Fedora
481671
226111201
2008-07-16T21:34:05Z
194.247.43.97
/* Logos/signage */
{{2otheruses||the Linux distribution|Fedora (operating system)}}
[[Image:Fedora line drawing.svg|thumb|A fedora that has been pinched at the front and being worn pushed back on the head, with the front of the brim bent down over the eyes.]]
The '''fedora''' is a soft [[felt]] [[hat]] that is creased lengthwise down the [[hat#Parts of a hat|crown]] and [[pinch]]ed in the front on both sides. Similar hats with a C-crown (with an indentation for the head in the top of the crown) are occasionally called fedoras. The term ''fedora'' was in use as early as 1891.
Beginning in the 20th century, the fedora came into use as an upper-class clothing accessory. Hats that resemble the soft felt version are often called fedoras even if they are made of [[straw]] or [[twill]].
Fedoras did not start to become widespread until the late 1910s. Its popularity soared and eventually it eclipsed the similar-looking [[Homburg_(hat)|Homburg]] by the 1930s.
== Background ==
The word ''fedora'' comes from the title of an 1882 play by [[Victorien Sardou]]. Princess Fédora, the heroine of the play, wore a hat similar to a fedora.
In the early part of the twentieth century, the fedora was popular in cities for its stylishness, ability to protect the wearer's head from the wind and weather, and the fact that it could be rolled up when not in use. The hat is sometimes associated with [[Prohibition]]-era gangsters and the detectives who sought to bring them to justice.
The popularity of the fedora has resulted in a large variety of styles being available. Fedoras can be found in nearly any color imaginable, but black, grey, and tan/brown are the most popular.
In [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood movies]] of the 1940s, characters often wore a fedora, particularly when playing private detectives, gangsters, or other "tough guy" roles. A [[trench coat]] was frequently part of the costume, a notable example being [[Humphrey Bogart]]'s character in ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]''. The fedora is widely recognized with the characters of [[The Blues Brothers]], [[Indiana Jones]], and [[Freddy Krueger]]. The fedora is closely associated with [[film noir]] characters. In the case of action/adventure films, such as old [[B movie|"B"-movies]], and the ''Indiana Jones'' series they inspired, the fedora served the practical purpose of hiding the face sufficiently to allow doubles to perform the more dangerous stunts seamlessly.
Like the [[bowler hat]], the fedora fell out of usage and popularity during the late 1950s–early 1960s; the hat began to lose favor even earlier on the West Coast, which is known for its more casual clothing. The early 1950s switch from large lapels and ties to thin ones, resulted in shorter-brimmed hats, and this likely played a role in the fedora eventually being deemed a non-essential item. Also playing a part was the shrinking automobiles of the mid-50s, which often made it difficult to wear a hat while driving. By the early 1970s, the fedora was seen as a dead fashion, typically only worn by older and/or more traditional men.
The demise of hat use by American men was quite abrupt. One hypothesis explaining the sudden shift places the date for the change as [[20 January]] [[1961]] when [[John F. Kennedy]] chose not to wear a hat to his inauguration. The speculation is that men decided if the President did not have to wear a hat, then they did not have to put up with the bother of doing so either. By reason of this myth, it is thought to be easy to date a picture that shows groups of American men as before or after 1961 by the proportion of hats worn. There is ample photographic and journalistic evidence of President Kennedy indeed wearing a top-hat to his inauguration ceremony, only removing it when he gave his speech.<ref>[http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/3333703.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=4DAA13B573E1BD2FA5B6AA8EE9955582A55A1E4F32AD3138 Kennedy and Eisenhower at Inauguration, 1961], [[Viewimages]]. Retrieved on [[January 4]] [[2008]].</ref>
Fedoras have staged something of a comeback as of the 2000s.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} This trend seems to be expanding particularly fast in the rock and indie communities, where artists such as [[Pete Doherty]] have been seen donning a [[trilby]] (a fedora variant) at concerts and live performances.
Since the early part of the 20th century, many [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] and other [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Jew]]s have worn black fedoras and continue to this day.
==Etiquette==
[[Image:Hatt.jpg|thumb|A fedora made by [[Borsalino]]]]
Traditionally, when a man [[wiktionary:doff|doffs]] this hat, he grasps a fedora by the crown (though it can and does do damage over time). If there is a strong wind it is acceptable to anchor a fedora using the "[[wind trolley]]" found on some fedoras. This elastic band can be taken off the crown and wound through the button hole of a suit lapel. Hats, including the fedora, are typically doffed indoors, except in public areas such as lobbies or elevators. If a man wearing a fedora enters into a conversation with a lady, custom dictates that he doff his hat.
