five-dollar stetson stiff-rim?

[fedoracentric]

I don't think "practical" means today what it meant then!

Just for instance, we all often consider hats as a "practical" way to prevent skin cancer. There was no such consideration back then.

 

[Blackthorn]

http://www.hobonickels.org/insearch/jungle.htm

Great find, Rusty!

 

[mayserwegener]

Great find, Rusty!

+1

 

[KingAndrew]

Here in Shanghai, we often see photos of the "Old Shanghai" days a century ago. And in these pictures, most of the men seem to be wearing traditional Chinese gowns and jackets with soft fedora-style hats. I don't really see derby/bowler hats in these pictures. In the museums here, I have often seen the hats of famous people from the period, and they are always fedora/homburg style hats. So the photos from San Francisco seem in keeping with that.

Now none of that proves anything, but it does seem like the bigger brim hats were more popular among Chinese men than derbies at the time. Which is interesting, since the traditional Chinese hat to wear with such an outfit would be pretty similar in shape to a skull cap or beanie, that is, it would have no brim to speak of.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/16/article-2202574-14FA70C2000005DC-552_964x598.jpg

This picture shows some unfortunate undergoing punishment, but does clearly show the more traditional Chinese headgear.
http://www.simaosavait.com/public/vieilles_photos_de_chine/vieilles photos chine (2).jpg
(You can copy the URL and paste in your browser. For some reason the image uploader tells me it is invalid, even though I can open it fine.)

 

[Blackthorn]

Interesting pics, King, thanks!

 

[Blackthorn]

Here in Shanghai, we often see photos of the "Old Shanghai" days a century ago. And in these pictures, most of the men seem to be wearing traditional Chinese gowns and jackets with soft fedora-style hats. I don't really see derby/bowler hats in these pictures. In the museums here, I have often seen the hats of famous people from the period, and they are always fedora/homburg style hats. So the photos from San Francisco seem in keeping with that.

Now none of that proves anything, but it does seem like the bigger brim hats were more popular among Chinese men than derbies at the time. Which is interesting, since the traditional Chinese hat to wear with such an outfit would be pretty similar in shape to a skull cap or beanie, that is, it would have no brim to speak of.
View attachment 17679
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/16/article-2202574-14FA70C2000005DC-552_964x598.jpg

King Andrew, I think you nailed it. If I were a hobo looking for a hat, I'd pick one of these with the brims. In fact, I'd pick one of those even today.