Miller Hats

[deadlyhandsome]

I understand where y'all coming from, I am myself very particular when it comes to suits and suit separates. I know forums like Styleforum often look negatively on mass-produced brands, such as Canali, and look positively on bespoke and or niche brands, such as Sartoria Catangia or Cesare Attolini. But here's the thing, brands like Canali are high quality compared to common mass-market brands, such as H&M or Banana Republic. I am honestly not looking for hats that are equivalent to bespoke or to Kiton. I chose to research Miler because it seems like a brand that is middling quality at an affordable price, compared to other hat brands. I just want some further opinions from people who actually have experience with the brand itself. Most in Styleforum don't talk about canali, they talk about bespoke. I don't want to spend anything above $300 on a hat, and $300 is pushing it as well. And for vintage, styleforum does have a large community of people who wear vintage... and I do agree that vintage is higher quality more often than not compared to modern. But when I see people where vintage, no matter if it's a custom hat or a Mariano Rubinacci blazer...for many who are not experienced in this niche group, the clothing just looks used, from goodwill. When I see those in this forum wear vintage.... it looks used, hence the name, or when I see people from the gentleman's gazette youtube channel wear their clothing, despite the clothing being high quality, especially Raphael's, it still looks old, worn-out, and cheap. For the general public, Vintage just looks like it comes from goodwill. I have a vintage Savile Row blazer.... styleforum approved, but then when I began wearing it in public I had to explain to myself, that this is not some cheap used suit, but it's vintage. I am not crapping on those who like vintage on this forum or styleforum, and yes I do wish that the hatbands on Stetson are actually Full grain leather of quality and the satin hat bands be actual satin and not polyester... But I don't want to shell half a thousand on a hat or a boot or a couple thousand on a suit. I just want to hear those who have experience with Miller Hats.com.

I’ve owned at least five hats from Miller Hats. To stick with your suits analogy, Miller is like Stafford suits from JC Penny and not at all comparable to Canali. The Miller beaver would be like a Chaps wool suit…nicer than some cheap polyester suits, but still not a “quality” suit. Their owners might be completely satisfied with them, but that doesn’t mean those fused suits are objectively good quality. To some people a suit is a suit and a hat is a hat. Some would say they are made of the same materials so how different can they be? Wool is wool. Beaver is beaver. Most can’t tell a fused suit from a full canvas suit. Some cheap mass market suits add pick stitching etc. to mimic better suits, but such details fail to elevate a cheap suit to quality suit.

We aren’t steering you to the $2,000+ hats, but what would you say to someone who wanted to buy a new suit and wanted to spend $250 for it? To some people a suit is a suit and to some people a hat is a hat. I’ve been unimpressed with every Miller I’ve seen, but it might be perfect for you. Only you can determine value.

 

[belfastboy]

I understand where y'all coming from, I am myself very particular when it comes to suits and suit separates. I know forums like Styleforum often look negatively on mass-produced brands, such as Canali, and look positively on bespoke and or niche brands, such as Sartoria Catangia or Cesare Attolini. But here's the thing, brands like Canali are high quality compared to common mass-market brands, such as H&M or Banana Republic. I am honestly not looking for hats that are equivalent to bespoke or to Kiton. I chose to research Miler because it seems like a brand that is middling quality at an affordable price, compared to other hat brands. I just want some further opinions from people who actually have experience with the brand itself. Most in Styleforum don't talk about canali, they talk about bespoke. I don't want to spend anything above $300 on a hat, and $300 is pushing it as well. And for vintage, styleforum does have a large community of people who wear vintage... and I do agree that vintage is higher quality more often than not compared to modern. But when I see people where vintage, no matter if it's a custom hat or a Mariano Rubinacci blazer...for many who are not experienced in this niche group, the clothing just looks used, from goodwill. When I see those in this forum wear vintage.... it looks used, hence the name, or when I see people from the gentleman's gazette youtube channel wear their clothing, despite the clothing being high quality, especially Raphael's, it still looks old, worn-out, and cheap. For the general public, Vintage just looks like it comes from goodwill. I have a vintage Savile Row blazer.... styleforum approved, but then when I began wearing it in public I had to explain to myself, that this is not some cheap used suit, but it's vintage. I am not crapping on those who like vintage on this forum or styleforum, and yes I do wish that the hatbands on Stetson are actually Full grain leather of quality and the satin hat bands be actual satin and not polyester... But I don't want to shell half a thousand on a hat or a boot or a couple thousand on a suit. I just want to hear those who have experience with Miller Hats.com.

