Monday 11 December 2017

Its a Cracker


The cracker hat is usually made of thin tissue paper and shaped like a crown.


These hats have fallen out of most Christmas crackers since the early 20th century, along with mottos, love notes, gifts and many a bad joke.


The first Christmas cracker was based on a novelty bon-bon developed by a London confectioner Tom Smith which made a bang when opened, he and his company eventually developed this into the gift delivering item we know today as the Christmas Cracker.

Tom Smiths sons who took over the business when he died eventually where the ones who introduced the hat into the cracker.










Monday 4 December 2017

Hooded Tunic


This is a hooded tunic made specifically for lrp use. 



Not based on anything historical, it is made of a wool mix with horn toggle closures.





















This item was purchased from Chows Emporium, where its described as a heathered woollen tunic hooded.


I've found this useful in all weathers, made of wool but lightweight enough for summer and can easily be worn over other items for colder weather use.


Tuesday 28 November 2017

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.


Tuesday 21 November 2017

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.