The connection between Sherlock Holmes and the deerstalker hat is largely a product of popular culture and modern adaptations rather than the original stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the original stories, there is no mention of Sherlock Holmes wearing a deerstalker hat.
The deerstalker hat is a type of cap with flaps on either side that can be tied together on the top. It was traditionally worn by hunters in the countryside of the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland. The hat's design, with its distinctive flaps, makes it suitable for outdoor activities in cold and wet weather.
The association of Sherlock Holmes with the deerstalker hat is believed to have originated from the illustrations by Sidney Paget, who provided the artwork for the original Sherlock Holmes stories published in "The Strand Magazine" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In one of his illustrations for "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," Paget depicted Holmes wearing a deerstalker hat while investigating outdoors, and this image became iconic.
The deerstalker hat was further popularized by various film and television adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, especially in the portrayal of the detective as an outdoor investigator. Actors like Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett wore the deerstalker hat in their respective portrayals, solidifying the hat's association with the character.
While the deerstalker hat has become strongly linked to Sherlock Holmes in the public imagination, it is important to note that its use in the original stories is limited, and it was not a defining aspect of Holmes' appearance. Nevertheless, the deerstalker hat has become an enduring symbol of Sherlock Holmes and is often featured in various depictions and references to the famous detective in popular culture.