Intro and couple questions....

[OutbackDoug]

hello, I'm a newbie here to the Lounge. Just some brief history - I've always loved the styles of the 30's and 40's, when men dressed sharp and women dressed even sharper.

I have a penchant for felt outback style hats. I've got a no name that I bought in Anchorage, AK (just prior to a cruise, I'm even featured in a promo shot standing just below the bridge in the early morning fog holding a cup of cider!). Fits well, but no name tag inside...just bought a Dorfman Pacific "crushable" felt - not real satisfied, as the felts just a bit too thin for my taste. I also have an older (40's-50's) gray fedora that I got from an antique shop years ago for a promotion I was doing. Have to do some research on that one to see what/who's it is.

So, who is a good manufacturer for a good quality felt hat? Any suggestions?

Doug

 

[johnnycanuck]

Akubra
http://www.hatsdirect.com/

 

[gtdean48]

Another Aussie shop & Hat Co...

Everything Australian, lower price for shipping but longer wait if not in stock...
http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/default.asp
Stetson actually has a good line of Outback styled hats...
http://www.stetsonhat.com/collections.php?cat_id=10

 

[Rick Blaine]

Vintage

If I were a 7 1/8 or less, that's what I'd do....my .02

 

[rrog]

The first three posts have given you some very good starting points. Welcome to the lounge. And why don't you post some pics of your vintage hat? I'm sure there's someone here who would be able to help you identify it.

rrog

 

[johnnycanuck]

Lets try that again a little more social like.

Hello Outbackdoug and welcome to the lounge. If you are going for a outback hat made of fir felt there is only one name to look for "Akubra" If you want to learn more about the company you can check out their web page http://www.akubra.com.au/ When I wanted a hat that was more casual then my Akubra Federation I started to look at the outback styles. After talking to some of my Australian friends they indicated "Snowy River" to be the quintessential Australian outback look. So I ordered one in sandtone fawn. It ended up being my daily wear hat for ages. Only replaced four year later by a black Akubra "Down under" (Crocodile Dundee looking hat) . Both style and colours are what I consider the be quintessential Australian hats.

A little bit of extra information, I also own a Akubra Croc. It is a great hat but the wider brim hits the headrest when I drive so I usually go for the shorter brim of the "Down Under" I have never had a problem with my Snowy river in this regard as well. But if you don't wear your hat when you drive it will not be an issue.

Hope this helps.

Johnny

 

[OutbackDoug]

Thanks Johnny (sounds like a line from Johnny Dangerously). I am looking at the Akubra's, but this morning started checking out the leather option too - saw some great looking ones at Killer Hats (http://www.killerhats.com/). I've heard that leather hats are pretty heavy, so I may take a trip to RCC to see if they have any and do some test fits....it's got to coordinate with my black leather duster I wear in winter....

D

 

[gtdean48]

Some folks like leather hats, HPGene for one, but to me they are too heavy & too hot. Felt breathes better & is much lighter tho plenty tough. JMHO

 

[johnnycanuck]

I am not to partial to them myself but those that I know who do recommend BC hats http://www.bchats.com/ and Barmah hats.http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?group=Barmah+Hats Hope that helps.
Johnny

 

[RBH]

Glad to have you join us!!!

 

[OutbackDoug]

Well, I did go down to RCC Western last night - and got more things to consider! I didn't find the leather hats too heavy, but I did find out that the crowns are lower (on the Minnetonka's they had), which made the fit uncomfortable. Tried on a few Stetsons (4XXXX fur felt), rather stiff fit, but then I'm used to a crushable wool feel. A bit pricey for my taste, too. So back to looking, but with a caveat - I need a 4 1/2" or taller crown - the 4" didn't allow the hat to sit right on my head. Interesting, the things we learn......

D

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Welcome ...........I would definitely try Akubra. I have Stetson and Akubra felts. And a Stetson wool.

I chose Akura as more durable. The Stetsons are more dressy.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Welcome, OD. You're getting good advice and the final is up to you, of course. Just be sure to show us what you arrive at.

 

[johnnycanuck]

If you really have something specific in mind you could always go custom and get exactly what you want that fits bang on.
Johnny

 

[OutbackDoug]

If you really have something specific in mind you could always go custom and get exactly what you want that fits bang on.
Johnny

Interesting idea....where would I go to find a custom hatter?

D

 

[johnnycanuck]

All my custom hats have been made by Art Fawcett. http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/ He is well liked here and if you do a little searching you will see examples of his work. He usually does fedoras any size colour and shape you want. He made me a nice crossover this year so I would just e-mail or PM him and ask him if he could make up what you want. The big thing about custom work is the conformer that helps get your exact head size and shape. Art does this all by mail order so it was good by me. The closest actual hat shop that does that in my area is 350km south and last time I checked they were not open on weekends.
So my advise is check to see if there is anything in your area. (its always good to give local company's business) If that fails try Art. I have also found a company on line called Jaxonbilt hats http://www.jaxonbilthats.com/index.html that does the conformer thing but I don't know anything about them so I really can't say if they are good or bad.
Anyway I hope that helps.
Johnny