Fur Felt Safari Hat
In 1985 the Fur Felt Safari Hat replaced the Bushman’s Hat. Priced at $56 it was no longer made by Akubra but was made in the USA. It was a regular item that defined the Safari look until Spring 1988. The hats appear a lot on the current market, a testament to their popularity, quality and long lasting value.
From the catalogue: “The point of owning a fur felt hat is to use it over a lifetime–as the years go by, it grows softer and softer, takes on more and more of your personality. After all, a well-worn hat becomes a part of you–as traveled, as idiosyncratic as you are. The trouble with most hats is that just about the time they’re really gaining character, they start to lose their strength–and consequently their shape. Fur felt will outlast wool felt–maybe even outlast you. At the very least, your fur felt hat will still be sitting rackishly on your head when your old favorite jeans have long since gone to denim heaven.”
Fur Felt Safari Hat (1985-1988)
The USA made safari hat was made by Beaver Brand hat company (1860-2012). See The Fedora Lounge, on the internet.
Hi! I recently bought a Bailey’s vintage hat. I was searching for some info about this hat, but there’s no information about the model and the brand. The only brand which has this mode is banana republic. The Bailey’s hat has “Tundra” as a model and also the “genuine fur felt” is exactly as the “Safari hat” from 1985. Help please
Bye
I just received my 2nd Banana Republic Safari hat, made by Beaver Brand hat Co. and noted a color difference, one is khaki tan, and the 2nd is dark khaki. In the catalog they are listed as khaki, khaki tan, and dark khaki. The Safari khaki tan is not as light as the Akubra made Bushmans hat in light tan.
I love mine. I wear it with the brim snapped though, as it looks better that way, at least to me. Made by Beaver Brand Hat Co., USA. Sadly, now out of business. Hard to find a hat of this quality now unless you go with a top-end Stetson such as a Temple. A true collector’s item. Most are now in a sad shape and need a lot of work to restore, but if you can find one that is in great shape and is your size, and at a reasonable price, get it quick.