I need a summer hat. I love my usual leather hat. And I've been wearing it daily for almost 15 years now. But I kinda wanted something a little lighter weight for the Mojave Desert summer here.
Okay, well... maybe I don't need one. Maybe I just saw all the cool hats that people were wearing at Mule Days and kinda wanted one myself.
And, honestly, it would be nice to have a less sweaty hat for really hot days here in the desert.
So, I bought this plain straw hat at Mule Days and I'm making a hatband and other decoration for it.
I used a spare saddle string for the hatband and recycled a bear concho that I didn't end up using for my NCR Ranger cosplay to make the base hatband. I also added on a set of braided horsehair stampede strings for high wind days.
Then I ordered some silk California Poppy flower springs. And I've tucked them into the hatband behind the concho, along with a little leaf bit from them. And then stuck a turkey feather behind it. I haven't trimmed the stems yet on the flowers or tacked down the band, but will once I get everything finalized.
And I haven't glued it down yet, because... well... I'm not 100% sure yet... so... seeking opinions?
Bear in mind, I have absolutely no problem with ostentatious hats. I love them, in fact! So I'm not worried it's too much. But is it unbalanced? Is it awkward looking? I dunno.