looking to buy my first felt hat

[carldelo]

Some additional info

If you're just starting in felt, I think it makes sense to pay less and buy factory or vintage until you know exactly what you like. Then later on you can pony up the money for a custom hat. Re: some earlier suggestions:

I have a Stetson Ashland in dark brown - the brim is 2-1/4" underwelt (folded under and stitched). It is Royal quality with standard Stetson teardrop crown. It is a trim looking hat, seems possibly a little 1950s in appearance, although I wouldn't call it a stingy brim.

I also have a Stetson Chatham in sage green. It has a 2-1/2" raw edge brim and a teardrop crown. The Sovereign felt is noticeably softer and more flexible than the Ashland. It's a sweet hat and has a classic look with a somewhat narrow ribbon. The crown started out stiff, but is getting softer with time.

I had an Akubra Sydney for a brief while but sold it. For the record, it did not come with a wind trolley. It is sort of the opposite of the Chatham: the Chatham has a stiff crown and a flexible brim. The Sydney has a very stiff, 'snappy' brim, but the bash kept popping out of the soft flexible crown, which I found annoying. Some have managed to tame that behavior, however. Many claim that Akubras are superior to Stetsons - but I think Stetsons hold their own - they're just different.

I've always liked the look of the Akubra Stylemaster, but they don't come big enough for me. That bound brim is nice.

I think the special version of the Stetson Nostalgia to be released by Bencraft soon is worth considering - it will have a 2-1/2 (or was it 2-5/8) inch brim with ribbon binding, Sovereign quality in Caribou gray, with a medium wide ribbon. It will come open crown and is a bit of a throwback in styling to the 1940s. It's generated a lot of interest on the forum, and I plan to get one as soon as they're available. Food for thought.

Good luck on your first lid. There'll be more down the line, so don't sweat it too much.

 

[MattJH]

I had an Akubra Sydney for a brief while but sold it. For the record, it did not come with a wind trolley.

Mine does:

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The Sydney has a very stiff, 'snappy' brim, but the bash kept popping out of the soft flexible crown, which I found annoying.

Weird! Mine doesn't have either issue. For me (just me!), it's my favorite modern production hat by a long shot.

 

[carldelo]

Interesting

I like the wind trolley - I wish mine had had one. Anyway, the popping bash wasn't the deal-breaker for me. I know some have fixed that minor problem with a watering. For me the crown was too high and the brim snapped down too low in front of my eyes - that's why I let it go. I loved that scarlet liner and the rich charcoal color, and the felt had a very nice feel to it - it took a while to decide to part with it.

 

[MattJH]

For me the crown was too high

Hm. Now I'm wondering if we're talking about the same hat. I do know that David Morgan's Akubra Sydney doesn't come with a wind trolley, while the one from Hats Direct does. But both of them have the same crown height, and it's comparatively low... I'm pretty sure it's 5" when creased.

 

[carldelo]

That's it

Hm. Now I'm wondering if we're talking about the same hat. I do know that David Morgan's Akubra Sydney doesn't come with a wind trolley, while the one from Hats Direct does. But both of them have the same crown height, and it's comparatively low... I'm pretty sure it's 5" when creased.

Yep, that's the one, 5". I bought mine from Noggintops, however. I prefer a lower crown - the 4" Stetson teardrop is my favorite. I'm of average height with a large head - so I try not to overemphasize my cranial endowment by wearing overly large crowns.

 

[Irish4]

off the shelf or factory?

I have been wearing hats all of my life(was born with one even) and to this day have never had a so called custom hat.The quality of the factory hats are great,or they would not be in buisness today.My off the shelf Bailey is a superb work horse.I am a trucker pulling oilfield equipment and heavy steel,I am in dust,mud ,grease and sweat 24/7 and my little Bailey holds up like a champ.So in closing,do not be afraid of buying off the shelf and good luck with your search.

 

[panama jack]

Well...I order a Akubra Stylemaster in medium grey with a black ribbon from Everything Australian. For me, I thought it was a bettter choice in color over the moonstone grey. Plus I didn't want to wait three months to get the hat.
I appreciate everyone's help in my decision making.

PJ

 

[Doctor Strange]

Good choice! I'm sure you'll love it.

I much prefer the contrasting ribbon to the "same color" scheme: I really don't see the attaction of that look. I'm getting a black ribbon on my carbon grey Bogart. (Now about four weeks into the wait...)

 

[BobC]

Well...I order a Akubra Stylemaster in medium grey with a black ribbon from Everything Australian. For me, I thought it was a bettter choice in color over the moonstone grey. Plus I didn't want to wait three months to get the hat.
I appreciate everyone's help in my decision making.

PJ

Congratulation, PJ! You won't regret ordering an Akubra. They are quite nice hats and they come highly recommended here on the lounge. Be sure and post some pictures when you get it, won't you?

 

[carldelo]

Congratulation, PJ! You won't regret ordering an Akubra. They are quite nice hats and they come highly recommended here on the lounge. Be sure and post some pictures when you get it, won't you?

Speaking of pictures ---- Bob I just posted this on an older thread: This thread has got me looking into the Stylemaster, and I was wondering if you have pictures of yours in Moonstone for comparison to the very nice pics of it in Acorn Fawn on the other thread. I'm looking for a light colored hat, and I'm not sure the AF is light enough.

Hmmm, forgot to include the older thread - here it is:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=27453&page=3

 

[panama jack]

Congratulation, PJ! You won't regret ordering an Akubra. They are quite nice hats and they come highly recommended here on the lounge. Be sure and post some pictures when you get it, won't you?

BobC,

I am anxiously waiting for my first felt hat. I will post a photo once I get it.

I'm going to St. Martin in another week and just my luck it will probably come when I'm away. Well, it will be a nice surprise for when I get back home.

I did notice yesterday with the fluctuation of the Australian dollar recently the Stylemaster is now less that $64.00 from Everything Australian. That's $7.00 less than I paid. Almost tempted to buy another one in a different color.

 

[rumblefish]

Spats,
What do you think of the Stetson Sutley? That one seems to fit my criteria. I don't know about the quality.

Stetson Sutley
This will be my next hat!
I bought a Borsalino Allegro from Bencraft http://www.bencrafthats.com/ at their Broadway store, and looked at the Sutley while I was there. I think the Sutley will fit the bill for a snap brim for me.

If you're near the Williamsburg bridge or the BQE do stop in at Bencraft Hatters. This store is packed, I mean packed, with hats! Very patient and attentative folks as well.

 

[Feraud]

Based on comments in this thread, you can get an Akubra shipped for under a hundred.
Not a bad price and Akubras are great hats for the money.

 

[kaosharper1]

Akubra's are cheap now that the Aussie Dollar has collapsed. The Federation is a great hat. Most people bash it as an Indy hat but you don't have to. I did this bash to make it look more like a Bogie/Maltese Falcon type of look.

But it is open crowned, so you'll have to crease it yourself. This one is in the granite color, which is a very dark grey. I've found it to be adaptable to many situations, and very tough.