1966 Fayrefield Slouch Hat

[Correus]

I'm rather chuffed about the Australian slouch hat that arrived today.

Back in 2019, I was able to obtain a pristine, 1965 Australian slouch hat in my size. What I didn't expect was SWMBO's reactions to me wearing it. Every time I'd wear it, she'd chastise me, saying it was in too good of condition and that I shoulbn't be wearing it. So, I only wore it for special occasions.

Recently, I found one that was still in decent, but rough shape, one she couldn't complain about me messing up, and this one is it.

It definitely needs some TLC! It's a 1966, 6 3/4 made by "Fayrefield" in Melbourne.

The first three pics were those taken by the seller. I thought it strange that he positioned the puggaree sideways but didn't think much about it.

There are several moth-bites as well as a few holes, but I've already been researching how to repair these (including threads on this forum). In Pic 11, at about the 8:30 position on the brim, you can see the biggest patch of bites. If you scan the rest of the pics, you can see a few more and some of the holes. One of the bigger holes you can see in the last pic, right above the puggaree. I'm thinking now he moved it to hide that bit.

All-in-all, both clasp pieces need re-stiching up (pics 6 & 8); one chin strap hook needs to be replaced (pic 7); the badge holes will need to be dealt with just like the bites (pic 9); and the puggaree needs to be adjusted back into shape. Other than that, it needs a good cleaning and blocking as well as a new chin strap.

I'll provide updates as I plug along.

 

[Correus]

Following are the pics I wasn't able to post to the first post.

 

[shopkin]

That's a really neat hat. Being a natural-born slouch, the well-loved aspects wouldn't bother me.

I want to learn how to make a puggaree like that. The pleating part has been discussed here before, but there does not seem to be any information about how to get that overlapping pattern. Is the puggaree one long piece of ribbon that is wrapped around and around? Or, is it seven separate pieces of ribbon sewn into place.?

 

[Correus]

That's a really neat hat. Being a natural-born slouch, the well-loved aspects wouldn't bother me.

I want to learn how to make a puggaree like that. The pleating part has been discussed here before, but there does not seem to be any information about how to get that overlapping pattern. Is the puggaree one long piece of ribbon that is wrapped around and around? Or, is it seven separate pieces of ribbon sewn into place.?

Hmm.... I'm not sure honestly. I'll take a look at both of the puggarees I have and let you know.

I have a Wolseley pith helmet I need to make one for, and have a few sources on how to make it. If I remember correctly it is made of a single, folded piece of cloth 21' long. Since a slouch is a pit smaller in circumference it's probably a shorter piece. If it helps, the link below is probably the best step-by-step DIY video on making one.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I'm rather chuffed about the Australian slouch hat that arrived today.

Back in 2019, I was able to obtain a pristine, 1965 Australian slouch hat in my size. What I didn't expect was SWMBO's reactions to me wearing it. Every time I'd wear it, she'd chastise me, saying it was in too good of condition and that I shoulbn't be wearing it. So, I only wore it for special occasions.

Recently, I found one that was still in decent, but rough shape, one she couldn't complain about me messing up, and this one is it.

It definitely needs some TLC! It's a 1966, 6 3/4 made by "Fayrefield" in Melbourne.

The first three pics were those taken by the seller. I thought it strange that he positioned the puggaree sideways but didn't think much about it.

There are several moth-bites as well as a few holes, but I've already been researching how to repair these (including threads on this forum). In Pic 11, at about the 8:30 position on the brim, you can see the biggest patch of bites. If you scan the rest of the pics, you can see a few more and some of the holes. One of the bigger holes you can see in the last pic, right above the puggaree. I'm thinking now he moved it to hide that bit.

All-in-all, both clasp pieces need re-stiching up (pics 6 & 8); one chin strap hook needs to be replaced (pic 7); the badge holes will need to be dealt with just like the bites (pic 9); and the puggaree needs to be adjusted back into shape. Other than that, it needs a good cleaning and blocking as well as a new chin strap.

I'll provide updates as I plug along.

So…is SWMBO happy now?
I’d wear them both but i’d put on the pristine 65 first and tell SWMBO i was just getting it presentable.
B

 

[Correus]

So…is SWMBO happy now?

​

I’d wear them both but i’d put on the pristine 65 first and tell SWMBO i was just getting it presentable.
B

Yup, she is a lot happier.

 

[shopkin]

Hmm.... I'm not sure honestly. I'll take a look at both of the puggarees I have and let you know.

I have a Wolseley pith helmet I need to make one for, and have a few sources on how to make it. If I remember correctly it is made of a single, folded piece of cloth 21' long. Since a slouch is a pit smaller in circumference it's probably a shorter piece. If it helps, the link below is probably the best step-by-step DIY video on making one.

That video explains it well. You put a twist in the ribbon with every layer. Thank you very much.

 

[Correus]

So…is SWMBO happy now?
I’d wear them both but i’d put on the pristine 65 first and tell SWMBO i was just getting it presentable.
B

While taking pictures of the two puggarees I noticed sweat stains on the pristine one... I'm not about to tell SWMBO, but I am going to clean it.

 

[Correus]

That video explains it well. You put a twist in the ribbon with every layer. Thank you very much.

Hopefully the pics I'm aboutto post will help. I found out that they are definitely different than thee ones used on the pith helmet!

 

[Correus]

As promised, here are some pics of the two puggarees.

I was rather surprised by what I found, they are very different in re construction method and materials.

The Dunkerley Ltd slouch, the pristine one, is by far the better quality, hat wise as well as puggaree. The Fayrefield slouch hat is virtually identical, but the puggaree is a lot different.

The folds of the Dunkerley puggaree appear to be made of three different swaths of cloth, the top folds; the single blue fold; and the bottom folds. They are so tightly stitched together I really can't tell if this is the case, or if they are all separate and sewn to a backing. On the back side you can see the distinct stitching, but they may just be there to create the folds and keep them in place.

The puggaree used on the Fayrefield is, in my opinion, a lesser quality, both in material and manufacturing. The material is rather thin compared to the other, and the folds are definitely individually sewn on. These folds were easy to pull apart compared to the other. The backing material is definitely lighter as well, and the stitching doesn't show any signs of conformity with the hat.

The shape is a bit different as well, notice how the base of the Fayrefield version bows downward and the other is straight.

There is also a noticeable difference in color as well.

I'm not sure why there is such a big difference in quality and color. I could understand it if there was a major difference in time periods, but one is a '65 and the other is a '66.

I haven't found anything indicating that different branches, or units, had different colors for their puggarees, other than the single fold colors. The only exceptions are the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and the Royal Military College staff cadets. This new puggaree doesn't conform to any of these.

The only thing I keep coming back to is that Dunkerley Ltd was the primary factory and then contracts were farmed out to other manufacturers. These other manufacturers may have been given a freehand in re material and quality. But... to me seems that the military would want them to be standardized. However, the color used on the Fayrefield version does seem to be common, as does the one on the Dunkerley one.

Below are the comparison pics.