Can Anybody Suggest a Good Source for Ivy Caps?

[Kodiak]

So I think I'm going to be going to England this summer, and I really don't want to have to put up with two felt hats while I'm gone (my bush hat/Digging For the Truth is a must-take, since I'll be going to study archaeology). Thus, I don't really want to take my fedora, but I also don't want to be without a good dressier hat. So I think I'm going to buy a nice Ivy cap.

Since it will be mainly for summer wear (at least this one will be), I think I want it to be linen. Past that I can't really say, although navy or a brown tweed would probably suit my needs the best, and go well with the majority of my clothes. I've looked at both Bencraft Hatters and Aaron Hats, and I haven't really found much to suit me. Anybody got any other suggestions?

 

[Prof Branestawm]

Predictions are that this summer will be rather warm (for England), so you might be a bit warm with even one felt hat! Perhaps a panama might be a suitable second hat, being light and, to my mind, smarter than a flat cap.

 

[Kodiak]

Predictions are that this summer will be rather warm (for England), so you might be a bit warm with even one felt hat! Perhaps a panama might be a suitable second hat, being light and, to my mind, smarter than a flat cap.

Ah... I'm used to heat with the felts. I'm one of those weird sort of folks that wears jeans in 90 degrees. The panama idea I considered, but it would just be hard to pack. With a flat cap, I could wear the felt and slide the cap in my carry on.

By the way... are you a Cambridge Professor?

 

[Davidson]

Ah... I'm used to heat with the felts. I'm one of those weird sort of folks that wears jeans in 90 degrees. The panama idea I considered, but it would just be hard to pack. With a flat cap, I could wear the felt and slide the cap in my carry on.

I agree with the Prof's comment about dressier - ivy caps aren't, to me. But dressy is a relative thing. You could try one of the optimo-shaped "roll-up" panamas with the cloth sweatband, and pack it in a short shipping tube in a suitcase. Should travel well. You could consider an Akubra Traveller or Casual, they seem well-regarded here, as is (sometimes) the Borsalino traveler.

No matter what the forecasters say, if I wanted headwear for London, I would want waterproof. I have spent a lot of time on multi-leg international travel, and sometimes I get so disoriented I don't know where I am. When I look out the airport terminal window, as I slog to the next flight, and see grey overcast and light drizzle, I automatically think "Ahh, I must be in London."

 

[Prof Branestawm]

I've travelled with a panama before - the rolling ones really do travel well and easily.

I'm not a professor - if only! I'm but a humble research student.

 

[Prof Branestawm]

Oh, and I'd agree with Davidson about wanting at least one waterproof hat when in England: if only to protect my panama from the inevitable effect of wearing it in muggy weather, swiftly followed by rain.

 

[Kodiak]

Ahh... an Ivy Cap would look better than a baseball cap, and that seems to be the other option for right now. Waterproof is a good point as well. I don't know. Maybe I'll just pick one up while I'm there. There has to be at least one store in Cambridge that sells hats.

 

[Kodiak]

I'm not a professor - if only! I'm but a humble research student.

Any chance you will be there this late July? As of right now, there is a tentative plan for me to do summer studies there, with one Ms. Taryn Edwards.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Hey, Kodiak --

If I were you, I know exactly what I'd do. I'd pick up an Ivy cap over there. There will be a plentiful supply, and when you're back in the States, wearing it will always bring back a memory of your time abroad.

Cheers!

JtL

 

[Prof Branestawm]

There are indeed places that sell hats - a couple of university outfitters sell boaters and panamas (and touristy 'Cambridge University' baseball caps), Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and John Lewis sell small ranges of various headgear, and there is usually a stall in the market that sells all kinds of hats. There's also Arthur Shepherd, which sells berets, leather hats, country felt hats and flat caps by the dozen.

I should be here in July, probably fast approaching the write up of my MPhil thesis, and being glad that it's not my PhD one (yet). I assume you're on the summer school programme (googling Taryn Edwards seems to come up with a lot of pre-university summer school stuff), so I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[AlanC]

Hey, Kodiak --

If I were you, I know exactly what I'd do. I'd pick up an Ivy cap over there. There will be a plentiful supply, and when you're back in the States, wearing it will always bring back a memory of your time abroad.

Yes, buy there. You'll be glad. Go by Smith & Sons in London and pick up an umbrella, too.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Kodiak -- if you spend any time in London, check out Lock & Co. Hatters on St. James Street. For ivy caps, there should also be a good selection at any haberdasher you may come across in your travels.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Davidson]

"any other suggestions?"

fftopic: Kentucky to Cambridge could be a bit of culture shock.
- There is a 45 min train to London. Get used to the train system. Take advantage of being there to explore Great Britain.
- Get familiar with "the Tube" in London, it's the basic way to get around.
- Ride in a taxi, an old one, at least once. I wish I could buy one of those over here in US. I think it won't get passed pollution control regs here though. The double decker buses are less charming.
- Avoid the growing urge to buy plaid clothing. It's something in the soil or air, very difficult to resist.
- Harrod's isn't what it used to be.
- "Bangers and mash" is an interesting example of their comfort food. Reactions vary. Ordering french mustard to go with it, as opposed to British, carries some risk of disapproval, although nothing will be said
- Learn to like the beer. It can become a lifelong favorite.
- Try to find decent fish and chips. It's harder than one would think.
- If homesick, there's a (small) Hard Rock Cafe in downtown London. Ribs, or what used to be called the "pig sandwich".

Last: If you are interested in archeology in the most general sense, and are not exposed to Europe, you don't need a pick and shovel to start seeing history with your own eyes. Everything in the US seems so new and temporary in comparison to much of Europe. Just learn about an area before you see it, much more rewarding that way.

 

[Kodiak]

Kodiak -- if you spend any time in London, check out Lock & Co. Hatters on St. James Street. For ivy caps, there should also be a good selection at any haberdasher you may come across in your travels.

I should be able to find some hatter around. Thanks for that suggestion. I plan on sticking around in England for awhile once the program is over, so while I'm off on my own I'll have to check Lock & Co. out. I'm afraid I probably won't have time while I'm actual studying though. I actually think the rules forbid us from leaving Cambridge unaccompanied, so I'll have to figure out some way to get around that one.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Kentucky to Cambridge could be a bit of culture shock.

Hee hee... I think I can handle it. I'm not quite the redneck that other Kentuckians are.