Courage to Wear a Hat

Save The Hat Club!

The hat. Ah! Yes, the joyous hat! The dark coloured bowler for business wear, the soft cap or brimmed hat for liesure, and the most glorious and elegant Top Hat for those formal events, like the races at Ascot. Oh, who can be but impressed when a gentleman enters one's establishment, and, with a deft twirl, removes his hat! What lady can feel but honored when a gentleman tips his hat to her, and says "Good evening, ma'am".

But the question remains: What can one do about it? How can one stop the hatless regime of the modern world? You can do your part! Wear a hat, and wear it proudly! (click here for hatters links)

But, alas, the hat has slowly gone out of fashion. With the invention of the "baseball cap", all other hats of a more aesthetically pleasing manner were pushed out of the way, and no longer became the mode. One no longer had the individuality in chosing hat styles and colour. No, the baseball cap was the only accepted headgear

Still, in order to properly wear a hat, one must know what sort of hats are out there, and when is the most opertune time to wear them so as to best influence the population. Here is a start:

The Top Hat exhumes formality wherever it is seen! Acording to legend, it was unveiled to the world in January of 1797. It was worn by English hat-maker John Hetherington. According to legend, passeres-by were horrified, and Hetherington had to pay a fine! But the hat had an astounding career from the early 1800s until the 1930s. Today it is worn on ceremonial occasions, fine balls, the Ascot Races, or any other event where a black suit or morning suit is recomended. It takes quite a sense of style to wear this hat properly, and even then it is hard to pull off.

The bowler hat has been left in the dust by it's former patrons, stockbrokers and bankers. In London it is now only seen adorning the heads of Guards officers when dressed in their signature pinstripe suits and rolled umbrellas. Although this can be worn with any suit upon any occasion, it is now regarded as a sign of certain eccentricity in the wearer. I myself still wear this hat in dark, gloomy days in winter, and a brown version is quite the ticket in the damp spring.

In France it is called the "matelot" or "canotier," in Germany it is the "Butterblume" or the "Kreissage," but it is most well-known as the "boater." It was popular world-wide in the 1920s as a summer hat, but today it is rarely seen outside of traditional English rowing exebitions such as Oxford, or in Henley. Although still suitable for political rallies, one should only wear this hat at summer sports such as rowing or archery, and only in vest and shirtsleeves.

The "Borsalino" is a make of hat, not a style, but it is the hat that Hollywood heroes such as George Raft and James Cagney wore casully cocked over one eye in their gangster rolls. This legendary Italian hat-maker has a very wide selection of hats, and is a sign of quality!

The well-known flat English tweed drving cap is sporting to the highest degree! Traditionaly for country shooting, riding, and fishing, the cap is being rediscoverd by the youth and is even now achieving a "cult" status! New styles for the modern wearer have been developed in France, and has already made its way to the American shores, gaining high popularity. This hat can be worn by young people now with any style of clothing and for any occasion. I have never failed to produce compliments when wearing this style around College campus, even in my most relaxed summer outfits!

When King Edward VII was still the Prince of Wales, he made a trip to the German spa-town of Bad Homburg, where he discovered a unique hat: the "Homburg." It was soon popularized throughout Britain, and subsiquently, the world! In formality, the Homburg rates second to the Top Hat, if we lay aside the bowler as an English peculiarity. This hat cuts a very dashing, if imposing, figure today, even though it is "out of style."

The Fedora is the classic gentleman's hat with the soft brim that can be turned up or down. More elegant than the trilby, more casual than the Homburg or bolwer, this is the timeless hat for any avid hat-wearer. Popularized by retro-swing groups such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, this hat, when worn with the right suit, is highly praised even by the younger crowd. Unfortunatly, it is the hat that is in the greatest danger of falling into oblivion! Save this hat!

The brown trilby is known throughout the world as the insignia of the horse-racing fraternity. The crumpled look often achived is the delight of the social and finacial aristocracy. In England, a race course would be inconcievable without this hat! It can be worn with a rain jacket and wellies just as well as it can with khaki slacks and a light shirt.

The clasic Panama is the best in summer sun protection! Popular in tennis courts, cricket games, yachtes, and, of course, the Panama Canal, this hat exhumes light frivolity and excitment. The number of films stars that have immortalized the Panama is enormous, including characters such as Charlie Chan and Peter Sellers. The true Panama is made from the elastic fibers of the jipijapa plant, and can be rolled up and put in your pocket without any harm to the shape of the hat.

Last of all, the soft tweed hat is seen wherever there is a suited weekend travelor in a tweed jacket, suit, or overcoat. Favored by men of sceince and intelect, this is not a hat to be worn by all! Try it on and look yourelf in the mirror before purchase! I for one, cannot wear this delightful crumpled hat.