Aussie hats

I'm a big fan of Aussie hats with the turned-down brim, fore and aft. I did some Googling and found that there is a wide variety of these hats. There are the typical wide brimmed variety, the military type with one side brim pinned up, the really wide brims and some with shorter brims, perhaps for dressier wear. A few years back I bought a Made in China straw version for use in protecting my face and ears while doing yard work. Now I'm thinking of upgrading to a more authentic version of this hat. I probably won't get the fly repellant kind with the cork dongles hanging off it.
Does everyone in Australia, men and women, wear this kind of hat? If so, what is your preference?

Akubra hat is the classic Aussie hat.

A good wide brim hat is a must if you are working in the sun here. The fly repellent version is a joke as per the comic, central and north australia nothing will stop the flies.

Welcome DP. No not everyone wears them, but many more should. One side brim turned up is not common at all - never seen one in the wild in fact. Can't say I've ever seen a cork dongle either. My own hat is a narrower brimmed one - which as you point out is (was) more dressy. Unfortunately left my broad(er) brim job in the boot of a taxi in Cairns.

I think that the most famous style is the Les Hiddens hat (the Bushtucker Man). Apparently he ran over it with his Land Rover accidentally, and the famous hat was the result. Some hatters can reproduce it from an Akubra.


There is much to be said for a straw hat though- they breath. Rabbit fur hats can get very hot and sweaty.

The Les Hiddens hat is a fine look. I've also noted that crushable hats seem to be part of the available selections.

Should you want an Akubra hat, there are about 130 styles. As someone mentioned earlier, they get hot and sweaty underneath, and don't stretch, making them hard to adjust if you get a wrong size. I have a couple, so I know about them.
Kryn

You could also have a look at "The Great Australian Hat Company" out of Booragoon, West Australia...
I got one through a sportswear wholesaler to take to Gymnaestrada in Helsinki last year....heaps cheaper than my Akubra and seemed just as good...

Thanks, crowie, but I'll probably have to search for a US importer. There seem to be several who market the Akubra line. My concern here is for shipping charges but I'll keep The Great Australian Hat Company in mind.

Slightly off topic....a mate who was a ringer (Cowboy) during the 60s in Northern Territory always wore a wide brimmed hat. Years later when he came back to "civilisation") he got a job as a driver carting stock (sheep, cows) the wide brimmed hat got in the way so he opted for a baseball hat. Now he has lots of problems with melanoma especially around the ears and neck.

Just on another note "You know when you are having a bad day when throw your hat on the ground ......and miss"

I have an Acubra but find on a hot day it does make your head hot. I bought one of those collapsible ones, they have a high tensile wire in the rim and a gause sewn in the body. They have used a canvas type material to make the both light (in weight) and cool to wear. It even has a chinstrap to keep it in place when its windy

I have had my own cancer experience with a melanoma on my left arm and then last year a pre-cancerous spot (in situ) near my left ear. I figure that comes with years of driving my cars in the left seat. I know, we drive on the wrong side over here. That's a reason I acquired my wide-brimmed straw hat to wear while mowing my lawn.

I was actually issued a pair of Stetsons from the state of South Dakota early in my career as a photographer. I was never really comfortable with the cowboy look back then but now I feel the Aussie style of hat is one that suits me.

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Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I was think that the most famous style is the Les Hiddens hat (the Bushtucker Man). Apparently he ran over it with his Land Rover accidentally, and the famous hat was the result. Some hatters can reproduce it from an Akubra.

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From what I recall, Les's hat began life as a standard Army issue "Hat, Khaki Fur Felt" abbreviated to KFF with the regular Army regulation "bash"

I have an Akruba ( cattlemans ).

I wear a straw hat when working in the garden

Our iconic bush outfitter RM Williams always wore the hat shown in the photo below. Akubra makes it as the RM Williams hat.

I found an importer for Akubra, David Morgan, in the state of Washington. I think I'm getting closer. The decision on what style to get is pretty hard though.

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Originally Posted by Dakotapix

I have had my own cancer experience with a melanoma on my left arm and then last year a pre-cancerous spot (in situ) near my left ear. I figure that comes with years of driving my cars in the left seat. I know, we drive on the wrong side over here. That's a reason I acquired my wide-brimmed straw hat to wear while mowing my lawn.

