Detective style fedora

[moontheloon]

Yes, but I'm looking for that style of fedora, and a good one. For example, would a Stetson do the job?

The detective is just to give an idea, but it's what a typical American gentleman would have worn with a suit, that kind of Fedora.

it really comes down to what you want to spend

when you say "good one" ... what does a "good one" cost in your mind ?

you could spend $170 and get a Sydney which is a good hat

or you could spend $240 and get a Stetsonian ( director cue Bob to say "retail is for suckers") which is also a very good hat

... and on and on up from there

or you could go on eBay and look for something vintage to pop up in your size and spend around the same as the two above depending on the condition, size, era, and how many of us hawks are chasing it

but plenty hats like that pop up all the time if you are under 7 1/2 or 7 1/4

what is your size out of curiosity ?

 

[jlee562]

"good one" is all relative.

How much money are you willing to spend? Akubra makes "good" fedoras. Hatco makes "good" fedoras.

A vintage hat is most likely going to be of a higher quality. But there's legwork you have to do.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

For a first hat with a wide ribbon such as you show in the photo, I would look at Hats Direct for a Fed 4. If you are ready for a signifiant increase in quality and customization, look at any of the custom makers associated with the FL.

Not impressed by any of the other mass produced hat makers at the moment.

 

[Bob Roberts]

... so you're looking for a fedora ?...

ya don't say....



not sure what a detective has to do with any of this ... but probably any fur felt hat with a 2 1/2" brim and anywhere from 5 1/2 to 5 3/4" open crown with a 2" ribbon or so sounds like it would do the trick for you

any simple search of any hat shop on the planet would probably come up fruitful

everyone here will beg you to get an Akubra like they have stock in the company ... may not be a bad idea in reality though

Minority shareholders.

 

[Bob Roberts]

it really comes down to what you want to spend

when you say "good one" ... what does a "good one" cost in your mind ?

you could spend $170 and get a Sydney which is a good hat

or you could spend $240 and get a Stetsonian ( director cue Bob to say "retail is for suckers") which is also a very good hat

... and on and on up from there

or you could go on eBay and look for something vintage to pop up in your size and spend around the same as the two above depending on the condition, size, era, and how many of us hawks are chasing it

but plenty hats like that pop up all the time if you are under 7 1/2 or 7 1/4

what is your size out of curiosity ?

Okay. "Retail is for suckers..." Its a blatant generality and I've paid full retail from B&M stores for my NOS Canadian Biltmores and Akubras as well as a few others. They were hats I "had to have" and didn't want to wait or fool around on the secondary market. If you're value conscious and like decent quality, find an Akubra to your liking but if you enjoy the chase and wanna shop around and find true vintage quality at super prices (and maybe take a few newbie chances) go on the Bay.

 

[T Jones]

You can always have one custom made...and there's some excellent hatters who can make you one at around the same, or less, cost that you would pay for a Stetson or an Akubra. The one I'm wearing is a 40s'ish style hat that you would be looking for. Pure Beaver felt made by Mike Miller from The Northwest Hat Co. for $225. Compare that to the cost of a Stetsonian. His rabbit felt would be $150...

 

[tuco1963]

You can always have one custom made...and there's some excellent hatters who can make you one at around the same, or less, cost that you would pay for a Stetson or an Akubra. The one I'm wearing is a 40s'ish style hat that you would be looking for. Pure Beaver felt made by Mike Miller from The Northwest Hat Co. for $225. Compare that to the cost of a Stetsonian. His rabbit felt would be $150...

man that is one cool hat

 

[jlee562]

Northwest is a good option. Also, sometimes you get lucky on EBay.



That's a Borso Torino, which is smaller all around than Bogey's but gives a similar look.

 

[T Jones]

man that is one cool hat

Thanks Tuco, I appreciate that.

