New Member to the Hat Forum

[Benzadmiral]

Thanks Benzadmiral, I'm liking the Stingy Brim, diamond top Fedoras. The main pants I wear to work are some blue and gray semi-formal dress pants. So I've been trying to decide what color hats to get. So I can wear them to work and casually. I know it will mean a few for work, and a few for casual.

Akubra has a couple of the smaller brim styles as well, the Hampton and (with a little larger brim) the Fedora/Sydney: https://hatsdirect.com/collections/fashion

 

[FedOregon]

Browns and greys go with about anything... but then you'll discover dark moss, dark navy... and then it's just too late for you. You're addicted.

 

[Ryan.Scott00]

Browns and greys go with about anything... but then you'll discover dark moss, dark navy... and then it's just too late for you. You're addicted.

I've seen a few, im already putting cash back for. Lol. When it comes to hat etiquette, when should a leather hat, a fur hat, and a cloth or tweed hat be worn? I'm guessing Fur and leather are more for formal occasions. Where cloth is more for what I'm going for.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Don't limit yerself to any hard or fast rules. Personally I don't care for straw with tweeds and other autumnal fabrics...

 

[Benzadmiral]

I've seen a few, im already putting cash back for. Lol. When it comes to hat etiquette, when should a leather hat, a fur hat, and a cloth or tweed hat be worn? I'm guessing Fur and leather are more for formal occasions. Where cloth is more for what I'm going for.

If by "fur" you mean this . . .



. . . my advice is only in the coldest conditions. Like visiting Siberia in January. Leather, I dunno, that's liable to be pretty hot, and is hardly formal (think TV's Jack Hanna). Fur felt is the stuff that the classic hats of the Thirties and Forties were made of:


. . . and still are today -- they stand up to rain in a way a cloth hat may not -- and you can find casual-oriented hats in that material.

Tweed? Like this? That's casual for sure:



You can develop your own style. I often wear jeans and boots, a slightly dressier shirt, and the Open Road I posted above; or sometimes a more Bogart-ish fedora with that combo; or dress slacks and shirt with the Open Road or the Bogart-ish hat. Depends on my mood.

Wearing a hat nowadays is a statement of personal style.

 

[bimfi]

I am new to this forum and to hat wearing in general. After spending 20 years in the military, I swore off of hats. But, recently, I have become fascinated with fedoras. Always wanted a Panama fedora and purchased a "cheap” one from one of the local department stores a few years back. Now, the vintage era fedoras of the thirties, forties, and fifties have caught my attention. At first I was going to purchase a wool felt fedora, then read that the fur felts were better all around. I could not find any local stores nearby, but found a Borsalino fur felt fedora from a reseller on eBay. I like it, so far. The model number of this hat is 390090, if that matters. Now I am looking to purchase more. Maybe a Stetson, I think. I did find a hat store in the historic downtown area where I live. I am going to see if they can help me choose the right style, fit and etiquette of hat wearing.

Now that I am in my early sixties, I don’t feel conspicuous wearing a fedora. Now, I look in the mirror and see the “old timers” of yesteryear staring back at me.

“I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him"

 

[BobHufford]

Welcome to the forum bimfi! Enjoy the ride...

 

[MCrider]

Welcome to the Lounge! Depending on your hat size, ebay can be your friend to try different styles, heights, brims etc. Although many here think that wool hats are bad, I think that they are a cheaper learning tool for determining what style looks best for you. I will qualify that with advice to stay away from the cheap stuff that the box stores are selling. But if you can find a fur felt cheaply, buy it. I've picked up several from Goodwill with the cheapest being (if I remember correctly) 55 cents! Good luck on your hunt and realize that you know have a sickness!

 

[Andykev]

Welcome! You should mention what size you wear. Some members often put up hats for sale.. the Classified section here...is one place. Ebay can be great, expensive, lucky, or disappointing. It's fun to hunt for nice hats. Remember, the 'felt' part of the hat is what matters. Liners, sweatbands, and ribbons can be replaced. But moth holes are near impossible to fix.

 

[FedOregon]

Welcome! Good advice from the others. I like ebay, but as stated, it can be tricky to navigate at first and some sellers are not sure what they have and/or can be deceptive. Some good deals are there if you look hard and hold your trigger finger in check until you're sure. Sometimes a seller not knowing what they have turns out in your favor, and other times not so much.

Read a bunch of the threads about the vintage hats from Stetson, Borsalino, Resistol, Disney, Champ, Knox, Dobbs, etc, etc... I bought one wool hat and now it belongs to my wife; wrong size. She also has a killer vintage Cavanagh hat the seller said was a 7-3/8... but it's clearly marked under the sweat as 6-7/8. It's a gorgeous hat and I'm jelaous that it's now hers!