Well, and I think you received the info you seek. And from folks, like me, that own one. That is why I asked what more info do you seek? You continue to beat a horse that has expired.

Miller is an acceptable hat seller not a manufacturer so their hats might vary season to season depending on who fills the contract. If it is made in Canada then it is likely de facto Magill as they are the last man standing as far as I know.

For $300 you will get a $300 dollar hat with all the shortcuts/middling quality that exist in a $300 mass produced hat. That is true for whomever is the maker. My Miller hat is a decent hat and from a distance it looks presentable. Is it a heirloom hat to be passed down......no it isn't. But if you are new to hats, don't own any bespoke then you will likely be happy with the Miller as you have no standard with which to compare. And if you are around non hat wearing folks what standard will they use? They will look at you, and notice you are wearing a hat.......end of story. As I stated I owned a few Magill 30 some years ago and at the time was happy with them. It wasn't until I took a deeper dive into hats that I realized their many shortcomings and began to move up the food chain.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Hey @TheTopHatGuy:
It’s obvious you have not gotten the answers you are looking for in this thread or your same type questions in the Biltmore discussions.
As has been many times in the past in threads/discussions like this one you’re comparisons and compound questioning have been graciously entertained to terminal maturity.

A more direct route going forward to answer your conversational dialogue would be if you simply go to Google and type “Miller hats fedora lounge”, or “(whatever) fedora lounge”.

Then read and enjoy all the lounge has said about whatever. Even Biltmore.
Then you can tell us what you found prior to reinventing the wheel.
B

Ps: this is a vintage, Golden Era discussion forum. Best wishes.

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

I just want to get more opinions on Miller as a brand. I did the Google search, but most posts about this are out of date.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I just want to get more opinions on Miller as a brand. I did the Google search, but most posts about this are out of date.

We aren’t talking about Millers because their offerings don’t fit in with what many of us here like. I see no reason to try them again as the hats look the same and there’s no reason to suspect they are different than before. They might be perfect for you or others, but they don’t impress us after seeing so many better hats.

You’re asking about hats from a group that knows a lot about hats, but you don’t seem to want to accept what we are saying. I have no idea if you will be satisfied with a Millers Hat, but I know I would not be. For the same or close to the same money there are better options in my opinion.

Before I would consider another Millers Hat, I would give Agnoulita a look. I have several of their hats and they are all better quality than the Miller hats I’ve had. You get a semi-custom hat for a good price. They are not comparable to the nice vintage hats or the better customs you’ll see here on The Lounge, but they are better than Miller’s offerings. I recommend going with the beaver as it is a significant upgrade. Shipping is included and you should have your hat in about 30 days. This company has a dedicated thread here too if you want to put in some effort and research them.

https://www.agnoulitahats.com/en-us

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

Quality-wise is Agnoulita better than stetson pure stratoliner?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Quality-wise is Agnoulita better than stetson pure stratoliner?

I’d put it close, but not necessarily better if you are referring to the beaver Agnoulita. The problem with the Pure Stratoliner, at least for some of us, is the crown is too low and it touches the top of our heads, as does the Pure Open Road. It also has more taper than I (we) prefer. With the Agnoulita you get to specify the dimensions and he uses blocks with less taper. Stetson uses the horrible monofilament thread for their ribbons, but both Stetson and Agnoulita use lower quality ribbon. I don’t prefer the depth Agnoulita sews in their sweatbands (they are too proud to the felt and roll over onto the brim by a millimeter or two), but it’s a small thing. I should also say that all my Agnoulita fedoras have been open crown so I can’t speak about his creased crowns if you’re looking at them.

