Keeping a Cool Head with Tintin

From the scorching dunes of Khemed to the eternal snows of the Himalayas, via the tropics, the Scottish Highlands and the American plains, our intrepid reporter always keeps a cool head. More importantly, he adapts his headgear to every situation. Beret, keffiyeh, Stetson, sou'wester or mountaineering cap: in Tintin, every adventure comes with its own distinctive hat.

There's no mistaking him, it stands out as plainly as the nose on your face. Even before spotting his famous quiff, a quick glance at whatever he's wearing on his head is often enough to tell us where the adventure is taking us.

Back in the 1930s, no respectable gentleman would have ventured outside bareheaded. In The Broken Ear, Tintin sports a smart beret. A simple yet effective look... even if trouble soon comes crashing down on his head.

Keeping a cool head in the middle of the desert is no easy task. In Cigars of the Pharaoh, Tintin adopts the local customs by wearing a keffiyeh, held in place by an agal. He'll certainly need it! Between false friends, a supposedly endangered actress, ruthless bandits and a firing squad, there's every reason to lose one's head... though never to hang it.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. In America, do as the cowboys! Tintin takes the saying literally by donning a magnificent Stetson as soon as he arrives. A few wild rides, some spectacular tumbles and... hey presto! Off he goes chasing crooks, swinging his lasso above his head... only to end up tying himself up instead. There's still room for improvement!

Next stop: Asia. Dressed in Chinese clothing and wearing a traditional black cap, Tintin blends into the scenery in no time. More iconic than that? Simply impossible. He slips through the streets like an eel, ends up tied up once again (a rather unfortunate habit), before some hot-headed fellow decides his head would be better off separated from his shoulders. Phew! That was a close one.

Then it's off to Scotland, where the wind is strong enough to blow anyone's hat away. Our reporter dons a kilt and an authentic tam o'shanter, the traditional Scottish bonnet. He certainly looks the part... although tricks, deception and false leads once again give him plenty to get his head around while searching for the sinister Dr. Müller's hideout.

The open sea calls next. In The Shooting Star, Tintin slips into an oilskin and protects his head beneath a sou'wester, the famous waterproof sailor's hat. The perfect outfit for battling spray and storms alike. Captain Haddock, for once, certainly won't complain.

Even more unusual is Prisoners of the Sun, where Tintin is adorned with a spectacular Inca ceremonial headdress. It certainly draws more attention than any summer cap. Fortunately, he isn't the only one wearing such an impressive adornment! Unfortunately, it isn't for a celebration: our hero is about to be burned at the stake. Thankfully, he keeps a cool head, and a timely solar eclipse saves the day. Proof that having a good head on your shoulders is sometimes worth more than the finest hat.

In The Red Sea Sharks, the mood changes once again. Sporting what looks very much like a slouch hat, Tintin almost resembles a holidaymaker. Almost. A forced landing, slave traders and a frantic chase quickly bring him back down to earth. Clearly, holidays never go to his head.

Finally, it's off to the Himalayan peaks. In Tintin in Tibet, the thermometer couldn't be further from today's heatwave. This time, our reporter swaps his sun hat for a mountaineering cap with a visor. An essential piece of headgear for braving the cold, rescuing Chang and encountering a Yeti far kinder than legend would have us believe. Proof that sometimes you need to keep both your head warm... and your cool!