Downton Abbey - Men's hats

My plan was to blog the below just before Christmas but other things distracted me and was unable to do so. Now I give you this in the New Year 2013, hope you will enjoy the theme of men's hats as depicted and renditioned in Downton Abbey the series.

Downton Abbey the TV series has caught my attention by the way the male characters are depicted, being very classically, stylishly and very sartorially dressed. For the day I will focus on the men's hats selection & choice. 

Nowadays it is very rare to see men in hats (proper hats, and not baseball caps). 

The Downton Abbey series portrays the male characters it be from the top of society (Earl of Grantham) to the lower end of society (the male servants i.e. Mr. Carson or and Mr. Bates ) as sartorial gents who utilises the head gear very elegantly and very stylishly as an accessory. I hope that the series will revive and bring the men's head gear back as a staple accessory of any gent's day to day dressing and wardrobe.

Earl of Grantham, head of the Crawley family wearing different head gear, from Panama hat, Homborg hat, Top hat to country cap.

 Mr. Matthew Crawley and the Earl Of Grantham in country caps

Mr. Matthew Crawley in Homborg, country cap and Fedora

Lady Mary Crawley and Mr. Matthew Crawley in country attire

Matthew Crawley in a Homborg hat,  - holding a top hat and - wearing a Trilby hat

 Mr. Matthew Crawley and Mr. Tom Branson (left) in a Lord's hat

Mr. Tom Branson in chauffeur uniform, hat and the driving goggles.

Mr. Tom Branson in a Lord's hat with Lady Sybil Crawley

Sir Anthony Strallan in a Lord's hat and Top Hat

Sir Richard Carlisle in a Homborg hat and Fedora

Sir Richard Carlisle and Lady Mary Crawley

Dr. Richard Clarkson in a Homborg hat

Mr. Carson in a bowler hat

Mr. Bates in a Panama hat and a bowler hat

 Mr. Molesey in a bowler hat

Photos sourced from Downton Abbey Wikia, Pinterest, Fan Pop and PBS Org

For the Summer - A Panama hat (from Ecuador)

A must have accessory for the Summer is a Panama hat. Despite the name, genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador, and not in Panama. The hats are from fine weaved leaves palm or also known Carludovia palmata. In Ecuador the hats are better known as sombrero de paja toquilla. 


To read more about this magnificent legendary summer hat look for the book; Panama: A legendary Hat. 


For all true Shoe Aristo Cats, shoe lovers and shoe collectors the Panama hat is a must have for the Summer, so forget about the baseball caps that are seen all over and worn by men of all ages. Let us keep it classic, stylish and elegant when protecting us from the Sun.

A Panama Hats Ad from 1902

An illustration of a Panama hat from Esquire magazine from the 1930's

 Sir W. Churchill holding a Panama hat

President Roosevelt in a Panama hat

 Prince Phillip of England wearing a Panama Hat

Sir Sean Connery in a Panama hat

 

 Peter O' Toole wearing a Panama Hat

All pictures sourced from the Internet.