Saturday 19 February 2011

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.

Sunday 13 February 2011

Bush hats - the ultimate all-weather hat


Australian cattle drovers have sworn by these hats for years and it’s no wonder. The wide shaped brim is ideal for shading your face from the blazing sun out in the bush. However, Australian bush hats are just as great for wearing in unpredictable British weather. This rabbit fur felt one, modelled by the lovely Stacey Solomon above in a publicity shot for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, might not be able to stand up to our tough wet weather but a quality leather one certainly can!

Wombat Leather bush hats are made from the highest grade cattle hide. We take great care in sourcing our leathers as good quality leather will make a world of difference in wetter climes. The patterns are then cut and sewn with precision by experienced craftsmen to create a product that we can be proud of. Unlike the cheap imitations that are often seen on sale at game and country fairs, we are confident that our genuine leather bush hats will not let you down.

As well as being sturdy and functional, Wombat hats are also a thing of beauty. This beauty derives not only from the smooth curve of the shaped brim but also in the surface of the leather itself. The unique grains and marks on the hide mean that each individual hat is different.

A Wombat Leather bush hat is the ideal hat for anyone who enjoys outdoor pursuits no matter the weather. Whether you are hunting, fishing, hiking or simply walking the dog, a Wombat Leather hat will keep you comfortable and protected from the wind, rain or sun.

Wednesday 9 February 2011

How to fit your leather bush hat


You might not think you need to be told how to put on a bush hat and which size is right for you. These are things you should know instinctively, right? However, after years of experience, Aussie cattle drovers have developed a certain knack, which ensures that the hat stays firmly on and suffers minimal wear and tear.

 
When trying on a leather bush hat, you may occasionally find that one size is too small but the next size up is too large. We recommend you take the smaller size. Leather is a natural material that will breathe and change shape over time. You might like to give it a head start by pulling it over your knee to stretch it. Soon your bush hat will mould to the shape of your head for ultimate comfort.

To put your hat on, smooth any hair away from your forehead and place the front of the hat on your head. The ribbon always goes at the back. Then, using the palm of your hand, push the hat down from the back of the crown. You can wear your hat with the brim level with your eyes or you can wear it pushed back in the typical laid-back Aussie style.

Take care not to pinch the front of your hat when putting it on your head. This will cause a sharp point which will be likely to wear. Tugging the brim to ensure the hat is on properly can also cause damage. By putting it on this way, your bush hat should stay firmly on your head, even on the windiest of days and you can maintain the iconic Australian shape of your hat and avoid any unnecessary wear and tear. When not being worn, we recommend that you rest the hat upside down on the crown or hang it from a peg.


Friday 4 February 2011

Canned Wombat

If only you could can everything that makes wombats so cute and loveable....Hang on a minute. You can!

NB: We don't advise trying this with real wombats.