Hardee Hat Stitching

[Michael Comer]

My friend, Murray Therrell, and I were talking about Hardee hats when he asked what the 2 rows of stitching on the enlisted hat were for. I had to say I had no idea.

What are they for? They don't seem like they would give much reinforcement to the edge. The edge shouldn't be unravelling where stitches would be needed to stop such a thing.

Is there a real purpose for it or is it just a top-stitch put there for a non-purpose?

[coastaltrash]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

It helps you be super cool!

Actually I have no idea for the reason, and the sources I have available aren't helping either.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

Hallo!

If I may borrow a post WWII concept... the twin row of stitching is "rip stop."

Enlisted hats lacked edge binding. In theory, a rip or tear of the edge could travel only as far back as the NUG 1/8 inch, 4 stitch per inch, stitching- thus (economically) preventing further damage to the brim.

Curt

[David Fox]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

I believe it also helped keep the shape of the brim.

[tahats]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

Both are correct from what I have experianced. It keeps the edge of the brim from "Curling" or getting wavey after it gets wet as well as rip stopping.

Tim Allen

[Michael Comer]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

These responses do make sense and may very well be the reasoning behind the construction. But they are still more supposition than anything. So, has anyone seen documentation that might give the reasoning behind the stitching?

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

Perhaps, like the brown lines in fed issue blankets, could have been used as sizing marks to know where to trim the brim to an even and consistent width...???

[blackhattertuck]

Re: Hardee Hat Stitching

It gave the contractor's sisters-in-law jobs :tounge_sm