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Messages
19,981
Location
Funkytown, USA
Ok thanks. I got one. I love hats with brims but I can't seem to be confident wearing one. I wear skullys just fine. I live in NYC and I just feel like I'm always over doing it when I wear one. Any recommendations for how I should get comfortable to incorporate one into into my wardrobe?

Put it on and forget about what others think. You'll get use to it.
 
Messages
11,255
Location
vancouver, canada
Put it on and forget about what others think. You'll get use to it.
As in any change in habit it takes a bit of time for the change to 'take'. At first the hat will seem like this huge thing atop your head. But as Fruno suggests, the more you wear it, the more comfortable it will feel and eventually will just become part of your attire. Your thoughts on this are entirely normal and the follow the arc of many of us hat wearers. If it is something you want to do, just take a deep breath and start doing it. And remember above all else.....whatever you think others are thinking of you is invariably incorrect, as for the most part, they are NOT thinking about you at all.
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,231
Location
San Francisco, CA
Ok thanks. I got one. I love hats with brims but I can't seem to be confident wearing one. I wear skullys just fine. I live in NYC and I just feel like I'm always over doing it when I wear one. Any recommendations for how I should get comfortable to incorporate one into into my wardrobe?

A wide brimmed hat is surely not the weirdest fashion choice on any given day in NYC. I mean, unless you're this guy:


I walked all around Manhattan in a cowboy hat, and the thing that got noticed was the Star Trek patch on my jacket. You still have proper hat stores in NYC to boot. You'll be fine.

 
Messages
19,981
Location
Funkytown, USA
As in any change in habit it takes a bit of time for the change to 'take'. At first the hat will seem like this huge thing atop your head. But as Fruno suggests, the more you wear it, the more comfortable it will feel and eventually will just become part of your attire. Your thoughts on this are entirely normal and the follow the arc of many of us hat wearers. If it is something you want to do, just take a deep breath and start doing it. And remember above all else.....whatever you think others are thinking of you is invariably incorrect, as for the most part, they are NOT thinking about you at all.

When I first started wearing fedoras regularly, I was keenly aware of something on my head. Now I feel funny walking outside without my head covered.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,352
Location
Central Texas
Put it on and forget about what others think. You'll get use to it.

Yep. And don't be surprised when complete strangers start complimenting your hats!!!

20191106_091528.jpg
 

RickP

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,810
I KNOW someones got one.... If so what did you do to style an Amish style flat top furfelt hat. A while back I ran across a furfelt Amish hat that looked nice and fit well but it just didnt temp me enough to get it. This one was a pretty flat top although some Ive seen were basically an open crown. if you have restyled ( or left it the same), Id be interested in hearing the whats and whys you decided on
 

The Lost kansan

One of the Regulars
Messages
158
I KNOW someones got one.... If so what did you do to style an Amish style flat top furfelt hat. A while back I ran across a furfelt Amish hat that looked nice and fit well but it just didnt temp me enough to get it. This one was a pretty flat top although some Ive seen were basically an open crown. if you have restyled ( or left it the same), Id be interested in hearing the whats and whys you decided on
I don’t have one although that’s my heritage going back on my dads side of the family… grandfather (who left the Amish community) always wore Stetson fedoras and straw westerns so that’s what I’ve adopted myself. But I’ve definitely thought about getting a proper Amish just as a house decoration if nothing else
 

RickP

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,810
To my kid brain, they always reminded me of a Boss of the Plains to a degree. Most furfelt versions Ive seen have a nice ribbon binding on the brim and were fairly stiff. Ive always liked flat brims with open crowns so these have always looked interesting. I do think I like a rounded open crown better than a flat top ( Ive never been tempted by telescope crowns). Ive briefly played with open crown westerns with flat-ish brims, but sometimes the crown is just too tall and cartoonish on my head.
 

will.z01

New in Town
Messages
7
Guys, anyone know what are some brands that produce quality golden age style fedora, homburg, derby, or boater currently?
 
