hat question

[Ser Niall]

I'm upgrading my festival garb this year, due to picking up some good deals on ebay.  I purchased a sleeved doublet, with matching knee-length breeches.  The doublet is green with gold accents, and has an upper class look to it.

The only head gear I own is a green muffin cap made out of corduroy material.  The cap has a large plumage with many different feathers, including a large peacock feather.  Would this hat be appropriate with the outfit?   I would usually wear the hat to the festival without the feathers (they're removable), but I was just wearing a linen shirt, leggings, and a belt for a "peasant" look.  I'm wondering if simply putting the feathers in the hat will be enough to evoke an upper class look so that it would go with my new outfit.

I'm not trying to be extremely historically accurate, but I do want everything to look right!

[amy]

for faire wear, my rule of thumb is if you like it wear it!   But in most cases a noble hat would be something with a brim.   You could just upgrade to a soft flat cap and add your feathers to that.  I see that combination in many histircal portraits, or even more distinguished would be to go with what is called a tall hat which can also take your feathers. (not to be mistaken for a top hat.   waaay off)    Search either of those styles and you will find lots.   I wear both myself as they are not gender specific.  There is a hat thread in the garb forum here.   scan around or someone will post it.

[Ser Niall]

Thanks for the reply.  I'll probably end up wearing it since I'm not planning on spending any more money on garb this year; I think it'll look fine once the outfit is all together.

I dug up a picture of the hat (previously posted in the 'show us your hats' thread).  It does have a brim at least.   In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes open on a good deal for the flat hat, or tall hats you mentioned.

[Maithu Ruadh]

I would wear that hat Richard Burton wore in the Taming of the Shrew, shown here on the far right   

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2374/2087194525_73c8583e3f_o.jpg

[Ser Niall]

I would wear that hat Richard Burton wore in the Taming of the Shrew, shown here on the far right   

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2374/2087194525_73c8583e3f_o.jpg

It's a hat that doubles as a pillow!

[gem]

Niall, your hat is great! I would actually call that more of a flat cap (like Amy was talking about) more than the usually brimless muffin caps. A flat cap is perfectly appropriate and period for merchant/noble class, and the feathers dress it up nicely. If you wanted to make it even more fancy-schmancy, add more feathers and a jewelled pin. But it will be great with your new garb!

...Which, it goes without saying, we want to see photos of. 

[Ser Niall]

Glad you like the hat gem!  I bought it for next to nothing at a garage sale, and I always get compliments on it.  I picked up a few decorative pins at an estate sale that I'm going to use to attach the feathers instead of the standard straight pin, should spice it up a bit.

The doublet is en route via usps, but I'm hoping it arrives this weekend.  This is the pic from the ebay listing.

[Rennigirl]

I am also jumping on the "That hat you have now will work with that garb" bandwagon.  Middle and upper class gents wore that style of cap, the only difference being the quality of the fabric used to make the hat. 

The steps you are taking now (the new feathers and new pin) will really help move it from 'lower class' to 'upper' just fine.

[DonaCatalina]

I wear the same exact type of hat most of the time. You might walk through some thrift stores and such to see if you can pick up an inexpensive brooch to 'jazz it up' just a little.
The doublet in the photo is good looking. Congratulations on the find.

[amy]

Yep... You got a good hat to begin with.   I agree that a pin or broach might be all you need.   If you want to do a crafty overhaul to it....  Open a bit of the seam around the brim and run in some wire or a piece of plastic boning and stiffen the brim.     That will give it a whole new look and keep you crisp.     But other than that I wouldn't touch it!

[Ser Niall]

Yep... You got a good hat to begin with.   I agree that a pin or broach might be all you need.   If you want to do a crafty overhaul to it....  Open a bit of the seam around the brim and run in some wire or a piece of plastic boning and stiffen the brim.     That will give it a whole new look and keep you crisp.     But other than that I wouldn't touch it!

Thanks for the tips    I hope to have some pictures of the finished outfit sometime shortly.  My lady and I are thinking about trying out the mid-michigan ren fest this year, and we always go a couple times to the michigan ren fest in holly.

[Ser Niall]

Ah, the disappointment of buying things online.  Although the buyer gave me measurements of this doublet, alas it does not fit.  It fits everywhere until I get down to the last two buttons on the waist, which I can barely button.  The doublet is tapered down from chest to waist (which seems to be normal for period clothing), but my body pretty much goes straight down.  Luckily, the buyer is allowing me to return it for a refund.

Looks like I'm going to have to get something custom made if I want to wear fancy clothes to the fair.

[DragonWing]

I was getting ready to reply about the Hat is perfect for your doublet and then I saw your last post. As I am looking at the doublet, it looks to me the buttons could be moved over so you could close it. I would go up 4 and start to move them over a little at a time to where they will button. You wouldn't have to send it back. Just a suggestion. Thoughts anyone?

[Ser Niall]

I was getting ready to reply about the Hat is perfect for your doublet and then I saw your last post. As I am looking at the doublet, it looks to me the buttons could be moved over so you could close it. I would go up 4 and start to move them over a little at a time to where they will button. You wouldn't have to send it back. Just a suggestion. Thoughts anyone?

I considered that, but even with the buttons moved over as much as possible, it would still be uncomfortable.  I know these are supposed to be fitted, but it would be a bit "too" fitted 

[DragonWing]

Okay understandable. It is a shame though because your hat does work well with it.