How does one tie a Balmoral bow?

[Cawdorian]

It may take some experimentation to get an acceptable bow on the back of a Balmoral, I had to tie mine several times in order to get one that looked right.

[McClef]

What works for a bow tie may not work for Balmoral ribbons - the shapes of the two articles are very different.

[macwilkin]

Thompson gives good instructions on how to tie the ribbons up on a balmoral in his book, "So you're going to wear the kilt" -- I went to pull my copy of the shelf this morning, and noticed it was not there! I think I loaned it someone who has not returned it yet <grrr>

T.

[Panache]

Scot,

I'm with McClef, I believe the glengarry's ribbons are not supposed to be tied . They just hang down gracefully from the hat like so.



I would tie a simple bow (like tying your shoelaces) and leave it at that.

Thanks for the review of Glengarryhats.com I have looked at their site many times. Their prices seem very reasonable.

Cheers

[mbhandy]

Now I may be wrong,

Wasn't the ribbon to adjust the size of the hat?
Now they are only decoration on non adjustable hats.?????

I know on my hand made Balmoral that is how it is made with the ribbon going all the way around the inside of the hat. On the GlengarryHats.com hat is sized and the ribbon is wider and is just sewed on the back.

MrBill

[Mike1]

Yes, originally, the ribbons were used to size the balmoral.

During military service, legend suggests that Lowlanders left the ribbons free and Highlanders tied theirs into a simple bow at the hat band.

Another legend suggests that a single man would leave the ribbons free, whilst a married man would tie his into a bow.

I don't know that I've ever seen instructions for how the bow was to be tied, however.

[Woodsheal]

I have a military balmoral with the ribbons sewn together wear they cross, like in the pic of the glengarry. Does one tie the bow below the sewn section, or remove those stitches and tie the bow right at the back of the bonnet?

[morrison]

I appreciate the appearance of the Balmoral cap. The tie strings in back are similar in use as the tie strings on my do-rags. The problem with tying the strings is in the knot. It's uncomfortable against the bump at the back of my head that was there when I was born. (Gorilla Monsoon called it the "Anterior occipital protuberance"). Mom tried and tried to pound it down. However, to no avail. NOT! When I lay back my head while the strings are tied, the knot is right in the way and causes me difficulty in resting in an effortless balanced rest postition. I developed an alternative (and a rash). I either don't tie a tight knot or I don't rest my head back against anything but a soft surface. I works well for this soft headed guy.

[turpin]

Maybe it's sacriligeous, but I just tacked my ribbon into a nice, symmetric bow with thread. It's a Glengarry Hats Balmoral with a decorative ribbon.

[freddie]

The ribbons on a glengarry are never tied and I think the ribbons on the balmoral are optional (I have heard the story that a married man has his tied in a bow and a single man doesn't). I personally prefer to leave mine flowing free (great in a breeze), however they can be a nusance when I wear a coat as they get stuck in the collar and when I sit down (in the car for instance) it pulls the bonnet off the back of my head !