== Variations ==
* In the [[United Kingdom]] a fedora is also called a '''[[trilby]]'''. They typically have a shorter brim and the back of the brim is distinctively more sharply upturned as a result.
* The [[Pork pie hat|Porkpie]] is also a variant on the fedora.
* In the [[Archie Comics]] series, the character [[Jughead Jones]] wears a type of modified fedora, once popular among children and teenagers. The brim was completely removed, triangles were cut into the bottom edge of the crown which was then flipped up to form a shallow cap, and pinned in place with his favorite pins. This style of hat was also favored by "Goober Pyle" (played by [[George Lindsay]]) in ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''.
==Logos/signage==
*The fictional character, [[Indiana Jones]] is known specifically by his iconic brown fedora. Co-creators Steven Spielberg and George Lucas wanted the character to have a distinctive silhouette. The hat also served the practical purpose of hiding the face on longer shots, enabling easier substitution of stunt men.
*The DC comic book character The Question wears a fedora hat.
*The [[Red Hat]] logo features a red fedora on its Shadow Man logo. In addition, the Red Hat community-oriented distribution of [[Linux]] is called [[Fedora (Linux distribution)|Fedora]].
*The newsreader [[Forté Agent]] uses a person wearing a fedora as logo and icon.
*[[Jimmy Jam]] and [[Terry Lewis]] uses a pair of walking legs under a fedora as their production company's logo ([[Flyte Tyme]]).
*[[ZootFly]] prominently features a yellow fedora on its logo.
*Black fedoras were worn by Joliet Jake Blues (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Akyroyd) along with other characters in the 1980 movie "''[[The Blues Brothers]]''"
*A black fedora is often worn by [[Synyster Gates]] of [[Avenged Sevenfold]], a metal band of the late 90's to present.
*The lead singer of [[Three Days Grace]], [[Adam Gontier]], often wears a fedora during their concerts.
*In [[L. Ron Hubbard]]'s fiction, the [[Marcab Confederacy]] had a custom of wearing fedoras. It has become a trend among [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] to wear fedoras at anti-Scientology protests.
*The famous TV and video game character [[Carmen Sandiego]]'s trademark costume includes a red fedora with a yellow band.
*Pop-star [[Michael Jackson]] is using a very varying set of fedoras during his live-shows. Most notable for the live performances of ''[[Billie Jean]]''.
*In Germany, [[Roger Cicero]] is famous for wearing fedoras. His fans often wear them to his concerts.
*[[Switchfoot]] frontman [[Jon Foreman]] has been known to sport fedoras both on stage and behind-the-scenes. It is becoming more popular among fans to wear fedoras to Switchfoot concerts.
*Nathan Kinney a big fan of [[Switchfoot]] has been seen wearing a fedora owned by [[Brock Warner]].
* [[Gym Class Heroes]] frontman [[Travis McCoy]] has been known to sport both on stage and behind the scenes.
*Singer [[David Archuleta]] was photographed wearing a fedora on the red carpet of the world premiere of [[WALL-E]] in [[Los Angeles]] on June 21, 2008.
*[[List of recurring Cheers characters#Harry the Hat|Harry "the Hat" Gittes]], a recurring character on ''Cheers'', was most recognised for his white and black fedora.
*[[Ben Croshaw]] of [[Zero Punctuation]] fame wears a black fedora, which he places on his Zero Punctuation persona.
* Singer/Songwriter [[Jason Mraz]] and [[Ne-Yo]] have been known to wear fedoras.
* [[Freddy Kruger]] of the horror movies [[Nightmare on Elm Street. (movie)]] is known for wearing a fedora.
* [[Sylvester Stallone]] in the movie [[Rocky Balboa]], wears a fedora.
* In the stage production of [[Andrew Lloyd-Webber]]'s '[[The Phantom of the Opera]]', the Phantom wear a Fedora in three scenes -The Journey to the Lair, The Phantom's Lament and Wandering Child.
==References==
<references />
==External links==
*[http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Clothes%20Articles/etiquette_for_hats_and_caps.htm Hat etiquette]
*[http://artofmanliness.com/2008/03/01/bringing-back-the-hat/ Article about the popularity of hats]
[[Category:Hats]]
[[Category:1940s fashion]]
[[Category:1960s fashion]]
[[Category:1990s fashion]]
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[[ru:Фетровая шляпа]]
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