First timer advise.

[Nikx]

Wow thank you all for your replies and especially thanks to Richard for your offer! I'll have to go post around so I can PM before Spats Mcgee makes an account named Nikkx or Nikxx lol

Yesterday I did go to a hat shop, there's actually only one in my area unless I went to Boston. Found out that I am indeed a 7 1/2, and for companies that don't come in specific sizes, an XL fits fine.

If there is anyone from southern Maine lurking here I would recommend Queen of Hats in downtown Portland. She was super nice, though the store only had summer hats at the moment.

I can already tell this community is like none other I've been a part of before. I am an avid gamer which has a completely different culture. You wouldn't believe the vulgarity, thievery, rudeness, and overall meanness that I see daily. However like most sub-cultures which have a poor reputation, it is the loud and obnoxious few who represent the quiet many.

The other thing I note missing is trolling, for which I am also thankful. For those unfamiliar, trolling means posting an intentionally provoking response for no other reason than to provoke.

Yes, I think I'm going to like it fine here, and thanks again all for the warm welcome!

 

[Neophyte]

I can already tell this community is like none other I've been a part of before. I am an avid gamer which has a completely different culture. You wouldn't believe the vulgarity, thievery, rudeness, and overall meanness that I see daily. However like most sub-cultures which have a poor reputation, it is the loud and obnoxious few who represent the quiet many.
The other thing I note missing is trolling, for which I am also thankful. For those unfamiliar, trolling means posting an intentionally provoking response for no other reason than to provoke.

Avid gamer as well, and I know what you mean. Welcome and enjoy, though you'll find that the civility of this forum is just a sinister way of keeping you here while the "addiction" sucks you dry.

 

[MrBadExample]

First, lad, get you some glasses that fit. The arms on those look to be about half an inch too short, which tilts the lenses and is probably distorting your vision.

I'll also go against the general trend of advice and say if you can only afford a wool hat, and you like how it looks, get the wool hat. You can always get a more expensive one later, if you like wearing a hat. If you find that you don't, you're not out much money. Also, don't rule out flat caps. It seems like everyone looks good in a flat cap. A nice one is a lot cheaper than a felt fedora, you can wear it in the car without banging the brim against the headrest, and you can roll it up and stick it in your jacket pocket when you're indoors. And for mutants like me with long oval heads, you don't have to get one custom made to have it fit right.

The advice about dressing for the job you want is also good, but keep in mind that that doesn't always mean dressing _up_. Suits are required in some companies, unheard of in others. When someone from AT&T asked that Steve Jobs wear a suit to talk to AT&T's board of directors, he was told, "We're Apple. We don't wear suits. We don't even OWN suits."

Think about the prevailing culture in the field you want to go into and plan your wardrobe accordingly.

 

[Spats McGee]

Wow thank you all for your replies and especially thanks to Richard for your offer! I'll have to go post around so I can PM before Spats Mcgee makes an account named Nikkx or Nikxx lol

Yeah, I'm sneaky like that! lol

. . . .I can already tell this community is like none other I've been a part of before. I am an avid gamer which has a completely different culture. You wouldn't believe the vulgarity, thievery, rudeness, and overall meanness that I see daily. However like most sub-cultures which have a poor reputation, it is the loud and obnoxious few who represent the quiet many.

The other thing I note missing is trolling, for which I am also thankful. For those unfamiliar, trolling means posting an intentionally provoking response for no other reason than to provoke.

I'm also a gamer in what little free time I have between job, family, etc. The one game website where I hang out is mostly free of the kinds of behaviors that you mention, but you are absolutely correct. Those behaviors do seem common on some gaming websites. Anyway, I don't think you'll see much of that around here. We're a pretty civil bunch.

I googled the hats that you mentioned, and they're good looking hats. My hat budget is pretty limited, so I do a lot of bargain shopping. Most of the online hat shops have a clearance or sale section, so look around.

 

[donnc]

I'll also go against the general trend of advice and say if you can only afford a wool hat, and you like how it looks, get the wool hat. You can always get a more expensive one later, if you like wearing a hat. If you find that you don't, you're not out much money.

Thank you, Mr. Bad Example! I only vaguely remember what it was like to be young and have little or no money of my own to spend on fripperies, but I remember the hat I wore in those days. Wool! And bright red, but that's a matter of taste (or lack thereof.) I have gotten compliments on my wool hats, for what it's worth (and it's worth nothing at all as a gauge of the hat, seriously.) I've worn them outdoors in the rain quite a bit. I don't still have that hat of my youth, but neither I would I still have an expensive Stetson - would have left it on a bus or something, same as my other hats. My last wool hat lasted only a few weeks, before it was whisked off by accident to a tiny, barely accessible island off the west coast of Canada. Of course all these losses have been my fault, inasmuch as I haven't been looking after my hats with due care, but by the same token I've also been able to wear a hat without being a slave to it.

 

[MrBadExample]

Wearing a wool hat doesn't make you a bad person, and losing or damaging a hat should be an inconvenience, not a financial disaster.

 

[Neophyte]

Guys, he's already being sent a beautiful Glen Grey Campdraft.......I think it's a little late to convince him to go with a wool hat.

...Just sayin'

 

[Nikx]

Guys, he's already being sent a beautiful Glen Grey Campdraft.......I think it's a little late to convince him to go with a wool hat.

...Just sayin'

I think this man might be on to something

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge and good luck!

 

[MrBadExample]

Guys, he's already being sent a beautiful Glen Grey Campdraft.......I think it's a little late to convince him to go with a wool hat.

...Just sayin'

Not trying to convince him to buy anything. Just saying that there's nothing wrong with buying a hat that is within your means. I realize that that's a controversial thing to say around here.

 

[hatophile]

Hi Nik,

Was just in your neck of the woods this weekend, went to Portland with a friend, unfortunately (or not) missed the hat shop there. My wife and friend on the other hand found plenty of shops they liked.

Anyway, one other route you might try for less expensive hats, but furfelt, is antique or resale shops, and there are plenty in the southern Maine, Northern
Mass and New Hampshire regions. The hardest part will be finding your size.

I also agree that wool is not a bad choice to start, it helps to get used to the idea of wearing a hat regularly, and also to styles that you might like.

Good Luck!