I don’t usually promote fashion accessories in this space (there are plenty of couture sites to choose from). But because Italy’s Ferragosto public holiday begins today, and that’s where I started wearing fedoras and straws: Toglimi il cappello davanti al creatore (a tip my hat to the creators) of the “Travaux En Cours” hats for making my head feel comfy, cool and carefree.
Designed in France and woven in Italy, as the Christophe Pourny Studio says, these hats “are a great addition to any beach trip or weekend destination” … or just a walk around hot and steamy New York City. I love ’em.
The fabric is a woven paper, as durable as straw yet not as stiff. The teardrop top says fedora, and the range of colors offers a shade for every mood (or ensemble, if you’re a natty dresser). And it keeps the sun off the pate.
I bought my first hat, the “Cafe” model, before COVID, so I did not have much of an opportunity to wear it (other than indoors). Nor did the shutdown down give me an opportunity to return to the specialty store in upstate New York where I found the one I’ve been wearing for the past two summers.
Last spring, with the COVID hiatus now history, I returned to the shop to find the shelves bare. They had no intention of ordering any more Travaux En Cours. So I looked to the label. Lo and behold it said Christophe Pourny, which I immediately Googled.
I am not a hat fanatic. In the cold months I wear a woolen cap since a proper fedora makes me look too professorial. But come late spring, woven hats with medium brims are my thing. And just the concept of wearing such a stylish paper chapeaux is a veritable sensual experience.
Ultimately, I ordered the greenish model called Meadow. I was tempted to get Brick Red, but being too loud for my tastes, I’ll save that for another summer. Or maybe I’ll ease into it with Saffron or Terracotta. Whatever color is right, this collection of hats gets The Daily Heller Seal of Approval.
For more tales from my hatbox archive, click here and here and here and, of course, here.