Greeks were the first to use hats in the world, by fitting a brim to the antique hood, and tying it under the chin. The introduction of the closed vehicles, in the 1960’s saw a considerable decrease in the size of hats.
Know about a hat
Hats come in different shapes and sizes. The unique features that you can look for are listed below.
Crown – major portion of the hat that covers the crown of the head
Brim – partial or full horizontal extension around the crown
Visor or peak – a horizontal extension, only in the front of the hat
Ear flaps – flaps to keep the ears warm, and may end in fastener ties
Chin fastener – to keep the hat secured to the crown
Sweatband – the inner portion of the hat which touches the top of the wearer’s head
Types of hats
Before buying a hat, it is advisable to know the major types of hats, worn by the people in modern times.
Caps – Brimless hats such as baseball caps and stocking caps are used mainly for warmth, shading from the sun and while playing sports. Beanies and skullies are also types of caps. Levi's ® Cap - Navy/White is a good example for style and practicality.
Helmets – They are made of metal or plastic and are meant for protection. They are used in the military, mining, construction, and sports such as cycling, horse riding, baseball and rock-climbing.
Brimless helmets – The brim of such helmets extends forward from the crown.
Full brim helmets – The brim of such helmets has a width of not less than 3.18 cm or 1.25 inches.
Other hats – Other than caps and helmets, there are a variety of hats in use today.
Crochet hats – Hats crocheted by hand are soft and comfortable and come in a variety of colours. They may be made of any flexible material such as yarn, straw or string. Luau Handmade Wool Flower Beanie is great for people with long shiny hair.
Woven hats – North American Tribes originally used such woven straw hats. They are popular with the youth since they come in varied colours. 12 x Stylish Woven Hats are sure to be popular this Australian summer.
Panama hat – Such hats are made of panama-hat palm. Known as the Prince of straw hats, panamas came into prominence during the construction of the Panama Canal. The weave and the price of such hats are unmatched.
Reversible hats – Hats that are wearable on both sides, have different colours or patterns on each side. For instance, one side is simply wool or terry cloth for sunny weather and the other side with a waterproof material for rainy weather.
Mosquito hats – Designed with the outdoor-enthusiasts in mind, these nylon hats have fine mesh netting around the brim, which drops to the collar. A drawstring tightens the net at the collar to prevent the mosquitoes from biting on the ears, face and neck. The net may have a quality insect-repellent inside.
Trucker hats – Trucker hats look like baseball caps, with a uniform front panel and mesh back. An adjustable strap is appropriate for all the models.
Chef hats – A chef’s hat is brimless and covers the entire head of hair to avoid hair falling into dishes. It may be 9 to 12 inches tall and has vertical pleats running around its body. It is either made of stiffly starched fabric or paper.
Beret – A beret is a brimless, loose-fitting hat, originally made of knitted wool. It is widely used by military organizations as part of standard uniform.
Bonnets – Made of a soft knitted material, and tied just under the chin bonnets come in bright colours. Also known as baby caps, they are more popular with babies than men and women. One Teaspoon Shanghai Baby Cap has long ties to adjust to any fit.
Bandana – Bandanas are large colourful handkerchiefs tied around the head. Usually printed in stylised teardrop patterns, they come in bright colours and widely flaunted by the youth during sports events. Halo Headband Protex BANDANNA (white) is great for keeping the sun off your head.
Wedding hats – Contemporary women are going in for wedding hats rather than the conventional tiaras, to ensure a lasting memory of their special day. Decorated with flowers, ribbons, pearls and beads on the front, they usually incorporate a net at the back. The wedding hat must be as nicely finished on the inside as the outside, and preferably should have a strong brim. Men prefer hats made of horsehair for weddings, because they are lightweight, classy, and can support an extra large brim.
Choosing your hat
Body shape – The hat must match the shape of your body. The general thumb rule is that the hat must not be wider than your shoulder. The width of the hat brim is directly proportional to the width of your shoulders. Taller women tend to go in for large hat sizes with higher crowns while shorter women will look flattering in small hat sizes with shorter crowns.
Face shape –The shape of the face also affects how the hat looks on your face. If you have an oval-shaped face, then you are very lucky, since any hat will fit your face. A flat and low crown or flat and wide brim will suit women having a long face. Women having a round face select a hat with a straight or large brim, and high or flat crown. Deep, rolled and short brims are not advisable for such women.
Hat Size – Generally, less expensive hats will have size names such as small (S), medium (M), medium large (ML) and large (L).
Care and maintenance
1. Like any other wearable, hats also get messy. Steam application can remove the blemishes and creases from fur-felt caps.
2. Avoid picking up a Panama hat by the crown. Instead, pick it by the brim where possible, else excessive pinching of the crown may crack it.
3. To clean straw hats, wipe them with a cloth dipped in warm soapy water, and then rinse off with a cloth dipped in clean water.
4. A hat brush is very useful in removing slight blemishes from hats. Try rubbing with sandpaper with a light hand for persistent stains.
Accessories
Hatpins – A hatpin is a decorative pin, used for securing the hat to the head, usually by the hair, and often worn in pairs. Hatpins of the Victorian era are collectible items.
Hatbox – Hatboxes, used to store hats in a safe and secure way, are available in a range of shapes and sizes. You can personalize them with your choice of fabric and trim.
A careful co-relation of the points above with what you are looking for in your Hat will help you make the right pick at Getprice!
|
