Need hat advice

[johnnycanuck]

Just wear it and you will get used to it. I thought the same about my Akubra Federation but now it’s like second skin.
Johnny

 

[campbell166]

Just wear it and you will get used to it. I thought the same about my Akubra Federation but now it’s like second skin.
Johnny

Thanks Johnny I hope so

 

[GHT]

Hello , I live in the UK and anyone wearing a hat other than a baseball cap or flat cap stands out amongst the crowd
For the last 2 years I have been wearing trilbies ( approx 5 cm brim ) and as far as I am aware no-one has made any unpleasant comments
However for my birthday my wife surprised me with a fedora....it's light weight and soft but the brim and crown seem huge compared to my trilbies
I just hope that I can get used to wearing it.... admittedly it's far more comfortable.....but I feel very conscious of it
Any advice guys ?

What's your problem? The trilby is nothing more than a smaller brimmed fedora. If you are comfortable wearing the trilby, how can an enlarged brim be something altogether different? Take a tip from a fellow Brit, wear a fedora with a smile, you won't believe the positive reaction.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello , I live in the UK and anyone wearing a hat other than a baseball cap or flat cap stands out amongst the crowd
For the last 2 years I have been wearing trilbies ( approx 5 cm brim ) and as far as I am aware no-one has made any unpleasant comments
However for my birthday my wife surprised me with a fedora....it's light weight and soft but the brim and crown seem huge compared to my trilbies
I just hope that I can get used to wearing it.... admittedly it's far more comfortable.....but I feel very conscious of it
Any advice guys ?

A lot of us go through this. The taller crowns and larger brims seem imposing and we often start with more modestly proportioned hats. They really do become easier to wear with time. Just be confident and don’t think about it. It’s not like you’re constantly aware of your shoes or your trousers as you walk about: the same will happen with your larger hats with time.

 

[campbell166]

A lot of us go through this. The taller crowns and larger brims seem imposing and we often start with more modestly proportioned hats. They really do become easier to wear with time. Just be confident and don’t think about it. It’s not like you’re constantly aware of your shoes or your trousers as you walk about: the same will happen with your larger hats with time.

I must admit that I prefer the look of the wider brim , but I worry that people will see it as “ cosplay “ instead of a person who enjoys wearing hats

 

[Zombie_61]

I can really only echo what has already been said--just wear the hat. Or, as we've said here many times before, "Wear your hat; don't let your hat wear you." In other words, put the hat on your head and go through your day as if you own every bit of this planet that you set foot on. You might feel a little self-conscious, but the truth is that no one will really notice you or care what you're wearing on your head because they're already preoccupied with whatever is going on in their heads. They're trying to remember the items on the shopping list they forgot at home, or what size underwear little Bobby is wearing now, or which shade of red lipstick Diane wanted, or what to cook for dinner, or...well, you name it. They're busy in there--their heads, that is--and they'll barely have time to notice your new hat, let alone pay much attention to it. Or you might have someone stop to ask you about it. I have, and those were nice conversations with pleasant people. Granted, they were a little disappointed that they couldn't run over to the nearest Men's Wearhouse to buy the hat I ordered from Australia, but that's life.

 

[campbell166]

I can really only echo what has already been said--just wear the hat. Or, as we've said here many times before, "Wear your hat; don't let your hat wear you." In other words, put the hat on your head and go through your day as if you own every bit of this planet that you set foot on. You might feel a little self-conscious, but the truth is that no one will really notice you or care what you're wearing on your head because they're already preoccupied with whatever is going on in their heads. They're trying to remember the items on the shopping list they forgot at home, or what size underwear little Bobby is wearing now, or which shade of red lipstick Diane wanted, or what to cook for dinner, or...well, you name it. They're busy in there--their heads, that is--and they'll barely have time to notice your new hat, let alone pay much attention to it. Or you might have someone stop to ask you about it. I have, and those were nice conversations with pleasant people. Granted, they were a little disappointed that they couldn't run over to the nearest Men's Wearhouse to buy the hat I ordered from Australia, but that's life.

