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[jlee562]

I've got a quick question (I hope). I want a 40's style fedora. The Stetson Whippet is just the style I'm looking for but I want dark gray. The Whippet only comes in light gray. Can you recommend a similar style fedora that I can get in dark gray? Thanks.

I assume you're referencing the modern Stetson Whippet only coming in grey? The Akubra Fed IV from hatsdirect.com is a 30's styled fedora which is similar to the modern whippet, but without the brim binding, and comes in carbon grey, which I would say is a dark grey.

 

[zetwal]

I've got a quick question (I hope). I want a 40's style fedora. The Stetson Whippet is just the style I'm looking for but I want dark gray. The Whippet only comes in light gray. Can you recommend a similar style fedora that I can get in dark gray? Thanks.

Have you considered custom or vintage?

 

[m0nk]

Hey, I want to get a first hat, and am looking for branding suggestions. I want a Fedora with a relatively short brim (probably around the stingy borderline, 2" or so) and for the sake of versatility will probably get something in a medium grey. I cannot afford to spend a lot on this, so I don't think I can do fur, probably wool for this "can I wear a hat consistently" experiment. I also don't know hats well enough to do online - I want to be able to put it on and look in a mirror before plunking down any money - so I guess I'm limited to new. What are some quality brands that I should look into? I know Stetson, and I know a shop in town that stocks Dobbs. I see some other brand names, but I have no idea which represent good value.

Thanks - I'm sure the wealth of knowledge around here will steer me straight.

-Mike

There are some issues with wool, which I'm sure you've read about by this time. They don't hold their shape as well and have a tendancy to shrink, however there are some nice wool hats to start you off. Stetson has one called the Pisa which is like the Saxon, but wool instead of fur. However if you want to go much less expensive than that one (I believe it's pushing $90-100) you can try the Crushable Wool hats by Jaxon over at the Village Hat Shop website. There is a c-crown fedora and a center-dent, with the latter looking more like the Stetson Saxon and Pisa hats. The brim width on these are a little wider, 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 respectively. You may find something on the site with a 2 inch brim, though, perhaps the Blues fedora....

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Before I'd buy a wool hat, I'd buy a Panama hat or a Sun Body (woven grass or something like that). Dobbs, Biltmore, and even Stetson make decent, inexpensive felt hats. Akubra's also have a great reputation. I have a wool hat that shrunk in the rain. It looks REALLY bad now.

Later

 

[mikeh]

Hi

I have a wool hat that shrunk in the rain. It looks REALLY bad now.

Later

Thanks to m0nk for his recommendations - I'll start checking into them. As for the wool warnings from both, here's a followup. Once a wool hat shrinks is it done shrinking? If I go to an antique or other resale shop and run across a vintage wool felt hat that fits, it would seem it did its shrinking years ago, right?

Mike

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Wool shrinks A LOT, think grown woman's sweater to a Barbie sweater. This hat was a wool What Price Glory (WPG) British Bush hat (WW2). It shrunk about a half inch in crown and quite a bit in brim. If you plan on going inexpensive as a starter hat, get a Sun Body, or get a middle of the road styled Rabbit Felt hat, ask before you buy it. Akubra's are a good buy.

Later

 

[buler]

Would somebody please give me the link for the appropriate thread to post a 1950's stetson? thanks-

There is the "Stetson Surplus" catch-all thread.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?49250-Stetson-Surplus&highlight=stetson


B

 

[scottyrocks]

Thanks to m0nk for his recommendations - I'll start checking into them. As for the wool warnings from both, here's a followup. Once a wool hat shrinks is it done shrinking? If I go to an antique or other resale shop and run across a vintage wool felt hat that fits, it would seem it did its shrinking years ago, right?

Mike

Probably, but chances are the vintage wool stingy brim porkpie you're lookng at in the antique store was once a ten gallon cowboy hat.

 

[scooter]

Ok, I'm gonna take a chance here and open myself up to look a fool, but we all live and learn right. How is a sweatband attached to a hat? I was under the impression that it is sewn in, but is it actually glued. Or is another piece glued in, then the actual sweat sewn to that. Seriously here folks, if glue is the answer, I may have a little crow to munch on.

 

[monbla256]

Ok, I'm gonna take a chance here and open myself up to look a fool, but we all live and learn right. How is a sweatband attached to a hat? I was under the impression that it is sewn in, but is it actually glued. Or is another piece glued in, then the actual sweat sewn to that. Seriously here folks, if glue is the answer, I may have a little crow to munch on.

On all good quality fur felt and straw hats it is sewn in. Can't say as to wool felt hats and less expensive straws.

 

[DJH]

Ok, I'm gonna take a chance here and open myself up to look a fool, but we all live and learn right. How is a sweatband attached to a hat? I was under the impression that it is sewn in, but is it actually glued. Or is another piece glued in, then the actual sweat sewn to that. Seriously here folks, if glue is the answer, I may have a little crow to munch on.

Scooter, you'll find a lot of sweatband related info in this thread.

 

[scooter]

Thanks, fellas, appreciate the help.

 

[bowlerman]

Are flat caps sized differently than fedoras?
I've come across two 7 3/8 flat caps recently-- one was too snug for comfort and the other fir just right, where I normally wear a 7 1/8.
I don't usually pay any mind to these, but being right in front of me they pretty much forced themselves onto my head.

 

[job]

I'm afraid to try them on. I may like the way it looks and I don't want to go there.

 

[BR Gordon]

I'm afraid to try them on. I may like the way it looks and I don't want to go there.

I know what you mean. I have enough just keeping up with the fedoras that I want.

 

[paulrichard]

Thanks. Yeah, I mean the modern Stetson. I'm a newbie and don't know much about hats in general, much less history. I checked out the Fed IV and it comes without the tear drop crown. I'm not sure I want to try shaping a hat just yet. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

[alanfgag]

Are flat caps sized differently than fedoras?
I've come across two 7 3/8 flat caps recently-- one was too snug for comfort and the other fir just right, where I normally wear a 7 1/8.
I don't usually pay any mind to these, but being right in front of me they pretty much forced themselves onto my head.

I don't think so, but I've experienced the same. It may be that many of the hats are wool and have shrunk. It may also be the style of construction... the narrow head band (compared to the wide leather sweat on a fedora) might require a little more room for comfort. I tend to find the same thing with berets. Too tight and they make headlines... kinda like corduroy pillows.

 

[jlee562]

Thanks. Yeah, I mean the modern Stetson. I'm a newbie and don't know much about hats in general, much less history. I checked out the Fed IV and it comes without the tear drop crown. I'm not sure I want to try shaping a hat just yet. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Shaping a hat is really not that hard and there are plenty of guides here on TFL. The thing is, there's not a whole lot of modern hats which really capture the vintage vibe of a 40's hat. The best other option would be to look for a vintage hat on ebay. Otherwise all your new hat options have lower, tapered crowns.

 

[scottyrocks]

Thanks. Yeah, I mean the modern Stetson. I'm a newbie and don't know much about hats in general, much less history. I checked out the Fed IV and it comes without the tear drop crown. I'm not sure I want to try shaping a hat just yet. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Shaping a hat is one of things that is much easier than it sounds. Don't let it stop you from buying an open crowned hat such s a Fed IV if that is what you really want.

 

[randooch]

Is there still an active "Women In Hats" thread?