What's a wind trolley?

[Edward]

I've had them on a few hats. I would rely on one as an only defence, but it does give one a bit of reaction time, and, as others have said, it looks a lot less silly than running down the road after a precious hat - especially if it blows into the path of traffic.... I like how the even look, as a feature - I wish Hats Direct did a pimped-out version of the Fed IV with matchnig contrast ribbon and brim binding, with a trolley.... givven those sorts of additional options, I'm not sure I'd ever need to buy a different model fedora again.

If I'm wearing a hat and it's windy, I'm taking the hat off. Wind trolleys are... dainty, totally unnecessary, impractical. Why would you go through the bother of unwrapping the wind trolley and pushing it through a button in your lapel if you can just take the hat off? An even better question -- what if you aren't wearing a shirt that has a button hole? It's 2007. The whole idea is outdated to me.

I have to admit, I got a cracking chuckle at the idea of anyone in these parts worrying about being or looking "outdated".

My italian hats (borsalinos and barbisio) have stretchy, elastic wind cords. My American hats have no elasticity.
Anyone else find this?

My Biltmore by Miller.com - my first furfelt hat, way back in 2007, has an elastic cord. I think it's Canadian? My Akubra Campdraft (Aussie, obvs), a Euro hat (I suspect a rebranded Tonak) and a couple of US vintage items all had regular string. IMO, the elastic does do a better job.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Outdated - Sheesh!

To each their own conclusion. Trolley's work for me.

 

[M Hatman]

Picked up this sweet find in need of some love.....a bit rough but good soft felt and in good shape really...a Stephen L Stetson from the 40's.....with a broken trolley.......
M

 

[LuvMyMan]

Outdated - Sheesh!

To each their own conclusion. Trolley's work for me.

Haha LOOKING good! Yes to the trolley....they work!

 

[Bob Roberts]

I dont.

 

[Highlander]

There was a great thread here, and I can't find it to save my soul. But it was about the top button hole on the left lapel of your jacket being for the "button from your hat" so you could button your hat to your coat on windy days.

I just saw someone bring this up in another forum the other day. There was a photo of two of the hat with the button and the cord wrapped around it, but there were NO photos of a hat actually buttoned to a coat.

Just thought surely those here would have more knowledge and photos.

Thanks,

 

[samtemporary]

I have on vintage fedora with a wind cord, and actually used it once (in Chicago). Simply unwound the cord and buttoned it in my jacket lapel.

I have seen illustrations of the hat buttoned to a lapel, as well as a button hole in the back of a jacket/shirt collar.

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[RJR]

There was a great thread here, and I can't find it to save my soul. But it was about the top button hole on the left lapel of your jacket being for the "button from your hat" so you could button your hat to your coat on windy days.

I just saw someone bring this up in another forum the other day. There was a photo of two of the hat with the button and the cord wrapped around it, but there were NO photos of a hat actually buttoned to a coat.

Just thought surely those here would have more knowledge and photos.

Thanks,

Here's a pic of a wind trolley on an Akubra.

 

[scottyrocks]

Old but good thread!!!!
M

Yes, it is, and I reply to your 3 year old post because I know you're still here.

I have, by my best reckoning, maybe 3 vintage hats with wind trolleys. I've never used them, but I love the way they look on fedoras.

When I know the weather will be inclement enough to be concerned about the hat on my head, I most often wear one of my Fed IVs instead of a vintage hat. My brown Fed IV, in particular, fits so perfectly, and the brim gives way so easily, that I don't worry about it in either rain or wind.

I've been out in blowing snowstorms, usually to shovel out a car or two, in that hat. The brim just gives way to the wind, and never do I get that feeling that the hat is going to leave my head. And if it ever were to, it's by no means irreplaceable, so I don't worry about it.

But if I happened to be wearing a hat with a wind trolley and the wind kicked up enough that I was concerned that the hat would blow off my head, I would certainly use the wind trolley for its intended purpose.

 

[scottyrocks]

I read that the button goes into the little buttonhole on the back of your shirt collar. Remember those? I do! When I was growing up (in the 1960s), my shirts had a little button and buttonhole on the back of the collar. I could never figure out what that was for!

Any of my shirts with a hole in that position has always had a button to go into that hole, so I don't know how a trolley button would fit.

If I wasn't wearing a jacket or coat with lapel button hole, I would fasten the trolley loop/button to an upper button hole on the front of my shirt.

 

[Dotneck]

I have a vintage Panizza Foulard that went down the street when the wind kicked up. That's when I realized the utility of the wind trolley.

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[VintageHunter]

Hello , please let me know what ist the thin String on the Crown side by Side with the Ribbon. What ist the Use of it?! I hope on you

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello , please let me know what ist the thin String on the Crown side by Side with the Ribbon. What ist the Use of it?! I hope on you

It’s a wind trolley also called a wind cord. It’s meant to attach to your lapel so your hat doesn’t blow away. Not many of us use them, but they are a nice touch.

 

[Edward]

Having used one in anger, I can confirm that it does look a bit odd to modern eyes, but it's a darn sight more dignified than have to run into the road after your hat when it's blown off...

 

[VintageHunter]

Ok thank you i have cut it off at my two Campdraft , i have ordered a new Campdraft in Bluegrass and i it came i test it!