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[Krash1974]

I think I've found my new primary source for hats! I spoke with Ernest DelMonico who was very helpful and informative. He told me that Long Oval just isn't being made anymore, but that DelMonico does their own blocking, and to just specify that on the order form. I decided to give them a try, so I ordered an inexpensive Stetson Reward Shantung Fedora with the request to block it to 7-1/4 LO.

He also said that it's not necessary to shape a fabric hat or cap to the long oval size. Because caps and fabric hats are softer, and not fixed in their shape, they will naturally mold themselves to a long oval head. He also advised me (and I guess anyone wearing a LO) to stick with proper sizes (7-1/4, 58cm) and avoid the S, M, L, XL hats. Given the variances I've seen with the generic sizes, I think that's good advice (also knowing that variances can occur even among the 'proper' sizes).

And DelMonico has a great selection of hats! A feature I also noticed was the "trigger" notice when a hat is out of stock. The wording is, "NOTE: The product you have selected is currently out of stock. Adding it to basket will trigger a PRE-ORDER of this item.." with an estimated ship date. I have my eye on such, a Stetson Frederick Wool Felt Fedora in navy blue. When I receive my first hat, I'll judge whether I want to go ahead with the Frederick.

The Frederick is a fine looking hat!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I am looking to order a Stratoliner Premier and I just checked with one vendor and they said they were out of production because it's a "winter hat" and so they couldn't order them.

Does that mean if other vendors sell out they're pretty much gone until fall?

Maybe I should go ahead and order before they're gone... I don't need my arm twisted...ha ha ha

I don't own a Silverbelly hat and wanted to order one.

Check out http://www.one2miniranch.com
If they don’t have it they can order it for you and they have some of the best prices going.


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[Zombie_61]

Oh, that's too funny! No, I don't work in a greenhouse or a Canola farm. A restaurant. Just wanted to make sure my brown Fed doesn't end up with a green tint. New to nice hats, I am...

C'mon, man, green hats are cool! But seriously, I don't know what kind of pollen or other contaminants are blowing around the suburbs east of Los Angeles but I've had my Dark Brown Fed IV for nearly 10 years and it's just as dark brown as it ever was. As was already mentioned, a good brushing now and then should keep your hat looking good as new.

 

[glider]

Thanks for the report on Delmonico, always good to hear about a retailer that takes care of business.

 

[OldStrummer]

I'm at it again.

In early May I'm taking a 9-day vacation to Costa Rica. I've never been there before. Question: Should I wait and buy a hat while I'm there, or buy a nice summer-weight hat before?

 

[Bill Hughes]

I'm at it again.

In early May I'm taking a 9-day vacation to Costa Rica. I've never been there before. Question: Should I wait and buy a hat while I'm there, or buy a nice summer-weight hat before?

If you just want a cheap tourist hat wait until you get there. Of course you'll most likely be unhappy knowing you are wearing a cheap tourist hat. I would buy a decent hat to take. Don't break the bank as you may loose the hat. I took a relativity nice but inexpensive fedora to Alaska for two weeks last year. The whole time I was there I wished I had taken a nicer fedora. In May I'm heading back home to Virginia. I'll be taking a couple of my nicer hats. One straw and one light weight felt.

 

[OldStrummer]

If you just want a cheap tourist hat wait until you get there. Of course you'll most likely be unhappy knowing you are wearing a cheap tourist hat. I would buy a decent hat to take. Don't break the bank as you may loose the hat. I took a relativity nice but inexpensive fedora to Alaska for two weeks last year. The whole time I was there I wished I had taken a nicer fedora. In May I'm heading back home to Virginia. I'll be taking a couple of my nicer hats. One straw and one light weight felt.

I take it that by your answer there aren't quality hat makers in Costa Rica?

 

[Bill Hughes]

I take it that by your answer there aren't quality hat makers in Costa Rica?

Oh, I have no idea. That's a different train of thought completely. If you are thinking of buying a really nice hat from a good local hatter then that's what I would do. I would also take one with me to wear on the way there at least. And that way if the good local hatter does not have one you want in your size you are covered. If there is a really good hatter there I would plan on shipping a couple of fedoras back home.

