I require assistance in choosing a Fedora.

[danofarlington]

People who don't know any better, people who like to try things on in person, people who don't mind paying a bit extra to support a brick and mortar store over an online retailer.

There's a certain value to trying on an article of clothing on the spot, seeing how it works, and buying it right there and be done with it. Endless Internet shopping isn't for everybody. I do it, but I can also imagine circumstances where a spot purchase makes sense. It depends on how much fussing around you want to do. Sometimes when you see something good, you should just buy it.

 

[jlee562]

For me, my family owns a small business, so I understand what it's like to be in the position of a brick and mortar store.

I bought my Stetson Temple at The Hat Guys in Oakland. Sure, I could have saved myself $15 buying online, but I kept money in the local economy and walked out of the store with a hat on my head, and not waiting for the postman.

 

[GamaH]

For me, my family owns a small business, so I understand what it's like to be in the position of a brick and mortar store.

I bought my Stetson Temple at The Hat Guys in Oakland. Sure, I could have saved myself $15 buying online, but I kept money in the local economy and walked out of the store with a hat on my head, and not waiting for the postman.

Oh yeah. Waiting for a delivery is TORTURE! Especially one that you want badly.

 

[gtdean48]

.... Sure, I could have saved myself $15 buying online, but I kept money in the local economy and walked out of the store with a hat on my head, and not waiting for the postman.

I frequently do that with horse tack, supplies & supplements. You want a local store to stay in business...

 

[facade]

Awesome, I guess my worrying about a crown being 'too high' was rather unnecessary, since I suppose it should be someone looking for a high crown that would be concerned about it not being high enough.

Anyway, just to clear something up, in these two links (just random examples):

Borsalino Beaver Fedora
Borsalino Diamante Fedora

When it says 4" crown and 3 3/4" crown (respectively), are they referring to the uncreased height or creased as shown in the picture?

Personally I wouldn't recommend buying a new Borsalino hat. For he kind of money you would spend on a rabbit fur off the rack Borsalino you can get:

1) A 100% Beaver hat from a number of the custom hatters who visit this site (thus pretty much guaranteed to fit right).
2) A Vintage Stetson Whippet from Ebay which, if taken care of, will at least hold much of its value and probably will increase in value (unlike the Borsalino).

 

[GamaH]

Personally I wouldn't recommend buying a new Borsalino hat. For he kind of money you would spend on a rabbit fur off the rack Borsalino you can get:

1) A 100% Beaver hat from a number of the custom hatters who visit this site (thus pretty much guaranteed to fit right).
2) A Vintage Stetson Whippet from Ebay which, if taken care of, will at least hold much of its value and probably will increase in value (unlike the Borsalino).

What do you mean by vintage?

 

[scottyrocks]

To me, it usually means pre-hippie - up to the early to mid-60s. The exact line is blurry.

 

[GamaH]

So are they like, second-hand or what? Wouldn't that cost a bomb?

 

[scottyrocks]

Yes, theyre as close to always second hand as you can get. Occasionally, someone finds one that was purchased way back when but never, or rarely worn. Those are the true prizes.

 

[facade]

So are they like, second-hand or what? Wouldn't that cost a bomb?

I'd say $300 on average. Sometimes a lot more, sometimes a bit less. Not bad for a hat that cost around $10 new.

 

[GamaH]

I'd say $300 on average. Sometimes a lot more, sometimes a bit less. Not bad for a hat that cost around $10 new.

Well the problem with that is that I'm new to hats, so while finding one of quality is always a factor, I'm still getting the hang of how things look on me. Basically, a hat could be a real steal, and really well made but it might not suit me at all (e.g.; brim is too wide, or the color doesn't go well with my wardrobe).

 

[facade]

Well the problem with that is that I'm new to hats, so while finding one of quality is always a factor, I'm still getting the hang of how things look on me. Basically, a hat could be a real steal, and really well made but it might not suit me at all (e.g.; brim is too wide, or the color doesn't go well with my wardrobe).

Once you've tried on enough hats and know what you want, assuming your willing to spend $300+, talk to any of the custom hatters mentioned in the current "Hatter Wanted" thread. You'll get a great hat for your money. If you're looking to spend less and willing to accept just an ok off the rack hat, there's nothing wrong with that. I personally think Borsalino hats are overpriced for what you get and would look elsewhere.

 

[GamaH]

Any suggestions? Because from what I've seen of Stetson, their quality ranges from entry level to really good, but so does the price. Like there are some that are barely over 100, and some that are over 500.

 

[facade]

Any suggestions? Because from what I've seen of Stetson, their quality ranges from entry level to really good, but so does the price. Like there are some that are barely over 100, and some that are over 500.

My suggestion, if you are willing to pop the cork by the end of the month, is to visit the Black Sheep Hat Works website. They are offering a 20% discount through the end of the month on custom orders. So you can get a custom 100% beaver hat for around $230 plus shipping. Thats not very much more then you will spend on any half decent new hat and a lot less then a typical Borsalino. You will have to wait to get your hat but in the long run I expect you will be a lot happier with it then anything you can buy off the rack.

