Help with Purchase of First Fedora

[Mr. Poe]

I've yet to purchase a proper fedora as well (the one in the avatar is a $7 costume prop!). While I don't necessarily need an Indy hat yet, I do like that style, especially the pinched "Raiders" crown and wide brim. Do these type of fedoras come in midnight blue?

 

[besdor]

How many different types of blue hats do you want ? From a 35.00 wool untouchable to a 250.00 Borsalino , we have it all. Just look at the site and see for yourself www.bencrafthats.com:cool2:

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I'm a Biltmore man. They seem to have the best blocks and a good quality felt for the money. I don't do the $400 hats. I have a lot of other things I can spend that money on. But Biltmore's run in the $100-to-$150 range, and are good quality. Check out Miller Hats online. All their brand name stock is Biltmore.

Sounds like something I wrote once...my sentiments exactly. Had my hundred dollar Stetson on today and it looked and felt great.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

A Stetson not vintage or custom but nice

I bought a Stetson from Aaron Hats and I could not be any happier with it. I wore it all day. My first Stetson I love the color and finish.:cheers1: I took off the feather.

http://www.getahaton.com/proddetail.php?prod=TF43158623

 

[Twitch]

I'm no expert for sure but here's a sizing chart that might help.

There's tons of hats on Ebay all the time. Be patient and when you find one you like make a maximum bid you'd pay.

 

[ajax]

I'm Back from NYC!

Traffic in and out of Manhattan was absolutely ridiculous, but I was in town to visit my daughter at college and to purchase a Fedora. I had time for one store and picked JJ Hat Center. It did not disappoint. A gentleman by the Name of Jose was very helpful, informative and patient. I tried on about 10 hats and I liked none better than the third one. My daughter convinced me to go with gray and I am very pleased with my choice. So the brand and the name are....

Borsalino's Como.

I love this hat. It fits my 7 1/4 head perfectly, and just looks awesome. It's an expensive hat, but I shall now have it until I check out of this Earth, hopefully at least 40 years from now. I can't wait to wear it again tomorrow.

I did buy a hat brush since it was only 12.50 more.

Thanks for everyone's input and I highly recommend JJ Hat Center in NYC.

Andrew

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Pictures are a must! We all love pictures.:clap

 

[Mycroft]

Traffic in and out of Manhattan was absolutely ridiculous, but I was in town to visit my daughter at college and to purchase a Fedora. I had time for one store and picked JJ Hat Center. It did not disappoint. A gentleman by the Name of Jose was very helpful, informative and patient. I tried on about 10 hats and I liked none better than the third one. My daughter convinced me to go with gray and I am very pleased with my choice. So the brand and the name are....

Borsalino's Como.

I love this hat. It fits my 7 1/4 head perfectly, and just looks awesome. It's an expensive hat, but I shall now have it until I check out of this Earth, hopefully at least 40 years from now. I can't wait to wear it again tomorrow.

I did buy a hat brush since it was only 12.50 more.


Thanks for everyone's input and I highly recommend JJ Hat Center in NYC.

Andrew

The hat brush is well worth the extra dough from J.J.'s mine works like a charm. And have fun with your new topper.

 

[Stetsonguy]

First fedora

I too had thought about wearing a hat a longtime before I actually bought one. After research, both local and online, I decided that I wanted a Stetson. I found the Stetson Hampton was the one I wanted.

http://www.qualityhats.com/hampton.htm

I like the teardrop crown, as opposed to the center-dent crown, fur felt to last a long time (silk finish), and bound edge. I ordered black and loved it, and went back and got it in brown. The online retailer I got mine from doesn't carry the hat anymore, but quality hats will custom order it.

I know I get looks of bewilderment when I wear it, but I don't care. I like the look, and in upstate NY the winters get cold!

 

[tonyb]

You did right

Those in the know say that today's Borsalinos aren't as good as the vintage ones. While I'm certainly no expert, I can pass along some anecdotal observations. I own several Borsalinos, bought new over the past 20 years or so at the last remaining hats-only store in Seattle. And I've also purchased several less-expensive hats from that store and from other sources. In general, Borsalinos hold up better than the other mass-produced hats, although you can get a darned good hat from another mass manufacturer. It seems that the quality is more hit-and-miss with the cheaper lids.
A friend picked up an old (I don't know how old) Borsalino Savoy at a garage sale several years ago and gave it to me. I think he paid five bucks for it. And yes, it does seem superior to the newer ones.
I'm guessing your new Como set you back about $250. That's not cheap, but it should last you many, many years, and you needn't fear exposing it to the occasional downpour. (My Borsalinos retain their shape just fine after getting wet; I can't necessarily say that for the lower-priced lids.) And that brush was a wise purchase, too. I trust the helpful fellow at the store instructed you to brush your hat in a counter-clockwise direction.
You were also wise to go into a store with a wide selection and try on several hats. You never know for sure how you'll look in a lid until you put it on.