James Knox
Hats are going out of fashion all over the world; that is why it is such a good time to collect them. I own a red woollen pom- pom hat, identical to that worn by Father Christmas, which is a type seen until recently on peasants' heads all over north- ern Portugal. Islamic countries are particu- larly good for both hats and skullcaps. The hat bazaar in the sotikh at Fez has magnifi- cent fezzes; by contrast there is no decent fez-maker left in Egypt. Tourist gimmicks, such as the blue velvet Greek skullcaps with gold tassels, do not qualify. However, the traditional headdress worn throughout the Middle East does, even though it is often made in Taiwan. Hats in England are worn so rarely that they are almost museum pieces, and it is well worth saving bowlers and silk top hats from the jumble. Hats are still cheap, although I was shock- ed to see that Stephen Tennant's moth- eaten collection of straw hats fetched more than £300 at Wilsford.
Previous page
