How do you put on a balmoral?

**ForresterModern** · 9th February 13, 09:15 AM

Same technique can be used one handed or two handed, just break up the parts as others have described.

One thing I have done which seems to help the balmoral keep its shape (and none of mine are formally "Jocked") is to store them in a pre folded fashion with the cockade side of the band folded inward against the inside of the crown, and the opposite side of the band folded out against the outside of the right side of the crown, mimicking the relative positions of the same parts during normal wear. Keeps the cockade side flat and straight and the opposite (right hand) side pre-folded with the crown pulled down against its outer side. Next best thing to storing them on a mannequin head and a lot more space efficient. you can even stack them if you have several, as the weight of one helps hold the position of those beneath it in the stack.

**AJBryant** · 9th February 13, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by BCAC

The wearing of a hat (any hat) indoors is just plain bad manners.

Agreed.

***.

Word up.

Ayup.

Uh-huh.

Anyone who says otherwise is just making excuses for a lack of cooth. That's why bars and nightclubs used to (and should again/still) have cloak-rooms and hat-check rooms. If there's no place to check my gear, I still take it off and just keep it with me.

**Jock Scot** · 9th February 13, 01:49 PM

I have found over the years that it is wise to keep your balmoral close to hand when not wearing it out and about as the badges have a habit of growing legs!

**Standard** · 9th February 13, 07:56 PM

I can manage mine one handed by grabbing the ribbons (mine are never tied into bows), letting the front band fall roughly into place above my eyebrows, pulling the ribbons to center the balmoral up on the back of my head, then a quick tug on the right brim area to pull it slightly down and forward in the style that I like to wear. The cap badge will naturally fall into place above my left temple with the ribbons centered on the back of my head. I'll admit it is more convenient for me to don my cap with two hands, but it can be done with only one. I think one thing that helps is having a balmoral that you have worn into shape, or Jocked into submission if you don't want to let time and nature have their course. Anyhoo, just my 2 pence for what it's worth.

**Geoff Withnell** · 10th February 13, 04:48 AM

I stand corrected. There is only one universally accepted standard of behavior, and Mr. Bryant knows the motivations and character of those who do not conform.

Originally Posted by AJBryant

Agreed.

***.

Word up.

Ayup.

Uh-huh.

Anyone who says otherwise is just making excuses for a lack of cooth. That's why bars and nightclubs used to (and should again/still) have cloak-rooms and hat-check rooms. If there's no place to check my gear, I still take it off and just keep it with me.

**OC Richard** · 10th February 13, 05:50 AM

Funny thing about both Balmorals and Glengarries for me is that if I just stick them on my head without paying attention I have too much of my forehead showing. I think they look more smart on me if I wear them further down than what feels right.

Here's my Balmoral

and here's my Glengarry

Also, that Balmoral, even though I've been wearing it for 30 years, the side that's supposed to lie down tends to stick out sideways when I first put it on, and I have to smooth it down with one hand.

Here's the same hat worn in the 1980s... the only kit I still have from then is that hat, and those ghillies

In the army nowadays the style is to shove hats straight on the head and rather far down

but in the old days they choose a smaller size and wore it cocked at an angle

**Jock Scot** · 10th February 13, 05:58 AM

I am just the same Richard, with no mirror, or, a helpful wife, or shop window reflection, my bonnet tends to end up a tad high for my liking. In truth though who would notice and who would really care? As I have said many times, "with civilian kilt attire there are no Sarn't Majors to worry about" and I suppose in the end our most serious critic is ourselves.

**AJBryant** · 10th February 13, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

I stand corrected. There is only one universally accepted standard of behavior, and Mr. Bryant knows the motivations and character of those who do not conform.

Yup. I'm very snooty. ;)

**ForresterModern** · 12th February 13, 09:14 AM

As regards how to wear your balmoral as others have stated there is much variation on a personal level. As an example the picture below:

[/QUOTE]
From the left:
Me far left (cream Balmoral) bottom band mid forehead, cocked over my right ear.
O’Searcaigh, 4th in, fawn balmoral, band high on forehead and crown flat
Bjarg Johnsonn, 6th in, fawn balmoral, band high on forehead, cocked over right ear
David Pope, 10th in, black, mid forehead cocked moderately over right ear
Frank Gordon, 11th in, lovat blue?, low on forehead with flat crown
Jim (the scot), 12th in, black, mid to high forehead cocked over right ear
Turpin, 13th in kneeling, fawn, mid forehead and strongly cocked forward and slightly right
Thomas H, 16th in, khaki, mid to high forehead cocked low over right ear
Ryan Ross, 17th in, olive, mid forehead and pulled forward and to the right
Mattie, far right, forest green, high forehead and mildly cocked to the right

So you can see the variability in band position on the forehead easily amongst this nefarious bunch. But also appreciate the variability in how far and which direction the right edge of the crown is worn, from hard down tight and over the upper right ear (Me,Bjarg,Jim, Thomas) to slightly cocked right but not pulled down so much (David, Mattie) to pulled forward and to the right (Turpin and Ryan) to worn nearly level crown (Osearcaigh and Frank). Is anybody right or anybody wrong, as long as we are not aiming for military spec here? Nope, all purely stylistic and comfort related IMHO, and I honestly like the variance and style exhibited.