Ask a question, get an answer

[george]

Grey is a nice neutral color that tends to go with a lot. I've had a lot of good luck with hats on Ebay. I've picked up two 60's Resistols for around $20 each. But if you're deadset on a new hat, Akubra is a great brand. Modern Stetsons are of decent quality, but vintage is better. Brim width and crown shape recommendations are hard without a picture of your face, but if you search around, there are several guides to matching hat styles to facial shapes floating around.

My family says I have a long and perhaps thin face but I don't know how truthful that is. For the record, this is my picture (though I don't have the facial hair anymore).
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...26539443458_1237560334_31602528_4372189_n.jpg

I've looked at some guides on the internet to match a hat to my face and they seem to recommend, in general, moderately wide, snapped brims (but not too wide or turned up), a fairly wide band, and to go with a crown that isn't too high, too full, or square. Tapering should be moderate.

On the other hand, if my face is more square than it is long and narrow, then they recommend a full, round, medium crown, a fully snapped or turned-up brim, and little to no tapering. I didn't find anything about a band for people with square faces in the guides I looked at.

 

[monbla256]

My family says I have a long and perhaps thin face but I don't know how truthful that is. For the record, this is my picture (though I don't have the facial hair anymore).
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...26539443458_1237560334_31602528_4372189_n.jpg

I've looked at some guides on the internet to match a hat to my face and they seem to recommend, in general, moderately wide, snapped brims (but not too wide or turned up), a fairly wide band, and to go with a crown that isn't too high, too full, or square. Tapering should be moderate.

On the other hand, if my face is more square than it is long and narrow, then they recommend a full, round, medium crown, a fully snapped or turned-up brim, and little to no tapering. I didn't find anything about a band for people with square faces in the guides I looked at.

Looking at your pic I'd have to agree with your family, you have a long an narrow face. I, on the other hand have a full, square face and here's a pic of it with an Akubra squatter which has a full 3" brim, a 5 3/8" tall straight crown ( open, not creased) for you to compare. I think this size and style of hat would work on you depending on the crease you put in it. Another thing to remember is your overall size, i.e. I'm right at 6'-0" and around 235#s a big square bear sort. This has to be taken into acount also. Spend some time looking at some of noggin pics folks post and you will see what works in real time so to speak.

 

[Mr K]

Hello,

I'm a newcommer at hats and as English is not my native language I encounter some vocabulary difficulties reading some threads : could someone explain what a "C-crown" is, and what "taper" or "tapered" mean ?

Thank you for your help

 

[zetwal]

Hello,

I'm a newcommer at hats and as English is not my native language I encounter some vocabulary difficulties reading some threads : could someone explain what a "C-crown" is, and what "taper" or "tapered" mean ?

C-crown, when you look down on the hat from above, the back portion of the crease on the crown of the hat forms what looks like the letter C.

Taper, refers to how straight (or not) the sides of the crown looks when viewed from the front. Some use the term when referring to how the hat looks when viewed from the sides as well.

I'm sure we can get some pics here to illustrate these notions. Meanwhile, welcome!

 

[Mr K]

Thank you for your answer

C-crown, when you look down on the hat from above, the back portion of the crease on the crown of the hat forms what looks like the letter C.

I tried "C-crown fedora" in Google/images but I don't really see a C on the crown or I misunderstood. A pic would be welcome

Taper, refers to how straight (or not) the sides of the crown looks when viewed from the front. Some use the term when referring to how the hat looks when viewed from the sides as well.

Understood, I was mixing up "taper" and "pinch"

Meanwhile, welcome!

Thank you !

 

[zetwal]

I tried "C-crown fedora" in Google/images but I don't really see a C on the crown or I misunderstood. A pic would be welcome

Have you looked in this thread?

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?9833

 

[Mr K]

I did not try "crease" as keyword when I searched... I found in the thread you indicate that a C-crown and a teardrop are 2 words for the same bash : now it's clear ! Thank you for your help.

 

[David Conwill]

What's a good, classic-styled, functional, desert hiking shoe?

I’m supposed to go hiking in the Utah desert in less than a month, and I’d like some good trail shoes without a high-tech look. I’ve been thinking about finding some crepe-soled, suede chukka boots and fitting them with flat laces and decent insoles, but I’m definitely open to suggestions.

This will not be heavy-duty hiking, just walking groomed trails, but I don’t want my knee and back to ache at the end of the day.

BTW, I will be wearing shorts - there’s no talking me out of it.

