Showing question - why the faded hats??

[ArcticFox]

hi all

At the RHS I noticed many many showing riders wearing a blue riding hat that had faded to grey almost. the rest of them is really smart then they look like they are wearing a tatty old hat.

is this a 'i'm a pro showing person' thing or is there another reason? or do you actually buy hats and then fade them on purpose (if thats the case - with what??)

Just a musing really. OH asked me at the RHS and I couldn't answer!

 

[Lolo]

I think it might be that they're just less obtrusive if they're faded? Or general aging- you stand out in all weathers, and the rain and sun both fade the velvet. Hats are expensive to replace, and so it's become the look a bit?

Al's is very faded and she won't replace the silk because it looks better this way apparently

 

[Pigeon]

I've noticed this too! I wonder if the hats just fade quicker than the jacket etc starts to look tatty?

 

[YasandCrystal]

Yes it's weird - it's almost like 'I wear a faded hat - I have been showing for 40 odd years to get it THIS faded - place me or else' Many of the 'top' showing peops have one and I wonder if they comply with current safety standards!!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I've often wondered about this, and I'm not sure really, but sometimes a softer colour can look better in my opinion.
I do tend to dislike anything too new looking for showing, and much prefer when things like saddles look more worn in and molded to the horse, but I have always wondered as some do look really old.... makes you wonder about the safety ratings .
x x

 

[humblepie]

Two reasons I think - the Patey that is old and expensive so has faded or at the shows where you have to wear chin straps/safety hats, the old chin strapped hat comes out of the cupboard.

Many years ago in my pony club days, my mother dyed a faded velvet hat (elastic strap, some material shoved inside the lining to make it fit, that was the 60s you know) which was all very well until went to a show and it rained. I ended up looking like a panda with very bad mascara. Fortunately show jumping in those days and can remember winning the class so a panda on a pony not too bad.

Edited to add, must go and put my hat outside to fade for a while. Knew we were going wrong somewhere.

 

[Mickyjoe]

It's because they are so damn expensive!! My James Lock cost me a fortune and is quite faded now, but I am in no hurry to replace it!

 

[Baggybreeches]

Yes as a general rule it's because they are so expensive, and usually worn day in day out during the summer months (sun bleaching), in large county standard classes you can be in the ring for 2 hours at a time and most people with more than one ride will not take their hat of from the start of the first class until the end of the last one, therefore the hats fade 70 more quickly than your one class once a week hats
(Also from a personal point of view new hats are never as comfy!)

 

[Tnavas]

Before I got my plastic bowl hat I wore mine to ride and teach in and it faded to a pale blue grey, I got it recovered and still have it tucked away in a cupboard for the days it gets used at shows.

It was an expensive one and fits like a second skin. The old hats used to be like that you couold get themin so many shapes and sizes - mine stays on even if I shake my head up and down an is so comfortable to wear.

I actually hate my bowl - its velvet covered but uncomfortable and is not stable on my head.

 

[RunToEarth]

I got a quote last year to refurb & recover OH's Patey - £300, which is about half the cost of a whole new one, so I'm guessing people want to get all the colour out before they invest in a new one. I have an old one which is almost mole skin brown!

 

[Suziq77]

They're not faded - you buy them like that, it's called "elephant grey".

Charles Owen and Patey both offer the colour so you too can look like a pro (at least as far as your hat is concerned)

 

[Mickyjoe]

Heh... nope... mine's just faded!!

 

[Suziq77]

Heh... nope... mine's just faded!!

OK well some people's are faded and lots of other people buy them like that, I promise!

 

[bliss87]

They're not faded - you buy them like that, it's called "elephant grey".

Charles Owen and Patey both offer the colour so you too can look like a pro (at least as far as your hat is concerned)

Yes you can by elephant grey but if you have a older faded blue hat and a new elephant grey hat and there is still a distinct difference, the elephant grey doesnt quite have the worn look about them, I prefered my old hat when it was faded rather thanmy newd hat which is had that too new look about it