Light Grey Hats with Grey Beards?

[Brent Hutto]

OK, here's what I'm going to try...

1) An open crown hat so I can choose a bash that assures enough room atop my big old noggin. Plus I can experiment with the unpinched look I think I will like.

2) Taupe instead of light grey for (hopefully) maximum flexibility given my clothing habits and the fact I already have a navy blue hat. Basically something warm rather than cool, color-wise.

A recent small windfall gives me just enough (well, nearly enough) cash to splurge on just about anything I like, short of a custom hat. So the choice is Ta Da! a Borsalino Alessandria in taupe, assuming besdor's stockroom has one in my 7-3/4" size.

The one in the middle is taupe, albeit creased and pinched in a way different than I have in mine.

P.S. No offense to Lounge social norms intended but I am aware of the undeniable qualities of vintage hats, that is simply not the kind of thing I am willing to wear upon my head. As they say, not that there's anything wrong with that! Just not my thing.

 

[cybergentleman]

cost

arent borsalino alessandria hats a bit pricey- ive seen them for over 200 bucks. at that cost, why not save a bit and get a custom?

 

[Brent Hutto]

Yeah, the price on Borsalinos is pretty off-putting. I'd really love to have Art Fawcett build me a hat and all up the price difference is roughly US$100 which as you point out isn't all that huge.

But I'm just way not-ready to say with any assurance exactly what I'm looking for in a hat. So in addition to the two low, tapered crown hats I've tried (and found less than ideal for my high-crowed head) I want to try at least one generic hat built on a little fuller lines like I'd expect to get with a VS.

The rational thing to do is find something with a full, open crown for about half the cost of the Alessandria. And if a guy hadn't just handed me a $200 check for an out-of-print book I paid $38 for in 2006 I wouldn't be willing to splash for the Borsa. But it's sort of "found money" so what the heck.

Short answer, I expect a conversation with Mr. Fawcett a few months hence but in the mean while I'm splurging for a ridiculously overprice Italian factory lid. How's that?

 

[cybergentleman]

options

dont forget the akubras: federation, stylemaster, squatter.
christys :adventurer

and maybe the stetson nostalgia (although the crown isnt so high on this one)


as for custom. you have art fawcett, penman, and mary-ann of couture creations (she is in pennsylvania outside philly) i intent to place an order with her when i get chance.