Have fun and watch your wallet! This is addictive!

 

[belfastboy]

I am new to this forum and to hat wearing in general. After spending 20 years in the military, I swore off of hats. But, recently, I have become fascinated with fedoras. Always wanted a Panama fedora and purchased a "cheap” one from one of the local department stores a few years back. Now, the vintage era fedoras of the thirties, forties, and fifties have caught my attention. At first I was going to purchase a wool felt fedora, then read that the fur felts were better all around. I could not find any local stores nearby, but found a Borsalino fur felt fedora from a reseller on eBay. I like it, so far. The model number of this hat is 390090, if that matters. Now I am looking to purchase more. Maybe a Stetson, I think. I did find a hat store in the historic downtown area where I live. I am going to see if they can help me choose the right style, fit and etiquette of hat wearing.

Now that I am in my early sixties, I don’t feel conspicuous wearing a fedora. Now, I look in the mirror and see the “old timers” of yesteryear staring back at me.

“I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him"

Welcome, you are in good company!

 

[RJR]

Welcome.

 

[Redfokker]

I am new to this forum and to hat wearing in general. After spending 20 years in the military, I swore off of hats. But, recently, I have become fascinated with fedoras. Always wanted a Panama fedora and purchased a "cheap” one from one of the local department stores a few years back. Now, the vintage era fedoras of the thirties, forties, and fifties have caught my attention. At first I was going to purchase a wool felt fedora, then read that the fur felts were better all around. I could not find any local stores nearby, but found a Borsalino fur felt fedora from a reseller on eBay. I like it, so far. The model number of this hat is 390090, if that matters. Now I am looking to purchase more. Maybe a Stetson, I think. I did find a hat store in the historic downtown area where I live. I am going to see if they can help me choose the right style, fit and etiquette of hat wearing.

Now that I am in my early sixties, I don’t feel conspicuous wearing a fedora. Now, I look in the mirror and see the “old timers” of yesteryear staring back at me.

“I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him"

Welcome, and as I tell everyone...read read read. This is a great community, you will fit right in. Good advice so far, and pictures of the Borsalino will be a plus.

 

[Frunobulax]

Welcome, bimfi. Where are you and what hat store will you be visiting?

Hats are fun.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[bimfi]

I thank everyone for their suggestions and input. I live in Summerville, South Carolina. It is about 20 miles outside of Charleston, SC. The only store advertised down here (that I could find) is Goorin Brothers Hats on King Street, in historic downtown Charleston. I measured my head (which is slightly more difficult than having a professional do it) and calculated that I should wear a 7 3/8 or a 59. The Borsa that I purchased is a 7 3/8 but sits a bit low, I think. This is why I want to go to Goorins to see what they suggest. I have read up on proper attire and care of fedoras. I understand that a fedora is not a ball cap (which I have no desire to wear) and cannot be worn with just anything. It is sad, in a way, that the styles have changed over the decades that where once it was the "norm" for every man to wear a fedora, to now where it is the "norm" for people to wear ball caps. The internet is rife with "trolls" that will say that the fedora is passe and that the only ones that should wear one are those that were around when it was in style. I disagree totally.
Thanks, again, for the advice from all of you. Here are some quick pics of my Borsa.

 

[Frunobulax]

I understand that a fedora is not a ball cap (which I have no desire to wear) and cannot be worn with just anything.
Thanks, again, for the advice from all of you. Here are some quick pics of my Borsa.

I beg to differ. You will see that most of us wear fedoras with most modes of dress. From formal attire, suits, casual slacks, shorts and t-shirts, etc. As you get more confident wearing a hat (fedora), you will find yourself donning your hat no matter what the occasion or mode of dress.

Well, maybe not with Speedos, but you get my drift!

 

[Redfokker]

I beg to differ. You will see that most of us wear fedoras with most modes of dress. From formal attire, suits, casual slacks, shorts and t-shirts, etc. As you get more confident wearing a hat (fedora), you will find yourself donning your hat no matter what the occasion or mode of dress.

Well, maybe not with Speedos, but you get my drift!

+1 Need eye bleach!!

 

[Frunobulax]

+1 Need eye bleach!!

K

 

[bimfi]

Very nice...uh, hat!

 

[hatsRme]

I beg to differ. You will see that most of us wear fedoras with most modes of dress. From formal attire, suits, casual slacks, shorts and t-shirts, etc. As you get more confident wearing a hat (fedora), you will find yourself donning your hat no matter what the occasion or mode of dress.

Well, maybe not with Speedos, but you get my drift!

I have a special stingy to wear with my Speedo...