Hats

[Jock Scot]

I really like the look of those but I've yet to get one. I didn't know what they were called, thanks for that.

Thats great! However, be aware there is another style that looks similar, but with flaps on. Often called a "Sherlock Holmes", I and others would call it a "Deer Stalker". You need to be aware of this, as the THREE names are often ,rather confusingly, mixed up depending on who is selling them. Both styles are good and the flaps do have their practical uses in wet and windy conditions found out on the hill, river, or loch, although perhaps they look a tad theatrical. Both styles are a common sight in the more rural areas and particularly amongst those that partake in country sports.

BE WARNED!

Make certain sure that you are buying the bonnet that you think you are buying! It is very, VERY easy to end up talking at cross purposes with the vendor. Pitfalls are present to trip up the unwary. Genuine and honest mistakes are lurking, due to this shambles of labelling.

[Jock Scot]

Do you know, I am not at all sure that buying a bonnet over the internet is a good idea, with a deer stalker(using a general description), as the fit is critical. Just so you know, if we take your picture of the "fore and aft" used in this thread, the "bump" on the hat band is always worn on the left, looking forward.

[OC Richard]

Thanks Jock!

I've always wanted one of those hats, and I just now bought one, a vintage one by Dunn & Co (centre bottom).

Rare to find things big enough for my fat head, but it just popped up this morning, size 62.

I've made a new collage showing more tweed hat styles:



Note the various patterns. Top left and top right have the top made from a separate oval piece. The two hats centre top have a long rectangular central piece going over the top front to back, with semicircular side panels. Bottom centre and right have the top made like pie slices with a button where they meet at top. Bottom left is essentially a Fedora made from tweed.

BTW I looked up Dunn & Co, quite an interesting history.

Founded by a Birmingham Quaker in 1887 by 1930 they had 200 hat shops on High Streets across Britain.

In 1996 their existing 130 shops were losing millions and went into receivership.

[Jock Scot]

Well done, The bottom centre and bottom right pictures are very familiar shapes here! I hope it fits!

The history of Dunn & Co. is an interesting one and it near demise is a sign of the times, I am afraid.

Just in case those who are unfamiliar with these bonnets, the bottom right picture is not usually worn with the flaps down!They are usually worn with the flaps tied up with a bow above the head. However out on the hill, or by the waterside in wild and wet weather those flaps are worn down and tied under the chin and are a godsend!

[OC Richard]

Thanks!

Of all those styles, only the deerstalker with ear-flaps doesn't make sense for sunny places.

If you have the flaps up your ears will get sunburned and if you have the flaps down you'll cut off the breeze and get bit warm.

However a local Scot, Colin Gordon, invariably wore that type of hat, kilted, when performing at our local Highland Games. He was the founder of The Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, said to be the first Strathspey & Reel Society outwith Scotland.

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=OC Richard;1410101]Thanks!
Post deleted dual post. Sorry.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks!

Of all those styles, only the deerstalker with ear-flaps doesn't make sense for sunny places.

If you have the flaps up your ears will get sunburned and if you have the flaps down you'll cut off the breeze and get bit warm.

However a local Scot, Colin Gordon, invariably wore that type of hat, kilted, when performing at our local Highland Games. He was the founder of The Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, said to be the first Strathspey & Reel Society outwith Scotland.

AHA! The trick there is to wear the flaps on the baggy side, just don't have the flaps tied up too tight at the top.

[Jock Scot]

AHA! The trick there is to wear the flaps on the baggy side, just don't have the flaps tied up too tight at the top.

I think that I need to expand a tad, on the above.

When the bonnet is new, the flaps will be fairly stiff, so getting the "baggy" look takes time and regular wear. You chaps need to understand that these bonnets are often worn as everyday, all-weather, all-occasion attire by ghillies, stalkers, game keepers, farmers, shepherds, country sportsmen/women and so on. So a new bonnet gets "worn in" fairly quickly, so in a few months the new bonnet achieves the baggie-ness to allow the flaps to have the necessary "blousing ability" when required to give the ears some modicum of protection from the sun. Unlike the occasional wearer who might take quite a long time to achieve the same effect.

[jsrnephdoc]

Well done, The bottom centre and bottom right pictures are very familiar shapes here! I hope it fits!

The history of Dunn & Co. is an interesting one and it near demise is a sign of the times, I am afraid.

Just in case those who are unfamiliar with these bonnets, the bottom right picture is not usually worn with the flaps down!They are usually worn with the flaps tied up with a bow above the head. However out on the hill, or by the waterside in wild and wet weather those flaps are worn down and tied under the chin and are a godsend!

I wear hats a lot (including a flat cap, but that never with a kilt). I cannot imagine myself as a Sherlock Holmes impersonator in a deer stalker, but the bottom center hat in OC Richard's assembly looks really nice.

My spouse and I just watched the amazing Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her after she received special accolades at Sunday Night's Academy Awards Show. So, given OC Richard's post followed by your "near" demise response, I must ask, "which is it?" Mr. Google seems not to have any information on that question.

[OC Richard]

I cannot imagine myself as a Sherlock Holmes impersonator in a deer stalker...

That's the thing, in a place where it's not all that uncommon a style you would just look like a person wearing a hat.

It reminds me of Western Wear. If a local duded up in Western Wear in Scotland it could be taken as a person impersonating a cowboy. But in Texas they'd just be a person wearing clothes.

BTW I had thought for years that it was illustrator Sidney Paget who had put a Deerstalker on Holmes' head, because he's shown wearing one in stories where his dress isn't mentioned, and in a story in which it's simply described as a "country cap".

But in Silver Blaze it's clearly described as "his earflapped travelling cap". (It's not shown as Houndstooth or any other pattern.)