The phrase “all you need is a sandwich and a hat” is likely a misremembering or variation of the more common quote from the children’s stories about Paddington Bear: “A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency” The meaning is not a known or standard English idiom, but rather a reference to the character’s preparedness and simple wisdom. ##### The origin in Paddington Bear In the beloved stories by Michael Bond, the bear from darkest Peru is always prepared. He stores a marmalade sandwich under his hat, saving it for a moment of need. This detail illustrates Paddington’s kindness, resourcefulness, and readiness for a mishap. ##### Meaning in context If you hear someone say “all you need is a sandwich and a hat,” they are most likely referencing the Paddington quote to suggest: * Being prepared for any situation. * Having a simple plan to fix a problem. * The importance of small comforts during a tough time. ##### Misinterpretation of other phrases The phrase may also be mistakenly associated with other idioms: * “All that and a bag of chips”: This idiom, which describes someone or something as “complete” or “deluxe,” has an American origin and is unrelated to hats or sandwiches. * Idioms about being confused: The phrase is not related to idioms that use hats to mean “confused,” such as “put on your thinking cap”.