Red Decorated Sombrero

The Sombrero the traditional hat of Mexico

A Sombrero in Mexico is any wide-brimmed hat, although for most people outside the region it is also a hat with its brim upturned along its edge.

Its main function is the protection of the head and shoulders from the Sun.

Some like this one can end up highly decorated and are used by Mariachi folk music performers.

This I believe is a full Sombrero but in Mexico there are many types with names suchas Quinciano, Diechinueve, Veintiuno, Veintisiete, Traditional sombrero or modern sombrero.   

 

Boater

 Straw Boater or Boater made from Straw, I already posted information about these hat, not much more to say.

Normally they have a ribbon around the crown this one maybe never had one or it was removed not really possible to tell.

This hat is actually a little too small for my head and sits too high and thus unconforatable to wear.

This hat also has a lump missing from the brim.

Older photo of me wearing it.

Panama Hat

 This particular Fedora due to its lightness both in weight and colour plus open its weave should be more accurately called a Panama Hat. 

This particular Panama is made of hessian I think and probably stiffened with some sort of starch paste or glue but since purchased second hand and not detailed on any sort of label its really a guess

The loose weave and holes in the crown and make this a cooling hat for humid summers, designed to protect against the sun rather than other elements such as rain or wind.

The original Panama hats date back as far as 16th Century and originate in Ecuador where they were made from plated palm leaves. The traditional Ecuadorian toquilla hat is protected by its heritage status.

Never made in Panama the hat gots name mainly due to president Theodore Roosevelt's wearing one on his trip to oversee the construction of the Panama Canal. 

Purchase for £8 including carriage off an auction site called clutter buys.

Hessian Hat

This hat is made of hessian and was purchased from a trader at Chatsworth Country Fair whose key feature was everything hessian.

This is one of those hats that although outwardly rough-looking is actually a quality well-made product and a comfortable hat to wear.

The hat is properly lined with a fabric that is more comfortable against the skin.

The edge of the hat has been frayed, although the fraying as been stitched, secured and tidied so it will remain stable and secure.

The hat brim has a wire running around it which you can use to shape it, such as turning up the brim cowboy hat style like in the photo below.

I can see this hat being worn as a comfortable casual summer hat or used to theme a yokel costume.

Good cooling summer wear, although not waterproof at all.

Umbrella Hat

Umbrella Hat

 In theory, this is a great idea i.e. a hat that collapses and so you can stuff it in your pocket. 

However, keeping your head dry is much better served with a normal hat or even the hood of a rain mac which can scrunch down to much smaller units. 

 This is a novelty hat only.

The hat as shown collapses umbrella style, but in lieu central pole has several braces which fit into an elasticated band which grips to your head in a very uncomfortable way, that probably would not keep your hat in place in a gust of wind. 

I can see myself chasing this hat across a beach if there is a breeze.

 On the plus side the wide brim does provide extra sunshade and a little shoulder protection from the rain, so might be of some use, but unless I want a laugh I will pack a bucket hat for emergency use.

Desert Hat

This hat is designed for hot, dry, dusty places.

It comes with lots of ventilation, all round detachable sun high UV sun protection, a large bill brim.

 Lightweight and easily pocketable 

The only downside is you may look the most stylish person out in the desert, however, you may get the last laugh when the high sun hits and even high factor sun cream does not stop your skin crisping in the UV rays. 

Sun Hat Plus

This is a nylon bucket hat that comes complete with extra sun protection. 

The hat comes with a detachable flap neck for the neck and face, along with the wide brim it fully protects your neck, face, head from the sun.

This hat would probably most suited to desert environments I think as its both lightweight and airy.

The face mask is made of a breathable mesh and a similar breathable crown, probably won't offer much rain protection.

Below with the neck and face flaps removed.

It also compacts down to a size that fits your trouser pocket.

Dome Shaped Bamboo Hat

This hat was from a stall at Chatsworth Country Fair selling items mostly made of hemp, however, it did also include other items, such as this bamboo hat.

Peasants Summer Hat

Falling apart straw hat, perfect just the thing

The ideal sunny weather hat. 

Wet them and they help cool the head even more

This one has seen better days but for playing the part a beggar or poor peasant its perfect