Hats

[Father Bill]

So . . .

I have acquired a grey coachman's coat - like an Inverness but with sleeves under the cape. Fairly lightweight cloth , so not much for a Canadian winter, but it does go well enough with a kilt and in my own opinion, given a warm jacket underneath it, meets my need as clergy wear for interments and other outdoor events during the cool season.

Now, a coachman's may make one think of Sir Basil Rathbone's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes... despite the fact that Conan Doyle never described Holmes as wearing either a coachman's, an Inverness, or, for that matter, a 'deerstalker' type hat.

So, I'm looking for suggestions for a more contemporary hat to wear with it. Coachman's are often seen in old photos and portrayals with derbies or top hats, but that would obviously make it rather costume-like, and I want to tone that down as the coat itself leans that way, probably more than I want it to.

Suggestions? The coat is a medium-dark grey tweed by the way if that helps and I'd prefer a Scottish/ British interpretation to an American.

[Bruce Scott]

This seems to work although I would prefer a fedora to the narrow brimmed trilby.

[Father Bill]

This seems to work although I would prefer a fedora to the narrow brimmed trilby.

Thanks for including a photo - helps me to visualize.

[Liam]

Padre... I think a tweed fore and aft would be the ticket, but a balmoral bonnet would work as well.

[Father Bill]

Padre... I think a tweed fore and aft would be the ticket, but a balmoral bonnet would work as well.

Clearly the Balmoral when it's worn with a kilt.

[Jock Scot]

As a regular wearer of a “fore and aft” and “ deerstalker”with the kilt I have no hesitation in suggesting that it would be entirely appropriate to wear either with your Inverness.

[Tobus]

I don't know what you consider to be too much of an "American interpretation", but for a more modern hat style that doesn't look costumish with your coat, have you considered a winter Tilley hat? I have one in black (which is actually a charcoal grey). It's surprisingly comfortable, warm, and versatile for different styles of dress. It doesn't come across like a regular Tilley hat, in my opinion.

Anyway, just a thought.

https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ttw2-tec-wool-hat.html

[Steve Ashton]

I too prefer the coachman's styling over the inverness. I made one out of a nice, but very expensive, herringbone tweed.

I wear mine with the same Fedora you have seen me in other photos.

[OC Richard]

...a coachman's may make one think of Sir Basil Rathbone's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes... despite the fact that Conan Doyle never described Holmes as wearing either a coachman's, an Inverness, or, for that matter, a deerstalker...

Yes Doyle just says, what, a 'cloth country hat'?

But Sidney Paget's illustration in the original 1892 edition does show Holmes wearing the deerstalker, so we can't blame Basil Rathbone's costume designer for it.



About hats, I've taken quite a shine to this Stetson Stratoliner over the last couple years. It's super for keeping the Southern California sun off my face and neck. It's a classic Fedora and sort of goes with any sort of outfit (except Highland, I suppose).

[Father Bill]

Yes. Thank you for resurrecting this old thread of mine. I think I've rather settled on a mid-grey Homburg. Now I just have to find one at an affordable rate. 7 3/8 if anyone wants to get rid of one!