Homburg Hunt

[Not-Bogart13]

As some of you know, I'm considering a black homburg for a tux outfit. I would like to find something I would wear more than once.

There is one Homburg I like that I saw in a movie; Dark City. Kiefer Sutherland wears a style that I think might work for me. Maybe a little less curl to the brim, or a smidge wider. But that crown.

Anyone know where I could track down that style without going custom. The only ones I've seen are at Miller Hats, but I'd like to explore other options before deciding.

Also, if anyone has a still from the movie they could post, I'd appreciate it. I can't find one.

Thanks

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

I hate when sites do that.

 

[Bird's One View]

I only vaguely remember that movie. But here and here are some wider brimmed homburgs.

EDIT - sorry, I just noticed you had already seen Miller.

Biltmore makes Homburgs in two brim sizes. Some retailers carry both, some one or the other. This is the wider version. I got the narrower version from Hats Plus.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

Bogart, I got my steel grey homburg from Selentino. I believe they have other versions as well as the one I chose, which was a very traditional model (Alpha). You might try them. I spoke with Isaac and it was in my hands within a week.

http://www.themenshats.com/

 

[ScottyBlues]

Try the Biltmore!

I tried on a few homburgs by Biltmore during my last visit to Hats Plus in Chicago. In particular, the Eleganza was my favorite. The felt is awesome and the style is great. I didn't buy one because they didn't have Cognac in my size. But I did pick up a couple other Eleganza's in different styles. The nap on these is a little longer with a sheen that looks great!

 

[Aerol]

Custom

K, I'm sure Optimo could make it. After all, they made a Monticristi Homburg for me.

 

[Torpedo]

Hi,

I know Art Fawcett can do a superb homburg, too - I recall having seen photos here at the lounge of such a hat.

On the other hand, if you do not plan on using it more than a few times, probably it would be better for you to acquire a commercially available one, and spare your hard earned $ for another VS fedora at some future time...

Regards!

 

[epic610]

Dear Bogart (Not)

i have the biltmore and the miller model discussed above.

the biltmore is the better of the two, although it runs a bit small in sizing. of all my homburgs, including stetson sovereign, i get most positive responses and compliments on the biltmore, if that is a consideration for you.

 

[bolthead]

How much are you willing to spend, and when do you need this by?
Also, would you consider a Vintage?

 

[Torpedo]

I would think the problem with anything vintage in this case is size. Not-Bogart wears one of those harder to find larger sizes. Even then, if time is not at a premium, nothing would be lost by keeping eyes peeled for a time, just in case something interesting appears.

Regards!

 

[Justdog]

St.Regis

Any knowledge of the quality regarding a Royal DeLuxe Stetson St.Regis
fftopic: ?

http://www.hatalog.com/MensDressFeltsFurFelts.htm
Couple good ones here
http://www.jjhatcenter.com/index.php?productID=176

 

[carouselvic]

The St. Regis is good enough for Sunday use.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Well, the good news is that I have time to hunt (and have been doing so), but it's on my mind now, so I might as well plow full steam ahead.

I would not mind vintage at all, but 7 1/2 is not that common (or cheap) a size for that. Therefore, I'm open to anything, including wool felt. Given the fact that this will not be the sort of hat I could wear on any given day, I could not justify paying more than the $165 listed for the Elwood, and would prefer spending considerably less.

epic610; Which Miller do you have, there are several on that page? Also, do you have pictures?

I do like the Eleganza, but I really don't think the standard Homburg crown will suit me as well as the one with the side dents. It's also more than I'm willing to pay. I am considering the Beaver Brand as a fall-back, though.

 

[bolthead]

I would not mind vintage at all, but 7 1/2 is not that common (or cheap) a size for that.

You'd be surprised NB, Homburg's on ebay, even at your size still do come fairly cheap for some reason....I see them all the time. I sure will keep an eye out for you. If I see something, I'll shoot you a PM w/the link.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Thanks Bolt.

 

[carter]

There are at least two in your size lurking there presently.

 

[JohnnyB53]

Well, the good news is that I have time to hunt (and have been doing so), but it's on my mind now, so I might as well plow full steam ahead.

... I really don't think the standard Homburg crown will suit me as well as the one with the side dents. It's also more than I'm willing to pay. I am considering the Beaver Brand as a fall-back, though.

Well glory be, boy. The Akubra Homburg has the homburg bound brim, but is open crown, so you can dent it to your heart's content. It's illustrated with side dents. The Akubra is is Imperial fur felt, so you wouldn't have to settle for wool, and at the current exchange rate you could get it with shipping to the US for about $100 total.

But since there's been talk of Millers and Biltmores, Miller Hats has a pretty good selection of their own branded Homburgs, which are generally supplied by Biltmore. If you search down through the styles, you'll find that all (or almost all) are available in black, there are some at around $110 (and shipping in the US is only about $8.50), one with a broader 3" brim, and a couple styles with side dents.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Well glory be, boy. The Akubra Homburg has the homburg bound brim, but is open crown, so you can dent it to your heart's content.

Miller Hats has a pretty good selection of their own

I am aware of all of these. The Millers I like are the pricier ones with the dents, but they are the highest I will go. (One of which is actually a Stetson, by the way).

I really like the Akubra, but the brim is too small! Otherwise, my quest would be over. I think that may be the narrowest brim I have ever seen on a homburg. It's a crying shame, really.

 

[epic610]

i have the Banker's Hat...from Miller's

it is #797 i think. this model is decidedly less "pimpish" than some of the others. i think it is the one you would want, especially with a tuxedo. good luck.

 

[tandmark]

Aloha,

For what it's worth, my one and only homburg is a grey Beaver Brand, bought from Seattle's Bernie Utz store (in the '90s, if I recall correctly). Of the various brands of homburgs they stocked, this was the one that looked best on me.

Not that it makes me look all that great even so. Alas, there's only so much that even a great hat can do about that. lol

<a href="http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee76/tandmark/?action=view&current=BeaverBrandHomburg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee76/tandmark/BeaverBrandHomburg.jpg" border="0" alt="Beaver Brand homburg"></a>

Since your build is a lot like mine, judging from your avatar, you might consider trying on a Beaver homburg before making your final decision.

As you can see, it has no side-dents; weren't you looking for a homburg that had 'em, Not-Bogart13?

Cheers,
Mark