 

[campbell166]

Thanks

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I must admit that I prefer the look of the wider brim , but I worry that people will see it as “ cosplay “ instead of a person who enjoys wearing hats

We say to not care what others think, but humans are social animals and it’s ingrained in us to care. What you need to realize is that most people won’t care or think anything. I don’t even think twice of the guy with face tattoos or dozens of piercings so a guy wearing a hat really isn’t very noteworthy. I’m “the hat guy” at work, but now everyone expects me to be wearing a hat and they comment when I don’t. With regular wear it will become easy and the first time a beautiful woman tells you she likes your hat all the other stuff will fade away.

 

[Rmccamey]

Mine is the same story but in reverse. Being a true blood Texan, I wore tall crowns and wide brims for 30+years. As I gravitated toward fedoras and then into bowlers, I was a bit self conscious wearing a sub 2-inch brim bowler the first time out (to a rodeo, no less). My worst nightmare failed to materialize (pointing and laughing) and I've been wearing short brims with confidence ever since! These days, wearing a 3-inch brim makes me feel like I'm walking under a canopy! (Ps: Beautiful women love bowlers!)

Custom bowler, Granite grey, from Northwest Hats.

 

[GHT]

(Ps: Beautiful women love bowlers!)Custom bowler, Granite grey, from Northwest Hats.
View attachment 376757

Worn with panache!

 

[campbell166]

I am wondering if subconsciously it’s my style of dressing that is niggling at my confidence. My job supplies a uniform ( mailman) and in my social/personal life I wear jeans,chinos etc and jumpers and casual shirts. In my mind a trilby is perhaps a more casual hat , whereas a Fedora seems to belong in a much smarter era .Most photos I see of “ famous people “ wearing fedoras such as David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and Keith Richards are wearing casual attire, but their hats are also beat up relics.....

 

[GHT]

Your avatar, Solomon Joel Cohen, better known as: Sid James. He looks the part. But if you really do have misgivings stick to your trilby.

 

[Fourman110]

I am wondering if subconsciously it’s my style of dressing that is niggling at my confidence. My job supplies a uniform ( mailman) and in my social/personal life I wear jeans,chinos etc and jumpers and casual shirts. In my mind a trilby is perhaps a more casual hat , whereas a Fedora seems to belong in a much smarter era .Most photos I see of “ famous people “ wearing fedoras such as David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and Keith Richards are wearing casual attire, but their hats are also beat up relics.....

To me I always think of a thinner ribbon (say 1 inch or less) as a bit more casual everyday kind of hat more so than brim width. Completely a "me" thing and like almost everyone else has chimed in, it's really about what you're comfortable in. Nobody is really comfortable when they first start though and if a wider brim doesn't suit you after a while, sell it and move on to your style.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Hello , I live in the UK and anyone wearing a hat other than a baseball cap or flat cap stands out amongst the crowd
For the last 2 years I have been wearing trilbies ( approx 5 cm brim ) and as far as I am aware no-one has made any unpleasant comments
However for my birthday my wife surprised me with a fedora....it's light weight and soft but the brim and crown seem huge compared to my trilbies
I just hope that I can get used to wearing it.... admittedly it's far more comfortable.....but I feel very conscious of it
Any advice guys ?

Campbell166; You have received lots of sage wisdom from experienced hat wearers. It is up to you to choose the path (brim width). I would like to add that you can check through the oodles of posts on the What Hat Are You Wearing thread and look at the attire, type of adventures the posts showcase and match your situation. Asking yourself can I wear this hat? Can I wear this brim? I see almost all contributors to this thread walking the walk and posing.

