I'm having a hard time finding a straw hat for my garb (upper wench - lower merchant). Do any of you have any ideas or sources to share? I'm in Canada so Canadian resources would be great. I'm also about 45 minutes from Bellingham, WA so I do have access to US stores. AND I have the Internets and know how to use them, much to the mister's dismay. ;D
Photos of the straw hats that the rest of you women/ladies/girls/female-types are wearing (for reference, etc.) would be wonderful as well as tips for keeping them on! I'm planning on wearing a biggins or coif of some sort underneath it.
In my profile I'm wearing a straw hat I got at Michael's craft store. The way I'm keeping it on is an elastic cord that I have tucked uner my braids. with a snood, biggins or coif you could do the same thing, the weight of your hair will hold it. I have short hair now and it doesn't work as well. You could also have it tie under your chin with ribbon...but I can't stand something tight on my chin so I don't use that method.
Straw hats in period actually had a lot more variety than we tend to think, so almost any "basic" hat will be appropriate. This website (http://larsdatter.com/strawhats.htm) gives some great pictorial evidence from period artwork.
I know a lot of people like the low-crowned straw hats from Jas. Townsend (http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cPath=9&osCsid=05d57f130b8d7af8da6edff6aa485ba5) (they also sell a regular-crowned hat for only $9!).
I got lucky and found a wonderful hat (cheap) at our local Scottish Highland games. Here it is at fair, decked out with a floral garland (I've *never* gotten so many compliments on any single piece of my garb!):
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17691164/314609899.jpg)
I've also worn it with a snood (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/10747433/184076501.jpg), as well as with my 18th Century ensemble (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17273772/318098837.jpg). It's a "regular" hat, meant to really be worn, so I don't have to do anything to keep it on my head. I actually found it to be just a little snug when worn over my 18th C. linen cap.
I can't remember if the thread was from this board or the old forum, but if you check back to the first pages of the Garb forum, you might find a thread on low-crowned straw hats, which has a lot of links to other hat merchants online, plus suggestions of where to look locally.
Have fun hat shopping!
Well, the straw hat I have on in my avatar is from The Blonde Swan http://blondeswan.com/scripts/default.asp
It's not shown on their website - but you should be able to contact them and ask for it.
Honestly though, almost any straw hat should work and look period - since summer is nearing an end, most stores should have them on sale. Attatch some strings to be able to tie it under your chin or at the back of your neck and it should stay on just fine.
I find the straw hats in stores (Wal-Mart, Michael's, etc) are all too tight. Save any and all "big head" comments, than you very much. ::)
Anyone have ideas how to "stretch" the hat and also, my hats get floppy and dip down in the front. Not fun. Thoughts?
Craft stores often carry straw hats, as do sporting goods stores, feed stores, discount stores, and garden supply stores. Prices should run from about $2.00 on up. I purchased the hat in my avatar from a resale shop for the princely sum of $.50, with tags still attached.
If the craft store hats are slightly too tight, you can try soaking the brim in warm water for a couple of minutes until the straw softens up, and then jam it on your head. Wear it for a bit, and then place it somewhere to dry. You'll also be able to shape the brim at this time. I would not do this to an expensive straw hat.
Randal
Many thanks for all the fine info, folks!
Gem nailed it - I'm looking for the lower rounded crown. Although, from the link provided, it seems that almost any shape is a good shape. Who knew?!
Amy, I found one at Michael's (under $6 CDN) but, alas, it is much too tight on me noggin. I'm going to take it back and see if I can find a larger one. If not, I may try Randal's trick to embiggen it.
I have gotten a very nice straw hat from Target its got an elastic band in the crown and it is a very comfy hat!
I have a big head too so its a pain trying to find a nice hat that is comfy!
I had a straw hat made from palm tree fronds that I got when in Barbados. When I got home and the fronds dried out, it tightened up and became too tight. I put it in the shower and got it totally soaked. Then I put my big mixing bowl upside down on a towel on the top of my washing machine, pressed the hat down from the top, then put several heavy books on it. I left it like that a couple of days until it was totally dried. The shape of the mixing bowl stretched it out so now it fits fine.
I also have a floppy hat with a large brim that tends to dip down in the front. I put wax paper on the top of the washing machine to cover it, put the hat on it, then take spray starch and spray it on the brim only with a heavy dosing until it gets completely wet. Let it dry completely. We go to faire on Sundays, and I put it out on Wednesday, spray it, let it dry,then spray it again on Friday, and by Sunday it is dry and the brim is stiff.
I need to get myself to Wally World or Target to grab a straw hat before the season is up. I've seen them for sure at Walmart, and there were a couple that were pretty plain...which would be great because then I can doll them up how I want.
I got a cute, inexpensive straw hat from Lady and the Fool. Check it out...
http://www.fantasycostume.net/renaissance/renaissancehats.html
Quote from: Abigail Fairbottom on August 13, 2008, 11:42:54 AM
I got a cute, inexpensive straw hat from Lady and the Fool. Check it out...
http://www.fantasycostume.net/renaissance/renaissancehats.html
I LOVE The Lady and the Fool!
I have gotten all my bodices from them. Well, except for the one I got from you. :D
After checking the local resale shops and Wal-Mart (NO straw hats, all the fall stuff is out now), I finally made it back to Michael's today. I found a slightly larger straw hat. It's still a bit snug so I'm going to do the warm water-and-stretch-it-out trick.
I'll let y'all know how it works out.
Thanks again for all the help! *hugs*
>:( I have made my rounds as well to the normal retailers for a straw hat for this year... nothing out. I know walmart did have them but that was also beginning-mid summer...
I think I need to make a trip to a couple craft supply stores and see if there are any hats. You'd have thought I'd already have a dang straw hat, but nada... ::shrug::