If You Could Pick One?????

[Razzman]

I don't know if this has been done before. I haven't seen the thread if it has.
Lord knows I've been reading for days.

If you had the opportunity to own a vintage hat...just one vintage hat. Which one would you choose and why? I would like to hear from you all out there, so just take a moment to post your choice.
Thanks

 

[Siirous]

My Stetson Whippet. I like the color, brim width and the felt quality. It's extremely versatile and goes with a lot of different suits/jackets/shirts etc.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Only one... Ok!

My Art Fawcett, Smokey Mountain Blue...Like a Vintage 1930"s Fedora....

No, not a 1000X, 2500X or a 3000X not a self appointed master hatter nor his wife.. No silly private felter nonsense just a excellent custom made hat by a Quality person...


http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/

 

[WEEGEE]

YOU DECIDE???

For Me Art's hats are the best "i Have Ever"


thank you,


mpf

 

[Absinthe_1900]

What Sharpetoys & Weegee said, I have to go with one of Art's creations.

 

[shoeshineboy]

this is my "old favorite"

Since you are new, this is called "The Tucker"...by Art Fawcett....

this is a great hat in the "HICKORY WONDER" color...commonly known as Pecan to others....

I have seen sharpetoys blue hat..it is beautiful, too bad that color isnt available any more....that would be my next one....

mark the shoeshine boy

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

I should opt against the seamed brim, pick another colour, and pull down the brim on the front right, but apart from that, this is probably the perfect shape.

Just right.

 

[scotrace]

Excellent Hat, Sharpey!

I can see why that would be The One.

Nice picture posting skills.

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Rocky Mountain Hat Company hats start at $650 for pure beaver. Art's hats start and end at $275 for pure beaver.

In addition to that, who ever said his hats are inferior to vintage? I've never seen a post that said that.

 

[hatflick1]

A couple of thoughts on the subject.
I think first and foremost, at least for me, I prefer vintage (read used) fedoras. Overall they were better made than today's commercially produced hats, many have some history behind them such where they were originally sold or who wore them or in one case, I actually found a Depression era government form letter of introduction tucked up under the sweat band. It stated that the man bearing the note was a responsible, trusted worker and should be hired if employment were to be had. Problem is, vintage fedoras are subject to available sizings, colors and condition. Collecting requires a lot of patience. Hence, when the itch gets too strong, the temptation is to buy a vintage looking new hat and that's when many Loungers turn to Art or other custom makers known and trusted on the Lounge, or we explore current new hat vendors many of whom are recommended (or discouraged) by fellow Loungers. Yes, there are many custom makers note customarily listed. Some like Rand and Rocky Mountain, etc., specialize in western headwear. Others whose names fail me or I chose not to mention, are expensive, tempermental and offer a vague lead time of months before you can expect to get your hat. One nameless maker truly seemed annoyed that he had to take time away from his dry cleaning business to pick up the phone and discuss a custom hat I was interested in ordering. I mean, why bother to have a website?! Needless to say, I did not conduct business with this otherwise gifted hat maker. In addition, I have attended western shows such as the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko and I have learned first hand that many truly talented hatters are, well, flakes. One from Wyoming had no name for the various styles displayed, shrugged when I asked delivery time and went to find his wife for prices. Does this manner of nonchalance merit listing on the Lounge, more especially when these custom hats started at $400?
This is just one man's opinion of moonlight.
____________________________________
Seeking enlightenment...one hat at a time.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Art's work in the Jungle

Quote,

Besdor guy that obviously is an encyclopedia of knowledge and he is not promoting any of the choosen few that get all the press.

Oh! really...


The master hatter has done it again ! I've sent a lot of people to Art's website for custom hats . He really knows his work.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[The Wingnut]

High crown (5 1/2"), medium brim (2 3/8"), reverse taper fedora. Match my favorite suit (dark sage green), and give it a nice wide contrasting ribbon.

Vintage or new? Depands if I can find it vintage, and of course I'd want vintage quality if it were new. Art's top shelf, and we've got a few other hatters here that do great work as well. I'm sure they'd all do it justice.

One of these days I'm going to kill a paycheck or two and have several really GOOD hats made...or snipe 'em off of that big auction we dare not mention.

 

[Twitch]

I'm liking my new 40s/50s vintage Ecudorean Panama a lot. In Southern Cal. you could wear it almost year round and get away with it.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

What I am wondering about is that the people here that seemingly have a greater experience in hats all vote for vintage over these hat makers. That is not to say that they have voted against these gentlemen but more toward the vintage hats. Is there some advantage of the vintage hats over these hat makers or is there some advantage over these hat makers compared to vintage.

Well, speaking personally, my only criterion is $$$. I cannot afford even a reasonably priced (see Art) custom beaver fur hat. I wish i could then i could specify the dimensions perfectly. But since i can get a verrry high quality vintage hat for $30 or so from everyone's favourite auction site, that's my current direction. (and, since i'm such a tight wad i'l probably remain never buying a custom hat. Though i do have a *vintage custom* hat, made in the 40s by a small-time Illinois hatter).

bk

 

[Pilgrim]

What I am wondering about is that the people here that seemingly have a greater experience in hats all vote for vintage over these hat makers. That is not to say that they have voted against these gentlemen but more toward the vintage hats. Is there some advantage of the vintage hats over these hat makers or is there some advantage over these hat makers compared to vintage.

For me, it's very simple: I can buy a nice vintage hat for less than one hundred dollars (sometimes under $50), and I'm not "hard-core" enough or willing to spend the money to order a custom hat at this point. So at least for the time being, variety and lower price (with the quality of older hats) have the edge. If/when I order a custom hat, it will be from one of the fine gents on this list. I appreciate what they have to offer, but my budget is an issue.

So I'm not voting for vintage OVER anyone. I'm simply selecting a price point that's attractive to me.

 

[squid]

I would have to pick a "museum quality" Monticristi Panama Hat. I mean if you are going to dream then dream big!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

High crown (5 1/2"), medium brim (2 3/8"), reverse taper fedora ... and give it a nice wide contrasting ribbon.

You've just described Wild Root's (and my) ideal hat!

.

 

[Caledonia]

Sorry to butt in gents but couldn't resist. The one in the bottom right corner, without a doubt, and it looks from my searching like I'l have to make it.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

My brown Borsalino is my favorite.

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

Whats with that hat that appears to have another hat under it?