A hat for someone who hates hats
Discussion
I’ve always hated wearing a hat. They don’t suit me, they get in the way, I lose them, I sit on them. In short, I’m not a hat person.
However, I’m now on medication that increases my skin’s sensitivity to the sun, and coupled with my hairline’s retreat up my temples, the time has come to protect myself from the sun.
But what do I buy? A baseball cap seems the obvious choice, but doesn’t protect my neck. I’m not at Knebworth ‘96, or 29 years old, so a bucket hat would not suit me. A fedora would make a fashion statement that my T-shirt and jeans would struggle to match.
I know I shouldn’t care what others think, but I don’t want to leave the house looking a total plonker.
Any suggestions?
However, I’m now on medication that increases my skin’s sensitivity to the sun, and coupled with my hairline’s retreat up my temples, the time has come to protect myself from the sun.
But what do I buy? A baseball cap seems the obvious choice, but doesn’t protect my neck. I’m not at Knebworth ‘96, or 29 years old, so a bucket hat would not suit me. A fedora would make a fashion statement that my T-shirt and jeans would struggle to match.
I know I shouldn’t care what others think, but I don’t want to leave the house looking a total plonker.
Any suggestions?
Balaclava, or flat cap with a snood, or peaked-hoody?
I had a time that I wore a stupid-looking 'French Foreign Legion' style cap/neckshade when I was out in the sun all day (plus F50 on any exposed body parts), but it looked absolutely stupid.
Luckily, I hit 50 years old and my vampiric aversion to the sun seemed to suddenly disappear, and no longer go red within 30 seconds of stepping outside...so now I can go around with just a flat-cap on to shade my eyes/forehead and sunscreen if it's really sunny.
I had a time that I wore a stupid-looking 'French Foreign Legion' style cap/neckshade when I was out in the sun all day (plus F50 on any exposed body parts), but it looked absolutely stupid.
Luckily, I hit 50 years old and my vampiric aversion to the sun seemed to suddenly disappear, and no longer go red within 30 seconds of stepping outside...so now I can go around with just a flat-cap on to shade my eyes/forehead and sunscreen if it's really sunny.
Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 2nd May 11:49
WH16 said:
Just go for a decent Panama. A Summer staple for any English gentleman.
This. Plus, they still look right when s bit shabby.The way to wear a hat is confidently. Wear it with the confidence of knowing you look fine, and anyone who thinks otherwise will be irrelevant.
Mind you I once made the mistake of wearing a fedora with a raincost, and some kids started singing the Inspector Gadget tune at me...
I typed 'hat with neck protector' into Google and there are caps and other styles of hat that have neck protection similar to fishing hats 'built in'.
I don't think they look bad at all, although they do look the same style and aren't intended to be fashion statements, but chances are most people (especially strangers) won't pay attention to or heckle a neck protector, or someone wearing a hat of any sort.
I think it's a case of getting used to seeing yourself in one, which removes the self-conscious feeling of discomfort. I say that from experience as someone who has experimented with hats in the past. On one occasion it was even the lesser of the two evils: I had been given such a shoddy haircut that I wore a trilby for a couple of weeks.
Incidentally, don't think straw Panama hats (or boater hats) look bad on most people, and they are surprisingly versatile IME. One could arguably even place a cloth over the head and neck and secure it with a hat or cap.
However, a built-in neck protector is probably the easiest to use and clean.
It gets more interesting if you do an internet search, as some listings on Google even provide UV ratings. Looks like it is a necessary consideration for you. It certainly is for me, as I find it is always the back of my neck that is the most prone to quickly suffering sunburn.
I don't think they look bad at all, although they do look the same style and aren't intended to be fashion statements, but chances are most people (especially strangers) won't pay attention to or heckle a neck protector, or someone wearing a hat of any sort.
I think it's a case of getting used to seeing yourself in one, which removes the self-conscious feeling of discomfort. I say that from experience as someone who has experimented with hats in the past. On one occasion it was even the lesser of the two evils: I had been given such a shoddy haircut that I wore a trilby for a couple of weeks.
Incidentally, don't think straw Panama hats (or boater hats) look bad on most people, and they are surprisingly versatile IME. One could arguably even place a cloth over the head and neck and secure it with a hat or cap.
However, a built-in neck protector is probably the easiest to use and clean.
It gets more interesting if you do an internet search, as some listings on Google even provide UV ratings. Looks like it is a necessary consideration for you. It certainly is for me, as I find it is always the back of my neck that is the most prone to quickly suffering sunburn.
Edited by CaptainScarlet1967 on Saturday 2nd May 14:05
I see some Australian style bush hats out and about, erm no, sometimes worn with a Dryzabone full length waxed raincoat, superb when its pissing down in torrents but as a fashion statement?
Baseball caps should never be seen outside a sink estate, a decent Fedora or if summer use only as said a good well beaten Panama unless you want to change your look overall.
My suggestion, go country wear, cord trousers, check country style shirt, tweed waistcoat, in that get up a peaky blinders style flat cap in similar colour/material to the waistcoat would look pretty cool.
Baseball caps should never be seen outside a sink estate, a decent Fedora or if summer use only as said a good well beaten Panama unless you want to change your look overall.
My suggestion, go country wear, cord trousers, check country style shirt, tweed waistcoat, in that get up a peaky blinders style flat cap in similar colour/material to the waistcoat would look pretty cool.
I wear one just because I can’t seem to wear any sunscreen anywhere near my face without it somehow getting into my eyes and stinging. This is my weapon of choice; it seems to go with what I tend to wear and have had lots of compliments on it (they can’t be all sarcastic can they?)
https://www.tarphat.co.uk/c/1/wide-brim-tarp-hats
https://www.tarphat.co.uk/c/1/wide-brim-tarp-hats
Tilley - guaranteed for life, I've had one for 30 years for playing golf as I'm baldie
https://uk.tilley.com/collections/hats/products/t3...
If you're feeling brave how's about a pith helmet !!
https://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/collections/pith-hel...
https://uk.tilley.com/collections/hats/products/t3...
If you're feeling brave how's about a pith helmet !!
https://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/collections/pith-hel...
mac96 said:
The secondary issue I have is that hats like the Tarphat (which is a great hat) make my head overheat.
My best solution has been an unbranded thin leather hat with a brim. In spite of being dark brown, it stays cool.
They thought of that My best solution has been an unbranded thin leather hat with a brim. In spite of being dark brown, it stays cool.
https://www.tarphat.co.uk/p/26/original-side-vente...
WH16 said:
Just go for a decent Panama. A Summer staple for any English gentleman.
Definitely the best option. I have four, three of which look like they're from the 'Last of the Summer Wine' prop store so it matters not whether they're sat on, get wet or whatever. The fourth is for best i.e. Wimbledon, Henley, Lords etc. just in case I'm invited one day.Anything with a peak is simply wrong, standards must be maintained.
FlyVintage said:
mac96 said:
The secondary issue I have is that hats like the Tarphat (which is a great hat) make my head overheat.
My best solution has been an unbranded thin leather hat with a brim. In spite of being dark brown, it stays cool.
They thought of that My best solution has been an unbranded thin leather hat with a brim. In spite of being dark brown, it stays cool.
https://www.tarphat.co.uk/p/26/original-side-vente...
PomBstard said:
Aren't they girl's hats?
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