A cork hat is a type of headgear with corks strung from the brim, to ward off insects.
Believed by some to have been worn by jackaroos and swagmen in the blow-fly infested Australian outback, the cork hat has become part of the stereotypical, almost mythical, representation of the Australian ocker, particularly in the United Kingdom. The shape and material of cork hats vary, though typically they are shaped similar to a slouch hat.
Pieces of cork, stereotypically bottle corks, are hung on string from the brim of the hat. The low density of cork means a number of pieces may hang from a hat without significantly increasing its weight. Movement of the head causes the corks to swing, discouraging insects such as blow-flies from swarming around the wearer's head, or entering the nose or mouth of the wearer. Cork Hats are a common purchase as a souvenir for tourists in Australia.
Video Cork hat
See also
- Culture of Australia
Maps Cork hat
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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