Quest to make a good Balmoral bonnet

[tulloch]

So what exactly is the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam? I think, from what I have seen, that a Tam will have an overhang all around the head, (good for keeping rain off all around), while a Balmoral will be more beret-shaped - hanging down on one side. What do you think?

[Ryan Ross]

I washed the bonnet twice with hot water, each time setting it to dry for some hours and then wearing it to complete the process, (thanks Ryan), and it has indeed got a shape it remembers. I am pretty satisfied. What do you think?





Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. My next one will be black with red, white and black dicing and a red toorie.

Looks fantastic, sir! You certainly nailed it this time, I'd say. It has a great shape to it, and looks much more appropriate to regular wear than most Balmorals tend to, in my opinion.

So what exactly is the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam? I think, from what I have seen, that a Tam will have an overhang all around the head, (good for keeping rain off all around), while a Balmoral will be more beret-shaped - hanging down on one side. What do you think?

A balmoral is a very specific and formalized style of bonnet, but I think the term "tam" is more generally applicable. All of the bonnets based directly on the old Highland broad bonnet have the same basic form (and could maybe, kinda-sorta be called a tam), with different preportions. As for the overhang, or lack thereof, that mostly seems to come down to how it's shaped, post knitting.

[longhuntr74]

So what exactly is the difference between a Balmoral and a Tam? I think, from what I have seen, that a Tam will have an overhang all around the head, (good for keeping rain off all around), while a Balmoral will be more beret-shaped - hanging down on one side. What do you think?

As far as the military issued tams vs. balmorals....balmorals are made from one piece and have a shape to the crown. A tam is three pieces...headband, sidewalls, and top, all made of flat blanket type wool and cut to shape and sewn together. Both Tams and balmorals are typically canted to the right...the tam can be tilted to the front, however in more of a flat cap style if one prefers.