Friday 13 December 2019

Arming Cap


This padded cap is designed to be worn under a metal helmet


The cap helps stabilise and make the helmet worn over it more comfortable, I also expect it helps protect a little against the shock of blows to the helmet.


Made of thick cotton canvass, then filled with extra layers of fabric.



Wednesday 4 December 2019

Nobles

This hat could be used by an Oriental or European noble or relaxing merchant


Not really sure of the period it belongs to.


This hat ended up in our crew kit, unclaimed it remains there ready for use.


Friday 29 November 2019

White Skull Cap

This white fabric skull cap has a turn-up band around the rim.



 The cap is almost the same as the docker cap in a previous post but lacks the button on top and adjustable band, this is more of a medieval or religious cap.


 There is one seam front to back, the shape comes from the stretching of the fabric.


In the photo below its shown worn with a coif underneath.



Saturday 23 November 2019

Sequined Cap

This the sequined covered cap, came as part of the same hat haul as the previous post.


This was the leisure cap of some flamboyant magician I'm sure.


Now, what's the difference between this what I call a Smoking cap (Leisure cap) and a Kufi hat, both are colourful pillbox hats of a similar size and shape.

Smoking caps are European, the colour comes from the decoration, embroidery, sequins, tassels applied usually to a rich velvety fabric. 
Kufi caps are African, the colour comes from the highly patterned base fabric rather than a plain decorated base fabric 
and that's the difference in its most basic form, although there are many exceptions to the rule and ones that could fall into both categories




Sunday 17 November 2019

Kufi Cap


This is well-worn Kufi style cap I got as part of a eBay hat bid last year.



This cap has a colourful brim folded up only around 2/3rds of its diameter making it unusual.



I happy to wear it back to front as the above image, it works either way in my opinion.


When I took these photos I did not realise one side of the turn-up brim was distorted, a quick iron or stitch will fix this.


Looking at the hat know I'm wondering what the hat would look like with its folded up section folded down.

Saturday 9 November 2019

Domed green hat

This round felt hat was listed as a Monmouth style cap, but I don't think it is.


Monmouth caps while a similar shape are a knitted cap more like a small beanie that fits the dome of your head.


This I would say is just a medieval domed cap.


Saturday 2 November 2019

Minstrels Hat

This Robinhood style felt hat as been upgraded


The hat itself was originally posted here in 2015


But has been decorated with scrolls to sewn to the brim for the part of a minstrel.


The additions really change the hat, its become more theatrical and less authentic.



The scrolls were varnished before rolling and tieing with ribbons, in the hope they may survive a bit of damp weather.


Friday 25 October 2019

Chinese Wedding Cap


This Chinese hat or cap is more like fascinator than an actual hat.


 The cap come up in images under Qing and Han Dynasty, I can only assume it was worn across both periods.



Used by nobles, emperors and as a modern wedding headpiece.


This hat is held in place by a tie, although it's more likely to have been pinned through and over a bun of hair, but I don't have anywhere near enough hair for that.


Also seen listed as a Chinese landlords hat