Great Australian Hats
If you’re Australian and you’re in your 40’s or younger, chances are you’ve been wearing some kind of broad-brimmed hat or cap every time you've gone outside since you started kindy - if not before!
Yes, thanks to that fantastic hole in our ozone layer, a hat is an essential part of everyday life for those who work outdoors and those of us who just love being in the outdoors.
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a wide-brimmed hat, but Australians have developed their own distinctive style, and it turns out the world loves it.
Most of the options out there fall into one of three categories - they’re made from felt, leather, or some kind of plant fibre like straw, paper or raffia, or a synthetic version of straw, paper or raffia.
The most famous of Australian broad-brimmed hats is the Akubra.
Primarily manufactured from rabbit fur felt, Akubra has been the hat of choice for our military for over 100 years, as well as gracing the heads of our Olympic teams, numerous sportspeople and celebrities, and iconic Australian characters. Think Lee Kernaghan, Crocodile Dundee and The Man from Snowy River. Who can forget that scene of Jim thundering down the terrible descent on his trusty brumby - hat intact?
So, how do you choose the right broad-brimmed hat?
Well, it really depends on when and where you are going to wear it. If you’re anything like me, you probably need at least three different ones!
Work Wear to Formal Wear - Felt Hats
Felt hats can take you anywhere from an outback sheep station to a wedding. Having said that, often those in the rural community will have a hat for work and a hat for 'good'. They may even be identical; one will just be cleaner than the other. Or they'll have a town hat (smaller brim) and a farm hat or station hat (wider brim).
Typically made from wool or fur fibre, these hats are known for their durability and style, and for their ability to hold their shape. Subtle differences in the curve, dip, sweep or width of the brim, or the shape of the crown can completely change the way the hat looks. Try on a few if you can - in my experience you can tell straight away when you put the right one on that it’s the style for you.
At Allingtons, we stock felt hats by Akubra, Thomas Cook, Statesman and Pure Western.
The other thing to consider when you are looking at a felt hat is the type of sweatband that it has. This is the band inside the hat.
Most felt hats have a leather sweatband. The wonderful thing about these is that they will shrink with wear to conform to the shape of the wearer's head for a perfect fit. So, you need to allow space for this process. To start with, you establish your size as per your head measurement, then select the next size up (1 cm larger). Initially, you may need to pack the band with plain folded tissues for a firm head fit. Once the band has shrunk to your perfect custom fit, you can remove them if you wish. Alternatively, you can purchase some Akubra Hat Fillers.
The other type of sweatband is a fabric or buckram band. When you fit a hat with this type of band, you choose the fit that is comfortable because it’s not going to change.
Most of these hats are designed to travel. They pack into a backpack or suitcase and come back out looking just as good. These hats are often described as "crushable". If you travel regularly, one of these could be a good option. Akubra and Thomas Cook both have a great range.
Water Baby & Sunseeker Wear - Straw, Paper, Raffia, Canvas & Synthetic Hats
If you’re a water baby and love spending time by the river or at the beach, one of these is probably more your style. They are lightweight and generally cooler than a felt hat.
Straw hats tend to hold their shape but are softer and more flexible. Some are reshapeable, while others have a wire edge in the brim so you can customise the shape.
These are generally a relaxed, casual style, although some designs are suitable for dressier occasions. Wrangler and Sunbody have some excellent options.
Raffia hats tend to be very flexible, as do many synthetic hats. Large floppy beach hats are a common example. Keep in mind they don't usually recover well after being packed tightly. Crocheted or knitted wide brim bucket hats are much better for travel.
Canvas hats are among the most practical options. They're lightweight, water resistant and often feature breathable mesh panels in the crown.
I've left paper hats until last. These usually have a fixed shape and a classic cowboy profile. They're lightweight, comfortable in hot weather and can easily suit both casual and dress occasions. Most feature a leather sweatband, although children's versions often use an elastic band.
The Take on Anything Accessory - Leather & Suede Hats
These are the tough guys of the hat world. Some are 100% leather, some include mesh ventilation panels and others feature decorative hat bands.
They offer UPF 50+ protection, are water resistant and many are also packable. Whether you're fishing, golfing, travelling or simply after a winter hat, Jacaru and Barmah have plenty of options.