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[Krash1974]

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.

Hey thanks man! You know, if they made a dark green Fed IV I’d be all about that.
I don’t have a hat brush, but have been using Sam’s old baby brush. It’s soft and works pretty well.

 

[Krash1974]

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

Thankya sir!

 

[Krash1974]

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.

Woof. That’s a shame. I leave mine in the office while I’m working just so I won’t get anything on it or in it. We have some deep fryers and they will steam an aroma right into your clothes.

 

[Krash1974]

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

If you’re thinking of going through Hats Direct, before I ordered my Fed IV, I emailed them and told them my head size (57). They told me to order a 58 as it actually measured out to be a 57.5 and would shrink down to a 57. They were very helpful.

 

[gtdean48]

Woof. That’s a shame. I leave mine in the office while I’m working just so I won’t get anything on it or in it. We have some deep fryers and they will steam an aroma right into your clothes.

I've had good luck getting heavy pipe-smoker smells out of vintage lids with baby powder & crumpled newspaper closed in a trash bag for a few days...

 

[Tukwila]

Fresh air helps a lot, too, with smoker's odors, etc... and one of those ozone machines... I have a hat that was practically unworn but was kept in a smoker's home. It took months, but whenever it wasn't inside a large trash bag with newspaper and baking soda I had it outside in the shade soaking up all the fresh air it could handle.

 

[Zombie_61]

If you’re thinking of going through Hats Direct, before I ordered my Fed IV, I emailed them and told them my head size (57). They told me to order a 58 as it actually measured out to be a 57.5 and would shrink down to a 57. They were very helpful.

They've told me this before, and it makes no sense to me. If the people at Hats Direct know it's going to shrink down to a size 57, and the people at Akubra know it's going to shrink down to a 57, shouldn't they just label it as a 57?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

They've told me this before, and it makes no sense to me. If the people at Hats Direct know it's going to shrink down to a size 57, and the people at Akubra know it's going to shrink down to a 57, shouldn't they just label it as a 57?

There’s a lot of conflicting information on Akubra sizing. I’m in the group that has fits with getting the right fit and consistency one hat to another. I’ve found a few that have been perfect so it keeps me going.

 

[Zombie_61]

There’s a lot of conflicting information on Akubra sizing. I’m in the group that has fits with getting the right fit and consistency one hat to another. I’ve found a few that have been perfect so it keeps me going.

Considering all of the "horror" stories I've read here about hat sizing, I've come to the conclusion that I've been mostly lucky. I measured my head before buying my first real hat back in 2008, got a measurement of 60 cm, have ordered all of my hats based on that measurement, and they fit nicely. My three Campdrafts needed a little stretching after they shrunk, but that worked out fine. I started cutting my hair shorter a year ago so they're all a little looser now and I'm probably between sizes, but based on my experience I'd order the same size the next time I buy a hat.

 

[gtdean48]

Considering all of the "horror" stories I've read here about hat sizing, I've come to the conclusion that I've been mostly lucky. I measured my head before buying my first real hat back in 2008, got a measurement of 60 cm, have ordered all of my hats based on that measurement, and they fit nicely. My three Campdrafts needed a little stretching after they shrunk, but that worked out fine. I started cutting my hair shorter a year ago so they're all a little looser now and I'm probably between sizes, but based on my experience I'd order the same size the next time I buy a hat.

Same here Al. I've got 5 Campdrafts, a Fed4, 2 Bushman's (Bushmen?), Boss of the Plains, Dallas, Riverina & have had & sold countless others. Most all I've bought was 61. Same for Stetsons 7 5/8; 61. They all fit a little different but after some training, they get right.

 

[OldStrummer]

Following the "sizing horror stories" thread...

I just received my first new hat that I had the opportunity to specify "long oval blocking," and darned if the hat isn't too big (pictures later when I get home and have my camera...)! Did I make a mistake? The hat I bought from @Redfokker in 7 1/4 LO is a perfect fit!

Because I've learned I'm not an easy fit, I ordered 208" of hat spacer material, which also arrived today. So all is not lost. But I have another hat on order that is being blocked (which means no returns!) and I'd just like to get a hat that fits.

I'm staying in the cheaper range until I find out if I can reliably specify long oval blocking. I've got my eye on some beautiful $$$ hats, but no way I'm spending money on an ill-fitting hat.

 

[Mr. Nantus]

Fresh air helps a lot, too, with smoker's odors, etc... and one of those ozone machines... I have a hat that was practically unworn but was kept in a smoker's home. It took months, but whenever it wasn't inside a large trash bag with newspaper and baking soda I had it outside in the shade soaking up all the fresh air it could handle.

Baking soda is wonderful for smells. You have a good system !

 

[belfastboy]

Following the "sizing horror stories" thread...

I just received my first new hat that I had the opportunity to specify "long oval blocking," and darned if the hat isn't too big (pictures later when I get home and have my camera...)! Did I make a mistake? The hat I bought from @Redfokker in 7 1/4 LO is a perfect fit!

Because I've learned I'm not an easy fit, I ordered 208" of hat spacer material, which also arrived today. So all is not lost. But I have another hat on order that is being blocked (which means no returns!) and I'd just like to get a hat that fits.

