Floppy Felt Hat - What Band?

[Dannolad]

Morning All,

I have a floppy felt that I want to embellish as it is a little plain (resisting the urge to wear neon feathers). I want to make a band round the crown, similar to the ribbon on a more modern trilby, but really want to know before I upset the authy police, what would be fitting?: Leather strip woven perhaps, or coarse coloured wool woven?

Any ideas gratefully received.

VMT

[steve stanley]

Avoid the woven leather.............

[Dannolad]

Being rather wet behind the ears where the 17thC is concerned, just the sort of pointers I am looking for. Though out of curiosity I must ask why no to leather?

[steve stanley]

Leather may well be fine..It's the woven look that has no provenance....Woolen tape is probably best........

[Dannolad]

So a woollen band in the same colour as my doublet would acceptable?

[steve stanley]

Yeah,but sew it to fit so it's a hatband....Just tying it is a renactorism......IMHO!

[Dannolad]

Steve, you are a gem. VMT

[Chris T]

A plain band of a suitable thin leather such as goatskin, natural tannage.
Linen or other natural tape, used as such or plaited.
Wool or linen woven braid such as inkle.
Period style matchcord or other natural, laid cordage.
A small, period style buckle would be acceptable if you are a cut above the dregs..........


Period hatbands tend to be fairly narrow to narrow.

Avoid (as I am sure you will) the still sadly popular bright shiny nylon ribbon, modern chrome buckles, wide bands, chrometanned thonging, braided sashcord 'match' and whole ostritch bottoms!

[Grymm]

Yeah,but sew it to fit so it's a hatband....Just tying it is a renactorism......IMHO!

Amen.... The way I was shown how to make hats was by blocking a crown and brim seperately then sewing together, the hatband on the outside would cover the join and the lining on the inside would do the same. Trouble is using 2 blanks, adding a lining/sweatband will push up the price and most 'nactors, who have lived in a hatless society most of their lives, don't think of hats as important bits of clothing.

[Mark Griffin]

Hear hear. Hats, like gloves, were a big status symbol. If you can afford it (or even can't, get thee to the Fleet for debt as long as you look good) then some silk ribbon, a cheap jewel, a spray of osprey feathers or a nice bit of braid on the rim and bobs your gent about town. Or steal one, which was also extremely fashionable. Isn't there a posh hat stealing bit in a Cyrano film, in the theatre?

[frances]

If you are looking for woven wool for a headband I have the right sort of thing (about an inch wide) in a variety of colours including brown, beigey brown, light brown, dark brown, mustardy brown .. and a host of other suitable colours not necessarily pure wool. Oh, and the most fabulous soft grey pure wool. 1 metre min. at around £4/m plus postage.