Balmoral - sizing, style, etc.

[Tobus]

A quick question or two for you experts...

In light of a recent discussion, I'm going to try wearing a Balmoral. It's totally not my usual style of headwear, but I'm going for the traditional look. Rather than continue to hijack someone else's thread (which I apologize for), I'm starting this one for my questions.

It seems that Glengarry Hats has the best price on what I'm looking for: just a plain Balmoral, no dicing. I like the sky blue one because it would probably compliment the blue in my tartan, even though it's not exactly the same shade. Plus, if I'm honest, my wife prefers that I wear light blue because she says it brings out my blue eyes.

So the first question is: a sky blue Balmoral doesn't represent anything I should be aware of, does it? A military unit, police, Jacobite sympathies, etc.? Not that I would mind making a 'statement' by wearing a certain color; I just want to know what 'statement' that would be. I have read that the dicing is a military/police thing, and that certain colors represent military units. Do any of them apply to sky blue with no dicing, and plain black band/toorie/rosette/tail ribbons?

Second question: Sizing. The only other hats I own that come in a fixed size (i.e. aren't adjustable) are cowboy hats. And I typically wear a 6-7/8. They are usually a little tight on my head but stretch in to be comfortable after I sweat in them a couple of times. Now, Glengarry Hats only carries the Balmorals in sizes 7 through 8. So size 7 is as close as I can get. If this ends up being a tad too loose, what are my options? I think I saw someone mention that in the military they will buy them oversized and wet them, then let them shrink to fit. Will this work? Or will I be relegated to trying something else, like stitching in a hat-band liner?

Third question: badges. Is it common for people to wear a Balmoral with no clan badge or other decoration with the rosette? Or would that be a minor fashion faux-pas like wearing a kilt without a kilt pin? I can always invest in a clan badge to match my clan kilt pin, but that's extra money I really don't want to spend until I decide the Balmoral is my style. Would people talk about me behind my back if I wear a plain Balmoral with no badge?

And the fourth question, on the subject of badges: is a clan badge worn over the rosette (with the rosette as the background), or beside it? I could swear I've seen badges worn both ways, but I'm not so sure.

Thanks for answering my dumb questions.

[piperdbh]

A quick question or two for you experts...

Since the experts are taking a break right now, I'll jump in.

So the first question is: a sky blue Balmoral doesn't represent anything I should be aware of, does it? A military unit, police, Jacobite sympathies, etc.? Not that I would mind making a 'statement' by wearing a certain color; I just want to know what 'statement' that would be. I have read that the dicing is a military/police thing, and that certain colors represent military units. Do any of them apply to sky blue with no dicing, and plain black band/toorie/rosette/tail ribbons?

Not that I'm aware of. Some miltary units have worn the khaki ones, some have worn green, but I think the light blue is a recent invention with no miltary/police connection.

Second question: Sizing. So size 7 is as close as I can get. If this ends up being a tad too loose, what are my options? I think I saw someone mention that in the military they will buy them oversized and wet them, then let them shrink to fit. Will this work? Or will I be relegated to trying something else, like stitching in a hat-band liner?

Go with the 7. If it's too loose, you might be able to shrink it, or sew a little strip of elastic in the band to take up the slack.

Third question: badges. Is it common for people to wear a Balmoral with no clan badge or other decoration with the rosette? Or would that be a minor fashion faux-pas like wearing a kilt without a kilt pin? I can always invest in a clan badge to match my clan kilt pin, but that's extra money I really don't want to spend until I decide the Balmoral is my style. Would people talk about me behind my back if I wear a plain Balmoral with no badge?

It's perfectly acceptable to not wear a clan badge. If people talk about you behind your back, turn around and tell them to speak up.

And the fourth question, on the subject of badges: is a clan badge worn over the rosette (with the rosette as the background), or beside it? I could swear I've seen badges worn both ways, but I'm not so sure.

If you're going to wear a badge, pinned to the rosette is the place for it.

Thanks for answering my dumb questions.

No dumb questions, just dumb answers. Now, here's a question for you: are you used to wearing wool caps, commonly referred to as stocking caps, toques, or, (in the southeastern US) To-boggins? If so, then that's how warm a Balmoral will be, especially in the summer.

[denmcdough]

I just bought a Balmoral, dark green, from Celtic Croft...still awaiting its arrival. It should look good with my Isle of Skye kilt.

Sorry, but I can't answer any of your questions. I will, however, make a statement about Glengerry Hats. I had ordered a Caubeen several months ago. I waited and waited...no hat. I emailed them many times, but got no reply. Finally, I contacted Paypal and then I got my refund. I was rather disappointed in their lack of communication. All I wanted was to know when the Caubeen would be available. So, this is just my experience. Hopefully others have had a better go at it.

[thescot]

I kind of like Dave's answers.

Definitely order the 7. A balmoral is pretty loose, not like a cowboy hat, and--just as importantly--the sizes are never very exact. I've bought severl balmorals, all in the same 7 1/2 size, but none of them fit exactly the same. The two I got from Glengarry Hats seem to have different amounts of wool in the crown; one is bigger than the other.

