What is it? A cult titfer from Canada.

Canada? Not normally a style capital. But Toronto art dealer Alex Tilley designed it to wear on his swanky yacht, and now it's de rigueur.

What's it look like? Flat top, wide brim with a bit of a snap to it,similar in style to an Aussie bush hat. Another model is more like a pork pie, featuring a higher crown and downward-curved brim.

What's special about it? It has two adjustable cords - one goes round the back of your head, the other under your chin. As a result, a force-9 gale can't shift it.

What's it made of? Closely-woven 10-oz cotton duck with brass ventilation grommets. Sewn, according to the label, with "Canadian pernicketiness".

Where would I use it? From the Sahara to Manchester on a rainy afternoon. Sailors have used them to bail boats.

And is it big over here? Arrived five years ago, sells about 20,000 a year.

Who's got it? They've been spotted on Mick Jagger and David Attenborough. Brian Blessed took his up Everest.

Much imitated? Yes. The nearest rival is the Ultimate, a bit cheaper, made in a Florida factory that once did Tilleys.

So it's pricy? "Reassuringly expensive" is the phrase they use. From £29.95 to £44.95. The most popular, T3, model is £39.95. But if the dog eats it or you lose it inside two years, you get another for half price.

Where can you buy them? Phone 0800 374353 for the nearest of 220 UK stockists - mostly small, independent outdoor shops. Colours are natural cotton, khaki, sage, olive green, navy.

Not to be confused with: Tilley lamps; Vesta Tilley; Till Eulenspiegel.