Wednesday 8 February 2012

Jet Set Hat

The Jet Set Hat in Patons Rimple - a scintillating glimpse into the glamorous world of the 1960s business man.

"Moscow today - Copenhagen tomorrow and then on to Delhi and Montreal. This is how the fast-moving business men of the 60's travel - and this is what they wear! Knit it in Patons Rimple used double - use black for the best effect or one of the dark two-tone shades."

18 comments:

  1. Nice find! Though I don't think a woolly hat would have been quite adequate for a Russian winter even for tough 1960s chaps! My Dad had a hefty fur ushanka with ear-flaps when he worked in the Urals in 1963-4. I think my brother still has it :-)

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  2. Ha! You are absolutely right - and it probably would have been a bit hot for Delhi, too, don't you think? You'd definitely need earflaps for Russia.

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  3. Ooh look - Gerald Ford wearing a ushanka and Leonid Brezhnev wearing a hat like the one in your pattern!

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  4. I think the link must disappeared in your comment, try posting again!

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  5. Sorry - I'm uber-knackered and my brain isn't functioning too well today! Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_-_Brezhnev_1974.jpg

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  6. Wow you're right, it's Brezhnev in a Jet Set Hat! I never had him down as a Patons man.

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  7. Hi - isn't this pattern great? When I saw it a while ago I just had to buy it. I clearly remember this fashion in men's hats - my brother got his first job in the Civil Service in around 1962 and he went up to London every day (from Worthing) with his furled umberella and wearing such a hat - which at the time replaced the Bowler as essential wear for the man about town. I have to say though, these were not knitted hats in boucle yarn but real high quality astrakhan.
    I love the way Patons are calling this the "jet set" hat - a very sixties concept - and I have to wonder about the choice of the older model to market the pattern - my thesis is that he is some look-alike for a famous person from the time, though I cannot call to mind who it might be.
    Great fun.

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  8. I love the image of a train full of city-bound gents all setting off from Worthing, wearing these hats! I can completely see how these "jet set" hats would be the headgear of choice for a man wanting to leave the stuffy bowler behind. What would today's aspirational buzz-word be, I can't think of it at the moment?

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  9. Hi. I would like to make this, but am having trouble finding the pattern anywhere. Would it possible for you to share this pattern? Thanks, In advance.

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    1. Let me know your email address and I'll have a hunt through my pattern collection!

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  10. Hello. I came across your post via Retronaut, and have been looking for a hat just like this for quite sometime. If you happen/ed to be successful with the pattern hunt you mentioned above could you please forward the pattern to me or point me to where it may be available? Thanks so much.

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    1. Hello! Glad you like the hat pattern - if you send me your email address I can email you a copy. Cheers, Nicky

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  11. This looks like the exact same hat worn by the First Doctor in Doctor Who - http://www.scifinow.co.uk/blog/34202/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-celebration-at-the-bfi-begins/

    which also can be seen on the postage stamp
    http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-12-26/royal-mail-announces-doctor-who-50th-anniversary-stamps---see-the-full-set

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    1. Wow, you're completely right, I hadn't noticed that before!

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  12. So where would one purchase a hat such as this? Perhaps made of felt or astrakhan?

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    1. I really don't know, sorry. Perhaps a vintage clothes shop would be a good place to ask.

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  13. Dear Nicky -- I wonder if I might be able to buy a copy of this pattern from you. I've been looking for something like this for ages and so far all I've found is a vaguely similar crocheted version (and I don't know how to crochet!).

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    1. Absolutely, let me know your email address and I will email you a copy!

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