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Hi
Ivy,
Thanks for your note- good question! It used to
be traditional to wear felt hats in the winter
(they keep your head a little warmer by holding
in body heat) and straws in the summer (cooler,
what with the vent holes in the crown.) But, this
was back in the good old days when women wore
white gloves with their dresses only between Memorial
Day and Labor Day- in other words, a long time
ago!
There is still some of this tradition left, but
it's not very rigid. A straw hat is always considered
more casual than a felt, so if you are trying
to look very dressy or have an outfit that has
shiny fabric, rhinestones, and so on: opt for
a felt all year.
However, if you are showing at local shows with
say, a crisply starched cotton blouse, then the
straw might be just fine anytime the weather is
threatening to be even a little bit warm. I also
see more straws in events like reining, cutting,
and trail where there is more emphasis on the
horse than the rider.
Use your own judgement, but think of this: if
it's really hot and you need to let your poor
head have some air, go for the straw. If it's
nippy or you are trying to look fancy-schmantzy,
go for a felt. The most formal look of all is
a black felt, so use a buckskin or mist felt for
a compromise. Those winter/summer rules kind of
went out when Jackie O left the White House, so
you'll be OK if you just use your noggin.
Have a great, cool summer riding!
Suzi D
Hobby Horse
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materials are copyright 2009 © Suzanne Drnec
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