Quote:
Originally Posted by Brianna
that is one popish crown ya gots on there.
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"Popish"--haaa!
.
Brianna, the pope seems a bit miffed that Amber Benoit, Miss Sulphur 2007, has a taller mitre than him! Her gown is as shiny as his, yet is tastefully understated. On the other hand, her sash is over the top, whereas he must have one in there somewhere, but it's so well blended into his ensemble that it's hard to tell.
The wrong headwear can make the humblest man or woman look too, too special, not unlike megalomaniac rulers who use special hats to project authority. Big, fancy hats make eye-catching props for more-garden-variety showbiz attention mongers, too, from Carmen Miranda to the creepy Slash and that guy in Jamiroquai. Stupid Elton.
The already towering Abraham Lincoln (almost 6'4", when the average American man was 5'6") may have been humble in significant ways, so what's up with the stovepipe hat? In October 1862 Lincoln went to post-battle Antietam to meet with the arrogant, procrastinating, and insubordinate Gen. George McClellan (average at 5'6"), commander of the Army of the Potomac and formerly general in chief of all U.S. armies (footnote: McClellan, who privately wrote that he should be acclaimed dictator, was the fragmented Democratic Party's candidate for president 2 years later, losing to Lincoln). Lincoln had to make clear who was
commander in chief:
McClellan, sixth from left, and Lincoln at Antietam
In general, Lincoln wanted to be noticed, I suppose, but being readily recognized would also help him be more accessible to the people. The stovepipe hat furthermore had the practical function of being
a handy place to keep letters and other papers, like a briefcase.
Back to the Vatican: For an amazing selection of ecclesiastical headwear and robes, starting with the simplest nun's habit, progressing through higher ranks and gaudier vestments and mitres, and culminating in pure, dazzling ostentation, check out
this clip of the fashion parade in
Fellini's Roma (1972).
(Go see this film projected at a theater when possible.)