Balmoral question

[thescot]

I haven't seen this story put in this thread, so I'll throw it out there and see if there's any truth to it.

I think that I've read somewhere that the tied/untied difference was a highland/lowland difference. One group trending towards tying the ribbons while the other group trending towards not tying the ribbons.

Anybody else heard of this? Or did I accidentally make this up?

I thiink you made it up.

Actually, I have no idea. But I think that the ribbon is a holdover from the old knitted bonnets that used a ribbon threaded through to adjust the size to fit the head. That would, of course, require tying.

However, the modern ribbon is superfluous, and is strictly an ornament, if you will. And it should be tied like the old ones.

(Notice how cleverly I slipped that tying business in at the very last. )

Fact is, no one really much cares what you do with your bonnet. But the "correct" way is to tie it in the back, and trim it. Earlier, I said 2 1/2 - 3", but after looking more closely my bonnets, I noticed that the length of the bow may be close to 4".

[davedove]

There are different tales about what to do with the ribbons and what they signify: Married vs, single, highland vs, lowland, etc.

...

However, the modern ribbon is superfluous, and is strictly an ornament, if you will. And it should be tied like the old ones.

...

This is the true story. The ribbons were originally used to size the hat to the individual when balmorals were made a standard size. This would of course required tying the ribons together.

Since balmorals are now made in different sizes, the ribbons are no longer needed and are just decoration. Do with them what you will.

I personally tie mine. I think it looks better and I can't stand the ribbons dangling against my neck.