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

So here's the update... I have received my Miller beaver hat, and sadly I am quite disappointed with the quality! The felt is thin and flimsy and to my surprise for a $300 hat, the sweatband is some cheap synthetic leather. I have returned it and now I am highly considering Agnoulita. I am really wondering about the quality of the felt beaver Agnoulita has. I see so far that the forum looks positive on these hats though!

 

[belfastboy]

So here's the update... I have received my Miller beaver hat, and sadly I am quite disappointed with the quality! The felt is thin and flimsy and to my surprise for a $300 hat, the sweatband is some cheap synthetic leather. I have returned it and now I am highly considering Agnoulita. I am really wondering about the quality of the felt beaver Agnoulita has. I see so far that the forum looks positive on these hats though!

Well, you were warned about Miller.

 

[belfastboy]

So here's the update... I have received my Miller beaver hat, and sadly I am quite disappointed with the quality! The felt is thin and flimsy and to my surprise for a $300 hat, the sweatband is some cheap synthetic leather. I have returned it and now I am highly considering Agnoulita. I am really wondering about the quality of the felt beaver Agnoulita has. I see so far that the forum looks positive on these hats though!

Maybe at the end of your search you will come to the perspective that spending the extra $50 to $100 for a custom in the end could be money well spent.

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

We'll see about Agnoulita! I just purchased one of their custom beaver hats, it is an extra $25.... I plan to use my hat a lot outside, especially while camping so we will see how it holds up!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

We'll see about Agnoulita! I just purchased one of their custom beaver hats, it is an extra $25.... I plan to use my hat a lot outside, especially while camping so we will see how it holds up!

We’re seeing more hats with fake leather sweatbands. Stetson is using a lot of vegan leather these days too

I’m sorry the Miller didn’t work out for you. I’d be very specific with Mr. P when you go over the details of your Agnoulita. His sweatbands are fine, as is his beaver felt, but the ribbon isn’t the best. I don’t think it’s any worse that what you’ll find on most modern hats, but it’s not the vintage stuff the best hatters hunt down for their custom hats.

I think Agnoulita is a nice option to have. I haven’t been tempted since the dollar weakened against the Euro and for not much more I can now get a custom from hatters who I think make objectively better hats. I think you’ll be happy with your Agnoulita, but I think if you had some experience with a top tier custom or a mid tier or better vintage (1953 earlier) hat you will see the compromises in the Agnoulita.

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

We’re seeing more hats with fake leather sweatbands. Stetson is using a lot of vegan leather these days too

I’m sorry the Miller didn’t work out for you. I’d be very specific with Mr. P when you go over the details of your Agnoulita. His sweatbands are fine, as is his beaver felt, but the ribbon isn’t the best. I don’t think it’s any worse that what you’ll find on most modern hats, but it’s not the vintage stuff the best hatters hunt down for their custom hats.

I think Agnoulita is a nice option to have. I haven’t been tempted since the dollar weakened against the Euro and for not much more I can now get a custom from hatters who I think make objectively better hats. I think you’ll be happy with your Agnoulita, but I think if you had some experience with a top tier custom or a mid tier or better vintage (1953 earlier) hat you will see the compromises in the Agnoulita.

Well, I am glad I have chosen a good hat for my first one! Yea, I have read that the ribbons are not quite good, this is why I am opting out with a leather belt instead! My experience with the miller was similar to the USA Biltmore as well, where the fur felt felt and looked like wool and the leather band was not even leather

 

[Doctor Strange]

I had a tweed newsboy cap from Miller Hats long ago, which was nothing special.

I have mainly been buying/wearing Akubra hats for nearly 20 years, but I have to say that I am very impressed with the Agnoulita hat I got last year. I'd say it's a tad below Akubra materials-wise, but the level of customization for a factory hat is stunning. I wanted a circa-1900 homburg-evolving-into-a-fedora:



This is their "Phaeton" model homburg, but I was able to custom-spec everything - dimensions, color, lining, sweat, ribbons, firmness of the crown and brim - and it was only $185 including international shipping. That's pretty amazing when zero-customization, off-the-shelf rabbit fur felt hats from Stetson, etc., are in up the mid-$200 range!