 

[carldelo]

My suggestion, if you are willing to pop the cork by the end of the month, is to visit the Black Sheep Hat Works website. They are offering a 20% discount through the end of the month on custom orders. So you can get a custom 100% beaver hat for around $230 plus shipping. Thats not very much more then you will spend on any half decent new hat and a lot less then a typical Borsalino. You will have to wait to get your hat but in the long run I expect you will be a lot happier with it then anything you can buy off the rack.

Well, and without trying to be mean about it, I don't think this is good advice. First, $230 is not less than a typical Borsalino - the Napoli, for instance, is $200, and an Alessandria is $230 (both at Bencraft). The real problem with going custom so early in the process, is that the buyer generally has a very vague idea, if any, of what he wants or needs. In this case, I doubt that he would be happier with a hat design pulled out of the blue, versus going and trying on hats, buying one that looks good and living with it for a while. What pleasure would there be in ordering a custom hat and finding that it looks poorly on you? I think that would be a horrible experience, and might kill the hat bug quickly. Custom is for those who know exactly what they're after.

GamaH, I once again encourage you to go to Bencraft - try on everything, and I bet you will find something good. They have many brands besides Borsalino, of course. The first time I went there, it was to buy an Alessandria in gray. Luckily, my wife and the clerk helped me realize it didn't look right, and I wound up buying a Stetson Ashland in dark brown. I went back a year later and picked up the same hat in caribou gray, and together they are my daily hats.

 

[facade]

Well, and without trying to be mean about it, I don't think this is good advice. First, $230 is not less than a typical Borsalino - the Napoli, for instance, is $200, and an Alessandria is $230 (both at Bencraft). The real problem with going custom so early in the process, is that the buyer generally has a very vague idea, if any, of what he wants or needs. In this case, I doubt that he would be happier with a hat design pulled out of the blue, versus going and trying on hats, buying one that looks good and living with it for a while. What pleasure would there be in ordering a custom hat and finding that it looks poorly on you? I think that would be a horrible experience, and might kill the hat bug quickly. Custom is for those who know exactly what they're after.

GamaH, I once again encourage you to go to Bencraft - try on everything, and I bet you will find something good. They have many brands besides Borsalino, of course. The first time I went there, it was to buy an Alessandria in gray. Luckily, my wife and the clerk helped me realize it didn't look right, and I wound up buying a Stetson Ashland in dark brown. I went back a year later and picked up the same hat in caribou gray, and together they are my daily hats.

I agree with going out and trying on hats and the Bencraft prices are certainly much more reasonable then the other store people were recommending. The advice you are giving is what I did when I started. I went to a B&M store and bought a Borsalino. Now that I've had gotten more experience with hats, I feel the Borsalino I bought was a low quality hat and a complete ripoff. So anyway a newbie chooses they can have a bad experience with their initial purchases.

 

[John in Covina]

The real problem with going custom so early in the process, is that the buyer generally has a very vague idea, if any, of what he wants or needs. Custom is for those who know exactly what they're after.

This is perhaps one of the most reasonable statements of caution I have read in a while. I think that it takes a while to zero in on what hats you'll like to wear. If you are a collector or the person that co-ordinates hat and clothes, you will find that one hat does not cover all your needs.

If you are new to hats it may be best to learn and select carefully. For some just one hat will be all they need and will become their go to hat for all occasions whether it is a good match or not. For others excercising care in their wardrobe co-ordination will find that while they can have a go to hat for many occasions as daily wear will eventually look for another pairing for perhaps dressier events. Over time you learn about what you like and don't like so over time as your taste and focus changes your first hat may not be your favorite or go to hat.

So the question is if you're going to grow in taste and knowledge about your hats what type of investment in the expense of your first hat is acceptable? It's based on your budget and disposable income. Like your first car, many of us had to get a used economy car instead of the latest Corvette. (In a way a lot of people that get a Corvette or some sort of uber vehicle as their first car find out that where they are in the learning curve of driving makes that car not the best initial choice.)

 

[jlee562]

My suggestion, if you are willing to pop the cork by the end of the month, is to visit the Black Sheep Hat Works website. They are offering a 20% discount through the end of the month on custom orders. So you can get a custom 100% beaver hat for around $230 plus shipping. Thats not very much more then you will spend on any half decent new hat and a lot less then a typical Borsalino. You will have to wait to get your hat but in the long run I expect you will be a lot happier with it then anything you can buy off the rack.

Bob @ Black Sheep is currently working on a custom for me....he will go the distance to make sure you are satisfied, I can attest to that!

 

[carldelo]

... I went to a B&M store and bought a Borsalino. Now that I've had gotten more experience with hats, I feel the Borsalino I bought was a low quality hat and a complete ripoff. So anyway a newbie chooses they can have a bad experience with their initial purchases.

Well, this is certainly a good point and I agree with you. I got lucky and my first hat purchase was a vintage Cavanagh for under a dollar. Maybe the answer is to treat one's first hat purchase like a weekend at a casino - only bring as much as you are willing to lose - i.e. spend as much on your first hat as your are comfortable with, knowing that in a month you may find you don't like it and will never wear it again. I bought several el cheapo hats along the way, and was thus able to give them away without a problem once I found I no longer liked them.

 

[GamaH]

I wound up buying a Stetson Ashland in dark brown.

The thing about Stetson is that it uses this felt grade thing, what grade is the Ashland? Cause I saw (on a thread here) that people were saying that Royal Grade hats were basically lower quality and visibly so.