ObscureRefMan
New in Town
- Messages
- 37
- Location
- Huntington, NY (Long Island)
OK. I just picked up my new hat, and I love it! It's a bit of a story, so bear with me...
I went into NYC on the train. Yes, the fare was a bit much, but I was going to make a day of it; go to JJ Hat Shop (32nd), then up to Arnold Hats (36th), then to Worth&Worth (55th). Also planned to meet up with a friend & catch lunch somewhere interesting. Besides, I had to try on several hats – I'm not able to buy according to a picture online.
Well… As soon as I get on the train, I see someone I know; Joe from the store where I get pens & such (fountain pens – another "old style" penchant of mine). He seems a bit busy with the crossword puzzle, so I let him alone. After the first stop, I see a woman I work with, her husband and two their girls – they're going in to see "Wicked" on Broadway. Chris, the husband, asks me what I'm doing, and I reply, "Shopping". "For what?", he asks. I say, "Hats." He asks, "What kind?". "Fedora." This kind of hangs in the air, and he says, "Oh." Not surprising.
When we get into Penn Station, we say goodbye. And I say "hi" and "goodbye" to Joe (he was going to see Dame Edna). I get my bearings, and head off to JJ. I figure I should move briskly, because I have three shops to hit, and have to make the 3:30 train to be back in time to meet friends – and, I hope, show off my new hat. I walk into JJ, and am greeted by several friendly employees, all wearing hats (fedora, cap, etc.). The store is as it looks on the web site. Imagine the side cabinets running the length of the store – and jam packed with hats. Even more than they have on the site. I'm greeted by Adonis (his real name) who is a friendly, helpful guy. After chatting a bit (as it turns out, we're both big fans of "Guys & Dolls"), he kind of "sizes me up", and pulls out a Lagomarsino. I try it on, and I like it, but need to see more. I try on a LOT of hats – fedora style, but higher crown, wider brim, etc. And after a while, I finally settle on my favorite – the one he picked out in the first place! Either he got lucky, or just has a really good eye & sense for his customer. And it's just what I wanted – fedora, not too dressy, just casual. So… I was done! No need to even visit Worth&Worth or Arnold. So I have plenty of time to eat lunch (my friend Kevin was not available), and catch the 1:39 to be back with time to spare. As I'm walking around, trying to find a place for lunch, I keep catching myself looking at my reflection in every window & mirror! This is one sweet hat!
Once back on Long Island, when I got to the bar, the first thing my friend Suzanne says is, "Hey, it's Indiana Jones!" Which is fair – I was wearing my leather jacket. I was actually surprised; I was expecting some amount of derision – I am the "odd" one, after all. But the hat (and its owner) was accepted with no other commentary.
And now, I'm already thinking of my next hat – gray, higher crown, flat (not teardrop) crease. Something a little fancier to wear when going out, say, to dance.
Maybe in another thread, I'll post pics of a few other hats I already own. In the meantime, thanks for your kind indulgence.
-Dave (aka Obscure Reference Man)
P. S. I tried to post some pics, but was not able to. I'll try again. If no luck, look for my cries of help...
I went into NYC on the train. Yes, the fare was a bit much, but I was going to make a day of it; go to JJ Hat Shop (32nd), then up to Arnold Hats (36th), then to Worth&Worth (55th). Also planned to meet up with a friend & catch lunch somewhere interesting. Besides, I had to try on several hats – I'm not able to buy according to a picture online.
Well… As soon as I get on the train, I see someone I know; Joe from the store where I get pens & such (fountain pens – another "old style" penchant of mine). He seems a bit busy with the crossword puzzle, so I let him alone. After the first stop, I see a woman I work with, her husband and two their girls – they're going in to see "Wicked" on Broadway. Chris, the husband, asks me what I'm doing, and I reply, "Shopping". "For what?", he asks. I say, "Hats." He asks, "What kind?". "Fedora." This kind of hangs in the air, and he says, "Oh." Not surprising.
When we get into Penn Station, we say goodbye. And I say "hi" and "goodbye" to Joe (he was going to see Dame Edna). I get my bearings, and head off to JJ. I figure I should move briskly, because I have three shops to hit, and have to make the 3:30 train to be back in time to meet friends – and, I hope, show off my new hat. I walk into JJ, and am greeted by several friendly employees, all wearing hats (fedora, cap, etc.). The store is as it looks on the web site. Imagine the side cabinets running the length of the store – and jam packed with hats. Even more than they have on the site. I'm greeted by Adonis (his real name) who is a friendly, helpful guy. After chatting a bit (as it turns out, we're both big fans of "Guys & Dolls"), he kind of "sizes me up", and pulls out a Lagomarsino. I try it on, and I like it, but need to see more. I try on a LOT of hats – fedora style, but higher crown, wider brim, etc. And after a while, I finally settle on my favorite – the one he picked out in the first place! Either he got lucky, or just has a really good eye & sense for his customer. And it's just what I wanted – fedora, not too dressy, just casual. So… I was done! No need to even visit Worth&Worth or Arnold. So I have plenty of time to eat lunch (my friend Kevin was not available), and catch the 1:39 to be back with time to spare. As I'm walking around, trying to find a place for lunch, I keep catching myself looking at my reflection in every window & mirror! This is one sweet hat!
Once back on Long Island, when I got to the bar, the first thing my friend Suzanne says is, "Hey, it's Indiana Jones!" Which is fair – I was wearing my leather jacket. I was actually surprised; I was expecting some amount of derision – I am the "odd" one, after all. But the hat (and its owner) was accepted with no other commentary.
And now, I'm already thinking of my next hat – gray, higher crown, flat (not teardrop) crease. Something a little fancier to wear when going out, say, to dance.
Maybe in another thread, I'll post pics of a few other hats I already own. In the meantime, thanks for your kind indulgence.
-Dave (aka Obscure Reference Man)
P. S. I tried to post some pics, but was not able to. I'll try again. If no luck, look for my cries of help...
