Bowler or Derby

I was recently informed my Bowler hat was in fact a Derby, now I always believed Bowler, Derby and its many other names Coke Hat, Boxer, Billy Cock, were all names for the same thing and for all useful purpose bar riding they still are.

The Bowler was first made and designed in 1850 by William Bowler for Sir William Coke for head protection when riding. The Derby got its name when the 12th Earl of Derby visited the United States in a hat of this style in 1880 and created a fashion there, so could be classed as the America name for Bowler.

Anyway if your looking for a difference a Bowler is hard and rigid, while the dome of the Derby Hat can be bent easily with the fingers, both are the same shape. 

This hat is therefore a derby bowler.

All fashionable goblins (above) wear bowler hats as do steampunk man servants (below)

Woollen Hood

 A Woollen Hood with a cotton lining

This hood has character its been patched in several places, including where it caught fire while I was wearing it from a pyrotechnic I got too close to, luckily for me wool does not burn as quickly as some modern fibres.

Photo below a minor warrior from a lrp event.

This hood is old, I first wore it during 1980's when I started doing re-enactment in it various forms.

I'm wearing it on the front row of the photo below from around 1990 I'm the one in blue and yellow with a pole axe. This was during a period when I did theatrical re-enactment at Warwick Castle and various other places.

Steam Punk Explorer

This Pith Helmet was purchased new from a re-enactment market, and is ideal for any explorer character. 

I have photographed this one with me as steam punk type adventurer complete with my steam punked rifle.

Pith Helmets are designed for humid climates, they are light weight and practical.

They include ventilation in crown via simple holes

The top button is also designed to allow ventilation as can been seen from the photo above and photo below taken from inside the helmet showing where the button bolts on to the helmet.

Another feature is the chin strap which most of time forms a decorative feature on the brim, but when windy can be brought down and fasten under the chin.

The hat is covered with cotton and includes a adjustable lining which forms a sweat band. 

I Got a Hankering for Some Moonshine

Does this hat belong to a back woods cannibal from the deep south of US with shotgun in back of their pick-up truck parked outside a trailer home or do I watch too much american TV and cannibals are not real :)

 A typical hunters cap made of a fleecy material, this one in camouflage pattern. Similar baseball cap in design this hat has a extra section the back of the head offering bit more warmth, but no ear flaps.

A army surplus store purchase.

The Incredible Wang

This woven bamboo/straw hat is from the family of oriental rice paddy or coolie hats, although as can be seen its not the typical conical style.

I've so far found it hard to obtain much information on these styles of hats so can't tell you much more, other than it provides good shade and having a chin strap is essential even in a slight breeze.

The is hat gets used by The Incredible Wang, master of Chi and full of wise words, he also makes good noodle soup.

I bought this hat from a Larp fair trader who does not seem to exist any more, at least the website link I have doesn't work and not seen them trading for a few years perhaps re-branded.

Commander Hunter of Death Angel Squad

This is a leather covered steampunk or hell angel novelty helmet

I bought it off ebay its well made, good buckles and lining, comfortable but doubt it would actually be suitable head protection for a biker, but that's not what helm is about anyway.

This helm apparently gets a thumb up. 

Henry VIII wore this Hat

I'm Henry the 8th, I'am

This hat style at least within the reinactmant circles I belong to was called a 'Cow Pat hat'.

The hat is made of same fabric used in the coat. 

Under it I'm wearing black lace edged coif. 

This hat was made by my good friend SamK ( she is in the mustard yellow dress in the photo below) as part of the full head to toe costume she made to allow me to play Henry VIII for several Living History performances I did. 

The photo below was taken at Skipton Castle and the one above at Lincoln Bishops Palace.

Howdy Folks

Howdy folks.

 This hat is prime example of what I call a cowboy hat, i.e. hats worn by farmers and ranch workers in the west and south of the USA. 

The style of a cowboy hat is a tall crown usually creased to flatten with wide rolling brim usually  turned up at the sides, then decorated with a band around the bottom of the crown. They are normally made of felt or straw but can like this one be made of leather.

This hat is made of sued leather, stiffened and shaped with wire in brim, its a very comfortable hat that I need to wear more often. 

This hat was made by company called Bullhide and the moto in the label "enjoy the western lifestyle" I purchased this hat at Chatworth Country Fair a few year ago.

Gotta mosey along now.