if you don't like the Fed IV....

[Blackthorn]

...then what do you favor for a Fedora? I was perusing the many pages of the "I love the Fed IV" thread and noticed several posts where some folks said they don't like Akubra, or in any case the Fed IV, so I was wondering, rather than try to find each of you and PM you, how about airing your preferences here? What brand and style of fedora do you favor, when the Fed IV doesn't ring your chimes?

 

[Duper]

I just ordered my 1st Fed IV (tawny fawn) from HD less than an hour ago. Ain't that always the way.:eusa_doh:

Well hopefully in about 10 days when it arrives I will be in the "I love the Fed IV" camp as well.

In the mean time I am curious to see what comes out of this topic. I'm sure I can be pursuaded to send away for something else again. I do have a desire to add a nice Stetson to my hat rack soon, or perhaps something from Christys.

 

[Garrett]

Vintage is the way to go

 

[memphislawyer]

Im looking at a Stylemaster for casual to semi dress, and my Stetson Saxon for dress occassions and suits

 

[gtdean48]

I am just not a wide ribbon lover or liker. I have a Squatter with the widest ribbon I own & it is okay. I LOVE Stetson Open Road & Playboy size ribbon treatments. I've got nothing against Indy style hats, which is what I consider all the Feds. I was into hats long before that movie ever existed & glad it got some new folks to become Hatters. We sure need them. Wide ribbons remind me of those FUGLY wide feather bands & stuff that came & went with Urban Cowboy hat craze, except for Richard Petty!

 

[tortswon]

Vintage is the way to go

I'm with Garrett on this one. I prefer vintage felt, generally, to modern felt. It just feels better. I like the fact that the hat I am wearing is old. It has existed through a period of time longer than the present (I'm admittedly a romantic). I like its "retroness." There is something to be said for modern day customs (I own three). They are special for other reasons. I own an Akubra but it does not see much use. Best, Sam

 

[skyvue]

Wide ribbons remind me of those FUGLY wide feather bands & stuff that came & went with Urban Cowboy hat craze, except for Richard Petty!

Interesting. As someone who came to all things vintage via old movies, I think of wide ribbons as the classic look (not that I'm not trying to change your mind, GT), given that the majority (though certainly not all) of the fedoras seen in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s movies I love have wide ribbons.

The last thing I'd connect them to would be feather bands.

Different strokes, and all that.

As for vintage hats, I'd be all over those, just as I am vintage clothes, if I could find them more often in my size. With my big head, I own just one vintage hat, and it's straw.

 

[Bassman]

I love the tall crowns, wide brims and wide ribbons too. New or vintage will do.

 

[gtdean48]

Well that explains it some too, as I'm only here for the hats & nothing else Golden Era. I've done Civil War reenactment & Cowboy Mounted Shooting impressions, so my influences were mid to late 1800's & very western.

 

[Blackthorn]

I just ordered my 1st Fed IV (tawny fawn) from HD less than an hour ago. Ain't that always the way.:eusa_doh:

Don't feel bad, Duper, I have two Fed IVs that I like a lot, in the tawny fawn and in moonstone. I am sure you'll enjoy your Fed IV, but there are other brands you'll enjoy as well.

 

[CRH]

I love the Fed 4 but I don't own one because it doesn't have a snap brim. When and if I'm ready for a dressier looking Fedora with the brim down front and back and up on the sides then I'll look into a Fed 4.... maybe .

I'm waiting for the Fed V :eusa_clap.

 

[memphislawyer]

Sam: Love the hat in your avatar.

I kinda agree with that last post. I dont like the brim down in the back as much as I like it snapped up and on one side, like my Stetson Saxon. Is that what is meant by a snap brim?

 

[Bassman]

I have 2 Feds (a III and a IV) and the brims definately DO snap up in the back. Just so you know.

 

[CRH]

Sam: Love the hat in your avatar.

I kinda agree with that last post. I dont like the brim down in the back as much as I like it snapped up and on one side, like my Stetson Saxon. Is that what is meant by a snap brim?

Yup, the brim snaps up and snaps down. Most guys curl the Fed brim to emulate the shape of a snap brim or leave the back as is and curl the front down.

 

[CRH]

I have 2 Feds (a III and a IV) and the brims definately DO snap up in the back. Just so you know.

Thanks, my impression has been that the lV comes fairly flat all around.

 

[Bassman]

Thanks, my impression has been that the lV comes fairly flat all around.

Yes, but it'll take any shape you want to give it.

 

[Classified00]

I'm new but I can contribute to this thread (yeah for me!)!

A Fed 4 was my first real felt hat. I do like it but it left me still looking. My next order was an Akubra Stylemaster in Moonstone. I'm now waiting for one in Acorn to arrive.

The features I like in the Stylemaster:
- The shorter crown.
- The true snap brim.
- The fact that it comes blocked.

I took it out of the box, snapped down the front of the brim, put it on and I was in business.

The Fed 4 seems to make more of a statement. It's bigger and more ... there. The Stylemaster seems more like it's part of an outfit rather than being the center of attention.

 

[Dewhurst]

You ask about hats other than the Federations and what happens? You are bombarded with Fed. wearers! :eusa_doh:

I like to wear dressy snap brim affairs from Biltmore most of the time.

There are others... but I usually end up walking out the door with a Biltmore on my head.

 

[Blackthorn]

You ask about hats other than the Federations and what happens? You are bombarded with Fed. wearers! :eusa_doh:

I like to wear dressy snap brim affairs from Biltmore most of the time.

There are others... but I usually end up walking out the door with a Biltmore on my head.

Thanks, Dewhurst. Any particular model? Do you have more than one Biltmore?

 

[Kreissaege]

Vintage is the way to go

Alas, not with a 7 3/4 melon