Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Men Wearing Cats On Their Heads


By

John Del Signore

Published Oct 20, 2011

Modified Oct 20, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

View all 7


By

John Del Signore

Published Oct 20, 2011

Modified Oct 20, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Cut us some slack, it's Friday. Oh no, it's Thursday? We are so screwed. Whatever: men with cats on their heads! What's up with that? This purrrfect accessory first came to our attention in 2008, when we published a hard-hitting exposé on New Yorkers who take their cats outside on leashes. Months later, Corey Kilgannon filed a story in the Times about Charlie Perito, who likes to parade around town with his cat, Nicholas, perched on his head. Now fast forward to October 20th, 2011, when Kilgannon discovers that Nicholas has surfaced atop a man's head in Google Street View!

Because of Google's facial obscuring technology, it's difficult to verify if that's Perito in the photo. But that sure looks like Nicholas, whom Perito was using as a prop to beg for change back when Kilgannon interviewed him. But he's not the only one who's been known to rock the cat-head look, as these photos demonstrate. Two's a trend! Is cat-head going mainstream or is it still alt? Would Karen O's rock opera have been more relevant if she wore cats onstage? If you wear your cat to CMJ does your cat also need a badge? Are you and your cat allowed in the bathroom together at Union Pool?

Tagged

cat

cat hat

cat head

cats

feline accessory

purrfect


John Del Signore

Twitter

Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers

There’s a lot to think about in the doll-verse.

By

Quinn Moreland

Published Sep 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET


Immanuel Wilkins is upholding NYC's jazz history. He's also dreaming up its future.

The saxophonist performs this week at the Village Vanguard.

By

Sonia Rao

Arts & Entertainment

Immanuel Wilkins is upholding NYC's jazz history. He's also dreaming up its future.

The saxophonist performs this week at the Village Vanguard.

By

Sonia Rao


Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.

By

Sonia Rao

There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.

By

Hannah Frishberg

A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .