why the button?

[navarre]

I was wondering about the button and string around some ribbons. Does it have a name? Does it serve any purpose other than adornment.

 

[Spats McGee]

Welcome to the Lounge, navarre!

That's called a wind trolley or wind string. You can unwind the string, put the button through the buttonhole on the lapel, and keep your hat from blowing away (assuming I understand these things correctly).

 

[High Pockets]

That would be correct,.....I think they look cool! Not in your lapel, but on the hat!

One day on a typical windy day here in Oklahoma a woman asked me;
"How do you keep your hat from blowing off your head around here?"

I simply replied;
"I buy them to fit my head."

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

"I buy them to fit my head."

That's right, you are! And I might add that a leather sweatband is SO much better than a textile one... leather sweatbands "hold" the hat as if the leather in some way "sticks" to the forehead (in fact, I bet it does). The non-flying hat is an important matter... I been known to run after the SAME hat in Mexico City as well as in Antwerp: nothing worse for one's ego than to be seen running (zigzaggingly) after a rollin' tollin' hat...we all seen that in old movies.

 

[Blackthorn]

I've never noticed this before.

Does anyone have pictures? How prevalent are these buttons and ribbons/wind trolleys?

 

[daizawaguy]

 

[daizawaguy]

 

[daizawaguy]

 

[daizawaguy]

 

[Blackthorn]

Interesting!

thanks, Daizawaguy!

 

[Edward]

They're a thing I wish was more common.... wish Akubra did it as an option on the Fed. While yes, in use they do look kinda dorky, that's much less dorky than having ah at blow off on you and having to chase it! Course, somedays are so windy, the only answer is:

 

[babs]

On any vintage hat.. I would advise don't remove as when they're still attached intact it may be more valuable than without, if you care at all about that.

 

[dhermann1]

I think they're like shoulder flaps on a trench coat. They were once strictly functional (the straps on the trench coat being made to hold rank insignia) but are now vestigial and merely decorative.

 

[avedwards]

I think they're like shoulder flaps on a trench coat. They were once strictly functional (the straps on the trench coat being made to hold rank insignia) but are now vestigial and merely decorative.

However trench coat shoulder straps can be used for other purposes too like attatching a bag strap. I've done this with my map case before when walking as it means I don't have to worry about it disappearing down a mountain if there's wind. While unconventional this can be useful. Likewise, I think the wind trolley should be used in weather where one would otherwise have to walk around holding onto one's hat.