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Typically the ribbons of a Glengarry bonnet are NOT tied, rather let hang loose over the neck and upper back. contrast that with the Balmoral, which many/most would say SHOULD have the ribbons tied in a tight bow, although there is much variation in this regard. Glens are typically worn straight on the head or slightly tilted to the right, and usually have a cap badge (typically your clan badge) centered on the rosette on the front left side. Balmorals are also usually tilted to the right or even frankly pulled down to the right like a military beret. Cap badge also typically worn on the grosgrain rosette. You may add some flair with a sprig of your clan plant (check your clan website for this, or other resources as you can find them) tucked in behind your cap badge. You can also wear a small square of your kilt tartan behind the badge as well, although this is less commonly done. Generally steer clear of feathers in your bonnet as they can actually have some significance in clan leadership that you do not wish to violate. Some pipers and bandsmen, along with some military units, may wear a colored hackle behind the cap badge, but I would also steer clear of those until you know more about what you are doing and make sure you are not imitating some particular unit you do not have the relationship to to allow you to wear it. Bonnets are typically worn only outdoors. Dicing on your bonnet may or may not have significance, again depending on whose stories you believe, as may the actual color of your bonnet. Luckily Glengarries pretty much only come in two standard colors, black and Navy blue, although I am sure you could find them somewhere in other colors if you searched hard enough. They can also be found in clan tartans, but at least according to the scots I have met here on the forum, this is a faux pas typically made only by tourists, and an occasional pipe band as a uniform piece. Balmorals are available in a veritable rainbow of colors both bright and subdued.
Look through the photo sections of this forum for pic of folks wearing various bonnets--glens, Balmorals, and tams among some others less commonly associated with the Highland attire.
Enjoy your bonnet.
jeff
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FM--Clan Forrester Society,Brotherhood of the Isle of Skye, Order of the Dandelion, Gentlemen of Substance, Kilted Kentuckians, Steel Bonnets---Borders Clan Group, Tewksbury Owners Group,Bald Rabble in Kilts, Kilted FlyFishermen, FlatCap Confederation, Per Mare PerTerras, KABOOM, SMALL-Single Malt Lovers, Tartan Riders
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