Introduction

[safetyfast]

Do u want encouragement to buy a BG CD...??? LOL! Sure, BUY IT!!!

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Probably don't need much of a push on the CD! I guess I was seeking some confirmation on my thoughts about the fit of this hat as well , though I'm not sure these selfies give a true representation of the proportions. I tried taking an arm length selfie with the Strat and it looked ludicrously small.


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[moontheloon]

I think the hat looks good on you .... brims take a while to grow on you ... like crowns do as well ... but crowns you can bash down if you wish (which is complete sacrilege to me)

it looks like a Bushman ...

as the owner of a Bushman and 3 CDs I encourage you to own at least one of each .... especially if you do a lot of outdoor activities as you suggested

 

[Bob Roberts]

You probably don't need any push... Dont kno much abt the Akubra you own but the CD has abt a 6in open crown and a smaller brim. Can say if it'd b any cooler than your current hat. It's probably the same weight felt and the crown is lined so it may be just as warm. And not to start another size debate... I would order up a size. Everything Australian has the best prices by far but you may have to wait and the color you're considering is versitile.

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[safetyfast]

You probably don't need any push... Dont kno much abt the Akubra you own but the CD has abt a 6in open crown and a smaller brim. Can say if it'd b any cooler than your current hat. It's probably the same weight felt and the crown is lined so it may be just as warm. And not to start another size debate... I would order up a size. Everything Australian has the best prices by far but you may have to wait and the color you're considering is versitile.

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Thanks. I had assumed the campdraft would be unlined. Guess not. I figured that green would go with a pretty wide variety.


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[Greg Anderson]

Greg here......

First time poster long time hat lover. I am interested in finding a fedora (3.75 inch crown, 2 inch brim, teardrop block, lite felt crushable) for father in law.

His present (favorite) hat is a Country Gentleman "SAFARI" which is discontinued.

Any advice on where I might find something similar would be well received.

Greg A

 

[RJR]

Google Country Gentleman,they make several models.

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks. I had assumed the campdraft would be unlined. Guess not. I figured that green would go with a pretty wide variety.


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The Bluegrass Green is a very toned-down, smoky kind of green that goes with just about anything.

 

[workahol]

Howdy all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been reading TFL periodically for years, absorbing knowledge where I can. I appreciate the level of camaraderie and civility here; to say the least, that's not always the case on internet. Not to mention, you guys have certainly enticed me to spend enough dough on increasingly-nice jackets!

To date, I have never been a "hat guy". That's probably because I have a narrow face and a substantially long-oval head shape, and those one-size-fits-all baseball caps have never really worked for me. For years I assumed that a "proper hat" would be the same way, so I sort of ignored the whole hat thing. Then I moved to the rainy Pacific Northwest, and the umbrella proved itself to be the wrong tool for the weather we have here. Suddenly it became imperative that I find something to keep the water off my head, so: Time to suck it up and become a hat guy... or at least a guy with a proper hat.

After researching various websites and perusing innumerable threads, I convinced myself that an Akubra would offer the best value for my first proper hat. I decided that I wanted something in a dark brown color, with a medium brim: not so big as to make me look like a cattle drover, but not so stingy that I'm accused of being one of those hipster kids either. I obsessed and dithered for a week, and then with head-measurements in hand I placed an order for an Akubra Lawson from David Morgan. When it arrived, I immediately became aware of the following realities:

1. You guys weren't kidding, these Akubra hats are obviously really well-made. And I love the Dark Fawn (aka Loden?) color of the Lawson.

2. Contrary to my expectations, I did actually manage to measure my head size correctly the first time. But ouch, a round hat on a long-oval head is rough on the old skull-bone if you don't have it stretched first.

3. This hat is not actually the one for me. I didn't pay enough attention to brim size, and on my narrow face a 3-inch brim makes it look like the hat is wearing me. It also makes me look and feel like a kid wearing his dad's hat, despite my grey hairs. And, I didn't pay enough attention to the ribbon, which is a bit more rugged than I was really going for.

Well, judge for yourself - to my eye, this is just too much hat, or at least a lot more Western than I wanted:

Having now committed myself to wind up with a proper hat of some type, I drove up to John Helmer Haberdashers in Portland for a second opinion. Well, let me tell you, that is what I should have done in the first place. John Helmer III (hooray for long-lived family businesses) could not have been nicer or more accommodating. What a great place that is to visit.

