Australian Outback Hats Capture the Spirit of the Land Down Under
The American Cowboy hat and the Australian Outback hat share a similar history. This may be why the outback hat is often called the Australian version of the Cowboy hat. Earlier Australians experienced the need to protect themselves from the heat and rain, and so did American cowboys. It’s at this point that all similarities cease.
The Aussie Outback or Australian hat is designed to be smaller and the front and back of the hat are folded down. Also, the sides of the hat are not turned up starkly as they are in the American cowboy hat. Fur felt, straw, canvas, leather, wool felt, kangaroo and mesh have all been used to make Aussie hats. Aussie Outback hats are like American Cowboy hats in that they illustrate the true life of the Australian through form and function.
Folks in the Australian Outback are known to have many hats. The hat is more than just a head covering. It has lots of different uses due to the harsh and variable climate. However, having grown in popularity, these hats are now being chosen more for their fashion than their function.
Some misconceptions in Australian Outback hats are that some wearer’s will dangle crocodile teeth and other items off of the brim. These are only for tourists. Fedora hats are used for ?safari hats?. It is originally a fedora with the brim simply folded down all the way around.
The Australian Outback hat comes in a variety of styles for which you can choose from. These hats are a smaller version of the American Cowboy hat. Akubra Hats-These are the original outback hat. First manufactured in 1874 by the Keir family and is still in the family today. These hats are made from wild rabbit fur felt for better quality. The most popular style of the Akubra hat is the ?snowy river? style. This is phrased after the film ?The Man From Snowy River?.
Barma-These hats are ?squashable?, an Australian term for the ability to fold up the hat in a very small space only to have it spring back into shape. This is due to the particularly high quality of certain leathers that the manufacturers will only use in order to have a consistent product. Jacaru-One of the first manufacturers in Australia of the leather hat style. They also have a canvas style and both are very rugged and look even better as they age.
BC Hats-Named after the creator Bill Conner who began the first leather hat business with his steer hide hat. BC Hats also produces one of a kind hats with wire mesh in the brim in order to shape and hold shape better. The ?Stockman? style is recognized the world over as a ?Aussie hat?. Cork-This is the most stereotypical Australian hat. This hat features corks strung from the brim to keep away flying insects. It is believed that the swaying motion of the corks keeps insects from biting the wearer.
Go to www.hats-forsale.com to see a wide variety of Australian Outback hats. You will soon see that there are lots of different types to choose from. You really need to see all the pictures to get the full effect and decide which one is right for you. You’ll have to choose carefully if you are to become the next Crocodile Dundee!
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.