Advice on which hat to wear with black tie please.

[avedwards]

Which hat should I wear with black tie? I know a homburg is the correct hat, but the only one I have is a cheap wool felt one with a plastic sweatband which is far too large and not comfortable. I do not intend in investing another hat, nor would I like to go hatless, since I do have other hats.

The two hats I would consider wearing are:

a Bailey wool felt fedora (black, unlined with a cotton sweat band)

a Stetson Chatham (medium grey with black band, fully lined, leather sweat band)

The Bailey would seem logical because it is black, but the Stetson looks and feels nicer and is more formal.

Any advice on which one is best?

Thanks

Alan

 

[Bird's One View]

Of those two, I'd wear the Stetson.

 

[nola89]

Go for the Stetson. Grey goes fine with black, otherwise your Stetson wouldn't have a black band.

The grey adds contrast as well.

 

[kiltie]

I had this thread going last week:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37135

 

[Cody Pendant]

Black on Black

Quoting myself from the above previous thread on the same topic:

May I suggest the following link, to an esteemed member of this forums web site, which is the most complete compilation of information known at this time on black tie:
http://www.blacktieguide.com/Vintage/Etiquette.htm
Please note that this is in the “Vintage Etiquette & Tradition” section, I suppose, as “hats” have become less than “de rigueur” in modern times..

Black for Black tie- homburg or fedora with my preference for the homburg.

 

[avedwards]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will then wear the Stetson. The Bailey is more my rain hat anyway, since I don't mind it getting wet and it has never let water through so far (and I have worn it in downpours).

 

[Mike in Seattle]

If you don't have anything that's totally appropriate, it's totally appropriate to not wear a hat with black tie.

 

[Marchesa Luisa]

Lots of black eyeliner.

 

[Hal]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will then wear the Stetson. The Bailey is more my rain hat anyway, since I don't mind it getting wet and it has never let water through so far (and I have worn it in downpours).

In these circumstances I'd only wear a hat when also wearing an overcoat (which, in this season, you might be wearing in any case). This agrees with Mike in Seattle's point.