Masonic Hat

This red hat is a hat worn by members of the modern Freemasons

It was given as a gift by a friend who is a member, I have no idea what rank or role the hat is for, if indeed you need a rank to wear it.

The hat is basically a felt covered stiffened ring of card or thin plastic with felt stretch over the crown, it's very lightweight but well made and still feels sturdy. 

Freemasons are an organization that originated in medieval times, as a body that controlled and looked after local stonemason and represented them with the local bureaucracy. Nowadays they are a ritualised group that helps businessmen network and do charity work. 

They are often associated with a degree of conspiracy due to there requirement that each rank keeps the knowledge of what they learn as they progress secret from the ranks below.

Fabric Fez

I have posted photos of quite a few fez's on this blog, most where stiffened felt, this one is stitched fabric/cloth and needs a head to create its shape.

Purchased as part of a job lot of about 10 hats advertised as theatrical hats.

It's not the real thing but does a good enough impression of Fez to use in a play or for lrp. 

Greeky Fez

This hat reminds me of one worn by Greek soldier in full dress uniform, look up Evzones and you will see what I mean.

The hat is halfway between a fez and a smoking cap, with a very long tassel.

This is a theatrical hat, one made for use in a theatre production I don't know what production, only it was sold as such on e-bay.

Made of soft red felt, I would put it the head of small Greek curiosity shop owner.

GI Side Cap

This is reproduction WW2 American GI side cap 

Apparently GI originally meant military equipment made from galvanised iron in WW1, but eventually became anything that was army general issue or government issue and on from that became a word to describe a soldier from the United States of America.

This cap sport 3 stars which means I'm a commander.

This style of hat in the US can also be known as a Campaign cap, flight cap, garrison hat, fore-and-aft cap, envelope cap, overseas cap. It also has some less polite names one being piss-cutter. 

Side Cap

A side cap is a fold-able military cap with straight sides, no brim and hollow crown which when worn forms a very distinctive shape.

In the UK its officially known as field service cap, in the US its called a garrison cap or flight cap.

The best feature of this cap is can easily be folded into a pocket, over the belt or under the shoulder strap of a military uniform. 

This cap sports a Russian badge so probably from a Russian unit but since I found it at cat boot I no idea for sure.