by Larry Carter
With the onslaught of pounding winter winds, TC men have turned to caps and hats out of necessity. In the process of doing so, they have added a whole new section to their winter wardrobe.
In case you have not noticed, the big hats are in town. Sales person B. D. B. V. Gaston, freshman, attributes the popularity of the wide-brimmed lids to the movies. The majority of these hats are patterned after those seen in the movie, “Superfly.” According to Bobby, most young customers often use the name `Superfly’ when referring to the hats even though they are called by several different names.
The Superfly comes in a rainbow of colors so it can be mixed and matched to complement any apparel. Metals also play a big part in the hat’s appearance. Gold painted metallic headbands are often worn around the base of the crown. For a truly jazzed-up look, hats can be bought with holes in the crown that are trimmed in metal.
What’s the Attraction
“What’s attracted me to my hat,” commented freshman Lawrence Walker, “was the hat band.” Lawrence’s maroon Superfly has a plastic belt band with gold painted sections. “The band just sets off the whole hat, and that’s how I noticed it downtown,” said Lawrence. “After I got mine everybody seemed to want one.” With his Superfly, Lawrence can dress up or just “style-it” around campus.
Caps for Casual Wear
For those who go strictly for casual wear a cap is the thing to own. They are made of softer material than hats and have little or no brim. Because of this, caps can easily be stored in jean back pockets, between the pages of books, and stand up to rain without compartments. After being out, a cap will often smell old, rain-worn, and, although they are not as practical, will be very highly regarded as objects of wear and art old. Caps of all shapes and colors are made and may reserve this season’s grace winners in patches that can be sewn in the crown.
Freshman Andy Butterfield enjoys the novelty in his railroader styled cap. “It’s just something dumb to wear,” said Andy. “I saw it in a store and it was different so I bought it.”
Andy keeps it on his cap to keep long locks of hair under control. He wears it while hunting, playing football, or working. On campus he finds that it is a must while shooting pool.
Ten-Gallon Style
When it comes to western wear, a cowboy hat is a cowboy unless he has a ten-gallon Texas-sized hat.
Just like any other style in dressing the western hat comes in a variety of colors and are made of different materials. The great variety may be yellow, green, blue, or any other shade the wearer chooses. For a more expensive and dressed-up look, the customer will select a hat made of felt, rabbit, beaver, or other fibers and furs.
There is a lot more to a cowboy hat than just a big crease down the top of the hat’s crown. For a custom effect that reflects the wearer’s taste, trim may be used and shaped with crowns may be shaped to the lie of a rabbit stream. The average felt hat will run for a more between five and one half to seven inches higher. Some of the wider hat brims, about five inches, mount past buddy, diamond, deep alpine, horseshoe, up north, and RCA. For an additional flair some westerners will place beaded, cloth, or leather head bands around the base of the crown and then insert a feather into the band.
Freshman Jimmy Folmar has a collection of several western hats that serve a number of purposes. “For someone like me,” commented Jimmy, “A western keeps the wind out, and you look a lot warm!” When selecting a new hat Jimmy usually picks one that is different from the others. Of one of the newest styles: “Once I buy a hat and wear it for some time,” said Jimmy, “it just keeps till it works. The wide brim keeps out the wind and acts as an umbrella when I ride across the ranch.”
Way of Life
Sophomore George Washington lives with a knit cap on his head. George says in the stretch of ages his Afro will cover his Afro haircut.
The knit caps are large, so there is enough room for any amount of hair one wishes to tuck under it. Because one cap may be made of three or more colors, George has problems coordinating with the clothes to coordinate his caps.
Around the TC yard all kinds of headgear can be seen. Hats and caps are worn by the cold, the ‘kool’, the hipped, and the square. But no matter what you wear or for what purpose; the right topper will complement any set of threads.