Recycled Organic Beanie from Rapanui
Put a zero waste hat on your head to keep warm, but do no harm to the planet. Hats are good to stop a lot of heat waste from your head, and also can protect your from the sun. London cabs are tall inside, because they were designed for men with top hats, not to have to take them off.
When John Hetherington wore the first top hat in 1797, he was arrested for scaring people, ended up in court and had to pay a fine. The phrase ‘mad as a hatter’ comes from the time when toxic mercury was used to make the felt, and gave people nervous disorders and dementia. And the Panama hat is not made in Panama – it’s made in Ecuador.
NHS says to remove hats from babies (even if you have to wake them) when entering a warm room, car, bus or train. They also say to not let baby’s heads slip under the covers, as increased head heat can contribute to crib death. See site for tips on how to do this, and bedding to avoid.
- Rapanui Recycled Beanie (Isle of Wight) is soft and natural, made from recycled organic cotton. It has a chunky ribbed weave, shaped to flex your head. Pair with one of their circular snoods and thick organic cotton jumpers, and you’ll feed tucked in and ready for anything.
- Vida Natural’s Organic Bamboo Beanie Hat is made by a project in India, to Fair Trade guidelines in a safe working environment. In cream or black, bamboo is naturally porous, so absorbs moisture better than most materials. And dries out quickly, if you have a sweaty head.
- Support those who save the whales, by treating yourself to a Sea Shepherd organic cotton beanie.
- Tilley make good durable hemp hats, with a lifetime guarantee (you have to register the hat) These good good sun protection, a water-repellent finish and have front/back wind cords to secure in gusty conditions. These hats also have sweat bands, stay afloat in water and have a secret pocket.
- Many people wear hats made from wool, but vegan don’t wear wool because although sheep often need to be sheared, if done too early it can cause hypothermia (many sheep are also sent to slaughter, when wool production slows). If you wear wool, choose it from companies like The Vegetarian Wool Company (that never sends sheep to slaughter).
- Avoid fur. If you use it, choose quality faux fur from Fabulous Furs (these have the same R-value warmth).
- Frugi Explorer Hats are like fun colourful ‘Biggles hats’ for children, with flap down ears. Made from recycled plastic, they have Velcro fastenings and elasticated backs, so they don’t fall off and a soft peak that can be poppered, when not in used. Wash in a Guppyfriend (this collects plastic fibres from synthetic materials, to stop microplastics escaping the machine.
My Hat by Tony Mitton
Here’s my hat.
It holds my head,
the thoughts I’ve had
and the things I’ve read.
It keeps out the wind.
It keeps off the rain.
It hugs my hair
and warms my brain.
There’s me below it,
the sky above it.
It’s my lid.
And I love it.