When you get it, I always advise soaking it in cold water, shaping it, and letting it dry. That'll take the crispmess out and make it look "worn." You want it ffloppy. Be usre to put it on your own head while wet so that it conforms to your head.

Also, if you use hot water--do so very cautiously!--you can even shring it a little.

As to the colors, I'm pretty sure you're safe with any color. Just remember the pictures rule.

[macwilkin]

Light blue does have a military connotation in the fact that the Army Air Corps of the British Army wear light blue berets:

http://www.army.mod.uk/images/image-...r/aacbuck1.jpg

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/cont...0917111249.jpg

But obviously they do not wear Highland bonnets.

As far as badges go, they should be worn over the cockade, and yes, I am of the opinion that a bonnet looks "odd" without one. If you do not wish to wear your clan's badge, there are always alternatives such as the generic "St. Andrew" bagdes offered by Gaelic Themes or the Xmarks badge.

T.

[Farlander]

I have had fine luck with Glengerry Hats, but perhaps they always happened to have what I wanted in stock, so I never needed to communicate with them. They seem to be the best price around, and the hats themselves are of most adequate quality.

[Tobus]

Not that I'm aware of. Some miltary units have worn the khaki ones, some have worn green, but I think the light blue is a recent invention with no miltary/police connection.

I could swear I remember reading somewhere that Jacobites in the '45 wore light blue bonnets, but I could have been imagining that. Or maybe it was just a traditional Scottish Highlander color from the past. But I thought the sky blue color had a longer tradition and wasn't new?

Now, here's a question for you: are you used to wearing wool caps, commonly referred to as stocking caps, toques, or, (in the southeastern US) To-boggins? If so, then that's how warm a Balmoral will be, especially in the summer.

Well, I do have a knitted stocking cap that I only wear when working outside around the homestead in winter. Any time it's below 50 degrees, my ears get cold and I get a headache, so I pull it down over my ears. It's nice and toasty.

But since a Balmoral doesn't cover my ears and doesn't sit any lower than the brim of any other hat, I don't think I'm too worried about it being overly hot in summer. After all, if you can wear a heavy 10X beaver felt black cowboy hat in the summer sun when it's 110 degrees outside, a wool Balmoral probably won't be much different.

I just bought a Balmoral, dark green, from Celtic Croft...still awaiting its arrival. It should look good with my Isle of Skye kilt.

Yeah, I looked at their site and I like their price. But they just didn't have much selection in colors.

When you get it, I always advise soaking it in cold water, shaping it, and letting it dry. That'll take the crispmess out and make it look "worn." You want it ffloppy. Be usre to put it on your own head while wet so that it conforms to your head.

Good advice, thanks. On wetting it, should I soak it completely (like dunk it in a sink full of water) and squeeze the water out first? Or is there some other level of wetness or some other method for doing this that you'd recommend?

[Tobus]

Ah... some replies were posted while I was typing.

Light blue does have a military connotation in the fact that the Army Air Corps of the British Army wear light blue berets:

But obviously they do not wear Highland bonnets.

Good to know, thanks! So no Highland regiments have ever adopted light blue, then?

As far as badges go, they should be worn over the cockade, and yes, I am of the opinion that a bonnet looks "odd" without one. If you do not wish to wear your clan's badge, there are always alternatives such as the generic "St. Andrew" bagdes offered by Gaelic Themes or the Xmarks badge.

Nah, it's not that I mind wearing my clan badge. It's just a cost thing. I suppose I should just bite the bullet and buy one.

[macwilkin]

I could swear I remember reading somewhere that Jacobites in the '45 wore light blue bonnets, but I could have been imagining that. Or maybe it was just a traditional Scottish Highlander color from the past. But I thought the sky blue color had a longer tradition and wasn't new?

Blue bonnets are traditionally associated with Jacobites, yes, but they look nothing like the balmorals produced by glengarryhats and other firms, although you certainly may get a Jacobite reference now and then. Burns also wrote of the "guid blue bonnet" in Tam O'Shanter.

T.

[Jordan]

So the first question is: a sky blue Balmoral doesn't represent anything I should be aware of, does it? A military unit, police, Jacobite sympathies, etc.? Not that I would mind making a 'statement' by wearing a certain color; I just want to know what 'statement' that would be. I have read that the dicing is a military/police thing, and that certain colors represent military units. Do any of them apply to sky blue with no dicing, and plain black band/toorie/rosette/tail ribbons?

Im not sure about the Army Air Corps but I know that the UN peace keeping guys wear a light blue berret when seconded to the UN.

Would people talk about me behind my back if I wear a plain Balmoral with no badge?

I dont wear a badge with my bonnet but i dont have a rosette, If you dont want to spend the money dont let it bother you IMHO

On wetting it, should I soak it completely (like dunk it in a sink full of water) and squeeze the water out first? Or is there some other level of wetness or some other method for doing this that you'd recommend?

Thats the best way I drown mine then wring it out shape in on my head then I like to give it a once over with a hair dryer beacuse if I left it to dry naturaly here I'd be waiting forever, If your in warmer climates (which isnt hard) I would say wear it and let it dry naturaly.

I would recomend Mossie croft who sell on eBay.co.uk if your still looking for someone to buy from.

Jordan