Pre 1900 Tam's

[super8mm]

Yes traditional Highland bonnets, now called "Balmoral" bonnets, have always been knitted and shaped, somewhat like a beret. The Balmorals you could have bought until recently, by Robert Mackie of Scotland, were made in the traditional way.

So Highland bonnets (Balmorals) made in 1720 and 2020 were made the same way, knitted and shaped.

Thank you OC, I have 2 of the Robert Mackies and one no name and they are all made without seams.

I have found one source that makes the 1700 period ones by knitting and felting and I just looked and they do not have a seam and looks like the one in figheadair’s post.

[OC Richard]

Yes they'll be accurate as long as they look like the ones in the 18th century paintings I posted (paintings done in the 18th century from live models).

Just avoid the huge floppy Outlander style, which never existed.

That is, unless you're a cosplayer dressing as an Outlander character, like these gents.

(Those brooches! Holey Moley.)

[Tobus]

Yes traditional Highland bonnets, now called "Balmoral" bonnets, have always been knitted and shaped, somewhat like a beret. The Balmorals you could have bought until recently, by Robert Mackie of Scotland, were made in the traditional way.

It may not make much difference in practical terms, but I would disagree slightly on one point. Mackie bonnets are made from a woven fabric, not knitted. While they are still shaped and felted as you describe, the fabric (at least from what I see on my 4 Mackie bonnets) is actually a 1x1 plain weave of fine woollen yarns, and has a much different thickness and hand than a knitted/felted bonnet.

I wonder if historical bonnets from the period in question were all knitted, or if some were made from woven cloth. Or was the commercial construction from woven cloth something that came about later with the industrial revolution and mass production?