All hats are not equal…

Skhaleni from Isibaya rocking a mdobisi

EACH time I see someone wearing a mdobisi, the hat with a small brim, I’m reminded of Skhaleni on the Mzansi Magic soapie Isibaya. I see a guy so engrossed in kasi culture with gold chains, rings and a gold tooth being dominant aspects of their look. Then there’s the street lingo that few of us understand – words coined to mean certain things in a specific discourse community. Of course there’s a walk to it, slightly slanted to one side with a young bounce. I can almost hear one say “etada” in greeting as they bounce past. I’ve seen Skhaleni in a suit and a mdobisi before, the day he went to pay lobola for his longtime girlfriend, Pam. How the hat gets to be worn with everything from suits to T-shirts beats me! My go to guy is not allowed to wear this hat. Maybe I’m stereotypical but I just don’t like the hat’s vibe. Suddenly I hear lyrics to Cassper Nyovest’s song “Ghetto Ghetto” ringing at the back of my mind.

A Kingsville Royalty hoodie paired with a flat base cap

The flat base cap on the other hand seems more hip hop. It’s associated with what people call “niggers” which in American history has a deeper meaning but that’s a story for another day. You’ll see Cal_Vin, JayZee or Nicki Minaj wearing a flat base cap once in a while and never a mdobisi. The flat base cap is associated with a somewhat bourgeoisie class – those that behave like English is their first language and believe they were born on the right side of 6th Avenue, far from the “ghetto”.

 

Minister Mzembi with a fedora hat on.

Then there’s the fedora hat, my grandfather Khulu Dube has a collection of these. Back in the day, fedora hats were a symbol of refinedness, you were considered gentleman if you owned one of these. Of late, I’ve seen a lot of people wearing these, as an accessory to a smart casual or outright casual look. I’ve seen Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi wearing fedora hats on several occasions. They go quite well with his swag I must say. But I see you in one of these and I think you’re a lover of things. The hat has that kind of vibe to it.

Ngugi Vere in a snood

All of us can rock a woolen hat effortlessly! It’s one hat that won’t classify you – it’s just that, a woolen hat. But I on the other hand can only wear this when it’s extremely cold and have braids on my head. I think it looks more chic that way, having something flowing out of the hat. Now there’s the snood, something similar to the monkey hat which I thought made me look clumsy when I was in primary school. In retrospect, I actually looked quite cute in it.

 

Mrs Bucket in a picture hat

You’ve got to be Mrs. Bucket savvy to be able to rock a picture hat. This is the kind of hat women usually wear to weddings, high teas or any such fancy events. It’s such an elaborate hat which might have flowers, feathers and other motifs in it. I wouldn’t be able to wear one of those even if I tried! It’s a little over the top, for me at least. What makes a hat is the wearer’s personality and what they’re wearing it with. Hats have become more than functional accessories. They’re not just to protect you from the sun or to keep you warm.

They say quite a lot about your character and your sense of style. Make sure when you wear a hat, you do it well and send the right messages about yourself. If you’re going to go kasi, at least wear your mdobisi with a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and Converse All Stars. It seems right that way. With winter slowly creeping in, wearing a flat base cap with a hoodie is trending and I must say I love the look. The fedora is a tricky one to wear; I’d restrict it to casual wear to avoid any major mishaps.

You’ve got to be dressed to assassinate to wear a picture hat. Make sure you’re in killer heels and a smashing hot outfit and you’ll pull it off. Don’t pull out a two-piece suit and throw in a picture hat. Rather be a showstopper in a black number with your elaborate hat and killer heels. I’m just waiting for temperatures to drop further and I’m rocking a woolen hat with pizazz.