Hats

After seeing some fabulously AWFUL hats at the last few shows...let's discuss hats. A nice hat is what defines what kind of show person you are...floppy brim, dirty, flies off your head screams NOVICE!!!! A nicely shaped, clean and well fitting hat says "I'm a Pro!".... what does your hat say about you?

Straw Hats
I LOVE my straw hat (photo'd below), nice and cool and less likely to give me a "hat" headache...the only downfall of straw hats is that they are only wearable MEMORIAL DAY through LABOR DAY. Straw hats are much cheaper than a nice felt, but make sure they have that show crease... they should be kept in a hat box also to maintain their nice shape.

Felt Hats

Nothing says PRO like a nice felt hat AND they are "in" all year (unlike straw hats) BUT they are pricey! Get the most X you can afford (I personally show in a 100X that I STOLE for $250 from someone getting out of showing). Felt hats are more delicate, and require delicate handling, DO NOT handle by their brim, instead handle them by their crown. Invest in a hat brush and brush your hat after each day at the show. Store in hat can... keep it AWAY from plastic bags!!!!! I see lots and lots of people stuffing their felt in plastic rain covers during a rain storm...they are RUINING their hats...they are STEAMING those delicate brims...let it rain and let it dry...then get it reshaped! A really good felt will last for YEARS!

Now I'm going to PLUG one of my favorite shopping places (and this is where I'm borrowing my photos from) PARDS. These are my go to guys from everything from boots to hats... and they know how to shape a hat!!!! LOVE MY PARDS.

Shaping
Ask for a show crease...your hat will have those wonderful corners as shown above....

Remember, showmanship is like going in for a job interview...first impressions COUNT...let it be a good one with a good hat!