Hummel bonnet with very flared crown

[BonnetMaker]

I'm currently working on a slightly different Hummel bonnet and would like some thoughts on how its all going and how versatile the end result might be in real wear as an accessory to a kilt

The more usual Hummel looks fairly straight sided, sometimes with a very slight belling at the top, but more or less drumshaped. Theres a few of these still surviving in collections so its been fairly easy to develop a good working shape for these. Here's one I made earlier as a starting reference point, though this one is a bit short compared to most:


I've recently been asked to make one that is very much more of a sloping flare, based somewhat on a fusion of the bonnets in these two portraits which both show the flared shape well:
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/col.../4:6685/0/5300 (Colonel Alastair Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archiba...rl_of_Eglinton (Archibald Montgomerie)

This picture is an in progress shot, I've just fulled this hat but I haven't yet steam blocked it, so its not quite there, but its at the next stage that I will finalise just how much flare I put in the crown, and the proportional height and angle of slope to the sides. As you can already see though, its got a lot more body in the crown and will take quite a dramatic flare if I let it. (yet again himself is having to pose in a damp hat, poor man, I am mean to him...)


What I'm curious about, is how wearable this flared style seems to the modern kilt wearer. From my own perspective it looks a bit odd in comparison to the shapes I usually get asked to make, though I'm also a huge believer in individuality in hats. Would welcome wider opinions though, from the other hat and bonnet makers here as well as from the bonnet wearing community, as to what occasions you might feel this alternative shape to a Hummel lends itself to.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no surviving Hummels with this rather extreme shaping- but if I'm wrong and you know of one I'd love to hear about it so I can arrange to visit it.

[Santa Kona]

Very interesting, however I don't think it would be for me. Perhaps reenactors.

[Ryan Ross]

Indeed. Very good craftsmanship, sir!

...but those style bonnets always remind me of Cossacks... especially when they flare out more at the top.

EDIT: Upon looking at both of the pictures provided, I'm fairly certain that both bonnets have straight sides which are slightly larger in diameter at the top, and smaller at the headband; both look to have ribbon binding at the band, as well. I'd reccomend trying to increase at a constant rate, all the way up the bonnet.

[BonnetMaker]

Indeed. Very good craftsmanship, sir!

...but those style bonnets always remind me of Cossacks... especially when they flare out more at the top.

Thank you most kindly, I really enjoy making these. But yes, you are right, Cossack style! I now have a most diverting image in my mind's eye of Cossacks in kilts. ooer missus! ;)

[piperdbh]

I would think that since most kilt-wearers and non-kilt-wearers, too, are used to seeing manufactured Balmorals, the bonnet you've made might get some strange looks, even though it is historically accurate. That's no criticism of your work, just an observation about the change of bonnet fashion and what we've grown accustomed to seeing. That being said, I think it's really good that you're reconstructing these bonnets, in the same way that some kiltmakers make older-style kilts and belted plaids.