boushi_mania
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 220
- Location
- Osaka, Japan
So, first things first: I'm a 24-year-old American living and working in Osaka, Japan, and have become an avid fan of classic style since I came to this country. (If only I were also well-heeled enough to shop at places like Brooks Brothers and Burberry for something other than socks.)
I'm also still (relatively) new here, my only contribution thus far being this thread in the Outerwear section regarding a vintage U.S. Navy peacoat that I'm currently getting fixed up. (I promise to post new images once it's done!) But while I'm here (and still unable to send private messages), I thought I'd ask the advice of the forum-members for a major undertaking.
So, I'm thinking of buying a hat. And not just any hat; a real fur-felt hat, not those sewn things only seen on the heads of old men and young women. My interest in felt hats was what brought me here, through some of the fantastic images posted by members, and while I have learned much, I could still benefit from the advice of others with more (i.e., any) experience.
I've tried on a number of hats at department stores and such around Osaka, but the ones that look good on me tend to be things like Borsalinos and well out of my price range. But, as luck would have it, one day I happened upon an in-store showing of a hatter who works out of Osaka. His name is Bunjirow Nishikawa, and he's the fourth generation of hatters behind the Nishikawa Hat Company, founded by his great-grandfather in the 1800s. They used to have a storefront in Kobe, but since the market for his trade is a fraction of what it used to be, he now makes everything to order from his Osaka workshop. He mainly does Panama hats, for which he has furnished a great many Japanese celebrities over the years, but he also has a line of felt hats.
He had a number of them on display that day, and of the ones I got to try on, I liked this one the best. The 58 cm size fit well without being tight, and the crown and brim seemed to complement my face nicely. At this point, if I were to choose, I'd probably I'd get this model in dark grey, with a 6 cm brim, and ask to have the ribbon at 4 cm width rather than 3.6. But before I decide to commit my hard-earned money, I'm planning to go to the showroom in person and have a poke around at things.
So, *deep breath* is there anything I should ask him in particular, look out for, etc.? How do you feel about my choice of hat? What about this one?
...Ack. Just feeling so overwhelmed at the possibilities. Can someone elucidate things for me a bit?
I'm also still (relatively) new here, my only contribution thus far being this thread in the Outerwear section regarding a vintage U.S. Navy peacoat that I'm currently getting fixed up. (I promise to post new images once it's done!) But while I'm here (and still unable to send private messages), I thought I'd ask the advice of the forum-members for a major undertaking.
So, I'm thinking of buying a hat. And not just any hat; a real fur-felt hat, not those sewn things only seen on the heads of old men and young women. My interest in felt hats was what brought me here, through some of the fantastic images posted by members, and while I have learned much, I could still benefit from the advice of others with more (i.e., any) experience.
I've tried on a number of hats at department stores and such around Osaka, but the ones that look good on me tend to be things like Borsalinos and well out of my price range. But, as luck would have it, one day I happened upon an in-store showing of a hatter who works out of Osaka. His name is Bunjirow Nishikawa, and he's the fourth generation of hatters behind the Nishikawa Hat Company, founded by his great-grandfather in the 1800s. They used to have a storefront in Kobe, but since the market for his trade is a fraction of what it used to be, he now makes everything to order from his Osaka workshop. He mainly does Panama hats, for which he has furnished a great many Japanese celebrities over the years, but he also has a line of felt hats.
He had a number of them on display that day, and of the ones I got to try on, I liked this one the best. The 58 cm size fit well without being tight, and the crown and brim seemed to complement my face nicely. At this point, if I were to choose, I'd probably I'd get this model in dark grey, with a 6 cm brim, and ask to have the ribbon at 4 cm width rather than 3.6. But before I decide to commit my hard-earned money, I'm planning to go to the showroom in person and have a poke around at things.
So, *deep breath* is there anything I should ask him in particular, look out for, etc.? How do you feel about my choice of hat? What about this one?
...Ack. Just feeling so overwhelmed at the possibilities. Can someone elucidate things for me a bit?