Non-Wool Tams/Balmorals?

[MichiganKyle]

Is there a good source out there for either tams or balmorals which are not made from wool? I mostly wear flat caps and would like to buy either a tam or balmoral, but I have really sensitive skin and have developed a wool sensitivity as I've gotten older. I've had to retire any clothing with wool in it in favor other either synthetics or hypoallergenic natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, and alpaca. So far, about all I've found is either full wool or a wool blend. Wouldn't be a problem if it was wool on top with something like a silk or synthetic hatband - I'd probably only last half an hour at most with a wool hatband. I could understand the construction challenges with trying to make a balmoral from anything that wouldn't felt, but I'd think at least a tam would be possible. Maybe even modifying a wool one and adding a layer of different material to the band. But, at any rate, any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Tobus]

Mackie Balmorals, as well as the ones from glengarryhats.com, are fully lined inside with non wool materials. There is no wool contact with the head on these.

[MichiganKyle]

Thank you! For $40, the ones from glengarryhats.com look like they'd be worth a try. And once I figure out proper fit, I may just move up to a Robert Mackie. Thank you!

(I wish people would actually say what a hat is lined with, if it is lined. I don't see anywhere on Robert Mackie where it lists that information. Without this forum, I wouldn't have known.)

[jhockin]

Thank you! For $40, the ones from glengarryhats.com look like they'd be worth a try. And once I figure out proper fit, I may just move up to a Robert Mackie. Thank you!

(I wish people would actually say what a hat is lined with, if it is lined. I don't see anywhere on Robert Mackie where it lists that information. Without this forum, I wouldn't have known.)

Perhaps a photo of the interior would help, eh?

[MichiganKyle]

Perhaps a photo of the interior would help, eh?

Yes, that would help considerably. But even if they just listed that it *had* a lining, and what it was made of, that would help.

Am I correct in my understanding that tams are generally not lined but balmorals generally are? At this point, I own neither.

[ShaunMaxwell]

Perhaps a photo of the interior would help, eh?

Here’s a photo showing the interior of both a plain (left) and diced bonnet (right).



The lining seems to be cotton and extends to the grosgrain ribbon band.

Hope that helps!

SM

[Really a McQueen]

At one time, I had directions for constructing a cloth Tam, and had made a couple out of polyester fleece fabric. I'm sure that they are still available somewhere on the internet, and if you know someone who sews (better than I do), you can have a few made.

[Tobus]

The lining seems to be cotton and extends to the grosgrain ribbon band.

Hmm, I'd have to go look at my Mackie more closely, but from memory, mine doesn't seem like cotton. It's more of a synthetic material like nylon and has a slight sheen to the weave. And interestingly enough, mine is a fawn-coloured lining, not black like yours, even though the outer colour of the wool is the same. I purchased mine in 2012; I wonder if they have changed some things in the newer-made versions.

This is the only photo I have of the lining in my Mackie (I was taking a picture of the stitching I'd done at the rear). But you can see the weave and sheen of the lining.




My Balmoral from glengarryhats.com has a black lining, which also appears to be synthetic, like nylon or similar. It's a thinner lining material than the Mackie.