Get ahead with a leather bush hat!

Summer is finally upon us and while you’re daintily sipping cream tea on the lawn (or hiking through the Cornish hills with a tent on your back) spare a thought for the top of your head. An often forgotten and neglected part of the anatomy when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun, it can be very easy to call an abrupt end to your holiday because of sunstroke or sunburn.

The top of your head is very delicate and your scalp very susceptible to sunburn since suncream is quite difficult to apply over your hair. Not only that, but too much time in the sun with an uncovered head can lead to sunstroke which causes headache, dehydration and sickness. Fortunately, there is an easy way to protect your head from the sun and what’s even better, it’s fashionable too! Here is your guide to buying a sun hat this summer.

Go Australian! Australian bush hats have been a real hit this spring, with trendsetters like the new Duchess of Cornwall showing them off, and now’s the time to make the most of one! Wombat hats are made from quality leather and are durable, versatile and uber-stylish.

Choose something with a wide brim that will protect your shoulders and neck from the sun as well. It’s very easy to neglect areas that your hair normally covers when applying suncream but a wide-brimmed hat will offer even better protection.

Match your hat to your head shape. It’s often said that hats suit some people more than others, but really it’s just a matter of getting the right style to suit your face. If you’ve got a high forehead, consider a wide-brimmed hat that comes to just above your eyes. If you’ve got a long, thin face with high cheekbones, a cap can be very flattering, whereas a rounder face will suit a smaller brimmed hat.

Whatever you do this summer, enjoy the good weather without hassle by getting ahead with a hat. Find Wombat hats and many more at Bobtails Trading Company.

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Caring for your leather bush hat

Hugh Jackmann and Nicole Kidman in the movie 'Australia'

Quality leather bush hats are a great all-weather hat. They will keep you comfortable come rain or shine and will stand up to any amount of abuse. However, here are a few tips to keep your leather bush hat looking as new as the day you bought it.

Take care how you put it on

Make sure you don’t squeeze the front of your hat when putting it on. This will push your hat out of shape, causing a sharp point in the leather and exposing it to damage. Tugging the brim to make sure your hat is secure will also change the distinct Aussie shaped style of the brim.

Take care how you store it

We recommend storing your hat on a peg or resting upside down on the crown to avoid it being pushed out of shape. Also, make sure that it is kept out of any direct sunlight. Just as overexposure to ultraviolet rays can be harmful to our skin, leather is also susceptible to damage. Extreme sunlight can cause the surface to become fragile and crack or the colour to fade. By all means, wear your hat in hot and sunny weather. That is after all what it was made for but do not leave it out on a sun lounger or on the dashboard of your car for example.

Keep your hat clean

Although your hat will have been treated, it may still stain if you are not careful and these stains can be quite difficult to remove. Try to keep your hat away from makeup food or any oil-based products. If you do accidentally spill something on your hat wipe it with a soft damp cloth. If a stain is particularly persistent you could try a leather cleanser. This is readily available from your local shoe shop or department store. After using a leather cleanser, we recommend replenishing your hat’s protective layer with an additional leather protector spray. This is also readily available from shoe shops and department stores. If your hat does become soaked through, leave it to dry naturally. If you use heat to dry it, the leather may shrink and the hat might not fit you anymore!

Repair any tears

Scratches are the most frequent kind of damage found on leather bush hats. You can cover them up with a leather dye if they are light. However, you might see these as a feature of the hat, adding a certain rustic worn-in edge. To repair any tears you will need a leather repair kit. These typically contain a liquid adhesive in several colours. Give your hat a through clean with a leather cleanser and allow it to dry. This is necessary because any dirt or oil on the surface may prevent the glue from sticking properly. Choose a glue in an appropriate colour and apply it to the area where the leather is torn. You may need someone to hold the leather taught while you apply the glue. When the glue has dried, take a piece of fine sandpaper and remove any excess glue. You will need to be very careful when doing this; otherwise you may scratch the leather. Clean the area again with a leather cleanser to ensure all excess glue has been removed then allow to dry.

For a selection of genuine leather bush hats by Barmah and Wombat Leather, please visit http://www.bobtailstradingcompany.co.uk/

Treat your dad to an Australian leather bush hat this Father's Day

Choosing the perfect present for dads can sometimes be really tricky. Whilst many men dream of receiving a sports car or a flashy widescreen TV, not all of us have such deep pockets and so end up giving our beloved fathers bog standard gifts like ties and socks that are often just shoved into a drawer and forgetten about. But if you want to give your dad something really special for Father’s Day this year, something that will he will actually enjoy and make good use of but that you can still afford, a leather bush hat is a great option.

Australian Leather bush hats are ideal for men who love the outdoors. Whether they enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening or simply walking the dog, a leather bush hat will keep them comfortable come rain or shine. Leather bush hats are designed for extreme conditions such as the South African bush or Australian outback but are just as effective in changeable climes such as in the UK. The wide brim keeps the sun off the wearer’s face as well as rain in a downpour.

Whatever your dad's personal style, we'll have something for him. At Bobtails Trading Company we stock a range of aussie leather bush hats by both Barmah and Wombat Leather in many different styles and leathers. Choose from cowboy or classic shaped brims and light and dark full grain and suede leathers.

To view our full ranges, visit us online at Bobtails Trading Company today or come and see us at one of our game fairs or steam rallies up and down the country. Details can be found on the events page of our website or on Twitter.

Kate and Pippa Middleton's aussie bush hats

In the months before the Royal Wedding the media spotlight shone brightly on bride-to-be Kate Middleton but since the big day, interest has shifted and a new star has emerged in the form of her younger sister, Pippa. With the jacket and bag she wore the day after the event selling like hot cakes women all over the world are clamouring to copy her glamorous but low-maintenance style. But whether you’re team Kate or team Pippa, a sure way of grabbing a slice of Middleton style is to wear a leather bush hat. Worn by both sisters on several occasions the leather bush hat is a casual must-have for any well-to-do young lady. Protecting you from all-weather conditions, the leather bush hat is ideal for attending hunts, horse trials, music festivals or simply going for a country walk.

Both sisters wear the classic flat-brimmed australian style but while Kate prefers a  dark brown full-grain leather, younger sister Pippa favours a lighter suede.

The Kate:

Foldaway broncho full grain bush hat by Barmah £45.99

The Pippa:

Foldaway squashy suede hat in hickory by Barmah £45.99

For our full range of hats, head on over to our website http://www.bobtailstradingcompany.co.uk/