So, I understand that some hats are symbols that identify a person as a member of a group and/or culture. For example, the fund-raising Shriner fezzes (fezi?)
But, cultural ID aside, why are fezi popular in countries of hot and cold extremes? It seems a billed cap would be much more practical.
What’s the point of the Napoleon-y hat when it’s worn broadside? It certainly fulfills a symbolic role, but didn’t seem to provide meaningful environmental protection?
Is this a “just 'cuz” thing?
Have you seen the hats Tibetan Buddhist Monks wear? They are especially awesome! And they live their lives possessing next to nothing, robe and bowl style! But they got some great hats!
I suspect those hats may have special powers of some sort.
Maybe all hats!:eek:
Almost all hats have the power to transform their wearer into either a badass or a doofus. Sadly many folks misunderstand which hat does which for them.
The worst are the ones which say “I do too have a personality; look, I’m wearing a trilby!”
Ain’t that the truth!
But it’s not just the style of hat, it’s how it’s worn. I remember James Garner in (I think) “Murphy’s Romance” saying to the effect of “If a man’s wearing his hat back on his head [think of Garner as Maverick], he’s being friendly and looking for a good time. If his hat’s square on his head, he’s neither glad nor mad. If his hat’s down over his eyes, get out of his way.”
Of course, that’s for hats, not caps, a distinction most people don’t get nowadays.
Fezzes are cool. That’s why.
River Song had the right take on the issue.
In the late 1700s/early 1800s wearing the bicorne broad side forward enabled better recognition of the cockade identifying unit and rank. In more modern times the bicorne became more commonly worn with the long axis front-and-back, more aerodynamically efficient when riding into battle, I suppose, and where at least part of it provided a visor effect over the eyes and back of the neck.
Since when did fashion have anything to do with practicality?
