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I remember a video some dude put out where he discussed how he's pretty sure he discovered that those hats were just some other article of clothing rolled up which is why they're a little silly... I'd need to look for the video again. He'd made something, I forget what, and realized that it folded up into that hat exactly.

Hell yeah!

Watching historical series and the hats people used to wear makes me want one too. But then I remember all the tips fedora jokes.

I was literally just shopping for cloak sewing templates. If anything I’ll have a nice costume.

Perfect for my inner anarchist :)

Valid.

sun-reflecting cloaks?

I’ll wear both!

I don't think anybody worries about those things happening with long dresses, which are already plenty common and have similar risk.

Flashbacks to that chapter of The Watchmen where Dollar Bill tried to stop a bank robbery at a bank with revolving doors...

Do you remember Thunderhead?

Do you know about dresses ?

Thanks, I will

Yup. Would be something to get used to.

I'm no hobbit, but they seem impractical to me. Drafty in cold weather and sweaty in cool weather. I'll stick with modern breathable Gor-Tex!

I had one for a couple years, best winter 'coat' I've ever had! You probably shouldn't wear it with just a t-shirt underneath in the freezing snow, but with a sweater - you could wear that in the freezing rain for a while!

That sounds amazing!

The problem with a super cool item of clothing is you then have to make the rest of your outfit cool enough to match, or you look like a goof. Chunibyo territory.

It's doable but requires effort and wardrobe expansiveness.

Ooh, that's cool!

I kinda stole one of these from my wife; it's great.

They are not cool

I mean, not with that attitude.

I feel like a lot of peacoats, and even more so whatever you call those grandmotherly women's overshirts that drape and don't have buttons, are really close to this already.

Also, of course, traditional Arab clothing, like hijab. Light, really flowy, and complete with hood or a scarf that serves the same purpose. I know Muslim women who look way more comfortable than anyone else in the summer.

Or pants or shorts plus a windbreaker, or a poncho.

Tldr: I agree, they can be practical; they just also potentially make you look nerdy or edgelordy compared to existing and socially accepted similar options, depending on how well you coordinate the outfit and such.

It might be hard to make one equally practical to similar options as well, honestly. With a light jacket, you can take the jacket off easily and drape it over something, or tie it around your waist. But a light cloak might be more difficult to make while preserving the aesthetic you want, since it's more material all in one piece, and lighter material might flap around or tangle in the wind goofily instead of flaring dramatically? Maybe if you weighted it just at the end, and more toward the center than the edges? I wonder how costume departments do it for movies.

I think that’s basically how traditional bedouin clothing works?