I was actually issued a pair of Stetsons from the state of South Dakota early in my career as a photographer. I was never really comfortable with the cowboy look back then but now I feel the Aussie style of hat is one that suits me.

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Heads up, you dont need to be exposed to sunlight to have melanoma. I have pommie skin (first gen aussie) and so I always wear a shirt in the sun. A few years back I had a stage 0 Melanoma removed from my stomach that has almost never seen the light of day. It was picked up by a very astute doctor during a 6 monthly checkup. I have family history of melanoma so I take it seriously.

I am only 40 years old. I have had numerous BCC's and SCC's removed to date, the latest round just 5 weeks ago where I had 3 removed from my face and 4 removed from my arms (3 from my exposed driving arm!).

The best way to avoid skin damage is simply to avoid expose during the most intense times of the day. The next best thing is regular checkups with your doctor. As with all forms of cancer early detection is the best thing.

I hate saying this but its a fact. As a young fella, doing station work, I wore a Beaver felt Callgary Stetson. That hat took one hell of a hiding and is now in my daughters wardrobe some forty years later. I'm flat out getting much more than five years out of bunny felt Akubra. But I wear 'em to do the Aussie thing.

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Originally Posted by Dakotapix

I found an importer for Akubra, David Morgan, in the state of Washington. I think I'm getting closer. The decision on what style to get is pretty hard though.

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The Cattleman and Snowy River are popular styles. Mine is the cattleman.

The fold up side was said to have started in the first world war when the diggers pined the badge to one side of the hat they wore. Not sure why but it seem to stick.

John

I have the Akubra Territory. Larger (verandah) brim all round.😄😄😄

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Originally Posted by Yanis

The Cattleman and Snowy River are popular styles. Mine is the cattleman.

The fold up side was said to have started in the first world war when the diggers pined the badge to one side of the hat they wore. Not sure why but it seem to stick.

John

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I believe the side of the hat was pinned up so it would not be hit by the rifle the soldier was carrying, particularly if the bayonet was fitted.
https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/slouch/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slouch_hat

Since you are a Norte Americano :U you may find that a 'Tilley' hat is more readily available, looks similar to an Akubra/Castlemaine or what ever felt hat but its made of several layers of canvas so its a bit cooler (also 4 brass vents on the sides) and can be washed if it gets funky from sweat and bug repellent. I have a couple and a friend has worn his just about everywhere for the last 20 or so years and it shows no signs of wear. I did a quick check and they seem to have a bewildering variety of styles these days, it used to be one style and light or dark colour.

I'm currently giving a careful look at the Banjo Paterson hat by Akubra. No quick decision coming yet though.

My favourite gardening hat was a seagrass wide brim hat that outlasted 5 straw hats. I do however have great fondness for my Vietnam era giggle hat, works well with ear muffs and absorbs sweat and can be washed.

Nobody voting for Norm's towelling hat?

The Banjo Paterson hat by Akubra it is. Just ordered this morning from a US retailer. I'll try to supply a photo when it arrives.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions from you all. It's been fun and informative for me. Thanks for your help.

-- Chuck Bjorgen (AKA Dakotapix)

Here it is. The hat arrived after just a two day wait from DelMonico Hatter, New Haven CT. It's a bit on the large side but the seller will be sending some "reducing" tapes. I temporarily fitted some pieces of card stock in the inside band and it will be fine. Again, thanks for all your help and advice.
Attachment 396543

My miniature Schnauzer, Willy, has already taken an interest the hat so I'll need to keep it stored safely.

Well sir, now you have the look of an old time Aussie Cocky [aka farmer]

That's a great looking hat!!
You will no be known as the "Aussie" where ever you go
There are so many stories and songs about hats they have quite a reputation in the formation of Australia over the years

There's a general feeling here in the states that when John F. Kennedy became President in 1961 and chose to not wear a hat during his public appearances, that was the beginning of a demise in hat wearing by men in the U.S. I actually did wear a fedora in the late sixties but my profession, newspaper photographer, made it tough to survive some of our severe Minnesota winters without a better cover like a wool stocking cap.

I believe there are three t's in Minnesottta when its cold>