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P26008-M28-58
This green felt hat is made by hand in the Bittner hat workshop in Bad Ischl, Austria. The Bittner family has made hats there since 1862, and Emperor Franz Joseph ordered his hunting hats from them.
The felt is a deep green with a soft, slightly brushed surface. The crown is creased on top, and the brim is of medium width. Around the crown runs a band of green twisted rope, tied in a loop at the side with two knotted ends. A clean, Austrian-style hat that goes with almost everything.
Wear it with a loden or tweed jacket, a wool sweater and leather boots on a day outdoors. In town it works with a waxed jacket, a wool coat or a quilted vest. The green goes well with brown, beige, cream and other greens.
Why do Austrian felt hats have a crease in the crown?
The crease gives the crown its shape and makes the hat easy to grip when you put it on or take it off. It also makes a felt hat sit lower and look neater than a round, uncreased crown. On this Bittner hat, the crease runs along the top of the crown.
What is wool felt, and how is a felt hat made?
Felt is made by pressing wool fibres together with heat, moisture and movement until they lock into a firm fabric. There is no weaving. The felt is then steamed and pulled over a wooden block to give the hat its shape, and the brim and crown are finished by hand. Wool felt is warm, holds its shape and stands up well to everyday wear.
What kind of hat goes with a loden or tweed jacket?
A felt hat in a natural colour, with a simple rope or leather band, is the classic choice. Pick a colour that is already in the jacket, such as green, brown or grey, so the hat and jacket look like they belong together. A green felt hat with a green twisted rope fits most loden and tweed.
