Looking for a hat in NY...

[SoundGuy]

Greetings.

Recently, while walking up 8th avenue, I stumbled upon Arnold Hatters. In the past, I've ventured to JJ Hat Center in midtown and Bencraft in Brooklyn - both great hat shops, but slightly above my price range. Arnold Hatters seemed to be more reasonable in terms of my budget.

I'm not an experienced hat buyer and don't know much about material, cost, etc. But the hats in Arnold's sure looked nice. Any New Yorkers on the board have any experience with them?

Thanks.

 

[Feraud]

I have not been to Arnold's in a long while and have not purchased from them. I have been to JJ Hats and saw some nice looking lids. Are the prices at Arnold's very different from JJ Hats?

 

[Tomasso]

Any New Yorkers on the board have any experience with them?

I've been to Arnold's. I would recommend JJ.

 

[SoundGuy]

The prices at Arnold's and JJ's are about the same when comparing the same hat.... but Arnold's seems to have more of a selection of lesser expensive ones...

 

[Feraud]

The prices at Arnold's and JJ's are about the same when comparing the same hat.... but Arnold's seems to have more of a selection of lesser expensive ones...

SoundGuy, keep in mind less expensive probably means less quality.
I am not necessarily advocating you to save up and get a high quality hat. I certainly understand the need to work within a budget. I should also suggest you check out thrift shops. Decent hats can be found there too.
The more information and options available to you the more likely you are to make a well informed decision.

 

[SoundGuy]

Thanks for the advice. Does you know, offhand, of any other (thrift?) shops around NY that I can visit?

Thanks again.

 

[Feraud]

Try here. Good luck!

 

[besdor]

Soundguy , as the saying goes you get what ou pay for . Our prices on hats are as good as it gets . We carry hats from 35.00 and up . You have to realize that a 35.00 hat is not the same as a 125.00 hat . If you visit our store in Williamsburg Brooklyn , the selection is endless . As for JJ hats and Arnold , both are great stores which cater to different groups of customers. Arnold has a fantastic selection of hats under 100.00 and JJ pretty much starts at 100.00 and up .




Steven
At your service since 1948
Bencraft Hats

 

[gekisai29]

Steven, you should open a branch in mid-town. It is just too much of a shlep to Williamsburg.

 

[Senator Jack]

I got a stingy Bailey (the Belmont) over at Arnold $90. Good quality. Holds up in the rain, though some of the dye did seep into the lining during one downpour. I've been meaning to go check out a few of their wider brims, but I can't seem to leave a hat shop without buying a hat.

JJ is about $30 more on every hat. Basically the same quality.

BenCraft is worth the trip to Billyburg. I got a Stetson over there that I just reshaped into a hat like the one in the Gig Young thread. Pictures coming. Only place to still have your initials stamped into the band.

There's also Worth & Worth up in the 50s. Hats are made in Italy. I bought a black 2" over there about 2 months ago. $150.

Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of buying anything from the New York Hat Company.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[besdor]

Gekisai ,why do you think we are in Brooklyn for all of these years . At 10,000 to 15,000 per month for the rent in Manhattan , the prices on the hat would have to be 20% more than we charge . When the leases are up on some of those guys in the city then they will have to close up or look for another location . Thats what happened to both JJ's and Arnold a few years ago . Both had to relocate and lost a lot of their customers . Being in Brooklyn we can carry a huge amount of hats in stock and keep the prices a little lower .
But , you never know . We are thinking about a place in the city . We will see.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Feraud]

This thread got me curious. I took a walk to Arnold's yesterday evening.
I found the quality of their hats to be o.k. Some of the felt was acceptable, others not so. The one caveat I would offer is to avoid their stitched brims! They look really bad. Go for a raw edge.

Keeping in mind Senator Jack's comments regarding price...

JJ is about $30 more on every hat. Basically the same quality.

Something to think about if you are on a budget. From what I remember JJ might have a better selection of quality hats. When I was last there with the Fedora Lounge members I taking more pictures and talking to members than looking at hats.

Arnold's has a small but nice selection of "newsboy" style caps.

I think another trip to JJ and one to Bencraft in Brooklyn are in order.

 

[gekisai29]

Besdor , believe me i undrestand. But if you factor in the time it takes to travel from mid-town & the cost it the savings just aren't that significant. I bet alot of us would be happy to pay more for a better selection than what presently is available. How about expanding your website? easy for me to spend opm i guess.

 

[besdor]

Our website will be expanded very shortly . We are going to be putting up a lot of new caps and hats that we are now carrying in the stores. Check back in a week .



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[SoundGuy]

Steven:

Thank you very much for being so helpful... I will take another trip to your store shortly. Are you usually at the store in Williamsburg?

 

[besdor]

I gp back and forth between the stores . The Williamsburg store has a better selection and isn't as hectic as the Boro Park store .
Just call ahead , and I'll try to be there .



Steven
Bencraft Hats