Boater faction!

[Boodles]

Mr. ASG, your hat appears identical to one I have which is current production. I bought mine online from Miller Hats. I have several other boaters, some quite old, and I like them all. This newer one I wear with blue seersucker which has the nearly white stripe. This light colored boater seems to work well with that.

I'm happy to welcome another "Southern Gentleman" to this forum. Our ranks, sir, are dwindling.

"They claimed the hat was from the 1940s, but I can't independently confirm that assertion. Just out of curiosity, does anyone have an information about the age of this particular boater?"

ASG

 

[skyvue]

Mr. ASG, your hat appears identical to one I have which is current production. I bought mine online from Miller Hats. I have several other boaters, some quite old, and I like them all. This newer one I wear with blue seersucker which has the nearly white stripe. This light colored boater seems to work well with that.

A couple of questions, if you don't mind, Boodles: Do you know who makes those hats for Miller? And are the hats as white in color as they appear on the web site? I prefer a natural straw color.

And how does the quality compare to your other boaters?

Thanks.

 

[Al Niente]

Boater on maiden voyage. Love the hat.

 

[Boodles]

I don't mind at all...

All of these hats, with the Venice label, which I have seen are really leaning toward white, at least as white as the photo in question. I think, but cannot verify, that these are made in Venice. Someone on this forum said, some time ago, that this Italian Company may be the only source of new ones. However, I think that a London Company, Olney I think, markets a boater which looks a bit different but even that may just be the photos. The quality of these hats is not all that bad. The old ones are sometimes a bit thicker, in that there are more layers of material. I'm not all that hot on the light color. Another gripe is that the material looks as if it were pressed into boater shape which kinds of flattens out the texture of the weave. My old ones don't appear pressed like that. I like wearing it but am a bit happier wearing the old ones. If you are a larger hat size you are going to have a tougher time finding an old one. This may be a good choice for you.

A couple of questions, if you don't mind, Boodles: Do you know who makes those hats for Miller? And are the hats as white in color as they appear on the web site? I prefer a natural straw color.

And how does the quality compare to your other boaters?

Thanks.

 

[skyvue]

If you are a larger hat size you are going to have a tougher time finding an old one. This may be a good choice for you.

Yep, that's my challenge -- giant head.

 

[carldelo]

Both JJ and Bencraft have the modern boaters. With your LO melon, you should really be trying them on, as their shape is so uncompromising. I remember trying on boaters many moons ago, and none of them case close to fitting, even those a size or two too big. The alternative is a phony boater made from panama straw which is more forgiving of head shape. Mr. E Train made his look pretty good with a ribbon swap, and he also has a large noggin, don't know whether he's LO or not.

 

[skyvue]

Both JJ and Bencraft have the modern boaters. With your LO melon, you should really be trying them on, as their shape is so uncompromising.

You're right -- I tried one on at J.J. many moons ago, but I'll give it another try.

Anyone know offhand if JJ and Bencraft carry the same boaters?

 

[Boodles]

I cannot say for sure if both shops offer the same hat.

But is sure looks like that is the case. Both say made in Italy. Noble sponsor of the Fedora Lounge, Mr. Bencraft, appears to have a price advantage. As carldelo pointed out already these hats don't flex to fit so I'd check the exchange policy before you buy.

You're right -- I tried one on at J.J. many moons ago, but I'll give it another try.

Anyone know offhand if JJ and Bencraft carry the same boaters?

 

[Mr E Train]

Mr. E Train made his look pretty good with a ribbon swap, and he also has a large noggin, don't know whether he's LO or not.

I'm basically between a 7 5/8 and a 7 3/4 and a long oval, so I usually wear a 7 3/4. My Ponte Rialto Venice boater is a 7 5/8, though, and fits my head very well.

 

[Al Niente]

The modern Italian boater I have is made by Tesi.

 

[Mr E Train]

Yeah, it seems like all the Italian boaters are either made by Tesi or Ponte Rialto. They seem fairly identical. For all I know they might even be made in the same factory.

 

[Al Niente]

I really like wearing the boater. Hey, it's a nice warm and sunny time of year, and the boater makes me happy! I get lots of smiles. Seems to make other people happy, too. On occaision, I get the "Barbershop Quartet" comment. Can you sing barbershop? Thinking I can't ...or won't. But I break out into song...usually making up some irreverant ditty. Now, mind you, I do NOT sing well! The horrified look on their faces as I audition for the next "American Idol" spot is revenge enough. I never get a second comment.

 

[David Conwill]

I really like wearing the boater. Hey, it's a nice warm and sunny time of year, and the boater makes me happy! I get lots of smiles. Seems to make other people happy, too. On occaision, I get the "Barbershop Quartet" comment. Can you sing barbershop? Thinking I can't ...or won't. But I break out into song...usually making up some irreverant ditty. Now, mind you, I do NOT sing well! The horrified look on their faces as I audition for the next "American Idol" spot is revenge enough. I never get a second comment.

I played Mayor Shinn, but you’re making me wish I’d been cast as a school board member! ”Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose...”

-Dave

 

[bolthead]

My Skimmer.....

This Skimmer that was made in Switzerland. I need some help on this one fellas. You guys seem to amazingly find out so much about these hidden gems, so I need your help.

Here's the crest, I cant seem to make out what it says, the cursive lettering is very fancy and cant seem to make it out. I snapped some pics the best I could. Hopefully someone will be able to see it better than me.

Thanks for lookin' Fellas.

 

[mayserwegener]

Super find! I also can't make out the words under the lady which appears to be the hat company. Is there a paper label behind the sweatband or any info on the sweatband? There is French on the liner so I assume the maker is from the French part of Switzerland.

 

[bolthead]

Super find! I also can't make out the words under the lady which appears to be the hat company. Is there a paper label behind the sweatband or any info on the sweatband? There is French on the liner so I assume the maker is from the French part of Switzerland.

That could be, but there is nothing under the sweat what so ever. [huh]

 

[Bingles]

I can read everything EXCEPT the hat maker.

 

[Mr E Train]

I can make out "Fischer".

 

[Aureliano]

Here's the crest, I cant seem to make out what it says, the cursive lettering is very fancy and cant seem to make it out. I snapped some pics the best I could. Hopefully someone will be able to see it better than me.

[Thanks for lookin' Fellas.

I can read this:
Makers of the genuine "sunrise" (are those sun rays in yellow?)
Under the crest I read "swiss" and then "flexible"
and under the crest "straw hat"
Did I solve the mistery?

 

[mayserwegener]

I think the important words (probably the hat company) are under the woman. Mr. E Train might be right about the first word being Fischer but I can't make it out. There is also a word under it.