Straw...top hat?

[Dav3]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320127477778

I was watching this one all week out of curiosity to see if anyone would bid on it. Nobody did, but it sure is a strange hat. I don't think I've ever seen a straw top hat before.

 

[besdor]

This hat could have been a hat for the Amish with a different band put on. Further investigating needs to be done.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[scotrace]

Not amish. But sure is odd.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Looks like a Louisiana witchdoctors hat to me.
Johnny

 

[besdor]

It could have been made for theatrical purposes. I have never seen a straw top hat in any catalog before.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[bolthead]

LMAO.....

Looks like a Louisiana witchdoctors hat to me.
Johnny

I think you've nailed it johnny.....

 

[Topper]

Straw was commonly used as a materialy to make top hats in more temperate climates during the 19th century and also later.

I can still get modern versions made.

 

[luvthatlulu]

Regardless of its construction, the top hat has had its day.

Today, no matter who wears one and when, they're bound to look like a rube high-schooler going to his first prom. Or a 40s Japanese diplomat. Neither one has a positive image.

 

[HungaryTom]

Baron Samedi's lost hat

Looks like a Louisiana witchdoctors hat to me.
Johnny

Johnny - I second you

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Samedi.jpg

We have his lost straw hat for the summer season - must look cool at full moonshine.

 

[HungaryTom]

Don't try this at home.

The pale straw looks CHILLING at full moonshine, Yes. The closer the straw quality comes to vampire skin grade (a Montecristi fino fino) with a tone in tone hatband – ‘the white top hat’- the closer comes the head underneath to the Invocation.
However that hat or its above described variation (The French Panama hat coffee table book has one depiction of that attempt) has its place in an artistic horror movie: I really can’t guess why none of the directors of Vampire/Vodoo/Occult movie has ever staged a figure like that in a Montecristi (top) hat and a similar off-white suit at moonshine wandering in a cemetery w. Cypresses.
IMO the Character playing Frank Nitty the Killer in the Untouchables with his off-white 'Angel of Death' elegance was also grizzling for the same reasons (believe or not, in Hungary/Somogy there is also a village, where they mourn in white costume).
***
Anyway I shall stop giving advice with scripts on a public forum, it might end up with a crappy remakin’ where they are dissin’ again with age old traditions and folklore goin’ to icin’ again some Underworld bros of the Bawon like a Vampyre or another Man of Wealth and Taste in the 'Swamps of the great deep South':eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: somewhere near Bucharest/Budapest to get some mo’ dollaz that is commitin again some mo’ Mammon worshippin’...Lugosi&Ţepeş may your souls rest in peace.

Written in Uncle HungaryTom's cabin'

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Smile when you say that, son...

 

[HungaryTom]

Eternal Elegance

That tophat and that ensemble NEVER die out !

Great Photo!

Nice Tophatting picture again - outside the Royal Derby.

Thanks and Regards

Tom

 

[J.B.]

Looks like a Louisiana witchdoctors hat to me.
Johnny

Mmm-hmm.

Buy 'em here...

...and here...

...and wear 'em here...

...late at night

...alone -- well uhhhh, sorta alone???

 

[NewMexExpat]

Fogg?

Straw was commonly used as a materialy to make top hats in more temperate climates during the 19th century and also later.

I can still get modern versions made.

Doesn't David Niven wear one of these in "Around the World in 80 Days"? The train scene in India, where he is searching for Paspartu because the train is about to leave; just before they rescue the Indian widow.

Couldn't find a screen cap, and don't have the movie or wherewithal to capture myself.

Regards,

- Mark

 

[dnjan]

Today, no matter who wears one and when, they're bound to look like a rube high-schooler going to his first prom. Or a 40s Japanese diplomat. Neither one has a positive image.

Possibly a bit harsh. While I fully agree that a top hat with a dinner jacket, and worn inside is a look I have seen too often (and mostly on high school kids at a prom), a top hat with an opera cape is an enduring look. Unfortunately, too many people don't understand when to where a top hat (as well as what to wear it with).
For myself, I end up with the appropriate occaision only about once a year (and my wool cape stays in the closet the other 364 days).