Balmoral bonnets

[ForresterModern]

I have a couple Mossie Croft balmorals/tams/caubeen ordered off ebay and they are good quality, with a wide variety of colors available to custom match you r accessories. They don't have any that are diced though, and I think that adds something to the appearence that makes it more than a beret with a toorie and tails. They do fit well and look great.

I bought a couple others off ebay from a vendor who no longer is listing, and they were also great. I have several diced tams in different colors from Lochcarron and B&S. I also picked up one or two from games vendors that I cannot remember.

The couple I have from glengarry hats are as good a quality as any I have found thus far, although I have not ordered any from Keltoi or other xmarks vendors, and now doubt that I will need to with the collection in hand now. Glengarry seemed to have the best match of quality, variety, and price in my book.

[okiwen]

Thank you for the suggestions. I rely on the opinions here because you all have a good standard and you will call out those that fall below it. A vote against is just as important as a vote for because it gives a marker to judge by. If everyone is great than what "great" is is diminished.

I do want the bonnet to last forever so crap will not be tolerated.

Thanks again, I will continue to read for experiences people have had.

[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.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

1. Grosgrain swearbands are a part of the balmoral design, and I really like the look.

Can't argue with personal preference. That certainly has been the design for a long time but we really are looking at an evolution of the bonnet and it certainly wasn't always that way.

2. A wool sweatband is pretty itchy on a regimental tam, so I was a little hesitant

For some reason these are really comfy but not everybody's skin is the same with wool.

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.

If you want to get technical, it's neither. I traded a couple of emails with the designer and she came up with something new, borrowing from both. Looks like a Balmoral but agreed, it's not one piece of felt.

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.

They are lined.

I wear both kinds, as I noted. Definitely choose what you are most comfortable with.

[okiwen]

This is what I am looking for, pros and cons. Thanks.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

BTW, it really is worth getting a quality bonnet. I'm not sure what the bottom $ cutoff is, but I got a cheap one somewhere along the way and it was a piece of cr*p. I gave it to somebody who was thrilled with it, but I'm a hat guy and that one wasn't more than a hot pad to me. It was labelled "Made in Scotland" but have to believe it was only technically that, if at all.

[davidlpope]

I've got two made by Robert Mackie, see link below. I've been well-pleased with them and haven't seen any better, but would appreciate any critiques of this brand.

http://www.robertmackie.com/products...ms/Default.asp

Cordially,

David

[slohairt]

My bonnets are supplied by Robert Mackie. They're made to Ministry of Defence requirements, so I'd say that's pretty durable!

[kev_1270]

Could some one explain the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam O'Shanter?

And Slohairt - where do i find the Balmoral's on your site. Usually pretty good at search, but even the search feature gives me no results.

[piperdbh]

...where do i find the Balmoral's on your site. Usually pretty good at search, but even the search feature gives me no results.

They're listed under "Headwear", about 3/4 of the way down the products list.