Havelock Fitting

The havelock helmet cover is basically a bit of fabric that fits over the whole helmet including any brim

The cover has an elasticated edge

Which you simple stretch over the helmet, so it takes a couple of seconds at the most to fit.

Some have a drawstring to the edge which does the same function as the elastic, just a bit more fiddly

This one unfortunately also included its own peak which did not compromise the fit but did look a little odd once fitted.

The Havelock also came with a selection of 3 different press-stud on pompoms so you can change the appearance a bit.

Havelock with Pompom

Havelocks were originally created for military use, but they are also used to decorate other helmets, this particular havelock was designed to decorate kids riding helmets.

However, because it was a kids helmet cover it was cheap and allowed me to take a few photos and explain a bit about a havelock.

It also came with pompons which you could press stud onto the top.  

Not sure if I could argue a case for use of pompoms for military use

Havelock

 A Havelock is not a hat, it's a hat cover or to be more accurate a helmet cover

Mainly used by the military to change the look for say a blue UN peacekeeping or to a different camouflage pattern of the helmet without the need to repaint or swap helmets.

Havelocks get their name from the British General Henry Havelock, invented originally to protect the wearer from the sun.

The image below Before and After the cover was fitted

Feathers - Hat Accessories

In the next few posts, I'm going to select a few hats that have feather used as decorations.

Starting with this basic wide-brimmed felt hat which has been accessorized with feathers, braiding and nice broach.

By the way, depending on the lighting and background this hat much redder than it appears in most of the photos see the photo below.

Hats were often an indicator of social status, so extra accessories make them look much grander.

 Feathers add volume and height, certain feathers are rare and exotic so indicate wealth.

This particular hat given to me as a gift is intended to be a musketeer style hat from the 17th century.