He agreed that the Lawson was definitely too wide of brim, considering my face shape and stated preferences, and we began to discuss options like brim-trimming and ribbon replacement. Then he says, "Hang on, I think I have something in the back for you." Back he comes with an Akubra Stylemaster in my size, in the same dark brown color as the Lawson. My gosh, I didn't know they even came in that color - or at least David Morgan doesn't show that combination on their website. I put the Stylemaster on my head and it was love at first wearing. Immediately I knew this was the hat I wanted:

They steamed and stretched it to fit my long oval noggin, and I walked out of the store with the Stylemaster on my head and the Lawson in its box under my arm. Since I never wore the Lawson outdoors, it will go back to David Morgan with an apologetic note. I appreciate when a company offers a liberal return policy, but I certainly don't like to abuse it. However, since the hat was pronounced as being in new condition by John III after a close inspection, I don't feel too terrible about it.

Lessons learned:

1. Small details matter a lot. And sometimes they're hard to distinguish just from photos on the internet, at least if you're a newbie like me.

2. Just because a hat looks good on someone else's head, it may not look great on you. See also lesson #1.

3. If at all possible, try it on in person first. Support your local hat shop!

I'm sure this is nothing new to everybody else, but for me it was something I had to learn first-hand to really absorb.

And now I can already see how this could become a habit. Already I'm thinking, hmm, I'll probably need a dark grey hat to go with my wool coat, and when it gets warm again I bet I'll want something lighter-colored... No thanks to all you enablers posting hat photos, I'm sure!

cheers,
workahol

 

[Knotten]

Workahol, welcome to the lounge! I have a Stylemaster in my collection and it's a great hat. It's especially nice in the rain. Looks great on you. And yes, I'm certain it won't be your last hat. What would be the fun of that?

 

[Frunobulax]

Welcome. Now go clear a room out. You're going to need it.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I agree that's a nice color. I think if you had worn the Lawson lower down, just above the brows badass style, it might have worked for you but you've found a hat you like & that's great.
Now start looking around for a playmate for that Stylemaster

 

[safetyfast]

Nice hat. It will look good with that Barbour in the first pic.


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[Bob Roberts]

Wlcm. Good choice. Enjoy your new hat.

 

[workahol]

Nice hat. It will look good with that Barbour in the first pic.

Thanks! The jacket is actually a Filson - I find they fit my arms better. Between the jacket, hat, and a pair of good boots I should be all set for the monsoon season...

 

[RJR]

Welcome to the Lounge.No doubt you're now hooked.

 

[tropicalbob]

Welcome, Workahol. You certainly seem to've gotten off on the right foot, both with Akubras and with your discovery of trying on hats before a mirror. I agree with Lean'n'mean about the first one, as I think it would've been a good hat for walking in the woods up there. The Stylemaster looks great on you, though. As your addiction kicks in, you'll probably want to head down to the hat fanatics' Mecca, Salem, where Art Fawcett has his new Vintage Silhouettes shop. I'm hoping to get out there myself this summer. Anyway, nice to have you here.

 

[Frunobulax]

Welcome to the Lounge.No doubt you're now hooked.

Posting was his first mistake. (I keed, workohol, I keed)

 

[workahol]

As your addiction kicks in, you'll probably want to head down to the hat fanatics' Mecca, Salem, where Art Fawcett has his new Vintage Silhouettes shop. I'm hoping to get out there myself this summer.

Just looked up the Vintage Silhouettes website. Is his shop in Salem, or Medford? I'm hoping it's the latter, as Salem is much too close to where I live to be safe... for my wallet!

 

[tropicalbob]

You're right, the shop's in Medford. Safe? Ha! The way this works is that you'll occasionally take a peek at what Art's up to, but you'll tell yourself you don't really need anything that fancy. Then, as you get more and more addicted, you'll be stopping by his website a bit more often, saying to yourself, "Look at that ribbon, a-and that crown!" Then you'll see a vintage hat somewhere that you were born for, but you can't find it in your size. So one day you get one of those checks from God: you know, money you really weren't expecting (like a tax return that you knew d------ well was coming) and it's going to be "Honey, what say we take a little trip down around Medford." You'll see.

 

[moehawk]

Or maybe you'll go the route of thinking "hmmm...this couldn't be too tough to make myself" and then you're doomed for sure, searching flea markets, antique stores and the internet for antique hatters equipment. Sourcing felt bodies, learning everything there is to know about ribbon. Using a dang sewing machine even.
Hats are more addictive than cigarettes, and all the cool kids are using them...

Oh yeah...welcome to the lounge!