I just bought my first hat and its all your fault

[buler]

I've never worn a hat! So I'm blaming each and every one of you. Seriously, I came to the fedoralounge in search of info on leather jackets. One thing led to another and I was reading thru the hats forum. All of the pictures of you guys looking sharp in your hats and I must have caught the fever. So I happened to look on the local craigslist last night and there was one ad for a vintage Stetson and it happened to be in my size. I went to look at it today and it was a vintage Stetson hatbox with a Superior brand fedora in it. I really liked the look of the hat and it was in good shape. They didn't want much money so I bought it. Its a grey/blue color, size 7 1/8 with a shape I found pleasing. The only issue with it is the brim. I'd like to front brim to taper down evenly and this has a pinch/hump to it. So I'll be trying to steam and shape it. Here are some pics.

Bill

 

[Caity Lynn]

nice looking hat!!!

 

[Dinerman]

Wow. That's an incredible hat. What a way to start out!
Congratulations.

 

[carter]

Very nice, buler! Congratulations on an excellent 1st hat.

 

[dhermann1]

I love stories like this!!! Now, I have to say, this thread is not exactly worthless without pictures (with the hat ON YOU) but it will be much better WITH pictures of this nice hat ON YOU.

 

[tonyb]

Very, very nice lid you got there, buler. You already told us "they didn't want much" for it, so it sounds like you got yourself a real sweet deal. Good for you, and welcome to the fold.

 

[randooch]

buler, that's a beaut! reminds me of a correlative:

back in the 1980 I decided to get into motorcycling. I'd never ridden one, but that didn't stop me from buying a Honda GoldWing, the nicest bike I could find, in my estimation.

Congrats on that super lid, and welcome. Enjoy the fever!

 

[tonyb]

By the way ...

Careful with the steam, Bill. You can indeed cook a sweatband, as many of us have. I'd hate to see you do anything to harm that sharp-lookin' old lid of yours.

 

[daizawaguy]

All our fault!!?........wonder what you will be saying 6 months down the road.... Hint - financial implications, marital implications...BE WARNED!

 

[carldelo]

Wow

You scored a winner right out of the gates. That hump in the brim at the front looks to be the result of resting the hat on a flat surface with the brim snapped down. When you're not wearing it, you should snap the brim up in front and store it on a hat rest or hang it from a hook. The hump should go away with a little (gentle!) steaming and proper storage. Cheers and enjoy that snazzy lid. Carl

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

I'm guilty guilty guilty ... as any other man. Ne'er mind!
About that potfish brim; use steam. Not on the sweatband, caseneed cover it with some temporary cloth and scotch tape protection. Don't worry. Felt is tough (did you know Turkish/Mongolian steppes folk made mobile homes from felt?). Don't be prudish. Use steam and you fingers to gently ...direct... the shape in the direction you want. Mold the brim until it has the shape you intend it to have. Felt is malleable. Like gold.
The chances of you ...ruining your hat... are, frankly, ..er.. nil.
The better steam is produced from the spout of a traditional water kettle; better than the "general" steamcloud from a cooking pot, a spout directs the steam in a more focused manner.
Paul
Early edit: that hat's beautiful.

 

[buler]

Ok, against my better judgement I'm adding one of me. Its a tip of the hat to Caity for being the first reply. (Also holds the brim where I really want it to be) For the record they were asking $40 and I got it for $30. I'd love to have the side view look like Jimmy the Lid's avatar hat. No need to worry about marital problems (I had those about 5 years ago). Maybe the hat will get me a date!

Anyone know anything about Superior Hat Co.?

 

[ScionPI2005]

Buler, that hat looks great! Glad to see you joined the club. Just so you know, there is no stopping now! You blame us for the first hat...imagine how you'll feel about us by the fifth hat. lol

 

[MattJH]

Probably the best First Hat ever.

 

[tonyb]

It's nearly perfect look for you, Bill. You've obviously done something to please the hat gods.

 

[handlebar bart]

I have to agree with the other guys. The hat looks great on you and it is a great hat to begin with.:eusa_clap

 

[dhermann1]

Oh, yes. Definitely.

 

[feltfan]

Probably the best First Hat ever.

You might even say superior.
Excellent quality hat, great condition, fits you to a T.
It'll be fine with a bit of steam. Congrats- you're spoiled.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

Nice! Looks great on you. i came here looking for ideas on a stingy brim straw for Summer walks. Now I own a few wide brim furfelts. Still need a straw hat.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Congratulations, that hat looks sweet... Fifties to my eye. Why not get one earlier? You're head has been begging for one.