-Dave

 

[zetwal]

I did not try "crease" as keyword when I searched... I found in the thread you indicate that a C-crown and a teardrop are 2 words for the same bash : now it's clear ! Thank you for your help.

Good! I'm pleased that you found what you were looking for. Enjoy!

 

[Tomasso]

What's a good, classic-styled, functional, desert hiking shoe?

The Vasque Sundowner Classic is a great all-around mid-weight boot with classic styling. I would suggest wearing them a half dozen or so times before your hike as they require just a touch of break in time. IMO desert boots would be a disaster.

 

[gtdean48]

What's a good, classic-styled, functional, desert hiking shoe?

I’m supposed to go hiking in the Utah desert in less than a month, and I’d like some good trail shoes without a high-tech look. I’ve been thinking about finding some crepe-soled, suede chukka boots and fitting them with flat laces and decent insoles, but I’m definitely open to suggestions.

This will not be heavy-duty hiking, just walking groomed trails, but I don’t want my knee and back to ache at the end of the day.

BTW, I will be wearing shorts - there’s no talking me out of it.

-Dave

Probably best asked in another thread...one on Outwear instead of Hats...JMHO

 

[David Conwill]

Probably best asked in another thread...one on Outwear instead of Hats...JMHO

Done. Somehow I missed that this was a hat-specific thread. I apologize.

Tomasso, thanks for the recommendation.

-Dave

 

[chgolion]

Why are Porkpie hats made in black or brown ? Has anyone ever seen one in a dark/navy blue ?

 

[Lefty]

I've seen one in pretty much every color, and Art even offered a custom in cabernet.

Check out this thread.
Show-off-your-Porkpies

Pretty much any hat can be a pork pie.

 

[bluemoon]

Where to buy Akubra

Anyone got a good source for buying Akubra hats in the US. Seems that a lot of stores are charging a ton for shipping.

 

[Wolfwood]

You'll probably be paying even more in total when buying from the US. I seem to remember someone mentioning David Morgan as a possible US seller, though.

 

[Doctor Strange]

This question comes up about once a week... Alas, the EXCLUSIVE dealer in the U.S. is David Morgan:

http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=2_22&page=all

I think Morgan's prices are high, I don't care for the chin-strap holes, and his versions of some hats (like the Stockman with a plain cloth band) aren't as nice as the standard Aussie versions.

Of the Australian dealers, HatsDirect has the fastest service and most styles/colors in stock... but the highest shipping cost and not-great prices. Other dealers have more reasonable shipping, like Everything Australian. (And they haven't rasied their base prices: they still charge $90AU for hats that nearly all the other dealers raised to $100AU or $110AU over the last couple of years. The downside is, they only keep a few "city" hats in stock in a couple of standard colors - you'll have the dreaded 3-month factory wait for many styles/colors.)

 

[bluemoon]

Great. Thanks guys. I will check it out. I am willing to wait to get the hat if I can save a few $$

 

[SgtRick]

This question comes up about once a week... Alas, the EXCLUSIVE dealer in the U.S. is David Morgan:

http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=2_22&page=all

I think Morgan's prices are high, I don't care for the chin-strap holes, and his versions of some hats (like the Stockman with a plain cloth band) aren't as nice as the standard Aussie versions.

One way to get around the chin strap holes is to have a little wider ribbon put on. I currently have 5 Akubras.

 

[monbla256]

As you've probably found out by now, prices, availability, and models vary based on WHO you buy from, and WHERE you buy from, and WHEN you buy from. I have bought and worn Akubra's since 1972 and have always bought from David Morgan up in Ballard, WA. ( Seattle area). They normally have my size in stock, and with their one price shipping to anywhere in the US of $9.00 I find that their prices are similar if not a bit less at this time since the OZ dollar is worth more than the US dollar.
There are some differences in some of the models they carry from the OZ versions so in this aspect you have to decide what YOU want. Also, many versions are not always available from ALL the OZ retailers and then you have to wait what seems to be a standard wait of 3 months for an off-the shelf, production hat. Not for me. DM can get my hat to me in Texas in 3/4 days from receipt of my order. The OZ retailers can't without going to expidited shipping at a greater cost.
And lastly, the foks in Australia have allready gotten their $s when they sell to the retailer (either here in the US or in OZ) so I like to keep the rest off my $s in the US with a US firm. JMHO
Bottom line is YOU have to decide WHAT hat you want, then decide WHO has the best deal for you and get it