Oddity

[Rick Blaine]

Unusual sweatband...

... anyone have/seen this before?
Any speculation as to purpose (beyond the obvious)?
For my part I think, in a temperate clime (generally above the 48th parallel, say) it would snug & secure the hat to yr. head & be quite comfortable. Perhaps only appropriate for a more rigid bowler/derby tho'.

 

[WEEGEE]

Equestrian or Dressage Derby

Besides the adjustable sweat band some often have a wind cord or tether attached to the back of the brim.


That is one on my daughter in my avatar.

 

[vonwotan]

You can find this type of hat band and cord in the traditional bowler or derby made for riding. It was a predecessor to todays harder riding hat with leather (or, these days, sythetic) webbing.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Hey, Rick -

You may want to check out this thread for some ideas (particularly the second page).

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[vonwotan]

There are some examples of riding bowlers and riding top hats at the Vintage Fasion Guild Website. They can still be seen today on dressage competitors.

http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/content/view/955/213/

For reference I also have this brief article on the origin of the bowler/derby/coke...

Bowler Hat - The History & Origin
By: Roger Banbury, Fri Dec 9th, 2005 07:47:39 PM

The Bowler Hat, or Derby, as it is known in the U.S. was first created in London in 1850 by St. James Street hatters George and James Lock. The hat was created initially as a hard hat, custom made for an aristocrat-cum-game warden by the name of William Coke II, and for a short time assumed the name of a 'Coke Hat'.

The actual manufacture of the first prototype 'bowler hat' was handled by another London-based hatter named William Bowler. Due to the fact the hat was also bowl shaped, and manufactured by the William Bowler, the term 'bowler hat' soon replaced 'coke hat'.

Because the bowler hat was initially created to be used as a hard hat for horse-riding people such as William Coke II, its use soon came to be standard for such horse riding events as the derby. One hatter from the United States duly noted the fact the hat was been used among those taking part in Derby's, therefore the term Derby hat took hold in the United States before the original - and still the traditional term in the United Kingdom - bowler hat term could.

Gradually, more sophisticated riding hats replaced the bowler hat and the bowler hat gained use as a hat to be worn on the street by well-to-do folk.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Equestrian or Dressage Derby

That is one on my daughter in my avatar.

:eusa_doh: Of course! :eusa_doh: very practical, many thanks to all for pushing back the frontiers of my ignorance once again!