Buy a balmoral?

**creagdhubh** · 18th September 13, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

Price-wise: does Keltoi compare with the former Dunadd? Chris was pretty hard to beat, as I recall....

When all said and done, $100 Canadian, for me around $96.00 US, so a wee bit more than DTC, but not by much.

**kiltedrennie** · 18th September 13, 06:19 AM

I'm curious. Are the Robert Mackie Balmorals made as a single knit, felted, and shaped hat or are they sewn together. It's hard to tell, but some of the photographs I've seen online make it look as if the diced border is a separate unit sewn to the top. It also looks like the ribbon headband is top stitched instead of folded over to hide the hem.

**creagdhubh** · 18th September 13, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by kiltedrennie

I'm curious. Are the Robert Mackie Balmorals made as a single knit, felted, and shaped hat or are they sewn together. It's hard to tell, but some of the photographs I've seen online make it look as if the diced border is a separate unit sewn to the top. It also looks like the ribbon headband is top stitched instead of folded over to hide the hem.

Yes, they are a single knit, felted, and shaped hat (overall crown size may be altered at the customer's request, yet I always order their standard crown size). The diced headband, as it appears on some of my Mackie Balmorals, does not appear to be separate from the crown. The grosgrain trim on the headband is indeed folded over to hide the hem, as well as having (barely) visible stitching. There is also a quilted lining on the interior of each Balmoral, typically done in black fabric.

**kiltedrennie** · 18th September 13, 07:50 AM

Thank you for the information. Sounds like a quality product!

**creagdhubh** · 18th September 13, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by kiltedrennie

Thank you for the information. Sounds like a quality product!

No worries, and yes, it very much is!

**BCAC** · 18th September 13, 08:11 AM

I must just say that the Glengarryhats balmorals, regardless of where they are made (Pakistan, I think), are also a quality product. I bought mine so that I could have a quality bonnet to wear whilst saving to eventually buy a Robert Mackie. I only bought the Mackie bonnet to "do my bit" to support a small home business (one of the last bonnet makers in Scotland, I'm lead to believe).

**ForresterModern** · 19th September 13, 04:21 PM

If I remember Chris's prices at Dunadd for the standard Mackie Balmoral was something like $60 or $65 US, and the diced versions were like $5 more, but that was with free shipping too. That was a big bonus for those of us on this side of the big pond. I bought one or two then won one in one of his giveaway contests. Then found another couple on Ebay clearance in unusual colors and even cheaper prices. I am fat on Balmoral Bonnets for the time being. And the darned things pretty much last forever, rain or shine.

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th September 13, 12:00 PM

I've been on the fence about getting a Balmoral.

I typically do not buy clothes (hats included) that cannnot also be worn trousered (as I do not wear the kilt everyay). My fore-and-aft hat being an example.

Here are my concerns:

Living in Southern California kilts and Highland wear of any sort are rarely seen. I wouldn't want to risk looking like I was "dressed up" like a Scotsman in a costume (perhaps my age is showing?). While I really like the look of the Balmoral can it appropriately be worn when not kilted or is that just goofy?

Secondly, are they warm hats? My tweed flatcap and f&a hat get worn from Autumn through late Spring. Not at all during the Summer months (it gets over 100*F here during the Summer).

Lastly, am I over-thinking it?

Many thanks.

**frank_a** · 27th September 13, 12:42 PM

At least for me, I wanted it for occasions when other kilted gents are about. Games, festivals, St. Andrew Society events, kirkin of the tartan at church, stuff like that. I have two nice wool fedoras, one medium green, one black, that are my go-to hats for normal wear.

Frank

**StevieR** · 27th September 13, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

I've been on the fence about getting a Balmoral.

I typically do not buy clothes (hats included) that cannnot also be worn trousered (as I do not wear the kilt everyay). My fore-and-aft hat being an example.

Here are my concerns:

Living in Southern California kilts and Highland wear of any sort are rarely seen. I wouldn't want to risk looking like I was "dressed up" like a Scotsman in a costume (perhaps my age is showing?). While I really like the look of the Balmoral can it appropriately be worn when not kilted or is that just goofy?

Secondly, are they warm hats? My tweed flatcap and f&a hat get worn from Autumn through late Spring. Not at all during the Summer months (it gets over 100*F here during the Summer).

Lastly, am I over-thinking it?

Many thanks.

Mate, what about a hand knitted bonnet, such as the ones advertised on the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop? In my opinion, more informal than a Balmoral and also something you could easily wear when not kilted. This is something I will be investing in this autumn that should see a fair bit of wear out and about without a kilt, in place of my usual wooly beanie.