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Need hat advice

fedoracentric

Banned
Messages
1,362
Location
Streamwood, IL
We have talked about Sterkowski on another thread and the verdict seems to be that it is a nice hat for the price. You can't go wrong with a Sterkowski as a first fedora.
 

Asmo

One of the Regulars
Messages
116
Location
Kentucky
I agree with these replies and will say that grey is a great color to start with as you can wear it with many combinations. I say "start with" because hats are like potato chips. It's hard to just have one. :)


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Rick Blaine

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,958
Location
Saskatoon, SK CANADA
That is quite nice (price and look), but I am not sure about the color. Seems a little light for my taste. *Plus the auction has ended.


Yeah, I know. Just posted by way of example on what's available out there.

Most here seem to prefer vintage to contemporary & fur to wool. For reasons we will expound upon at great length, making you wish you'd never asked! :eusa_doh:

I am afraid if you begin with wool, you will be let down &, perhaps incorrectly, feel you are not a "hat man".

When in fact you are just not a crappy, inferior, costume grade Chinese factory wool hat man.
 

Greyryder

One of the Regulars
Messages
148
Location
Ohio
I started with a wool Scala. Nice hat for the price, but wool tends to have a coarser finish than fur, and I always worry about it getting wet. I want a hat to protect me from the elements, not the other way around. Mine has the sweatband sewn in too high, so the reed leaves a mark in my forehead. Don't know if that's true for all of Scala's hats. The big problem with inexpensive hats, is that medium will never fit as well as a proper size.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.
 

Sebastien Basset

New in Town
Messages
32
Location
Los Angeles, CA
I started with a wool Scala. Nice hat for the price, but wool tends to have a coarser finish than fur, and I always worry about it getting wet. I want a hat to protect me from the elements, not the other way around. Mine has the sweatband sewn in too high, so the reed leaves a mark in my forehead. Don't know if that's true for all of Scala's hats. The big problem with inexpensive hats, is that medium will never fit as well as a proper size.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.

From what everyone seems to be saying, the Sterkowski Rabbit Fur Felt one I found on Amazon seems to be a pretty good choice for a "first" fedora.
 

Landman

One Too Many
Messages
1,751
Location
San Antonio, TX
Definitely stay away from wool hats!

Here is the thread about Sterkowski hats. I have never owned one but from the comments in the thread it appears to be a nice hat for the price.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...owski-hats-opinions-experiences-wanted-please

Akubra makes a great hat. They are more expensive but still very reasonable. Here is a link to the Fed IV. It comes open crown so you can crease it anyway you want.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0
 

tuco1963

One of the Regulars
Messages
198
Location
new castle indiana
sebastien
I CHARLIE AM THE KING AND PROTECTOR OF PLANET WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if its your first fedora wool is fine on a budget BUT stay away from scala its like wearing a hard hat.
go out and try some fedoras at places like steinmart and some others from ebay are country gentleman , ll bean so on so on.
but i sincerly admit fur felt rules my first was a ragged out dobbs which i wear to work from oct - may .
look on ebay every now andagain you get lucky with a royal stetson or a dobbs right now im akubras biggest fan i own 3 and bought each for $50 and under dont be afraid to try at least one homburg ( look it up )
no matter here at the lounge were all good people and family

plus i share my home with two bassets:eeek:
 
Last edited:

Foxer55

A-List Customer
Messages
413
Location
Washington, DC
Edumacate Me

OK guys, edumacate me. I'm going to buy a Fedora, something along the lines of Indiana Jones or Bogart. I don't intend to spend a lot on one but I need to know things like what is the best material and are there specific nuances I should look for? Thanks.
 

Hothir

New in Town
Messages
13
Location
United States
Fur Felt is the best material. Wool just doesn't make a very durable soft hat. If you want an Indy hat the Akubra federation is a good mid level option. Better than the cheap ones but not as nice as custom. Akubra also offers other fedora styles and I am sure others will chime in with other good options.

http://hatsdirect.com/federation/index.html
 

GregNYC

One Too Many
Messages
1,352
Location
New York City
+1 more. I've been buying a ton of retail hats in the last several months as I began my hat hobby. Akubra is a very solid choice! I have the Akubra Stylemaster, but the Federation is more like an American movie hat. If my retailer had the Fed, I would have picked it up instead. You get a lot of bang for the buck with Akubra! Plus a great color with the Fed!


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