Saturday 28 May 2016

Reversible Acorn Hat


This medieval style acorn hat is reversible, 2 hats for one


I'm not sure why I'm pulling a odd face, some hats make me do this.


Below I'm studying the complexity of turning something inside out or outside in or perhaps outside out since both sides are the outside of the hat, who knows.


Acorn hats appeared mainly in the late 15th Century although they existed before and after this period.

The style of these hats can vary considerable both in hight and style, some are skull tight, some are comedy tall, this one fall in between.




Reversible Acorn Hat by Mike The Hat 

Friday 20 May 2016

Viking Hat

Fur trimmed wool Viking hat


Viking hats were usually made of either wool, sheepskin, leather and fur. 


Each hat is made of 4 triangular panels sewn together to form a crown, sometimes close fitting skull cap style or looser like this one. 

They were were often trimmed with fur like this one or embroidery work. 


A medieval Icelandic law prohibited removing a hat from another person, if they did they could be fined, unless the hat had a chin strap then you could have throttled the person so the victim of the attempted hat removal could lawfully kill you in retaliation. Truth or website nonsense I'm not sure but made for a interesting fact.


This fur trimmed hat was from  Bohemia Beauty Ltd however all they show on their website is their glass object, the hat was made by the owners wife as a sideline to sell a Tewkesbury Medieval Fair.



Thursday 12 May 2016

Yes M'Lady

This a black peaked cap is one I have used as chauffeurs hat


The above photograph was taken when I chauffered my youngest brother to his wedding.


This style of hat is also associated with higher ranking British police officers, postmen but then they come with added badgers and decoration.


Saturday 7 May 2016

Time For Tea

Drinking earl grey tea from a fine bone china cup in the middle of war with the Zulu's then you need this hat.


This white Pith Helmet was used by the British Foreign Service and the British Army in the Zulu Wars. A replica of the helmet worn by the British 24th Regiment of Foot during the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.

Made famous in the film 'Zulu' depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift where 150 soldiers fought off 4000 Zulu's.


Taller than other Pith Helmets its the origin of the British Police helmet


A Capital hat is it not


Thursday 28 April 2016

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


Friday 22 April 2016

Bucket Hat

A couple of laces make thus old bucket hat really useful in the wind.

Bucket hats probably started has practical fishemens hat in some oiled fabric, but were adopted has fashion hats in the 1960's.

Also known as session hat, fisherman's hat, or Irish country hat.


I've had this hat for a least 27 years as went with me to Thailand 1989 as can be seen in the photos below


My taste in clothing has got a little duller since this photo below with the very sun burnt legs to match the shorts.


Sunday 17 April 2016

Smokey Green

Another smoking or leisure cap, this time in green and orange to match the coat and shirt, or did I buy the coat and shirt to match the hat.

This one is complete with the essential tassel. 



Alternate name I have seen recently for this hat is a Thinking Cap, this was on one vendors web site and can find no other places this style of hat is associated with the name thinking cap. 

In word definitions its says 1st know use of thinking cap was 1847 but reflecting on this I can't think why you need to know that.


This hat came from barefoot leather although is not leather.

Friday 8 April 2016

Historic Past

This helmet is one I no longer own, a visored bascinet made back in the early days of when I took part 15th Century medieval re-enactment.


These photos were taken in June 1987


This helmet was excellent to fight in, providing good protection and freedom of head movement, some of that down to the fact it was not a accurate reproduction. 


the quality and historical accuracy of this helmet would not get past most re-inactment groups standards today.