I suspect there's another Agnoulita in my future...

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

Cannot wait for my hat to arrive then! Yea, I did hear that their rabbit felt is not the most impressive, but they are definitely cheaper than most Stetsons. I really do wonder how their beaver and rabbit felt is comparable to stetsons!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Cannot wait for my hat to arrive then! Yea, I did hear that their rabbit felt is not the most impressive, but they are definitely cheaper than most Stetsons. I really do wonder how their beaver and rabbit felt is comparable to stetsons!

There are, again, too many variables. I think the Agnoulita suede/antelope finished rabbit felt is fantastic and I like it better than anything I’ve seen in rabbit from Akubra or modern Stetson. The Agnoulita one-sided velour is not great. The Agnoulita long hair finish is quite nice, but the standard bald finish is comparable to Akubra and Stetson’s rabbit dress felt. I have two Agnoulitas in beaver and I like them a lot, but I’d put them measurably behind the beaver felt Stetson used a few years ago in their open crown “Excellent” quality hats. I don’t have any experience with the current “Pure” line of Stetson beaver hats because their dimensions aren’t right for me and the crown shapes are machine pressed.

Often it’s not right to say one is better; more often it’s a matter of them just being different. I will say that my Agnoulita sweatbands have been a lot better than any of my Akubras, and as good or better than any of my Stetsons made in the last 60 years. My “problem” with Agnoulita is their rabbit felt hats mostly don’t make the cut as I’m trying to thin my collection and only keep hats that are without compromises. The Beaver Agnoulitas are over the bar for quality without compromises; however, at their current prices I’d rather get a Gannon etc. that is, to me, a better hat in all respects. I have no problem recommending Agnoulita, but there are better options for just a little more and that’s where I’m at on my personal hat journey.

 

[belfastboy]

There are, again, too many variables. I think the Agnoulita suede/antelope finished rabbit felt is fantastic and I like it better than anything I’ve seen in rabbit from Akubra or modern Stetson. The Agnoulita one-sided velour is not great. The Agnoulita long hair finish is quite nice, but the standard bald finish is comparable to Akubra and Stetson’s rabbit dress felt. I have two Agnoulitas in beaver and I like them a lot, but I’d put them measurably behind the beaver felt Stetson used a few years ago in their open crown “Excellent” quality hats. I don’t have any experience with the current “Pure” line of Stetson beaver hats because their dimensions aren’t right for me and the crown shapes are machine pressed.

Often it’s not right to say one is better; more often it’s a matter of them just being different. I will say that my Agnoulita sweatbands have been a lot better than any of my Akubras, and as good or better than any of my Stetsons made in the last 60 years. My “problem” with Agnoulita is their rabbit felt hats mostly don’t make the cut as I’m trying to thin my collection and only keep hats that are without compromises. The Beaver Agnoulitas are over the bar for quality without compromises; however, at their current prices I’d rather get a Gannon etc. that is, to me, a better hat in all respects. I have no problem recommending Agnoulita, but there are better options for just a little more and that’s where I’m at on my personal hat journey.

Yes, I think the quality that Michael Gannon produces for about $75 more than Agnoulita is so superior. Agnoulita produces a decent hat but for the 20% extra for the Gannon you get a hat that is in another league entirely. Gannon produces hats that are heritage quality and can be passed down through generations.......the quality is that outstanding.

 

[TheTopHatGuy]

Thank you for your help! Thank y'all for everyone else's help as well! Glad that I got introduced to Agnoulita and other prospective makers that are better quality!

 

[Darrell2688]

I will only use leather sweatbands in my hats, I have had enough of the fake or vegan sweatbands. If a hat has a vegan or something other than leather I stop looking at the hat and I don't look at another hat being offered by the shop that has hats for sale with vegan or other wise sweatbands. I see them as junk no matter what name is attached to them. Maybe I am being to picky, but I want something that will last, not fall apart because of some rain.