 

[OldStrummer]

Oh, I have no idea. That's a different train of thought completely. If you are thinking of buying a really nice hat from a good local hatter then that's what I would do. I would also take one with me to wear on the way there at least. And that way if the good local hatter does not have one you want in your size you are covered. If there is a really good hatter there I would plan on shipping a couple of fedoras back home.

That was my thinking, but so far, my research hasn't revealed any hatters in Costa Rica of any note.

 

[TunedVWGti]

Check out http://www.one2miniranch.com
If they don’t have it they can order it for you and they have some of the best prices going.


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Thanks ! I ordered my Open Road and my Hemp Stratoliner from them and was happy with their service. That's who I will most likely order from if it's anything Stetson. I was checking with a local vendor in Lexington Ky bc I was hoping to try one on first to help me decide between the premier Strat and the silverbelly CD.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks ! I ordered my Open Road and my Hemp Stratoliner from them and was happy with their service. That's who I will most likely order from if it's anything Stetson. I was checking with a local vendor in Lexington Ky bc I was hoping to try one on first to help me decide between the premier Strat and the silverbelly CD.

I own both of those hats in Silverbelly. The Premier Stratoliner is my favorite, but I wear the Campdraft more due to its all-weather reputation. Both are nice hats.

 

[Fivesense]

For some reason I had never considered a strat in silverbelly, sounds pretty nice . It is about time for straw though , maybe a strat in hemp .

I'm looking at the Akubra Balmoral in hemp.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I would say a good daily brushing should be good. Maybe a little suck with a vacuum. I'm more concerned with the dusting on my black car than on a black hat.

What he said. Give it a brush once in a while and you should be golden.
Johnny

 

[Tukwila]

I personally wouldn't pay retail prices for a "paper" Shantung "straw" hat or a modern wool fedora. Paper is paper, even if it's machine woven in the shape of a hat, and sprayed with shellac. Woolies just lose their shape and don't hold up like a good fur felt fedora.

I just saw a Costa Rica hat shop posting their wares on Facebook yesterday. They called it a Panama hat, although it looked dyed or colored in some way and a nice blue bow attached...
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.n...W7pj9Vzc_42OqNFql3YC3Ez6dxrjjiCbNBFp0&fref=nf

Nix that.... he's from PR but the business is not there...

I see they sell Panama hats at open markets there, too. $20 - $25 should be about right for a basic "Panama," unless you see true quality..

 

[gtdean48]

I own both of those hats in Silverbelly. The Premier Stratoliner is my favorite, but I wear the Campdraft more due to its all-weather reputation. Both are nice hats.

Same here & they are 2 totally different shades of Silverbelly too....

 

[Hurricane Jack]

No, I don't work in a greenhouse or a Canola farm. A restaurant.

I bought two nice 1950's era fedoras from the estate of a long time Italian restaurateur. I can attest to the fact that over a long period of time hats can take on the smells & aromas of being in such an environment. Steam, a warm day, even being boxed up for a while would bring out the aroma of grease, garlic & parmesan cheese. I could never get the smells out & gave up on the hats.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Same here & they are 2 totally different shades of Silverbelly too....

For sure. The CD is more of a light sand color.


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[deadlyhandsome]

I'm looking at the Akubra Balmoral in hemp.

I like my Balmoral (after having to go up a size to get it to fit). It’s not a lightweight hat but then it’s not SunBody heavy either.


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[Fivesense]

I like my Balmoral (after having to go up a size to get it to fit). It’s not a lightweight hat but then it’s not SunBody heavy either.


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Is that standard across the board? I'm a 59- should I go 60?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Is that standard across the board? I'm a 59- should I go 60?

I’m not touching this. Hat fitting, and Akubra is particular, is box of cats. I have a Campdraft in 62 that fits perfectly and another in the same size that was too big. My fed IV in 61 and my Balmoral in 61 were both too small, but my 61 Stylemaster fit fine. Hat-Co Stetson size 61 (7 5/8) fit me well, except for one. I’m a long or extra long oval so I know that’s part of my problem. Others don’t have any sizing problems at all. There are volumes written on Akubra sizing.