 

[TheDane]

or you could go on eBay and look for something vintage to pop up in your size and spend around the same as the two above depending on the condition, size, era, and how many of us hawks are chasing it

but plenty hats like that pop up all the time if you are under 7 1/2 or 7 1/4

what is your size out of curiosity ?

The eBay seller and fellow Lounger, Miamibruno comes to mind. He regularly sell thin and soft quality hats from that era. His sizes may not be OP's, though.

How about the Borsalino Alessandrias, you bought lately, Moon? With your casual bash it could mimic a (detective's) hat from that era. Maybe the brimwidth is more typical for the 40s, but it's the factory hat I can think of, that would do the job best.

If custom is the choise, I would go for a lightweight. Both Mike Moore @Buckaroo Hatters and Art Fawcett can supply lightweights - and if I remember correctly, so can Bob @Black Sheep Hat Works.

 

[Frunobulax]

Y'know, what shakes out of all of this for the OP, I think, is he has several very good options, and a good range of price as well. An Akubra Sydney/Fedora for around US$120.00, delivered. A bit more for a Fed IV (which is more like the photo ninman posted). You can start running up the price scale with a Stetsonian at ~US$200.00 (if you can catch a sale or get a discount), or $300.00 for a Borsalino.

A custom bunny fur hat can be had for US$150.00 - $175.00, and a custom beaver - well, the sky's the limit, there. If you're adventurous, and know some of the eBay ropes (and are patient and persistent), a good vintage in that style can be had for anywhere from US$50.00 - $$$$$$. Most of my best eBay finds have been in the $50-$100 range.

Bottom line is to look around. Check out some of the online hat shops - unless, of course, you have one in your area, then visit and sample the wares. Keep an eye on eBay for a while to see what's out there. Look at the What Hat Are You Wearing Today thread to get some ideas on brands and styles - from vintage to custom.

What we've illustrated here is that the hat world and hat market is pretty diverse, active, and alive. That's a good thing.

 

[moontheloon]

are you 7 1/4 ?

if so I did the legwork for you ... took me all of 11 seconds ... lying of course, was just cruising for myself and this piece reminded me of what you are looking for

right era
right proportions

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ste...043536?hash=item51e425f410:g:6gEAAOSwiYFXIU-z

 

[scottyrocks]

Doesn't Lounger Bending Oak make a hat he calls the Bogart? It is modeled after, well, you know . . .

Also, I have a Resistol in the proper dimensions that I bought from Miamibruno that doesn't get any head time. It's a 7 3/8 and I am willing to part with it. Pictures to follow if the OP is interested.

 

[moontheloon]

Doesn't Lounger Bending Oak make a hat he calls the Bogart? It is modeled after, well, you know . . .

Also, I have a Resistol in the proper dimensions that I bought from Miamibruno that doesn't get any head time. It's a 7 3/8 and I am willing to part with it. Pictures to follow if the OP is interested.

not sure this guy wants to drop over $500 on his first hat

Penmans get pricey ... worth it ... but pricey

 

[Gromulus]

are you 7 1/4 ?

if so I did the legwork for you ... took me all of 11 seconds ... lying of course, was just cruising for myself and this piece reminded me of what you are looking for

right era
right proportions

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ste...043536?hash=item51e425f410:g:6gEAAOSwiYFXIU-z

Darn you lucky guys with your (relatively) small craniums!

 

[moontheloon]

Darn you lucky guys with your (relatively) small craniums!

I'm right on the edge ... 7 1/4 is right where it starts to get difficult to find quality hats

they are there if you look with persistence ... but not in the abundance of 7

 

[tropicalbob]

Try to find a 7 7/8 that isn't a novelty hat.

 

[moontheloon]

Try to find a 7 7/8 that isn't a novelty hat.

thank goodness I have no need to

 

[tropicalbob]

thank goodness I have no need to

Lucky boy.

 

[Chamuco]

thank goodness I have no need to

Just for 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 its gets very hard to get a vintage hat at a decent price... Well, forget the price, it is hard just to get one

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