I'm staying in the cheaper range until I find out if I can reliably specify long oval blocking. I've got my eye on some beautiful $$$ hats, but no way I'm spending money on an ill-fitting hat.

Buying hats without trying them on first is always a crap shoot in my experience. That is one of the reasons I stopped buying vintage/used and now stick to custom hats from hatters that offer conformateur service, in person or via mail. That way I have my head size/shape on file and can order with confidence. I have ordered Akubras on line and have had better success with their sizing...I am a 59 and their 59's fit me well. I take that risk as they are so cheap and offer such great value for the $$. I have bought one Akubra in person and chose a 60 as it just seemed to feel better on my head.

 

[Krash1974]

They've told me this before, and it makes no sense to me. If the people at Hats Direct know it's going to shrink down to a size 57, and the people at Akubra know it's going to shrink down to a 57, shouldn't they just label it as a 57?

Lol, I’ve thought the same thing. Very strange.
What I thought was crazy - and awesome customer service - was that I told them my size but I had to wait a few days until payday to order. They said that they had a couple of 58s in stock and that they would pick out the one they thought would shrink to my size (I’m a dead on 57) and hold it for me! And they didn’t know me from Adam. I’m gonna follow the same process each time I order from them. Hopefully, my Federation Fleet (Star Trek) will include a Tawny Fawn and a Charcoal.
I think I’ll number my brown one 1701!

 

[Fivesense]

Goodness. Now I'm confused. I might have to order one of each from David Morgan to see which size I need.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Has anyone had a hat made using Winchester’s forest green felt? Gannon offers the color but he has never made a hat using it or even seen it in person. Dark moss hats are common, but the forest green intrigues me. I’d love to see photos if anyone has them to share. Thanks.

 

[Zombie_61]

...What I thought was crazy - and awesome customer service - was that I told them my size but I had to wait a few days until payday to order. They said that they had a couple of 58s in stock and that they would pick out the one they thought would shrink to my size (I’m a dead on 57) and hold it for me! And they didn’t know me from Adam. I’m gonna follow the same process each time I order from them. Hopefully, my Federation Fleet (Star Trek) will include a Tawny Fawn and a Charcoal.
I think I’ll number my brown one 1701!

That's the kind of service I've received from both Hats Direct and Everything Australian. Yes, part of their job is to make that sale, but they seem to be willing to accommodate any reasonable request. That, or they're bored and picking through hats gives them something to do.

As for "the fleet" (jeez, I've been watching Star Trek since it premiered in 1966 and I never made that connection) if I were to order another Fed IV it would be the Carbon Grey. Aside from liking the color, two of my suits are dark "charcoal" grey in color so on those extremely rare occasions when I wear one of 'em I think it would be a nice match. Currently my Tawny Fawn gets the most head time just because I like the color so much, but my Dark Brown has been catching up since I re-creased it last year.

Goodness. Now I'm confused. I might have to order one of each from David Morgan to see which size I need.

Before you do that, I'd contact someone at David Morgan to find out what they would recommend. If all else fails, the prevalent wisdom is to go up a size and add padding behind the sweatband if you need to.

 

[Krash1974]

That's the kind of service I've received from both Hats Direct and Everything Australian. Yes, part of their job is to make that sale, but they seem to be willing to accommodate any reasonable request. That, or they're bored and picking through hats gives them something to do.

As for "the fleet" (jeez, I've been watching Star Trek since it premiered in 1966 and I never made that connection) if I were to order another Fed IV it would be the Carbon Grey. Aside from liking the color, two of my suits are dark "charcoal" grey in color so on those extremely rare occasions when I wear one of 'em I think it would be a nice match. Currently my Tawny Fawn gets the most head time just because I like the color so much, but my Dark Brown has been catching up since I re-creased it last year.

Before you do that, I'd contact someone at David Morgan to find out what they would recommend. If all else fails, the prevalent wisdom is to go up a size and add padding behind the sweatband if you need to.

Unfortunately, I bet they have a lot of down time - unless Australia has a much higher percentage of hat wearers than the couple of guys a week that I see around here.
The Carbon grey definitely looks more dressy and I can’t wait to get one, but summer’s coming and the Tawny Fawn looks like it would go great with my Hawaiian shirts on breezy summer nights. Christie seems to think so, too.
Last night inside the sweatband went my initials and, ‘1701’.

 

[Zombie_61]

...The Carbon grey definitely looks more dressy and I can’t wait to get one, but summer’s coming and the Tawny Fawn looks like it would go great with my Hawaiian shirts on breezy summer nights. Christie seems to think so, too...

I've worn my Tawny Fawn Fed IV with Hawaiian/Aloha shirts before and, you're right, it does look casual enough for the two to "work" together. But if it's hot enough for a Hawaiian shirt it's hot enough for a straw hat, so my Sunbody now gets the job.

 

[OldStrummer]

Gird yourself for another "stupid" question.

To the old hands here, who know their way around blocking, steaming, stitching and what-have-you: I've been eyeing a Knox New York Vintage straw fedora in 7 1/4 LO on eBay. The seller is honest about the fabric band having some spots he's not tried to remove. The price isn't bad, and the page offers a bid. Should I? I have no clue as to cleaning a hatband. Maybe I can just replace it? What does that entail?