Steam Boat Arabia Hats

[hardeeflag]

I have been looking at some hats off the Steam Ship Arabia. On pattern I noticed is the hat that almost looks like an officers Dress or hardee hat. I have seen several images of Texans of the Texas Brigade wearing this type of hat in very early war images. There is also an image of Rip Ford in the late 1850s with a hat like this. Is this a dress hat or a civilian type of hat modeled on this pattern or was the dress hat patterned on this civilian type hat. Is the Tim Bender Arabia hat representative of this style or his Bell Crown? Or are these a private purchase of the officer dress hat?

[tenfed1861]

Re: Steam Boat Arabia Hats

What if these hats influenced the 1858 Dress hat?Kinda like the idea of take something from the civilian war that they would be use to,and militirize it?

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Steam Boat Arabia Hats

It is no surprise that changes in civilian fashion help 'guide' changes in military fashion. The kepi, the "D" sleeve, etc. Military fashion also inspires civilian decore and attire like we see in women's "Zouave" inspired gowns and jackets. It comes as no surprise to me that a civilian hat would look remarkably similar to the '1858 Dress Hat' and not to far in form or function from the top hat, etc. In either case, the connection between say Val Giles hat and its story and those extant examples on the Arabia are all to clear.

[hardeeflag]

Re: Steam Boat Arabia Hats

Well thinking about the Steam Boat Arabia examples, here are some of my own thoughts. The items on the Arabia to me are destined to traders and merchants in the "West". The hats themselves are new, never worn or creased hats. Having punch out the dome of my own Tim Bender hat there is quite a bit of allowance in crown height. Before I did this it seems like quite a low telescope type crown. Looking at the examples and their high crown, are the simply new blocked hats that have not had the crown shaped by the new owner. Were they just shipped and perhaps sold this way and the crown was fashioned by the new owner to suite the current fashion or trend of the time particular to his local? I understand that the US dress hat (see examples of where the crown was punched in or creased) was designed for a high crown but I am referring specifically to the Arabia examples. Some owners may have creased them for a lower profile and some may have left them high.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Steam Boat Arabia Hats

Hats in the "Arabia" shape have been around since the 17th century. Ask a Pilgrim.