Musketeers Hat

This theatrical hat is designed to look like a Cavaliers or Musketeers hat from the 17th Century.

Cavaliers hats get their name from supporters of Kings Charles I during the English Civil War whereas Musketeers Hats get there name from the personal musket wielding bodyguard of King Louise XIII. Both were known for wearing extravagant clothing including hats like this one but decorated with ostrich feathers. 

This wide-brimmed style of hat usually was cocked up on one side or both, one side of the brim was often pinned totally up.

The theatrical hat here is made of sponge covered material, with a wire frame and covered in velvety fabric with a bit of trim. 

Nothing like the real thing which should be made of felt

This hat cost me about 1 pound as part of a batch of hats.

I will get a nice authentic Cavaliers hat one day.

Waxed Cotton Wide Brimmed Hat

Described as a Aussie-style hat on most of the web sites you would purchase it from, this is very practical waterproof hat that also give goods sun protection with its wide brim

Made from waxed cotton typical of the outdoor country style of clothing you will see worn by gentry, farmers, river and pond fishers, game keepers and the like.

Waxed cotton is very tough practical weather resistant fabric with a very particular but not unpleasant smell.

Waxed clothing originated in the sailing industry, but the less stiff paraffin waxing process used in garments today did not come about until the 1920's and was produced in Britain by 3 companies who equipped the British army with garments made of it.

Barbour the most famous creators of waxed cotton country garments today, started using it for motor cycle clothing in the 1930's and back then was only available in black or an inconstant olive green colour. 

Modern waxes come in many colours but olive green is still the main colour choice.

Witchfinder Hat

So called witch finder hats are wide brimmed, with a tall flat topped tapered crown and with a large single buckle around the base of crown at the front.

The hat gets its name from the witch finder general Mathew Hopkins who hanged over 100 people accused of Witchcraft and can be seen wearing a hat of this shape in contemporary imagery.

Historically this shape of hat is a 17th Century hat style worn during the English Civil War and would have been made of felt.

The stiff dark leather witchfinder's hats you will find nowadays come from modern imagery and films.

The proportions have all been exaggerated in the hat I'm wearing. 

This is very heavy hat, but not uncomfortable to wear, you just have to remember your a bit taller and duck or you will lose the hat to low hanging branches or beams

A Sombrero

A Sombrero, mexican hat, basically a very wide brimmed hat with a crown and upturned edge popular in Mexico used as a shield from the sun, these hats are wide enough to cast shadows over neck and shoulders.

This Sombrero however is possibly the worst hat I own, its made of compressed cardboard and is pure tourist tat, I'm sure if I ever got wet it would turn into paper mache. 

Well one day I'm sure I will get a better quality Sombrero but for now this is all I have.

They were also worn by cowboys and in many other Spanish speaking countries

Crop Mutilations and Cow Circles

This hat was purchased with a specific character in mind and then decorated to suit.

A tan wide brimmed felt hat with home made fimo rune stones sown around the brim.

In the photo below the top of the hat as been sunk in/creased giving it a slightly different look.

Felt Hats = Many types of hats that are made from fur, beaver or wool felt

 The character that wore this hat was called Creedance and he belonged to the family below.

I should explain Crop Mutilations and Cow Circles but ....

As Good as Sun Cream

This straw hat purchased for protection from the sun and was frequently used when I was doing medieval reinactment on hot days. 

The wide brim protects the back of neck and straw is in my opinion the best material for keeping you cool in the sun by letting your sweat easily evaporate.

The photo below is inside Muchelney Abbey where in 2002 I was playing a monk as part of a living history event.

Straw hats are unfortunately easily damaged so care must be taken in storage and transport, this one despite being 20 odd years old is still in good condition.

The only thing I added was tight string to keep it tied to head since even the lightest breeze can blow it off the head.

This hat was purchased at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival.

Grandee Hat Maybe

This hat style may have a name but I don't know it, the nearest equivalent I can see is Grandee or a tall Bolero hat.

Made by Fernández y Roche of Spain according to the label, I found it at a historical fayre TORM (the Original Re-enactors Market) in 2008, cost me £75, it is a quality hat, not a something from a fancy dress stall, used several times, this hat is well loved by me and its going to last a while.