How to bash an Australian slouch hat

This video is designed to demonstrate an effective method of bashing the Australian Slouch hat. That is to say shaping the crown of the hat in order to wear with a uniform.
The series is designed to help and refresh anyone who is in the services or considering joining the Defence Forces or Cadets. The Australian Slouch hat is an iconic headdress which deserves respect and proper care in order to wear it in a professional manner.
The techniques and procedures demonstrated here can be used on any similar hat wear.
Once you have practiced the technique why not provide the best care for your new hat by purchasing an All-In-One Australian Slouch Hat Press and Carrier
More Specific Slouch Hat related content:

Check out my other military uniform and self-help videos below:
Please contribute or place questions in the comments section. I will reply to any questions.
Hope this helps you out.
Thanks for your time.
Ash from Ash Applications.

[davidmoore]

About 30 years ago, my boss brought his slouch hat into work to show me. He was in the Royal Corps of Signals in Burma during WW2 (British army’s) It was a beautiful hat with a locally made regimental puggaree, formation and cap badge. The interesting thing was that his had been bashed into what he called the “pork pie”. shape. He explained that different units (often unofficially) distinguished themselves by the crown shape, puggaree style and position of badges. He said that his hat style changed several times as he went from unit to unit.
This practice is also supported in photographic evidence, for example I have found pictures of our local regiment the 2nd Royal Norfolk’s, wearing different crown styles at different periods of the war.

[kevinlutz]

I got my first authentic Australian Slouch hat 2 weeks ago. Wanted one since I was a kid. Best looking hat ever!

[Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all,
Another couple of vids for all you Slouch Hat afficionados.
I use some slightly different techniques in the slouch refurbishment vid. The more detailed version of it will be published soon.
Thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated. Regards Ash.

[TryH]

Good vid mate, thanks for the tips, helped me just in time for Anzac Day 👍

[Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all, we have a range of Slouch Hat Press and Carriers to Protect Your Icon.
Regards
Ash

[MichaelKingsfordGray]

Your technique is good.
I used to bash slouch-hats in the Army, starting in 1969.

[danmorts]

Thanks for that! My new hat looked so awkward, the crown of the hat was huge. However... I was able to get a good bash from following your video, and I rather like the pinch at the ends too. Two thumbs up!

[andrewparrott]

I've only ever bashed my hat using my hands and a few clothes pegs. I know many years ago there were several wooden hat blocks being passed around to bash one's hat, just wondering if they've still survived and still in use as a cheats way of bashing very quickly. 🤔😖😝😝

[sharkfinbite]

Fun fact: You can find cultures' military all over the world to have used a slouch hat with one side bent up in one or few periods in its past. They been around for eons. Why? Well... you could say fashion but also it is a specialized niche reason. Sometimes people encounter situations where they want a wide brim but need the brim out of the way of possible obstruction. One good example is those musketeer age of war. They wore big brims to keep their weapons and ammo dry but kept one side out of the way so the hammer can strike properly without the brim getting in the way. You see it is done as a reaction to something. That is why it is bent. Bent slouch hats have a mix opinions too in the grand scheme of things. You can find places in the U.S. during the beginning of the Civil War and they had a standard issue side bent slouch hat too with very bad but was met with a lot of negative reception. It was described as meant to only look pretty and not meant to handle and suited to endure the rigors of war. It is why forager hats became popular with a lot of soldiers as their combat hat, and why we always see them shown wearing them. The reason why you see the hats looking like they were crushed forward was because it kind of was. Soldiers immediately crushed them in the front for reasons unexplained, but I think it is typical reaction of an American being given a, "European French based military cap, " design which I hear they were based on. They like to wear them stiff in the crown. Forager hats only decreasing in usage by men the further you head towards the western front where full brims were preferred. The irony is this hat was not initially intended as the designated combat hat. It was something else. I want to say something you wore on leisure duties, during chores, work, and heading out in town. It was preferred because it was compact, its brim didn't prove to be obstructive moneurvoring around branches, walls, or structures. It doesn't mean the U.S. tried a side bent hat once, and then stopped. You can find evidence of the concept still being used long before the war as uniforms and even later, like in the Spanish-American war. F.D.R. was seen wearing a bent sided hat, and also General Lee of the Civil War is said to have worn a slouch campaign hat. It may not have been bent to on one side but you get the idea. I think you can find more varieties of slouch hats being used during the war too It is very sporadic in world history with slouch hats and brims being turned up, and not everyone finds them that great. They look nice but it may not always be suited for you and people tend to flip back and forth between using them and then not in history.

[richard]

If the brim of my hat keeps like "popping up" and not staying flat how do I fix this?


I've ironed it, put books on it. Idk what to do

[Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all I am please to inform you my eBay store is now open.
Supporting your application to maintain immaculate appearance.
Products for sale include:
1. Ultimate Black Shoe Cleaning Kit: Perfect shoe care and polish for a very high Gloss shine!
2. The All-In-One Australian Slouch Hat Press and Carrier. Designed to store, press, protect and carry your Slouch Hat. Protect your Icon!
Thanks for your time.
Regards
Ash

[jaxsenmooney]

Hey Ash, great video like always and it definitely worked for me. However, after finishing the bash and letting it dry there is a clear line between the part of the slouch hat that was affected by water and part where the puggaree sits that haven’t been affected by water. Anyway to fix this? Thanks!

[anawesomeguy]

Hello, I am a air force cadet and i have a fur felt hat that is all floppy and i want it stiffened i have starch but i dont know how to apply it and what steps to do to make it stiff, I was told to spray starch on it and put a damp towel over it than iron over it but i just wanted to see if that was right, so i want a professional opinion on the matter before i ruin my hat.
If you would be able to give me advice that would be a life saver

[thomascruise]

I was taught bone and football for the shape and then was given freeish reign to bash my hat to my own personal liking. The CPL did say my hat was shit though.

[Viney]

Nice hat press & carriers mate!, I might grab a couple one day soon, I was 2/14 Light Horse Mounted Infantry, Armoured Cav. So I have 2 ridgie ridge issued emu plumes as well as our green and white unit colours.

[andrewknox]

I was issued my slouch hat when i joined the RAN. Ten years in and i think i wore it once..

[ncrranger]

I am curious are these from statesman or akubra?

[tarz]

Would this work for in a world war one style bash into it

[andrewparrott]

And I really don't believe ironing your brim to starch it, it really needs that natural curvature from the middle to the front and rear. Now it's a completely different thing to your grade one parade hat, that needs to be smik.

[tarz]

How come the original slouch hats didn't hat the sides pushed in