The bow inside the hat

[andrew_AU]

I've been curious about why there is a small bow attached to the back of the sweatband inside my hats.

Is this true?

 

[Bigger Don]

I've been curious about why there is a small bow attached to the back of the sweatband inside my hats.

Is this true?

Very interesting! It's amazing the things I learn here.

 

[moontheloon]

it used to be threaded through the sweat something like this to make the hat adjustable

there are better pictures but this is just one I had on my desk top at the moment

 

[Silverstreak]

I read somewhere that it was a memorial to the hatters who died of mercury poisoning, but this explanation makes much more sense.

 

[alanfgag]

There have been hats posted (mostly German and Austrian hats from Steve) where a lacing threaded through the sweatband is used presumably to provide size adjustment. This is also seen in equestrian derbies. But the majority of these lacing elements are decorative only. This is the case with the c.1950's Huckel posted by Anthony above, and this Hawes Von Gal, which dates c.1905.

 

[Redfokker]

There have been hats posted (mostly German and Austrian hats from Steve) where a lacing threaded through the sweatband is used presumably to provide size adjustment. This is also seen in equestrian derbies. But the majority of these lacing elements are decorative only. This is the case with the c.1950's Huckel posted by Anthony above, and this Hawes Von Gal, which dates c.1905.

Nice detail!

 

[Redfokker]

I've been curious about why there is a small bow attached to the back of the sweatband inside my hats.

Is this true?

Very interesting!

 

[RJR]

I've been curious about why there is a small bow attached to the back of the sweatband inside my hats.

Is this true?

I suspect this makes as much sense as anything.

 

[andrew_AU]

I read somewhere that it was a memorial to the hatters who died of mercury poisoning, but this explanation makes much more sense.

I've read that somewhere too. I've also come across a similar explanation but memoraialising coal miners instead.

I think this article makes more sense. Moon's photo give the article credibility

 

[mayserwegener]

There have been hats posted (mostly German and Austrian hats from Steve) where a lacing threaded through the sweatband is used presumably to provide size adjustment. This is also seen in equestrian derbies. But the majority of these lacing elements are decorative only. This is the case with the c.1950's Huckel posted by Anthony above, and this Hawes Von Gal, which dates c.1905.

I am actually wearing one today. I will post photos later.

 

[mayserwegener]

Here you go.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-hat-are-you-wearing-today.19520/page-5651#post-2162666

 

[Art Fawcett]

Form follows function so yes, this is true in that it was a way to adjust the size for better fit. It made sense for a while

 

[andrew_AU]

Here you go.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-hat-are-you-wearing-today.19520/page-5651#post-2162666

Thanks for sharing mayserwegener.

Great history lesson here

 

[andrew_AU]

Form follows function so yes, this is true in that it was a way to adjust the size for better fit. It made sense for a while

Art, why did it make sense "for a while"? Are you suggesting it doesn't make sense anymore to have a size adjustment like that (I know modern hats aren't generally made that way anymore). What has changed?

 

[mayserwegener]

I have a good number of examples (Soft and Stiff Felt Hats) from Germany and Austria. You don't see them post WWII. For example this C.G. Wilke I wore yesterday.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionz.../16-c-g-wilke-hutfabrik-guben/page-2#entry816

 

[emigran]

C'mon guys... it's so you know where the back of the hat is when you put it on yer 'ead... thought everyone knew that...

 

[Bigger Don]

C'mon guys... it's so you know where the back of the hat is when you put it on yer 'ead... thought everyone knew that...

Like tags in yer undies, eh?

 

[andrew_AU]

C'mon guys... it's so you know where the back of the hat is when you put it on yer 'ead... thought everyone knew that...

Are you sure? Is that REALLY the back??

 

[Rogera]

Like tags in yer undies, eh?

Tags go in the back??

Oh........

 

[moontheloon]

Tags go in the back??

Oh........

so you're telling that's not a back vent ?