In the hat world, the fedora has become quite the pariah. Historically, considered elegant headwear favoured by the likes of Humphrey Bogart, overuse by the wrong kind of people has seen its demise: pimps and hookers.
Go on—look in the ‘Escort’ section of the Yellow Pages. Guaranteed there’ll be a trampy-looking woman wearing a provocatively placed fedora, possibly holding the collar of an oversized leather jacket. Got it? Now imagine the same hat on a man in a cheap, boldly coloured suit, possibly wearing a lot of jewellery on his right pinky finger. You see where I’m going here?
Now for something set to divide the world of millinery and its devotees and detractors: Soulland‘s fedora redefined available from Assembly New York. Not happy being one form of hat, it’s the hat equivalent of a Diplo mash-up; made from felted wool and is a hybrid of a baseball cap and a fedora. Edgy and chic or a futile accessory destined for the back of the wardrobe? Either way, one thing is a consolation: the brim can deflect strangers’ punches in the street.
Published on 16 January 2012 by Agony Uncle