Messages
11,255
Location
vancouver, canada
I’m not a hat or cap guy, but I’m thinking about getting a D&H denim cap for ‘bad hair days’. They offer them in 5cm and 6.5cm brims. I’m thinking of going for the smaller one so it is easier to wear inside the car. Is that a mistake? Should I go bigger? Does the short brim look weird?

https://d-and-h-hm.com/products/d-and-h-light-denim-cap-with-neps-summer-denim-cap
Brim length on a baseball style cap is no issue inside a car. Get the one that appeals the most.
 
Messages
11,255
Location
vancouver, canada
Thanks for your reply!

Do you have any recommendations on places where I get a custom fedora?
What are you seeking? What is your budget? Shoot me a PM and I can tell you what I have to offer or send you in a direction that will get you what you seek. I am a hat maker and a hat collector. Check out my hats here in the Lounge....Wolfbrae Custom. Or Instagram: @gaultrobert wolfbrae custom.
 

Stu K 323

Familiar Face
Messages
79
Location
UK
Can anyone school me on the Australian brand "Statesman"? I've seen a few of these on eBay, both new and older, and tracked their website https://www.statesmanhats.com.au. They have a range of Aussie style hats (in both furfelt and wool), some of which look remarkable similar to Akubra models. Their Countryman is a dead ringer for a Cattleman, for example. Curious as I've seen some very good deals on the brand on eBay, as well as some that turn up at nice prices used. Worth looking into?

(The background to this is I have half an eye out for a Cattleman in a grey or a black. The UK supplier for Akubra is about the same price as ordering one from an Australian dealer one I pay hipping and import, but while the Cattleman is one of the small range of models they do, they only carry their Akubras in a very limited range of earthtones. I'm very much an Akubra fan - I have more of those than any brand currently in production, but I'm also open to something else if it's a significant saving presenting itself.)
I’d probably describe it a bit like Epiphone vs Gibson compared to Akubra (sorry if you don’t play guitar). Similar styles and overall look, but Akubra tends to have slightly thicker felt, more structure, and a higher level of finish overall. Is it $120 worth of additional quality? Only you can really judge that.

I’ve owned both and honestly the Statesman (a newer one from Outback Traders) was great for everyday wear. It had more of a “beater” hat vibe so I wasn’t as precious about when I wore it, whereas an Akubra sometimes feels like something you look after a bit more. From a distance they look very similar, so I think it’s probably more about long-term durability where Akubra pulls ahead.

So I’d say Statesman are a really solid alternative if you want a fur felt hat without spending Akubra money. I’m actually intending to get a Denis from there soon for a bit of a Billy Gibbons vibe.
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,231
Location
San Francisco, CA
I’d probably describe it a bit like Epiphone vs Gibson compared to Akubra (sorry if you don’t play guitar). Similar styles and overall look, but Akubra tends to have slightly thicker felt, more structure, and a higher level of finish overall. Is it $120 worth of additional quality? Only you can really judge that.

Thicker =/= better, density is more important. The thickness of modern felts is one of the reasons I abandoned chasing Akubras and other more modern hats.

If Akubras - which already have a lower level of finish than every other modern hat maker I can think of - are more finely finished than this brand, that's kind of a red flag for me personally.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
26,271
Location
London, UK
I’d probably describe it a bit like Epiphone vs Gibson compared to Akubra (sorry if you don’t play guitar). Similar styles and overall look, but Akubra tends to have slightly thicker felt, more structure, and a higher level of finish overall. Is it $120 worth of additional quality? Only you can really judge that.

I’ve owned both and honestly the Statesman (a newer one from Outback Traders) was great for everyday wear. It had more of a “beater” hat vibe so I wasn’t as precious about when I wore it, whereas an Akubra sometimes feels like something you look after a bit more. From a distance they look very similar, so I think it’s probably more about long-term durability where Akubra pulls ahead.

So I’d say Statesman are a really solid alternative if you want a fur felt hat without spending Akubra money. I’m actually intending to get a Denis from there soon for a bit of a Billy Gibbons vibe.

Ha, I am a guitar guy, so that allusion makes perfect sense, thanks!
 

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