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Boater faction!

Steve1857

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,830
Location
Denmark
Here are some better pictures of the Stevenson boater I recently acquired. It is labeled a size 7 but I thought it was more a 7 1/8 to 1/4 based on the pictures from the seller. Anyway, it's in fantastic shape. It does fit my head but a little snug. It fits like a snug 7 1/8. I'm still trying to determine age. I'm thinking 20s/30s?
Brim 2 3/8"
Ribbon 2 1/4"
Crown 3 1/2"

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That is a beauty, Bill. Nice catch. Hard to narrow down, but anywhere between the 1910s to early 30s I'd say.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
 

GHT

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,775
Location
New Forest
Could anyone with a boater confirm that you should buy a smaller hat size than usual because boaters are meant to sit high on the head. It sounds rather odd to me and if I go for it, this will be my first straw boater, so I want to get it right. The website below shows the hat, if you read the write up you will see the point about buying a smaller size. Are they right?
https://gambleandgunn.com/product/gamble-gunn-straw-boater-stripe-grosgrain-ribbon/

"As boaters have a shallow crown, they are worn high on the head. Therefore, it is usual to select a boater hat size at least one size smaller than you would usually wear."
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Could anyone with a boater confirm that you should buy a smaller hat size than usual because boaters are meant to sit high on the head. It sounds rather odd to me and if I go for it, this will be my first straw boater, so I want to get it right. The website below shows the hat, if you read the write up you will see the point about buying a smaller size. Are they right?
https://gambleandgunn.com/product/gamble-gunn-straw-boater-stripe-grosgrain-ribbon/

"As boaters have a shallow crown, they are worn high on the head. Therefore, it is usual to select a boater hat size at least one size smaller than you would usually wear."


I don’t have a real vintage boater, but I have three Ponte Rialto boaters. They are, in my opinion, much nicer that the Scala and the Olney hats I’ve seen. I’m a 7 5/8 long oval and my 7 5/8 fits slightly on the large side, but not too much so. My other two are 7 1/2s and one fits perfect and one is decidedly on the small side. All three have the Bon Ton Ivy floating sweatbands.

All I can say is it depends. Not a lot of help. Sorry.
 

Perry Underwood

One of the Regulars
Messages
100
Location
Taiwan
The Gamble and Gunn boater looks very much--if not exactly--like the Olney boater, except for a different ribbon and liner and higher price.

Olney offers them at a considerable lower price. However, they are not accepting orders at this time.

https://olney-headwear.co.uk/product/sm6-straw-boater/

You might find them on eBay, but the ones I see now near the Olney price are a different weave. Search Olney straw boater and look for The Hat Company.

The Olney boaters have a rather thin brim--I believe two layers of straw compared to the three layers on my Stetson.

I'm not sure of your location, but if you are outside England, remember that British hat sizes are one size less than American hat sizes. For example, an American 7 1/4 in a British 7 1/8. I normally wear a 7 3/8 (American size) and purchased the Olney boater one size less (American 7 1/4, but British 7 1/8). It fit snug, but I am also a long oval. I succeeded in stretching it a little.
 

Perry Underwood

One of the Regulars
Messages
100
Location
Taiwan
Decided to add a few photos of the Olney weave, and the brim is two layers. It's an OK hat. I bought it because I live in a harsh hat environment and didn't want to wear my Stetson daily.

Boater 1.jpg

Boater 2.jpg
 

GHT

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,775
Location
New Forest
Thank you both for responding, I'm UK based and aware of the US/UK size variation, if I suspect any size ambiguity I will quote metric. It makes sense, thinking about it, to put this purchase on hold until I can actually try on a straw boater, just to see if I like the hat and to see if I really do need a smaller size. Buying on the internet, is like buying blind.
 

1961MJS

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,370
Location
Norman Oklahoma
Hi, I have a lot of hats, but I don't have a boater and probably never will. That being said, I saw one years ago at Levin's hat shop in Downtown StL. I tried a few on and they felt horrible. They're not a hat, they're more of a bowl with a shade around the outside. I wouldn't buy one unless you can try it on. I'm a 7 3/8 LO and I'm betting that none of the ones I tried on fit. They hurt my head.

Later
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Hi, I have a lot of hats, but I don't have a boater and probably never will. That being said, I saw one years ago at Levin's hat shop in Downtown StL. I tried a few on and they felt horrible. They're not a hat, they're more of a bowl with a shade around the outside. I wouldn't buy one unless you can try it on. I'm a 7 3/8 LO and I'm betting that none of the ones I tried on fit. They hurt my head.

