Patey Hats
Thinking of Buying a New Hat this Season? Buy a Patey Hat
Here in the UK we are constantly informed, updated and upgraded with new safety equipment. Therefore, it makes a refreshing change to hear of traditional British made, essential hunting gear such as the Patey Hunt Cap, that has gone through strategic safety analysis and been passed as suitable for its job.
The popular 'PY' cap
The Master of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) carried out a review of headgear, prompted by concerns from some Masters over the safety of traditional strapless hats worn by most hunt staff. The MFHA surveyed hunt staff, conducted safety tests on Patey hats, analysed accident records and consulted with insurance, legal and health and safety experts. The report concluded that hunt staff may continue to choose to wear a Patey hat if they wish or can opt for a kite marked modern crash hat.
There are further recommendations which the MFHA suggested.
MFHA Hat Recommendations
'Traditional' hats must be:
- Made by Patey and correctly fitted
- Checked by Patey at least every three seasons and after any fall
- Allowed to dry naturally for 36 hours before being worn again, so any huntsman hunting three or more days a week should be provided with a second hat
- Paid for by employers
- Staff should not be asked to sign a disclaimer
'Modern' hats must:
- Carry British Standards Institute Kitemark BSEN1384 PAS015
- or American Kitemark ASTMF1163
Taking head shape with the Conformature
This information should assist you to make an educated decision when you choose your head wear this season. Followers to hounds have been wearing Patey Hats for many generations. That is a huge amount of trust put into a product that not only looks stylish but is also fit for purpose. With a heritage going back two hundred years Patey Hats have collated a large amount of information on the shape of people’s heads. How? We tailor a hat to fit your head using a contraption called a “Conformature”. This machine is not an imaginary torture mechanism straight out of a horror movie, but a very old yet extremely accurate way of measuring every bump and lump of your head shape.
So, for many generations, Patey Hats have been fitting Top Hats, Bowlers and Hunt Caps in all shapes and sizes for followers of hounds Mr. Blair and his MPs’ hunting ban actually increased numbers of hunt followers and here at Patey Hats we know that: we have measured more heads and fitted more hats since ‘the Ban’. Hunting may have changed but we at Patey anticipate fitting hats for many more years to come and support the sport as much as ever.
Setting block to head shape
We often get asked how long it takes to make a Hunt Cap. “About three weeks, methodically made, using the skills of several craftsmen at our London base.” Our traditional method of making hats has not changed much for two hundred years; it takes time to make a bespoke, tailored hat.
We use a Goss body enabling us to shape a hat to your exact measurements. Goss is made by impregnating linen with coodle, a shellac based paste and then leaving it to cure for about five months. A wooden block is then made to the shape of the hat required. We have three styles and six colours. When you have a hat fitted we will be able to advise you on a shape and style to suit your face and head shape. The PY is the favourite amongst hunt followers. It has a traditional high crown, combines with a low back which is considered very elegant. Fortunately for you, the unique flexible nature of Goss enables us to fine tune a finished hat to fit your head.
Using the template developed from your “Conformature” fitting we set a “conform block” which is pushed into a hat. After steaming, the hat will take the shape of the template and once cooled can be finally fitted. We are often able to fit a hat in about an hour.
The Final Fitting
We do not sell our hats through any shops and when you buy a Patey Hat, you will be fitted by a professional. We pride ourselves on being able to find a style and colour that suits you; our hats have a higher crown than any other hat. This offers a distinctive style. You can visit us at our London workshops and see hats being made or alternatively you may find it easier to call into our Cirencester showroom, which spends much of its time during the summer months out on the road attending shows, events and country fairs. Visit our website to see when we are next in your area.
Patey Hats has been the choice of hunt followers for many generations; in these testing times Patey Hats is still the huntsman’s choice. A new Patey Hunt cap currently cost £400.
Patey Hats
Cirencester: Paul - Tel: 01285 841250London: Trevor - Tel: 020 7635 0030www.pateyhats.com