Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

HAT, Khaki Fur Felt - Slouch Hat

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Overview

The hat is made from high-quality khaki-colored fur felt, which gives it a sturdy and durable construction. It features a wide brim that slopes down on one side, giving it a characteristic slouched appearance. The brim is typically turned up on the right side
The crown of the hat is pinched at the front and back, creating a distinctive double-dented shape. This design element helps to differentiate it from other military hats and adds to its unique aesthetic. It also provides a small space for soldiers to affix their unit or regimental badges.
The Australian Army "rising sun" badge is affixed to the left hand turned up The hat is designed to provide protection from the harsh elements encountered in various operational environments. The wide brim offers shade from the sun, shielding the wearer's face and neck from direct sunlight. It also helps to repel rain, and the fur felt material provides some insulation during colder weather conditions.

Historical information

The slouch hat is an object strongly associated with Australian identity.The Army refers to the slouch hat by its official designation; Hat khaki fur felt (KFF) - to everyone else it is a ‘Slouch Hat’. The word ‘slouch’ refers to the sloping brim. The brim is made from rabbit-fur felt or wool felt and is always worn with a puggaree.
History has it that the origins of the Slouch Hat began with the Victorian Mounted Rifles although a hat of similar design had been worn in South Africa by the Cape Mounted Rifles for many years before 1885. The design of the Victorian Mounted Rifle hat originated from headgear of native police in Burma The Victorian Mounted Rifles hat was an ordinary bush felt hat turned up on the right side. The intention of turning up the right side of the hat was to ensure it would not be caught during the drill movement of “shoulder arms” from “order arms”.
By 1890, State military commandants had agreed that all Australian forces, except the artillery corps, should wear a looped-up hat of uniform pattern that was turned up on the right side in Victoria and Tasmania, and on the left side in all other States to allow for different drill movements. The Slouch Hat became standard issue headdress in 1903 and its brim position was mostly standardised. The slouch hat became a famous symbol of the Australian fighting man during World War One and continued to be worn throughout World War Two. Its use since that time has made it a national symbol. Today, Army members wear the slouch hat with the brim down to provide additional protection from the sun when not performing ceremonial duties.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-138

Contextual Information

The Australian Army Museum of WA has Hats khaki fur felt from all periods in its collection. They are displayed in context in the chronological galleries and where provenanced to individuals are identified as such.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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