Trolley Strings -- When did they stop

[Mobile Vulgus]

I really love the trolley strings on the button near the bow on the older hats. It is such a quaint notion because anything that is moving today goes so fast that the string would do little good for the force of wind that would blow a hat off! A car or motorbike? Hard to keep a hat on.... heck cars are so closely manufactured that wearing a hat inside it while driving is often such a tight fit that it is uncomfortable (depending on the make and model of course).

Anyway, thinking of the cool little button and the string attached made me wonder when did they stop putting them on? Or.... are they STILL putting them on and I just don't know it?

 

[Dinerman]

Certain manufacturers are still putting them on.

They weren't made for cars or motorcycles, just for windy days, which are still common. I think it's always been more of a style feature anyhow.

A side note: On some hats from the '50s and '60s, the wind string isn't actually attached to the hat, it's just a continuous loop with attached button. There have also been different methods of attaching the string. In the '30s especially, you see ones where the button is sewn to the hat and the loop goes over your button. In those instances, the button is really nothing more than an ornament, even though the windstring itself is functional.

 

[tonyb]

Some makers still use them -- Borsalino, for one. And I've seen recently made hats from Colombia with them as well.

 

[Salty O'Rourke]

Borsalino, Akubra, and I think Beaver Brand still install wind trolleys. Not on all models, but some. My new Akubra Camp Draft has one.

 

[Dewhurst]

They are still being manufactured.

Borsalino and Scala both have a tendency to include the Wind Trolley cord and Button on select models. Akubra, occasionally.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Cool...

I have to say, I think the little button adds an interesting aspect to the hat. I
am glad they are still adding them sometimes. I have yet to buy or even shop for a new hat having only bought from ebay.

 

[hollowpond]

I'm gonna get one on my new Art Fawcett.

Travis

 

[jwalls]

I still have a few wind strings. Occasionally, someone will ask for one, so I'll put it on the hat.

 

[JimWagner]

My new Akubra Campdraft has a wind trolley, as others have noted. I also have a Biltmore Panama about 15 years old that came with one. So, they never really went away but I agree that on less expensive hats it's probably less common to see them.

 

[DRB]

Custom hatters usually can accommodate for the addition of one. I have an Optimo 1000 being fitted with one right now. I think that they could come in handy if one were on a windy cruise liner.

 

[Mav]

Got one on my Campdraft, and I think they look great style- wise, but there's gotta be a better way. The freaking button falls apart whenever I try to use it. Or, whenever it feels like it.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Great

So they aren't common and can be put on at special order.

Thanks

 

[James71]

Ive left the wind trolley on both my glen grey and my silverbelly campdraft akubras. Both of these hats are less than six months old.

Ive always liked wind trolleys, and its one of the reasons that I chose the CD.

 

[DRB]

Ive left the wind trolley on both my glen grey and my silverbelly campdraft akubras. Both of these hats are less than six months old.

Ive always liked wind trolleys, and its one of the reasons that I chose the CD.

James, great picture! I too like the wind trolleys. Also, the silverbelly color always seems to photograph so nicely. Great look. :eusa_clap

Hey, I think you look like Bing Crosby from the side view pic.