The Year of the Hat?

No, I don't have the Chinese years mixed up. I know it is the year of the Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac,  but my year in the Chinese Zodiac is the Year of the Dog and that does not come up until 2018. So this year, it came to me that one of my Chinese friends had allowed me to take a picture of his hat when I was doing textures earlier last summer. Today, a fisherman, who happened to also be Chinese, was wearing a like-fashion hat. Having a bit of fun, I said that I would take a picture of  'that' hat. He agreed and I got the shot.

Later, thinking about the other hat and then this hat, since my Chinese Zodiac year isn't until 2018, I'd make this year, by proxy, the year of the hat(s). Already it's off to a good start with two hats and I've got the rest of this year and all of 2017  to find 10 more. Then, when the Year of the Dog arrives, I'll have a calendar of hats for each month of the year!

Hat No.1
327-Do128605

Hat No. 2
345-1F089789

Oh! DelMontico You Hatter You

It has always amazed me how one thing leads to another. Then, there again, it should not amaze me at all when given the quantum physics of our universe. But, it still does. This season will be my 48th season of being a dress hatter, yet, living in Texas, there is less of that and more Western hats. Now and then, a few kangol caps and driving caps (Tony Romo) appear. My beloved Borsalino Fur Felt Fedora has started to show up,too. The Harris Tweeds are not as populated (I have one for rainy and cold snowy days).

With the hot Texas summers, I should wear more straw but the 'ol baseball cap (Michigan block M) is my favorite followed by the plain GAP and The Arkansas Chapter of Trout Unlimited (my brother is a noted fly fisherman). With a Masters of Theology under his belt, my youngest brother and I held up my mom's funeral an extra day while the fly fishing theologian drove back from Alaska--actually he was already headed back and was in Watson Lake Yukon when he reported in with us. Later, we discovered he had stopped to fly fish a couple of hours in Yellowstone. So when he presented me with that Trout Unlimited  hat, I teared up! Mom is most likely still laughing about that one.

So, I have been working on building a portfolio of  straw hats worn in the Dallas area. It is influenced by the culture of Mexico since before the days of the Alamo. Saying it is a bit out of place would be totally inaccurate. It is apart of Texas history that sometimes gets overlooked. That is why it has appeared on my project list for sometime and from time-to-time, I actually do find some great hats being worn.

While trying to find the exact description of one hat I photographed this past weekend, I ended up on my hatter's website. Hence the 'how one thing leads to another' prior. I have been purchasing hats from Delmonico Hatters on Elm Street  in New Haven, Connecticut for years.  It is almost a foregone conclusion now, that a hat purchase is in the cards for me. It is also the first time that where those hats come from has been revealed. The last trip physically made there was in the early 80's. Since then, it's been on the web all the way.

Since 1865 when John B.Stetson started producing his hat in Philadelphia--yes, Stetson's got there start in the East and not here in the West--Hatco has made and licensed those famous hats in the modern era. DelMonico were chosen to be recognized this year as the 'Dress Hat Retailer of the Year'. Dress hats are non-Western style hats that are commonly known as Fedoras. My hat!

Although, the Australian writer poet, Akubra is know for that famous 'Snowy River' Australian hat. And the more famous Lucas Film Ltd licensing of the 'Indiana Jones' Fedora is more recognizable. I have one of those for casual wear, as well. It's a Fedora. What can I say?

Thanks to four gracious gentlemen for sharing their headwear with me so that I can share it with you!

Sombreros at Bachman Lake

Now that's a Sombrero near Mockingbird Station

Straw Palm Hat at White Rock Lake

DelMonico Hatters

The Working Brain Hat and Three Others With That Je nes sais quois

Four hats for summer are ready. Chief Brain, Working Brain, Brain Shade and Brain Cover are unique but yet quality hats. Take the Down Under Working Brain hat. It is described as:

"Not just a hat, a performance accessory. 70% cotton/30% nylon. UV protective (UPF 45+) and DuPont® stain-resistant coating. Safari crown with floatable wide brim. Mesh vented insert on crown for breathability. Green under visor reduces glare.Adjustable chin strap with pull-up fabric chin lock and interior Velcro® closure pocket" says Logo Sportswear.

The three straws have colorful bands, in Green and Red and are made from natural twisted seagrass.

And, the best yet is that if you want to create a fundraiser, you can order that quantity at reduced prices. So, say you have a garden club and want to sell those hats for a fundraiser, or apply the discount to a lower price per unit. It's a win-win in either account. Personally, the Down Under Working Brain is my choice for this year. The straw that I have has another year of wear before I replace that one.

How do you order? That's easy,too. Just go over to the right hand column on this blog. click on the "View my complete profile". When it opens move over to the left column and click on the link to "My Web Page". Then to the top  and click on "Apparel"  You are there!  To review: go right, then go left, then go top in three easy moves.

Oh, by the way. You cannot get these hats anywhere else. You might be able to find some similar but they want have that "Je nes sais quois" French. an indefinable, elusive quality, especially a pleasing one. There. The French can always say the things that we can't find words for.

When you get your hat, drop us an e-mail and let us know. We'll post your response on this blog.

You can even wear it when you are out walking the dog and see this come around the bend in the road.

The two wheels are on the front end. The single, is in the rear.

 Here is a direct link:            http://logosportswear.com/u/cgd8