yes, here in the U.S. it does seem to be somewhat customary to wear the patch of your old unit of service while a civilian. If you have served I don't have a problem with the display of such patches, my trouble comes when they are displayed by persons who did not serve. I'll just stick with a clan badge, or a generic thistle or XMarks badge for my cap.