Please opine about the Robert Mackie bonnets.

[Bruce Scott]

??? My contextual understanding of jocking-the-bonnet implies an assortment of abuse to prematurely age a new bonnet. I’ve been unable to locate a concise definition of jocking. Is my understanding correct? Is premature aging the intended result? Is shaping the intended result? Ha’e I overlooked something? Please clarify jocking the bonnet for me. All’ya’all’s opinions will be very much appreciated.

For me, it's all about wet shaping to avoid this out-of-the-box helipad look:

balmoral.jpg


To achieve something like this:

IMG_20150226_100352_598_zpsrjvaytnx.jpg

From http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...almoral-87551/

[Luke MacGillie]

I wore a Beret for 12 years, shaving off the fuzz, removing the lining and wet shaping it was something passed down from NCO's to privates, a time honored tradition in Airborne units. But we all had to have at least one beret with the liner still in for inspection. I got out of the Army the day the Black berets became standard dress for everyone, I hear tell those pieces of headgear even came without a lining.

[Tobus]

I've had a Mackie Balmoral for some years. I "jocked" it when I first got it, but I never really cared for the larger crown. So it has been on a hat stand all this time. Today, after reading this thread, I decided to give it another go. I used warm water this time, and it seems to have shrunk down a little. This may yet become my go-to bonnet.

[tweedhead]

I had a Robert Mackie bottle green with diced band made early last year and I really enjoy it, but I like both the larger crown and heavy-duty structure. It hangs to the side and creates a jaunty look quite effectively.

I'm thinking about ordering a second and asking if it can be made without the sewn ribbon above the temple, so I can pull the crown forward instead of to the side to better keep the rain off my glasses and the sun out of my eyes. The opposite of the OP's concern

[Luke MacGillie]

I had a Robert Mackie bottle green with diced band made early last year and I really enjoy it, but I like both the larger crown and heavy-duty structure. It hangs to the side and creates a jaunty look quite effectively.

I'm thinking about ordering a second and asking if it can be made without the sewn ribbon above the temple, so I can pull the crown forward instead of to the side to better keep the rain off my glasses and the sun out of my eyes. The opposite of the OP's concern

You see that pulled forward look, where it really almost looks like a "Flat Cap" in a number of 18th Century and even earlier images, both military and civilian. I very much like to wear my 18th Century bonnet that way.

[JasonMc]

I think the term "jocking" first saw the light of day in the thread that Shaun Maxwell highlighted in post 2 in this thread. I have just waded through my old thread and post 76 is where it was suggested first as a bit of fun and you are right, its meaning is exactly as you say. Yes time will achieve the same thing, but the Highland Scots have an aversion to any item of clothing looking new!

Hello Jock, I've had a wonderful time reading about the "jocking" process for new Balmoral hats and was wondering what your expectations are for the diced band shrinking through the process? My normal hat is 7 7/8, so I'm leery about buying a bigger size, with only the size 8 remaining, then ending up with a 7 1/2 as the end product.

[Jock Scot]

This is a tricky question, Jason!The wool diced band will shrink too, but we are only talking about wee fractions here,not half a hat size. So there is no precise formula here and actual shrinkage will inevitably vary from one bonnet to the next.

There are two things that can also be tried with some reasonable expectation of success though. One, retie the bow tighter and two, some, most even but not all, Mackie bonnets have a "V" cut in the hat band just where the bow is tied, if one closes that "V", temporarily with a couple of stitches and then some strong elastic tape(under tension) is sewn across it(bottom edge) and then the temporary stitches removed that will give some flexibility in sizing. I do this anyway as a matter of course, as it allows for haircuts and warmer dry weather-----yes even in Scotland!--- where the wool expands a wee tad.`Also, after two or three years the elastic runs out of steam and will need replacing from time to time. As an afterthought, by just sewing up the"V" may also do the trick. In truth though, there is only so much one can do.

[Jack Daw]

I love my Robert Mackie. I'm not much for wearing a bonnet all the time with the kilt, especially in the Texas heat, but at a chilly Highland games in November in Salado, you bet. When I first received it, I "jocked" it following Jock's instructions, but not to make it looked aged; to make it fit better. I pull mine to the right and a bit to the front. I didn't get the diced; just plain, and I tie the ribbons in the back.

Salado 2016 Robert Mackie Bonnet.jpg