Straw Hat Day

[Mid-fogey]

Seeing as...

...we spend plenty of time here discussing the merits of wearing hats at all, does it really matter?

In April/May I begin to wear straws as based on the weather that day. Over 80=Straw.

 

[Neil]

Bruce Wayne. . .

You just bought a couple of Milans from Graham? Got pics? Why two? And the straw is colored?

 

[Widebrim]

Southern California is ready and willing...

How funny...Just minutes before reading this post, I had decided to bust out my grey, Dobbs straw for the Edendale Grill tonight. Here in Los Angeles, Straw Hat Day unofficially starts around late April...

 

[JennyLou]

I definately need to get a straw hat now.

 

[dhermann1]

The thing that tickles me about this whole topic is that there actually used to be a semi quasi official straw hat day that was recognized. Of course latitude had an influence. You breakout the straw when it's appropriate.
I just like the idea of reviving a tradition that obviously was widely observed in its day, a hundred years ago.

 

[GClark]

I'm curious to know how many of you wear felt during the summer?
If rain is forecast on a hot summer day, will you wear a felt hat, for instance?
Does anyone actually prefer an unlined felt hat to straw?

 

["Skeet" McD]

I'm curious to know how many of you wear felt during the summer?
If rain is forecast on a hot summer day, will you wear a felt hat, for instance?
Does anyone actually prefer an unlined felt hat to straw?

Speaking for myself: when the straws come out, the felts go in. Should rain be predicted, I'm more likely to wear a linen cap, or (in more country circumstances, which is where I live) a waxed cotton hat or cap.

But that's just me. I would certainly not cut someone for wearing a felt!

"Skeet"

 

[scottyrocks]

The thing that tickles me about this whole topic is that there actually used to be a semi quasi official straw hat day that was recognized. Of course latitude had an influence. You breakout the straw when it's appropriate.

Yeah, really.

I just wear whatever I think will be appropriate on any given day.

I work outside all day during July and August. If its raining, or most likely to at any moment, I wear a felt, usually that huge brown Bailey western I have.

 

[avedwards]

I'm curious to know how many of you wear felt during the summer?
If rain is forecast on a hot summer day, will you wear a felt hat, for instance?
Does anyone actually prefer an unlined felt hat to straw?

As I mentioned at the beginning of this thread, I prefer any felt to straw. The British habit of often raining has heavily influenced that. I haven't the money to buy another hat, so I will wear an ordiney felt rather than a lightweight. I might take the liner out if I feel too warm.

 

[TopGumby]

If what I read in "Hatless Jack" is true, straw hat day used to be rather brutally enforced in many US cities, and those unlucky enough to be caught with the wrong hats on after the appointed day would have them knocked off by gangs of street toughs or simple passers by, and the hats would then be destroyed. Sometimes things got pretty violent, as you can imagine.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

You just bought a couple of Milans from Graham? Got pics? Why two? And the straw is colored?

no i have had them since last summer. i just got them reflanged since the brims lost their snap sitting over winter & i had an edge binding put on. yes, the straw is coloured. i thinki goot the last blue one though. he still has some black bodies.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

i still wear felts during summer. i think they are more dressy plus i will wear a felt hat if rain is predicted.
thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[Neil]

I would submit, Charlie, that it's hard to imagine anything dressier in the summer than a beautifully blocked Montecristi.

 

[jkingrph]

If you think this hobby is expensive, try collecting old cars.

Or old high quality firearms!!

 

[jkingrph]

I actually started late last week. Late spring has been unseasonably cool down here this year. I just saw on the weather report that we had upper 40's in the area last night.

 

[CRH]

I actually started late last week. Late spring has been unseasonably cool down here this year. I just saw on the weather report that we had upper 40's in the area last night.

We had frost yesterday morning. Oh, well, there were still snow piles this time last year . Not yet too late to plant tropical fruits...

Now pick your summer ribbon color .

 

[Ordinary Guy]

i still wear felts during summer. i think they are more dressy plus i will wear a felt hat if rain is predicted.
thanx!!!
Charlie

If rain is predicted in the summer I just put on my Poplin Stetson Gable.

 

[RBH]

If rain is predicted in the summer .......

I just try not to stand out in it too long......


I love my felts... but summer is for straws.

 

[Colby Jack]

I'm still looking for just the right straw. My panama's make my head cook...so...felt gets worn most the time, because it's not as hot as the panama...Maybe one pf those Akubra Capricorns...[huh]

 

[Widebrim]

If what I read in "Hatless Jack" is true, straw hat day used to be rather brutally enforced in many US cities, and those unlucky enough to be caught with the wrong hats on after the appointed day would have them knocked off by gangs of street toughs or simple passers by, and the hats would then be destroyed. Sometimes things got pretty violent, as you can imagine.

Whoa! But from I've read on some of the posts here, such rudeness still happens to some of our members from time to time...although hat destroying is gratefully not par for the course.