Help with first fedora!

[dawgvet]

I am about to purchase my first real fedora and want it to come out right. I think I've narrowed it down to a Akubra Campdraft in 7 5/8 but the color choice is still tough. I think I might like the "mid brown" but all I can find in stock is the "tawny" color and I don't really want to wait 3 months for a hat. Anyone have pics of either of these colors you could share? Might even go for silver belly but worried about showing wear/dirt as this will be an everyday hat. BTW, any suggestions besides Hatsdirect or EA?

 

[Goose.]

I had a similar request for color compares on an Akubra.
JohnnyB53 posted the link below. I found it very helpful.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=697790#post697790​

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[citRon]

I absolutely LOVE my Tawny Fawn Fed 4. The color is very versatile. I can go with a lot of different colors, and can look from tan to taupe in different lighting.

Here you go- Hats Direct has it in Taupe Fawn- in between Tawny and Mid Brown:

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=46&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

 

[gtdean48]

This hat is basically a Campdraft in mid-brown...
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37720

 

[MattJH]

It's my own opinion that the best hat out there for the first-time fedora wearer in terms of quality as well as in terms of characteristics that won't scare you off from wearing a hat is the Akubra Fedora from HatsDirect (colors: Burnt Oak, Carbon Grey) and the Akubra Sydney from David Morgan (colors: Regency Fawn, Charcoal). They're both 100% identical except for the color options and the inclusion of a wind trolley if you get it from Hats Direct. They both come open crown, and the felt is so soft that it's extremely easy to add your own crease and change it regularly if need be. The dimensions work for just about everybody out there, and the ribbon is just thin enough to make it just as casual as it is dressy.

Due to the conversion rate of the Australian dollar, you'll actually save money ordering from Hats Direct, although David Morgan is a fine vendor and deserves the business he gets here in the USA.

 

[JohnnyB53]

I am about to purchase my first real fedora and want it to come out right. I think I've narrowed it down to a Akubra Campdraft in 7 5/8 but the color choice is still tough. I think I might like the "mid brown" but all I can find in stock is the "tawny" color and I don't really want to wait 3 months for a hat. Anyone have pics of either of these colors you could share? Might even go for silver belly but worried about showing wear/dirt as this will be an everyday hat. BTW, any suggestions besides Hatsdirect or EA?

Given that you're picking a Campdraft instead of a Stylemaster, Bogart, or Federation, I'm assuming you want this hat to look at home in a casual setting, correct?

For that, I'd recommend the taupe fawn. I have a tawny fawn Fed IV and an Akubra David Morgan Bushman in Nullarbor tan, which is also pretty close. They go with almost anything. If you put a front pinch/C-crown bash in a Campdraft, you could wear it with a tweed jacket and tie, easily. But the fawn hats also go great with blue denim, black leather or brown leather jackets, flannel plaid, oxford cloth, boots, lace-ups, tan, black, or deep brown trench coats, you name it. If you want a hat that you'll be happy grabbing on your way out the door no matter what you're wearing, it'd be hard to beat a taupe fawn Campdraft. Both the mid-brown and silver belly colors skew the color selection to one or the other end of the spectrum, whereas the fawn sits right in the middle.

I recommend Hats Direct. They cost a little more but that's the cost of doing business with a store that actually has the hats in stock and can ship them out the next day.

 

[carldelo]

Hmmmm

I absolutely LOVE my Tawny Fawn Fed 4. The color is very versatile. I can go with a lot of different colors, and can look from tan to taupe in different lighting.

Here you go- Hats Direct has it in Taupe Fawn- in between Tawny and Mid Brown:

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=46&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

citRon, that Taupe Fawn Campdraft appears to be speaking my name --- plus it comes in size 62 --- and the exchange rate is looking good --- I'd be saving money by ordering that hat, right? I mean, I'd be a fool not to, yes???? JohnnyB, your color matching comments are on point and have me about 90% of the way there. But I'll be a grown up and wait until the cold light of day to make up my mind.

Seriously, I've been ignoring all the Campdraft threads because I have an aversion to ordering a hat sight unseen from far, far away. But the hat/price looks almost too good to resist. Dawgvet, that looks like a great first hat - obviously an open crown hat can take a little fiddling until it looks and fits just right, but I don't think you could go too far wrong with this lid.

Cheers...

 

[dawgvet]

Thanks for all the replies. I think taupe fawn it is.

 

[citRon]

:eusa_clap

 

[Jabos]

Dawg-I just ordered the same hat from Hats Direct on Saturday afternoon. My first fedora too. Got an email confirmation it is in stock (a 59) and will be immediately shipped out. I ordered the standard airmail and hope to have it in the next few days. It was nice to read these comments on the choice and color. My family is asking what I am getting into with some hint of doubt-"I'm surprised you are getting a hat . . . ". I saw a fellow with a nice dark green thin ribbon fedora this weekend in a downtown OKC restaurant. Felt like I was the only one paying attention in the place to his hat and wondered if he was a Fed Lounger. I could tell he was proud of it in the way he carefully placed it down at the table. It was like I "had been shown the light" and was about to enter his secret society. ha.

 

[dawgvet]

I totally agree Jabos. I ordered a Campdraft in their silver belly (sand) yesterday as that was the only color a 61cm would be available in for a while. If I like the hat but want another color, then I'll just order another color later Thanks to all for the info.
Jed

 

[avedwards]

Fed IV

If you buy the Fed IV from hatsdirect in moonstone, is the ribbon black or grey? The picture makes it look black, but these pictures are often deceptive.

 

[JohnnyB53]

If you buy the Fed IV from hatsdirect in moonstone, is the ribbon black or grey? The picture makes it look black, but these pictures are often deceptive.

1-5/8" wide, unequivocally black on the moonstone.

 

[avedwards]

Thanks for the info. In that case I may consider getting one.