First "Real" Hat

[ph33nyx]

Well...The swmbo and I got into Miller Hats over the weekend and I was able to try some things on and she was able to pass her judgment. She wasn't too hip on me spending $100+ on my first hat, so I ended up with a grey Scala New Yorker. They didn't have one there, but after we got home she found it online. So, now I just have to wait patiently.

 

[gtdean48]

Well...The swmbo and I got into Miller Hats over the weekend and I was able to try some things on and she was able to pass her judgment. She wasn't too hip on me spending $100+ on my first hat, so I ended up with a grey Scala New Yorker. They didn't have one there, but after we got home she found it online. So, now I just have to wait patiently.

Congrats & welcome to our illness...the road to recovery is long & arduous if there is one...

 

[carldelo]

Well...The swmbo and I got into Miller Hats over the weekend and I was able to try some things on and she was able to pass her judgment. She wasn't too hip on me spending $100+ on my first hat, so I ended up with a grey Scala New Yorker. They didn't have one there, but after we got home she found it online. So, now I just have to wait patiently.

That looks like a good choice for a starting point. The New Yorker looks almost identical to the Stetson Ashland, which is exactly the same as the Chatham or Downs but with a 2-1/4" underwelt brim. So if the size and shape works out well for you, you can tell her you're picking up a New Yorker in another color, but actually move up to fur felt and get an Ashland on the sly. I have two, by the way, and highly recommend the dark brown, I get a lot of compliments on it. Remember to keep the Scala pin to put on the Stetson.....

 

[scottyrocks]

Around here, lowish-end mens' stores like Syms and Joseph A. Banks have a selection of hats that, at the very least, can give you some idea of how youd look in a fedora. From what I remember, the quality of what I saw at one of them I personally would not buy for myself at this point in time, but as a newbie, it might be worth a shot.

 

[ph33nyx]

My hat finally arrived yesterday, so I've got my chance to try it out today. I like (wish it was lined though), more importantly the SWMBO likes it, and I've already gotten a few compliments on my way into work!

 

[Dewhurst]

A belated Welcome, welcome!

A Sovereign Stetson is a great "real" hat, whether it is your first or your fiftieth. Try some on, and have a good time.

By the way, Scala makes a really great wool felt hat in my experience. So, as far as your wool Scala goes, that is a good smart choice for wool felt. The only people who do a better wool felt hat would be Dobbs, IMO, but that will cost you quite a bit more.

 

[Fedora Jay]

Another belated welcome! I hope you're enjoying your Scala.

I just got a Chatham a couple weeks ago, and I'm loving it. I really hate to say it, but I actually like it better than my vintage Knox Twenty. The Knox's felt is rather stubborn and won't do what I want it to, the Chatham is like a well trained soldier. It would be a great choice for a second hat.

 

[Jhoff_1979]

I'm looking at purchasing my first "real" hat and have been looking at different styles, shapes, etc. The one that has really caught my eye is the Stetson Chatham. I still need to go into a store and try some on, but there is something about it that has just caught my fancy.
Is this a good hat to start with?

It was my first "real" brim. Cannot go wrong with it. I love mine so far!

 

[moontheloon]

It was my first "real" brim. Cannot go wrong with it. I love mine so far!

you are responding to a post from 7 years ago by a poster who has not logged into the forum in 3 years

 

[Jhoff_1979]

you are responding to a post from 7 years ago by a poster who has not logged into the forum in 3 years

I see. I am new here and still learning the ropes. Is a thread considered dead at a certain point here or can the threads be perpetual?

 

[moontheloon]

I see. I am new here and still learning the ropes. Is a thread considered dead at a certain point here or can the threads be perpetual?

it's perpetual my man ... just playing around

 

[Jhoff_1979]

it's perpetual my man ... just playing around

I know. Me too ;-)

 

[scottyrocks]

I just realized that my first 'real' fur fedora was a brown Chatham purchased at JJ Hats in NYC in the early-mid '80s.

 

[Zombie_61]

My first "real" hat was an Akubra Fed IV, Dark Brown Imperial Quality felt that I bought in 2008; yeah, I was a late starter. I did my research here on The Lounge and on the Club Obi Wan forum before making my decision. It's still in very good condition despite nearly nine years of wear and my ham-fisted attempts at shaping it, so I believe I chose wisely.