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When this hat was handed off to me ...
... its original size tag said it was a 7 1/8, but it was actually closer to a size 7, and as such it was way too tight for its owner.
It had moth damage, the most severe of which is this hole ...
This moth tracking is typical of what it had in three or four places, most of which sanded out pretty well (you might have to have it pointed out before you'd notice it) or was covered with ribbon.
So I took it apart and cleaned it and blocked it up a couple of sizes and turned a quarter inch or so of brim into crown, which also served to cover some of that moth damage on what had been brim material, right near the bandline. A wider-than-original ribbon was necessary, to cover that moth hole. It was fortunate that I happen to have a roll of vintage ribbon in a color just about identical to the original edge binding. This is the result ...
The liner, original sweatband (which I replaced) and original $17.50 price tag have me thinking this is likely a '60s-vintage hat.
I kinda regret having to give this hat back to its owner, because the color, a pinkish tan, is just so pleasant, even if its more subtle shadings don't come across all that well in the photos. I doubt I'll find another like it anytime soon.
What we have here is a vintage hat -- the body is old, the liner is old, even the replacement ribbon is old (older than the rest of the hat, I suspect). Only the sweatband is new. But I'd argue that it's good as new. Better, really, in some significant ways. Certainly better than what can be bought new for less than, oh, 250 bucks.
Here's hoping this has you looking more favorably upon those moth-eaten, dusty, dirty, misshapen, undersized old hats at the bottom of the stacks at the secondhand/vintage/antique shops. I mean, if they can be had for just a few bucks ...
... its original size tag said it was a 7 1/8, but it was actually closer to a size 7, and as such it was way too tight for its owner.
It had moth damage, the most severe of which is this hole ...
This moth tracking is typical of what it had in three or four places, most of which sanded out pretty well (you might have to have it pointed out before you'd notice it) or was covered with ribbon.
So I took it apart and cleaned it and blocked it up a couple of sizes and turned a quarter inch or so of brim into crown, which also served to cover some of that moth damage on what had been brim material, right near the bandline. A wider-than-original ribbon was necessary, to cover that moth hole. It was fortunate that I happen to have a roll of vintage ribbon in a color just about identical to the original edge binding. This is the result ...
The liner, original sweatband (which I replaced) and original $17.50 price tag have me thinking this is likely a '60s-vintage hat.
I kinda regret having to give this hat back to its owner, because the color, a pinkish tan, is just so pleasant, even if its more subtle shadings don't come across all that well in the photos. I doubt I'll find another like it anytime soon.
What we have here is a vintage hat -- the body is old, the liner is old, even the replacement ribbon is old (older than the rest of the hat, I suspect). Only the sweatband is new. But I'd argue that it's good as new. Better, really, in some significant ways. Certainly better than what can be bought new for less than, oh, 250 bucks.
Here's hoping this has you looking more favorably upon those moth-eaten, dusty, dirty, misshapen, undersized old hats at the bottom of the stacks at the secondhand/vintage/antique shops. I mean, if they can be had for just a few bucks ...
