Musically Influenced Hats

Author: Hana Freeman

"For those extraordinary music icons, who’s boldness not only in music but in fashion, parallels their legacy, I guarantee you somewhere along the lines in their journey there was a hat on that celestial being’s head, and it shook us all to the core."

The first time I saw our mustard Joelle Rose, I was immediately transported to the cover of Carly Simone’s album No Secrets. Now, even though her hat on the cover is maroon, something about the look of our floppy wide brim, magically and immediately transported me to the sense memory of that album, and what that music means to me. I don't believe there is a person out there that would deny the power of music in our lives, and how transcendent it is. Its a source of nostalgia, a connection to our present and a doorway into our popular culture. Fashion is definitely woven into our relation to music as well. Music and fashion have been hand- in- glove with one another for so long, there isn’t a moment in music history I can think of, where an artist’s image (whether intentional or not) wasn’t a part of their overall voice or presence in pop culture. And by proxy a part of our lives too, serving as inspiration to emulate and embody our favourite artists, while also paying homage to our love for their work.

Now when it comes to hats, there are many great artists out there who’s hat games are so next level their head gear has almost become synonymous with their craft. Take for example Slash, of Guns n' Roses. This man somehow managed to make top hats a rock n roll accessory! Or jazz legends like Thelonious Monk, who, like most jazz musicians before and after him, never played without some kind of hat on his head. And when it comes to present day hat loving icons like Lady Gaga, seem to level up their head gear game with game changer after game changer almost every time they step onstage or on a red carpet. When it comes to considering my own tastes, both musically and in fashion, there are a few pieces like the Joelle Rose that instantly connected me to an artists, as if I was able to have a piece of the music I loved plucked right off a record and put right on my head.

Generally speaking when I think of music and hats, for me, two men always come to mind immediately: Prince and David Bowie. These two men in particular were of that breed of artist that truly beat to their own drum, no expectations were catered to, except the ones they had for themselves, and no one was going to discourage them from pursuing their truest identity in themselves, their artistry, OR in their fashion. They were the kinds of icons who's music you couldn't wait to hear and who's outfits you couldn't wait to see.For David Bowie, every time I think of the Starman I think of a fearless exploration of shape, color, pattern, and angles. If he's not Jareth from Labyrinth then he lives rent free in my mind wearing a boater and a broad shouldered jacket. Now I know the One More Time is a Bolero, (the felt version of a boater), but this hat instantly brought me to Bowie. When I put it on I felt as though when I look in the mirror I would see those cheekbones or hear that voice resonating from under its wide brim. With its flat top, clean angular lines and bold colour, I feel like I put that on, have instant confidence and my internal life sound track cues "Jean Jeanie".Now Prince, in his fashion was a man unafraid of fanfare, embellishments, and wild looks that honestly not many could or should attempt to pull off, except for him. The second the Annapurna came through our doors I thought of Prince immediately. With its bold size, unique shape and purple sash around the crown, I've always been a sucker for anything that gets me remotely close to Purple Rain (seriously one of my top five favorite movies and soundtracks of all time). I love Prince, he was the embodiment of a true artist mind, body, and soul. His self expression shined through every ounce of him aurally, physically and outwardly in the imprints he left both in music and on the fashion world. If it wasn't going to be a raspberry beret or our long ago deep purple fedora called Appalonia aka Violet, this hat is my gateway to him. Add some embellishment and I can walk out as confident and cool as the artist formally known as...Another favourite musical legend I can’t imagine with out a hat on his head, is guitar god, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Quite frankly I don’t think I ever seen a picture of him with out something extraordinary on his head. But I promise you if he is one of your favourites I know that just at the mention of his name you automatically hear the opening lick of “Pride and Joy” , hear that gravel in his voice, and see him in that black gambler hat dressed with silver embellishments on the crown. Now, sadly we don’t make a gambler hat but boy do we have some boss black hats that take me instantly to this legend. My favourite is our recently re-stocked Welfleet in black. This hat looks like his music sounds to me, no funny business and straight to the point of goodness and quality art. This nod to SRV can be amped up with silver belts and bangles or dressed with a few bands that hint to this icon's style like I did. Embellished in all the right ways, I think its safe to say that although we still are not worthy of this man's talent we can at the very least put this bad boy on and play that air guitar until the cows come home in homage to an absolute legend.

Now Im not saying our hats are perfect ringers to these legends or that your hats should be a costume. But when it comes to the music you love I know there’s an image tied to it for you, and you definitely feel a certain way about it. So I say lean in all the way, take that feeling into your style, roll the windows down and turn the volume all the way up..to 11.

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