I'll second this advice - I have a gray Capricorn (the first one to be custom made in size 62!), and it is indeed a formal-looking straw. The color is dark graphite, a little darker than it looks on most websites. I use it almost exclusively during summer evenings, sometimes during the day if...
I'm not really a fan of man-jewelry, be it tie clips, cuff links, rings, etc. I agree that it's always good to strive for a fashionable yet sophisticated look - but it certainly can be achieved without a tie clip:
My hat size is 7-3/4, I bought the stretcher to expand a hat that was 7-5/8 and needed a boost. As shown at MWS, the 7-1/4 stretcher is for hats from size 7-1/4 to 8. As I recall, the largest stretcher was too big to fit in the hat. This is the 7-5/8 Christy's with the 7-1/4 stretcher loosely...
Manhattan Wardrobe Supply sells several hat stretchers nicer than the Hat-Jack:
https://www.wardrobesupplies.com/categories/crafts/millinery-supplies/stretchers-and-retainers
I compare one to the Hat-Jack below - it's expensive but sturdy and much wider, so covers the full width of the sweat band:
For the look in question, I recommend the current Stetson Whippet in caribou gray. It has a classic teardrop shape, medium brim with binding and is a great color. I get more compliments on this hat than any other. I think the gray ribbon and binding is much nicer than black, but that's a...
That's Bencraft (not Benchcraft). They have the Alessandria in 8 colors, including brown, dark brown and taupe. If anyone can hook you up with the right Borsalino, it's Bencraft.
http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=249&subcname=Borsalino
A replacement pug (pleated band with hooks on the ends, no bow) goes right on, no problem. I have blue, brown and black pugs bought from Bencraft that are a little stretchy and go right over the ribbon on this hat. It takes about 5 seconds to put on, they're about five bucks each, I think...
I bought a Stetson Pasadena at Bencraft the other day - it's a poly Milan straw, and is effectively a Milan Stratoliner with a narrow 2-1/8" brim and a 1" (or so) brown ribbon with patterned stitching. It looks somewhat 1930s to me, with the tall straight crown and the narrow-ish brim. I liked...
As one ingineer to another, congrats on the upcoming Oppy lid. Many don't realize that Oppenheimer started out as an engineer, and was subject to occasional condescension from physicists, especially Teller.
I've always thought that the Stetson Gun Club Dune would make a good Oppenheimer. It...
I've had a sage Chatham for many years. It is a go-to hat for me, as it goes with tan outerwear well, but also gray. In the daylight, it has a distinct green cast, like a muted olive green. In the evening it really just looks medium gray.
That's a good description. I have a Stetson Hampton and used to have a Stetson Brewster, both in Sovereign felt with silk finish (it looks like Royal Deluxe is the new Stetson designation for Sovereign). The Hampton is quite velvety, and feels more like vintage to me, fairly malleable. They are...
No one has mentioned Akubra polystraws - not sure if you want to go that route. Yes, they're plastic, but nicely vented and nearly indestructible. The Capricorn, Rink and Country Club have classic fedora dimensions. The Capricorn and Rink are exactly the same except for the available colors -...
^^^ if the felt is as bad as it sounds, it seems like you need to return it to Delmonico's as defective. They are a good vendor and should stand behind their product. I received a bogus Stetson from LL Bean a couple of years ago - it was just crap and they took it back with no problems. You...
I agree with fedoracentric re stretching - every hat I've stretched later went back to its original size. Even one done by a hatter.
Also, vintage hats often have shrunk over time, and one marked in your size may not fit. The sweat band circumference dimension is the best indicator of fit, but...
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