Later


The Bon Ton Ivy sweatband is a sort of floating suspension system for hats and is common on boaters. My boaters with this type of sweatband are among my most comfortable hats on my 7 5/8 long oval head. This type of sweatband conforms to most any head shape with ease.
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,163
Location
North Texas
Hi, I have a lot of hats, but I don't have a boater and probably never will. That being said, I saw one years ago at Levin's hat shop in Downtown StL. I tried a few on and they felt horrible. They're not a hat, they're more of a bowl with a shade around the outside. I wouldn't buy one unless you can try it on. I'm a 7 3/8 LO and I'm betting that none of the ones I tried on fit. They hurt my head.

Later
The only one that hurt my head were 2 sizes too small.
 

David Conwill

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,854
Location
Bennington, VT 05201
34825133_10217459938395490_7509478651784593408_o.jpg


Re: Boater sizing. I kinda view mine as a dressier version of my pith helmet. The pith/sun helmet uses its internal suspension to stay up off the head to provide shade while also letting the air circulate around your scalp. Properly fitted, it sits high enough on the head to keep the crown up off your pate, but it shouldn't pinch or squeeze you.
 
Here we have a early 50's??? Knox Premier with a period pug. Originally sold at the "White House"!!!:eek::rolleyes:;) of San Francisco...... This is one of the hats that came to me with a few pugs. It also hat the original black ribbon and bow that were sewn together and had hooks installed so it could be used like a pug!!! This pug is a woven pattern. It fits great!!! The brim is a little wonky and I could easily correct it, BUT, "I like it like that", as the song goes....:)

IMG_20200427_121640.jpg
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Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
Great look overall. Love that suit, is it linen or seersucker? This is the total package sir!

Here we have a early 50's??? Knox Premier with a period pug. Originally sold at the "White House"!!!:eek::rolleyes:;) of San Francisco...... This is one of the hats that came to me with a few pugs. It also hat the original black ribbon and bow that were sewn together and had hooks installed so it could be used like a pug!!! This pug is a woven pattern. It fits great!!! The brim is a little wonky and I could easily correct it, BUT, "I like it like that", as the song goes....:)

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This is really cool Mark. I have never seen a boater made for a Pug, they look really cool on this style. This one is aces!
 
Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
I too work my boater on Easter. Just put the outfit on long enough for pictures, and then watched Easter services online wearing my best Sunday-go-to-meeting sweats. This Pedigree made boater for a men's store in Washington, USA is probably pretty early, maybe pre WWII? Based on the store location and tags, but hard to tell. Just thought I would drop this off here...

Easter 2020 White DB and tipping Boater 600x.jpg
Easter 2020  tipping Boater smile 550x.jpg
Easter 2020 White DB Boater 550x.jpg
 

Dazzy G

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Manchester, United Kingdom
Hi there folks, my second ever post on this forum!

Awaiting the arrival of this Dunn & Co. boater that I picked up on ebay for £22.10 (approx $27.50) including shipping. Sadly there is some damage to the top edge, which I'm hoping I can strengthen/tidy up a little, and some discolouration on the ribbon, which I'm hoping I can clean, re-dye black, or replace, as I have made a few hat ribbons and bows in my time.
Or if I'm not able to rescue it, I figured it was a good price for a 'beater' hat, to test if I like the style on me. At least it looks rather pristine inside! The seller has listed it as 1970s but hard to know really.

Stay safe all!
Darren
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Topper

Vendor
Messages
301
Location
England
Could anyone with a boater confirm that you should buy a smaller hat size than usual because boaters are meant to sit high on the head. It sounds rather odd to me and if I go for it, this will be my first straw boater, so I want to get it right. The website below shows the hat, if you read the write up you will see the point about buying a smaller size. Are they right?
https://gambleandgunn.com/product/gamble-gunn-straw-boater-stripe-grosgrain-ribbon/

"As boaters have a shallow crown, they are worn high on the head. Therefore, it is usual to select a boater hat size at least one size smaller than you would usually wear."

Depends on the Boater crown depth, age, production run and also your head shape! .. But Typically Yes - I normally as a rule of thumb (or rule of head) sell boaters one size below standard hat size. The often need swiveling on head to fit better too.. hence why a lot are warn at a jaunty angle..
 

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