Safari Hat

Out of the Bush

One of the most popular imports from Australia, the safari hat did not really start out in Australia but instead began life as a Korsehut from the Tyrolean region of Austria in the late 18th and early 19th century. Here the original hat was worn by multiple battalions of Austrian light troops that were formed in 1801 shortly after the wars of the French Revolution. This hat featured a turned up brim, a leather chinstrap and was worn with a feather sticking out of the band around the brim.

Others Who Wore Safari Hats in History

The Austrian army may have been the first to wear the slouch or safari hat, but there have been several other military units who have counted them as a part of their uniform in the last 200 years or so. The troops of the British Empire found them to be a perfect hat in the Boer wars when they ran out of the cork helmet that was standard issue. It was phased out until the Second World War saw widespread use in the Asian and Pacific Theater.

For the Australian Army the safari hat or bush hat became a standard part of their army uniform towards the end of the 19th century and to this day is still manufactured by one company, Akubra, just for them. This hat is and iconic symbol of Australia in much the same way as the cowboy hat is to America. While there are many different things by which a country can be known these hats say more about Australia than anything other than perhaps the kangaroo.

Oddly enough even the US military use safari hats as a standard part of their uniform today as part of their female drill instructors uniforms. In the 60s the troops in Viet Nam adopted the bush hat as a part of their unofficial uniform and many local tailors created them out of fatigues or old parachutes to sell to the troops. Today the US 1st Air Commando Group count the green slouch hat as part of their personal uniform.

Beyond the Military

The military are not the only ones to wear a safari hat as it is a very practical summer hat. This style of hat can be seen in many of the movies and television shows set in the African jungle as many of the "Great White Hunters" are seen wearing a white or tan bush hat with a leopard skin band around them. For a long time these hats were seen to be the consummate sun hat as unlike the Panama hat they had a much wider brim which helps to keep more of the sun off of the wearer's face and neck.

If you plan to spend a lot of time out in the summer sun, experts say that you should try to protect yourself as much as possible from the effects of the sun's UV rays. These rays can damage your skin and cause skin cancer, but what many people do not realize is that these rays can also damage your eyes and cause cataracts. One of best ways to combat this is to wear sunglasses and a good safari hat with the brim turned down.