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Akubra is an Australian company that has been making hats since 1874. The company is known for its slouch hat, which was worn by soldiers in World War I and II. The hats are made from rabbit fur felt and are popular among cattle farmers and Australians.
Akubra is the Australian Aboriginal word for head covering, or some simply translate the word as hat. The Akubra hat refers specifically to hats made by the well-known Australian company, Akubra, which has been making numerous styles of hats since 1874. However, the company’s current name was chosen a few years later, in 1912.
Many would call the Akubra hat the product of art and technology. The English immigrant to Australia, Benjamin Dunkerly, made the first hats. As with many of the styles made by the company now, the hats were made from rabbit fur felt, which has the top hairs removed. This procedure had always been done by hand, but Dunkerly developed a machine that removed the top layers of fur from rabbit pelts, greatly increasing the speed of production. The “hairless” rabbit that resulted was highly desirable to consumers.
Dunkerly soon had help when fellow English immigrant Stephen Keir joined him in 1902. The two families were brought together when Dunkerly’s daughter married Keir. In fact, today, the Akubra Company is still owned and operated by the Keir Family.
Although Akubra makes numerous styles of hats, some from traditional rabbit felt and others from materials such as straw, people may especially associate the Akubra hat with a certain style. This style is called the slouch hat, which has a wide brim. The brim can be folded down and attached to the crown of the hat on either side of the forehead, making it easier to carry a rifle. In World War I and World War II, slouch hats were worn because they provided excellent protection from the elements and offered the ability to carry a rifle with ease.
Slouchy hats are still very popular, but you won’t be short of options if you’re in the market for an Akubra hat today. Others feature shorter brims, different crown shapes, and anything from classic to modern hat styles. The hats are made for both men and women, and due to the durability and protective qualities of these hats, they are frequently worn by people who raise cattle in Australia. Of course, wearing an Akubra hat is also a point of pride for many Australians, as slouch hat styles especially are associated with Australian culture.
You will find many styles of the Akubra hat at many quality hat stores and on various internet sites. Prices range from slightly below to over $100 United States Dollars (USD). If you are ordering from the US, you may want to save a bit on shipping by ordering from a US store.
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