Shaoxing Local Customs

  Wupeng boatman wearing the black felt...
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  • Wupeng boatman wearing the black felt hat
      Wupeng boatman wearing the black felt...
    by ellyse
 

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Not Really A Bowler
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ellyse 427 reviews
Wupeng boatman wearing the black felt hat

These hats are called wu1 zhan1 mao4 in Chinese, and used to be a signature unique to Shaoxing. Somewhat conical with a turned-up brim, these are warm and comfortable, and can be worn year-round except during the hot summer. They used to be popular with labourers, farmers and anyone who needed to be outdoors.
Nowadays, these warm hats find their most faithful following in the wupeng boatmen (now usually elderly, grizzled men) and other elderly male residents during colder weather. I suppose the younger generation finds them too passe for their taste.
A few years back, my American girl friend and I bought one of those hats and wore them around town just for laughs. We attracted a lot of curious stares as we were apparently the only female, non-elderly persons wearing it! :P
Nevertheless, these hats are a good keepsake to bring away from Shaoxing.

Written Jan 12, 2010

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 These hats are called wu1 zhan1 mao4 in Chinese, and used to be a signature unique to Shaoxing. Somewhat conical with a turned-up brim, these are warm and... 

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