Trying to determine new hat for garb, privateer.

[JJames]

Greetings everyone! I have upgraded my garb this year! I purchased some Sandlar boots and I am wanting to vest in a new hat. My wife and I might portray privateer/pirates along w/ our daughter! We aren't entirely too focused on being H/A, we just want to look somewhat period but have fun with it! I think the cavalier hats are cool, I was thinking of something along that line (3 musketeers I guess), but those hats seem not have really existed in the 16th century! If you anyone has suggestions or pics, lemme know and I would appreciate any suggestion. I was also wanting to get a different shirt. The one I have is HUGE!!!! It's a medium to its just waaaay too big, any suggetions on a period shirt that are not so huge? My shirt is a swordsmen's shirt from By the Sword I believe!

Thanks for any help! Cheers!


I was thinking about some of these Cavalier hats from Ravens, or something similar!
http://ravenswoodleather.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=84&pg=1

[Rennigirl]

We aren't entirely too focused on being H/A, we just want to look somewhat period but have fun with it! I think the cavalier hats are cool, I was thinking of something along that line (3 musketeers I guess), but those hats seem not have really existed in the 16th century!
<snip>
I was thinking about some of these Cavalier hats from Ravens, or something similar!
http://ravenswoodleather.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=84&pg=1

If you are not worried about HA and like the Cav hats, then go for it!

You could also go with a tricorn, which like the Cav hat, says 'pirate' to the general population.  Here's one from Blonde Swan in the lower right corner
http://blondeswan.com/4.1/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=21

[Alaric]

I have a tall Toad cavalier and it is pretty nice. Reasonably priced as well.  http://www.talltoad.net/Cavalier-Hats.php

[arbcoind]

I have a cavalier hat and a tricorn (see my avatar) I wear to faire.  Either one would be fine with your garb.

Gina

[Maithu Ruadh]

Actually, cavalier hats were used in the late 16th Century and of course into the thick of the 17th Century, so wearing one be perfectly accurate! Only problem is what are marketed today as cavalier hats are really not quite right. They've got the wide brims right, but the crowns should be really high, like pilgrim hats (which really are cavalier hats) and they were made of felt rather than leather or velvet. The pinning up of one side was mostly done by troops weilding firearms, as the brim would get in the way on the shoulder you carried your matchlock. They were very popular among people of all classes. There are very very few accurate cavalier hats out on the market ... this is one of the few I've found. Expensive though, unfortunately:

http://www.loyalistarms.ca/hats_files/cavalierhatpic.html

[isabelladangelo]

A cavalier hat wouldn't have been worn on a ship since the big brim would act like a sail.  :-)  You don't want your hat going out to sea without you!   Honestly, what you are wearing in the photos isn't too far off from what would have been worn.  There was a knit cap found on the Mary Rose that basically looked like the cap you are wearing but with a slight (one inch) brim.  Knit caps were popular partly because of the wool trade (laws requiring woolen hats) but also because you want something warm on your head that will fit snugly to you so it won't blow off in the wind. 

[amy]

Cavalier Hats are totally sexy...  Do it. (suits the lower half of the outfit perfectly!)   Plus at faire it really keeps the sun off and out of your eyes.   

[JJames]

Thanks for everyone's input! I really like this msg board and the folks so willing to chime in and give  their quick view and thoughtful input, it helps more than some might think

Yes Isabella, I even thought about the idea somewhat of the likeliness of a hat w/ a large brim flapping in the wind on a ship at sea! But the fun a cavalier hat would bring to character seems very motivating! I'll feel it out a bit, but I've got some time before faire.

[DonaCatalina]

I would expect a privateer to wear something flamboyant while in Port. Conspicuous consumption and all that......

[JJames]

I would expect a privateer to wear something flamboyant while in Port. Conspicuous consumption and all that......

Excellent point~!

[isabelladangelo]

I would expect a privateer to wear something flamboyant while in Port. Conspicuous consumption and all that......

Excellent point~!

Except where would they keep the hat? Space is at a premium aboard a ship.  At their home port, they might dress like everyone else but if the point is to look like a privateer/pirate, then dressing like everyone else defeats that purpose.   

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Half the people at Bristol have cavalier hats (since Excaliber Leather is a prime vendor there) and wear them with pirates, nobles, Scottish, whatever.

It's only a faire, for heavens sake.  Do you really think anyone would come up to you and say that a privateer wouldn't wear that kind of hat?  99% of the people wouldn't even know what they wore.  More and more faires have become fantasy oriented, and the line between historically accurate (as the earlier faires tended to be) has blurred into a mix of centuries and outfits.

Bristol has Robin Hood and Queen Elizabeth plus the Fantasticals (fairies).  Nobody even cares, and except for the people who are knowledgable in history, most don't realize there's almost  300+ years between them.

If you like the cavalier hat, and I agree with amy, they're sexy, then wear what you want and enjoy.

[JJames]

Ah yes, I wasnt intending to bring about a big debate  . I do myself like to learn and understand the history of what was worn and by whom!, but when it comes to dressing for faire, I am looking more at the trends of the faire more so than the H/A attire I guess. "We aren't entirely too focused on being H/A, we just want to look somewhat period but have fun with it!"

[amy]

I can't wait to see what you choose!  Post a pic soon....   I'm sure you will try on plenty and get what looks great on you... but may I repeat....   Cavalier hat would look too sexy on you

[JJames]

Thank you for your inputs! I will post a pic once I get the right hat picked out!