Situations do matter: We can easily say be individualistic, choose your own path, let others opinions NOT weigh in. I suggest that may not always be prudent. IMO, it is fine to be individualistic, but you need to be more in line with the given social situation. EX: On a dog walk early morning I can choose to wear about any hat/cap. Heading out to a meeting, I need to wear appropriate attire and a hat that would not be sooo far out of line as to draw undue attention or announce my dandy-ism. If I question my hat/cap choice going to a meeting I leave it in my vehicle.

They above said, like Brent I am known as the hat/cap guy and with folks who recognize me it is expected I have headgear on. I do take advantage of being older and of an attitude that I do not really hang on anyone's opinion of what looks good for me. The only exception is escapades with my wife. She does get to nix or alter a choice. I respect her eye in regards to social situations.

Cheers. I too have matured my brim, crown and felt hue choices over time. That has been fun!

Eric -

 

[campbell166]

Campbell166; You have received lots of sage wisdom from experienced hat wearers. It is up to you to choose the path (brim width). I would like to add that you can check through the oodles of posts on the What Hat Are You Wearing thread and look at the attire, type of adventures the posts showcase and match your situation. Asking yourself can I wear this hat? Can I wear this brim? I see almost all contributors to this thread walking the walk and posing.

Situations do matter: We can easily say be individualistic, choose your own path, let others opinions NOT weigh in. I suggest that may not always be prudent. IMO, it is fine to be individualistic, but you need to be more in line with the given social situation. EX: On a dog walk early morning I can choose to wear about any hat/cap. Heading out to a meeting, I need to wear appropriate attire and a hat that would not be sooo far out of line as to draw undue attention or announce my dandy-ism. If I question my hat/cap choice going to a meeting I leave it in my vehicle.

They above said, like Brent I am known as the hat/cap guy and with folks who recognize me it is expected I have headgear on. I do take advantage of being older and of an attitude that I do not really hang on anyone's opinion of what looks good for me. The only exception is escapades with my wife. She does get to nix or alter a choice. I respect her eye in regards to social situations.

Cheers. I too have matured my brim, crown and felt hue choices over time. That has been fun!

Eric -

Thanks for your advice

 

[Samson25]

When I transitioned from baseball cap to Stetson traveller / cruiser in "Vitafelt" Midnight Blue- my first real hat....
First time in public and some strange lady made a point of complimenting Me and my elegant attire.
So now, I too am cought in the vortex.
A Campdraft is on it's way to Me, and I am concerned about the brim width being to wide ( 2-7/8 ).
Who cares....I'll own it.

 

[Samson25]

Mine is the same story but in reverse. Being a true blood Texan, I wore tall crowns and wide brims for 30+years. As I gravitated toward fedoras and then into bowlers, I was a bit self conscious wearing a sub 2-inch brim bowler the first time out (to a rodeo, no less). My worst nightmare failed to materialize (pointing and laughing) and I've been wearing short brims with confidence ever since! These days, wearing a 3-inch brim makes me feel like I'm walking under a canopy! (Ps: Beautiful women love bowlers!)

Custom bowler, Granite grey, from Northwest Hats.
View attachment 376757

Bowlers really need to come back in a big way.
They are the Granddaddy of hats.... Of the Wild West days.

 

[Rmccamey]

So let it be written, so let it be done!

Bowlers really need to come back in a big way.
They are the Granddaddy of hats.... Of the Wild West days.

 

[GLewis]

I am wondering if subconsciously it’s my style of dressing that is niggling at my confidence. My job supplies a uniform ( mailman) and in my social/personal life I wear jeans,chinos etc and jumpers and casual shirts. In my mind a trilby is perhaps a more casual hat , whereas a Fedora seems to belong in a much smarter era .Most photos I see of “ famous people “ wearing fedoras such as David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and Keith Richards are wearing casual attire, but their hats are also beat up relics.....

You’ll be ok. I’ve never had someone say anything negative to me. Oddly, since I’ve started wearing real hats, my clothes have gotten better; I seldom wear t shirts, and a fedora looks good with a long sleeve button down shirt and jeans.