Balmorals and Contemporary kilts

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I say, "Wear the Balmoral!"

and take the toorie off the top,

Leave the toorie on! It's part of what makes it a Balmoral IMHO.

[thescot]

It's OK to replace the toorie with a black one if you like--I like it personally, but I have two balmorals, one with red and one with black.

Also, take the bonnet, get it really good and wet in the sink, squeeze (don't wring it) the water out as well as you can, then put it on and shape it soemwhat. Remove it from your head, and then let it air dry.

You'll like the looks of a well-worn bonnet, and over the years it will take on more and better character. A bonnet should be kind of loose and floppy.

[Kilted Rogue]

It's OK to replace the toorie with a black one if you like--I like it personally, but I have two balmorals, one with red and one with black.

Also, take the bonnet, get it really good and wet in the sink, squeeze (don't wring it) the water out as well as you can, then put it on and shape it soemwhat. Remove it from your head, and then let it air dry.

You'll like the looks of a well-worn bonnet, and over the years it will take on more and better character. A bonnet should be kind of loose and floppy.

This bonnet is from the late 60's early 70's its just not been worn a lot. If i try the soak it method, ill never be able to wear it again. Its already 1/4 size to small .

[HarborSpringsPiper]

This bonnet is from the late 60's early 70's its just not been worn a lot. If i try the soak it method, ill never be able to wear it again. Its already 1/4 size to small .

It may not be worth it for one hat but if you have a few smallish hats you're trying to wear, you might consider getting a hat stretcher.

I got one and was able to reclaim a Balmoral from my younger days that was a bit small. Just steam or soak and let it dry on the stretcher.

BTW, in case someone doesn't know (not likely on this site!), historically the toorie was the same color as the rest of the bonnet, simply the tufts of yarn at the end of knitting the bonnet. It ended up being the Highland Regiments that color coded them for the various units as part of the uniform.

[thescot]

This bonnet is from the late 60's early 70's its just not been worn a lot. If i try the soak it method, ill never be able to wear it again. Its already 1/4 size to small .

I didn't mention to use only cold water and tug it at the headband before you put it on and then set it down to dry. Water won't shrink wool; heat will.

[OC Richard]

the Highland Regiments that color coded them for the various units as part of the uniform.

That's interesting. I've only seen red touries on regimental headgear. (The only exception I can think of being perhaps the London Scottish/Toronto Scottish with their rather oddly coloured dress.) Do you have images that show this?

Anyhow I too think the navy Balmoral with red tourie looks a bit out of place with that Ukilt...I don't know why, but to my eye anyway that sort of Balmoral looks "trad" and wants to go with a trad kilt.

I would wear a black Balmoral with black tourie with the black Ukilt. That sort of Balmoral is somehow more universal and can more easily go with various forms of dress I think.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

That's interesting. I've only seen red touries on regimental headgear. (The only exception I can think of being perhaps the London Scottish/Toronto Scottish with their rather oddly coloured dress.) Do you have images that show this?

I'm not sure if I can produce any images but should be able to produce some credible sources. I'll take a look in a couple of books I have later that I believe make mention of this.

A quick google produced this:

The 84th were to be "...cloathed and accoutered in like manner as the 42nd Regiment..."
(Black Watch), but with these differences. They wore a blue torrie in their bonnets, they had a distinctive regimental lace, and retained their broadswords.

From "84th REGIMENT OF FOOT
2nd BATTALION
ROYAL HIGHLAND EMIGRANTS
1775-1783" p. 2: http://www.kingsorangerangers.org/im...84_history.pdf

[thescot]

One less than traditional option that you might consider is a beret. It doesn't really look out of place with a kilt--it's probably a derivative of the bonnet--but it's not so trad looking if that's what you are concerned with. You can find some pretty good photos of Pinache in a beret that will give you a good idea.

Personally, I still think the balmoral is a good look for anything you wear.

[cloves]

in this case though a red torrie looks fine...it's balanced by the shirt color

[Streetcar]

Looks good Kilted Rogue! It's not traditional, but you're not trying to be.