balmoral

[Peter C.]

I always wear the balmoral with the ribbons tied in a neat little bow at the back as they do in the regiments. In fact, a regimental tam comes with a pseudo bow sewn on to the back. On my glengarrys (glengarries?), I let 'em fly--again, like the regiments. I figure they've been wearing 'em a long time, and what we wear is mostly a copy of the military style anyway. And there's something kind of cool and devil-may-care about those flying ribbons on the back of a glengarry that just doesn't look the same on a bonnet.

But whatever you do doesn't really matter. At the worst someone may think you're "out of style," but, for man wearing a kilt, I always figure I'm setting my own style anyway.

And I should offer the caveat that I am somewhat conservative in most things, so I am more likely to go along with conservative ways of doing things than some would. I am old, and I do not like change! Ha!

You said everything I was thinking of saying, so I will just second your statements Jim. Or---Good old Jim---as they say.

Peter

[GlassMan]

I've both a glengarry and a balmoral and wear one or the other depending on how I feel that day. However, I've always left the ribbons loose.

How exactly does one tie the ribbons? And does anyone have a pic of properly tied ribbons? If it looks nice I just might try it.

[CactusJack]

I just recently purchased my balmoral, got it through The Celtic Croft. I wear mine with the ribbons loose

[Erisianmonkey]

I think that would be an indication that you were off-kilter. Yeah, yeah I know, go to the punny thread...

[pdcorlis]

I like my Balmoral tails loose - it reminds me of when I had hair...

[Bob C]

I wear mine loose. I like them that way.

[pdcorlis]

Funny... my Balmoral was (a) made in Scotland (b) NOT cheap and (c) has tails... Go figure...

[Nanook]

Funny... my Balmoral was (a) made in Scotland (b) NOT cheap and (c) has tails... Go figure...

Then yours does not number among the mass of those sold. Unfortunately most really are cheaply made (often even use cardboard stiffeners instead of canvas) to be able to sell at "competitive" price points. Like much of Highland fashion, Balmorals for 70+ GBP ($140 USD), sporrans for 120 GBP ($250 USD) or more are harder to sell than 20 GBP bonnets and 30 GBP sporrans (made offshore to lower standards). Please note: What is often described as a "Scottish Balmoral Hat" does not means either of a) Made in Scotland b) Made to Scottish standards or designs c) Made of the high quality materials d) A good bonnet. Scottish Balmoral only describes an abstract style. I'm looking right now at a well known site and that's their language. Their price of £ 24.99 is, however, a good give-away as to quality and workmanship.

[pdcorlis]

Well said Nanook!

[mcvarmit]

so if my balmoral has tails, its a cheap knock off? now i'm really confused!

slick