From what I've read, Tobus is on the right track about the toorie's origin having something to do with the ends of the yarn. And I've read that the ribbons evolved out of a drawsting-type arrangement for sizing, like the military beret. I've also seen it stated that tied ribbons indicate you are married or "spoken for" romantically, while untied indicate you are "available." But I think most women would be looking at your ring finger rather than the ribbons on the back of your hat.

The idea that these elements may have come from military fashion seems plausible. The continuous tradition of kilt wearing in the Highland regiments seems to have been very influential on the way civilians started wearing kilts when the legal ban was lifted in the late 1700s.

Andrew