Akubra Overload

[rogueclimber]

Chose my Deluxe Fed IV for today's chilly (49°) jaunt to the Venice Pier

 

[The Shoe]

How do the Japanese react to a gaijin wearing a nice hat?

Usually I find they say nothing, but I do get regular looks and the occasional compliment.
When I started wearing hats to the school where I work, there was a bit of laughter from the kids and also mirth and “what’s up with that?” type comments from a couple of teachers. Some of the kids wanted to touch my hats or put them on. I told them to take care and showed them how to hold it. Once in a while, a kid would ignore that and just grab the hat, scrunching whatever part they were holding. Those kids got a real earful!
The funniest reaction was when I was in a black pork pie, wearing dark glasses and a suit. A bunch of high school girls walking the opposite direction on the pavement clammed together and took a very wide berth of me. I’m just a little guy, or about average size here in Japan, so that’s never happened to me before. I got a kick out of it.

 

[Marcus G]

How do the Japanese react to a gaijin wearing a nice hat?

Hi GLewis. To be honest, as a foreigner here, I get so many looks even without the hat. There is a fair bit of a hat culture here, so wearing one is not completely out of the ordinary. Of course, far from everyone wears hats, but there are a decent amount of hat wearers around my town, especially people a little up in age. You see them. I notice that it's mostly trilbys on men and they are not particularly quality ones that are mostly made from cotton. I've been wearing hats for a long time, mostly a range of seasonal trilbys, so wider brims are new for me as is fur felt. I used to think that wool offered the best hats, but I've had a change of heart since I put on an Akubra. I admit that I do catch people checking out my Stylemaster, so the reactions seem to be some looks. Not sure how much is due to my skin color or the hat—a bit of both, I'm sure. My Japanese friends will compliment my hats sometimes. As for the Stylemaster, my foreign friends tend throw out the Indy comments.

 

[Marcus G]

Usually I find they say nothing, but I do get regular looks and the occasional compliment.
When I started wearing hats to the school where I work, there was a bit of laughter from the kids and also mirth and “what’s up with that?” type comments from a couple of teachers. Some of the kids wanted to touch my hats or put them on. I told them to take care and showed them how to hold it. Once in a while, a kid would ignore that and just grab the hat, scrunching whatever part they were holding. Those kids got a real earful!
The funniest reaction was when I was in a black pork pie, wearing dark glasses and a suit. A bunch of high school girls walking the opposite direction on the pavement clammed together and took a very wide berth of me. I’m just a little guy, or about average size here in Japan, so that’s never happened to me before. I got a kick out of it.

So you accidently scared them?

 

[The Shoe]

So you accidently scared them?

Yes!

 

[RickP]

Had a Stylemaster in Loden shipped to me to go with my Traveller. Now I have an Akubra for the city and another for the country. I didn't think I'd like the dark brown as much as I do. The Stylemaster is proving to be super versatile. Here's me putting it through some paces. . .

Going to work View attachment 653699

Stepping out
View attachment 653700

on a walk
View attachment 653701

After a few glasses of wine
View attachment 653702

The only issue Ive ever had with my 9 Akubras is deciding which one to wear! lol . One of my 3 stylemasters goes outside just about every week.. Nice refined hats

 

[Marcus G]

I’m definitely happy with mine. Got caught in light rain with my Traveller for the first time. The hat kept me dry without problems.

 

[GLewis]

Usually I find they say nothing, but I do get regular looks and the occasional compliment.
When I started wearing hats to the school where I work, there was a bit of laughter from the kids and also mirth and “what’s up with that?” type comments from a couple of teachers. Some of the kids wanted to touch my hats or put them on. I told them to take care and showed them how to hold it. Once in a while, a kid would ignore that and just grab the hat, scrunching whatever part they were holding. Those kids got a real earful!
The funniest reaction was when I was in a black pork pie, wearing dark glasses and a suit. A bunch of high school girls walking the opposite direction on the pavement clammed together and took a very wide berth of me. I’m just a little guy, or about average size here in Japan, so that’s never happened to me before. I got a kick out of it.

That would be funny! I hope you greeted them in Japanese!

Hi GLewis. To be honest, as a foreigner here, I get so many looks even without the hat. There is a fair bit of a hat culture here, so wearing one is not completely out of the ordinary. Of course, far from everyone wears hats, but there are a decent amount of hat wearers around my town, especially people a little up in age. You see them. I notice that it's mostly trilbys on men and they are not particularly quality ones that are mostly made from cotton. I've been wearing hats for a long time, mostly a range of seasonal trilbys, so wider brims are new for me as is fur felt. I used to think that wool offered the best hats, but I've had a change of heart since I put on an Akubra. I admit that I do catch people checking out my Stylemaster, so the reactions seem to be some looks. Not sure how much is due to my skin color or the hat—a bit of both, I'm sure. My Japanese friends will compliment my hats sometimes. As for the Stylemaster, my foreign friends tend throw out the Indy comments.

I bet you do get a lot of attention; especially in rural areas! Akubras are nice hats. I’ve been to stores where the salesmen told me that they have nice hats. They turn out to be wool felt, unlined and not nearly as nice as my Akubras!

 

[Marcus G]

I’m impressed with the quality of my Akubra through and through. I just love having one on!