GI Side Cap

This is reproduction WW2 American GI side cap 

Apparently GI originally meant military equipment made from galvanised iron in WW1, but eventually became anything that was army general issue or government issue and on from that became a word to describe a soldier from the United States of America.

This cap sport 3 stars which means I'm a commander.

This style of hat in the US can also be known as a Campaign cap, flight cap, garrison hat, fore-and-aft cap, envelope cap, overseas cap. It also has some less polite names one being piss-cutter. 

Side Cap

A side cap is a fold-able military cap with straight sides, no brim and hollow crown which when worn forms a very distinctive shape.

In the UK its officially known as field service cap, in the US its called a garrison cap or flight cap.

The best feature of this cap is can easily be folded into a pocket, over the belt or under the shoulder strap of a military uniform. 

This cap sports a Russian badge so probably from a Russian unit but since I found it at cat boot I no idea for sure.

Tam O'shanter

A Tam O'Shanter is flat cap distinguished by woollen ball on top of the cap

The woollen ball, mini pom-pom is also called a Toorie and adorns many Scottish military or Highland dress.

Originally a Tam O'shanter would have been made of wool and would lie much flatter than this one.

A Tam O'shanter is basically a beret with a pom-pom on top.

The khaki cap here (or similar) was introduced in 1915 for wear in the trenches by Scottish infantry serving on the Western Front. This came to be known as the 'Tam o' Shanter' later abbreviated to 'ToS' by the army. 

Sham Scottish Hat

This is novelty Scottish hat, not quite the Tam O'shanter but sold as one.

Made with tartan fabric fixed to a black elasticated ring this hat allows you to play a caricature Scotsman.

Boss Hogg

Novelty White Cowboy Hat

I surrendered to this hat because it was less than £3, its made of a compressed paper felt. 

These novelty hats are reasonably sturdy even if nothing like a real wool felt hat, they will last long enough as they are not for extended wear.

By the way Boss Hogg was a character from a eighties comedy TV show who wore a white suit and white cowboy hat, an over the top character that sticks in my memory.

Hat Mimic

This was found stuffed in the belt of my costume. 

It's about 10cm tall.

About 8 of these crochets bunnies were sneakily passed to their counterparts, mine instantly identifiable by its hat.

Other bunnies

Crochet by my friend Louise.

Carry On Up the Revolution

This is what called a Barge cap or Breton Cap  (Not to be confused with a Breton Hat which is a totally different hat shape)

Its also known as fiddler cap, Lenin cap, skipper cap, or mariner's cap, although that depends on if they have embroidery on the headband or peak.

Normally made of thick wool to provide the main stiffness, they are always peaked, they have firm wide headband, and usually come in black or navy blue.

Worn by 20th C merchant navy, barge owners and northern European factory workers.

The Fiddler cap name came about because of the film Fiddler on the Roof where the main character Topol wear one.

They came in to use in big way in Tsarists Russia due to the banning of Jewish style head ware.

Worn with with a black scarf it creates a ideal early 20th Century workers revolutionary look.

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