Bonnet With Good Service, Jas. Townsend - X Marks the Scot

Moosedog · #1 01-17-2008, 08:54 AM

I just wanted to share my recent experiences with Jas. Townsend and Sons. They are a family-run business in Indiana specializing in period clothing and accessories from 17th and 18th C Amercia.

After an X-Marker (I'm sorry I don't remember who) pointed out they carry a simple wool bonnet for only 12.00, I ordered one in green. It arrived within a few days, and is a great hat for the money! Sorry no pics but it looks just like the catalog photo.

It's made of wool blanketing, one size-fits all with a drawstring and tie in the back. A two-piece design, just a circle on top and a edge piece plus a casing for the ribbon. It does have a toorie which I may dispense with, attached in such a way I can remove and reattach it easily. Also if I plan to wear a badge of any weight I'll probably need to reinforce underneath to support it.

I was up early this morning and as the temp was a brisk 24, I popped the bonnet on. Just felt so good I decided to place another order. The Jas. Townsend website is easy-to-use and within a few clicks I ordered a new bonnet in blue and some other sundries (including a nifty compass with flip-up sundial I hope to send my cousin as a gift.) But oops, I forgot add something.

Often these orders are handled by a third party so instead of placing an additional order I decided to phone them directly. Turns out they handle their orders in-house and check for duplicates to combine. The person I spoke with was able to amend my order, give me shipping time estimates, and answered some other detailed questions.

All in all I have found this company to be a friendly, quality vendor. A very nice experience!

Moosedog

auld argonian · #2 01-17-2008, 09:16 AM

I have one of their bonnets in green...still want one of the navy blue ones.

I've also been curious about their socks for a long time...they have several colors in wool that are a 23 inch length heel to top. The short wool jackets are a bit of a tempation as well but I'd be afraid that they'd look too "costumey".

Glad that the bonnet pleases you.

Best

AA

wscottmac · #3 01-17-2008, 09:41 AM

Moosedog -- that was me. Glad you like it. I have the ranger green one, too. Great value at $12, and they're a good quality company.
I've put in a comment w/ them that they need to do a "jacobite blue" version! They said they'd take it under advisement.

Panache · #4 01-17-2008, 09:42 AM

They have a lot of fun stuff to browse through, here is their website:

http://jas-townsend.com/

Cheers

Jamie

Bugbear · #5 01-17-2008, 10:23 AM

Thank you for your review, Moosedog, it sounds like a very nice company. Glad you had a good experience with them.

Chef · #6 01-17-2008, 11:30 AM

Looks like a nice bonnet; thanks for the review.

**Mael Coluim** · #7 01-17-2008, 07:15 PM

I too succumbed to the temptation and order a Jas-Townsend bonnet(in Navy blue) after seeing this post. It's great for casual wear and does keep you toasty!

**Mael Coluim** · #8 01-18-2008, 10:09 PM

Today was kilted Friday and I wore my new Newsome box pleat in the St. Columba Tartan. This thread must have been in the back of my mind as I put on my Jas Townsend Highland bonnet as I left home and headed for work.

After work I stopped at the grocery store and the lassie ringing up my purchases commented, "Nice hat!" "What is it?" I told her it was a Scottish bonnet. She replied can someone not from Scotland wear one? Of course, I replied.

I gave her the website link which she wrote down. I told her, the best thing it's only 12 dollars. Should have seen her smile!

Abax · #9 01-19-2008, 07:38 AM

Interesting line of products. These might work as kilt hose, and this looks like a small sporran.

Abax

haukehaien · #10 01-27-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I've also been curious about their socks for a long time...they have several colors in wool that are a 23 inch length heel to top. The short wool jackets are a bit of a tempation as well but I'd be afraid that they'd look too "costumey".

I didn't try the wool ones, but after reading this thread, I did give their heavy cotton socks a shot. I like them; they look good, are long enough for a good turn-down, even with my giant calves, and are very comfortable. They're not as warm as wool (my legs were a little cold this morning at 25 F) but I think they'll be very nice in the Oklahoma summers. I got navy blue to wear with my SWK Gordon:

A closeup of the top:

I like them quite well for cotton socks. If you're looking for something that's lighter than wool, I would happily recommend these. Service was crazy fast as well; I ordered on Thursday and had them on Saturday.