Sherlock Holmes Left His Hat Behind

The deerstalker through its association with Sherlock Holmes has become stereotypical headgear for early detectives. 

Its a hat is also still used in rural areas of Britain but dates from the Victorian era when you wore correct fashion to do your deer hunting.

The deerstalker was possibly first associated with the character of Sherlock Holmes in a 1899 play, but it was a book cover illustration that probably cemented the two together. Although it may have been several Basil Rathbones films that final pegged them permanently together.

Made of usually of tweed with its distinctive fore and aft brims and ear flaps that are usually seen tied up at the top of the hat rather than over the ears and tied under the chin.

Christmas Gifts, Hat Themed

This year I received a few hat themed gift for Christmas.

Starting with a knitted knights helmet from the Crazy Terry's complete with moveable visor.

The helmet will stop all blows to any self pride you have.

The next gift from fellow larper and friend Dom is a miniature Spanish style conquistadors Comb Marion helmet made of metal but 1/3rd scale.

I did try to balance it on top of my head but the photo came out blurred.

Not least but a proper hat that will used, is the one below, I best describe this as a cavaliers hat although perhaps a wider brim is order, decorated by Dave and Julie and presented to me by their daughter who was as excited to give it to me as I was to receive it.

Goes well with red Christmas present jumper.

Also jumping into the photo BB8

Last while digging out my Christmas wrapping a week or so ago I came across my old sallet which I thought I had sold see this post here.

A little bit rustier and the straps had rotted, I must have packed it away while damp.

Santa hat

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RICHARD IN A HAT

I have no photographic evidence to prove Santa Claus ever wore this style of hat, but I've seen enough Christmas films to know its true.

Not having a Santa costume I had to improvise with photo shop

Before

After

Santa's Helpers

In this hat I become one of Santa Clause helpers, a Elf.

Here you see me singing jingle bells to myself, oh what fun I have :)

This hats similar to a night cap.

Unfortunately this hat is made of a horrible hessian fabric that makes my head itch like crazy so its not one to wear often or for long.

All around my hat I will wear the Green Willow

This a great fun felt festival hat, I think it would be brilliant for Morris Dancing or perhaps just for standing out from the norm should you want to.

This hat fell into my hands while at Tewkesbury Medieval festival, I walked by the stall selling it several times thinking I don't need this hat but it kept punching me in the eye saying "buy me, buy me", like some hats do, and I have a very low resistance.

When I put this hat on for some reason I want to sing All around my hat I will wear the Green Willow (see here if don't know what I mean) and dance around my living room.

I Just Need a Stormy Sea

This is what's known as Sou'wester 

A practical hat used by seaman for protection against rough wet weather, The brim is wide and slanted basically designed to stop rain running off it down the collar of your coat. 

A good chin strap also keeps it in place in high winds.

The name Sou'wester potentially comes from the South Westerly winds which brought rough seas, this may have some truth, but I can't find anything to back the claim up.

In some countries its just called a fisherman's cap, however they are not necessarily the same thing as as Sou'wester for example they are not needed to be fully waterproof.

Sou'wester are made of oilskin which can any be fabric made waterproof but is traditionally canvass covered in linseed oil or tar this one however is 100% PVC but works fine.

Pannonian Pileus

I was informed when I purchase this hat that it was Pannonian Pileus, not sure how true this is, however looking for info to check this out Pannonian hats do appear to be this shape, although the ones I've seen seem to be made of fur or skin rather than felt, so is at the very least not far from the truth.

The traditional  Pileus Hat is a brimless cone (not like this hat) of felt worn by Greek Roman sailors from around 375 B.C. to the 4th century A.D. 

Nightcap

This Nightcap was made as a Birthday present by my good friend Julie back in 2009 you can see her blog about it here. 

Nightcaps are basically beanie hats designed to keep you head warm in bed back in the days before central heating, also to reduce the spread of head lice after your wig was removed.  

Nightcaps are said to be more commonly worn as people as got older probably because they are more likely to be bald or perhaps its because older people kept the fashion going as wearing nightcaps died out in the 1800's so its associated with older people your guess is as good as mine on that front.

Nightcaps where first reported has being worn in northern Europe in the middle ages and fashionable for all people from the mid 15th to late 19th Century.

Also known as a Sleeping Cap.