What Sort of Hat Should a Gentleman Wear ?
There is a sign nailed to the Goldeneye Portcullis
It says: Hat Wanted - Apply Within !
But what sort of hat should an English Gentleman wear at this time of year
If You Want to Get Ahead - Get a Hat
Twas whilst ploughing a lonely furrow through the snow that never was that I was suddenly struck by something …
After convincing the man that I’d never met his wife I carried on to the Post Office trapped in the peculiar bitingly cold wind system which seemed to be a headwind regardless of how many corners I turned and I realised … this is no life … I need to get on !
If You Want to Get Ahead then Get a Hat !
That that thought rattled around in my head like a pea in a chamber pot whilst I stood in line at the post office to hand over a book I wish I’d never bought, that I cannot believe I’ve sold, which is going to someone who will never read it and later wish he too had never bought it !
With one eye on the Siberian climatic conditions and another on my Revolutionary Leanings There could be only one choice !
It could be fairly argued that if a man needs anything he needs a hat and being a man with needs it must therefore follow that I need capital adornment !
The problem is that a Russian military fur hat is hardly becoming attire for the would-be English Gentleman but hey, is it a sartorial faux pas if I make it knowingly ?
I should point out that it will not be a real fur topper as I’ve no wish to wander round with a dead animal on my head !
I shall, of course, continue to wear a top hat when going out to dinner as befits a Freeman of the Borough so rest assured standards have not totally collapsed here at Goldeneye HQ.
I suppose the real problem will be that it could mess up my hair 
That would never do - though possibly the amount of product involved in making the Goldeneye barnet stand up may well leave it impervious to the rigours of wearing a hat.
Is this a road I should travel and if so have I chosen said head warmer wisely ?
I may need to take tomorrow at leisure in order to consider it !
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 5, 2009 @ 10:05 am
Rod,
At last some sense! Our own rule of thumb on millinery is the more ridiculous the better and it has never failed us
in fact we go from strength to strength in that department. It would of course be foolhardy of you to go ahead with only our recommendations, so with your dignity in mind we asked the rest of the Coven and they all agreed the Russian military number is perfect….. as indeed would be the fuschia pink fleecy balaclava we spotted the other day. Just remember handsome cannot be obscured by a mere hat, oh no, rather it would be the icing on the ruggedly attractive cake…. and that’s what we told Daniel Craig 
Get that hat Rod, and don’t forget to let the flaps down in a blizzard….. our own version is more of a Davy Crocket but not in the same league as the Russian alas
WoE
Rod said,
February 5, 2009 @ 11:02 am
WoE
I shall look into getting one, several in fact lest one gets blown away in a surprise North Easterly !
Pulling the flaps down and tying them up would be a step too far for me I’m afraid, I also cannot try to retrieve it in the event of a wind driven disaster …
“There’s nothing more ridiculous than a man chasing his hat,”
Best
Rodinski
Rod said,
February 5, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
Update:
I’ve just bought this very hat
A Ushanka Russian Military hat
For those wondering about the cranial size you’ll not be surprised to learn that not only do I usually sound swollen headed by I actually am - Extra Large size 61 !!
Awesome !
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 5, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Rod,
Failure to tie up the flaps may result in a Deputy Dawg ears flapping in the wind look….. never think we don’t have your best interests at heart
So then after a bit of research we’ve come up with:
The Sheik (dynamic but not water proof/ slight leaning towards the desert look possibly
)
The Fedora - classic and great drainage
The Australian Akubra - all weather protection and a hit with outback hikers
The Turban - much overlooked and easily manufactured from a long colourful sarong…. tricky to put on though without years of training and a manservant
The Wooly Bobble - timeless and quirky, ears well protected from frostbite in a light blizzard but combined with either the Sheik or the Turban, is more effective against the full force of an easterly deluge.
Culturally there are many others and we would be pleased to delve deeper into the subject should you require it.
WoE
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 5, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Rod,
Just noticed your purchase….. a splendid choice, well done.
WoE
Rod said,
February 5, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
WoE
Rest assured I’ll not look like Deputy Dawg - though I may smell like him
Flaps will be secure only on top of hat as per picture not around my chin !
Nostrovia
Comrade Rod
Little Brother said,
February 5, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Rod,
Oh dear…..
LB
Rod said,
February 5, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
LB
watch your step comrade - any more comments like that and you’ll be the first up against the wall come the revolution - I’m taking names !
Storm the Winter Palace !
Red Rod
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 5, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Rod,
The tactile quality of that hat will inevitably lead to ‘hands on’ female interest, you may as well gird yourself…. this could well turn out to be just what we’ve been looking for with a view to finding you a woman. To think the solution’s been staring us in the face all this time
We note you haven’t threatened us Witches with being pinned up against a wall…. too scared we dare say and rightly so
Shouldn’t be too hasty with LB either… he’s got a circle of stalwart women guardian angels who might object and is always armed with a skillet. In the event of skillet meeting new hat, skillet will undoubtedly come off better 
WoE
Rod said,
February 5, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
WoE
I’m sure the hat will be a hit with the ladies in general though I am expecting a few dissenters - initial local, albeit limited, response has, how shall we say, been less than favourable
I put this down to jealousy though rather than a lack stylistic finesse !
being pinned up against a wall
Nobody will be pinned up against a wall … they will be put up against the wall and shot !
For my bourgeois brother, who does nothing but serve luxury food to the nobility, the war will be over I’m afraid.
The revolution will be tough but fair
Long Live the Proletariat !
Rodinski
Little Brother said,
February 5, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Rod,
Shoot me now and get it over with!
LB (cough, wheeze, splutter, achoo!)
Jordan said,
February 6, 2009 @ 10:57 am
RC
What on earth?!…….
Jordan
Rod said,
February 6, 2009 @ 1:11 pm
Jordan
not you as well !
I’m getting some ‘heavy incoming’ over my hat, even though it’s yet to arrive
I’m sure I’ll win over the doubters once it arrives and i’m abroad in Lincolnshire sporting it !
It’s a good job my confidence isn’t easily dented
Nostrovia Comradess
Rod
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 6, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
Rod,
It’s beginning to worry us Witches that we actually like the hat…. what’s wrong with everyone?
Jordan,
There’s a white girlie version on the net which might sway you!
WoE
Annie Flinn said,
February 7, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Somehow I can’t get a picture out of my mind. There is Rod, bicycling through villages, ear flaps bouncing in the breeze, chick jeans clinging to his bum…Well, now you all can share in the picture.
Rod said,
February 7, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
Annie
once seen never forgotten - that’s me
I’m now relaxing downstairs blogging on my netbook wearing Bart Simpson pyjamas, 15 minutes ago I was blogging upstairs on my PC wearing the aforementioned fur hat which arrived today !
I’m personally convinced this represents perfectly normal behaviour
Cheers
Rod
Witches of Eastwick said,
February 8, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Rod,
Is the reason you were blogging in your new hat because you’re too tight to put the heating on?
Wear your hat with pride Rod, it takes a certain type of character to carry it off…… funny isn’t it that years ago everyone wore a hat, ridiculous or not and yet now even the most tame examples seem to provoke a reaction.
WoE