Welcome to the Lounge,OS.You'll get lots of feedback from our members,most will probably lean toward taller crowns and brims in the 2 1/2"range.By way of introduction, this is my first post. I'm OldStrummer in the USA. As I've gotten older, my always-fine hair has become thinner and more fly-away. I've worn hats most of my adult life, but as a runner, they have been wicking, front-billed baseball-type caps. When I was younger and golfed with my dad, I used to love the porkpie/fedora style hats I could by at the local convenience store (!).
Earlier this year I bought two "bush" hats for a photo shoot in the Utah canyons. I wanted a wide brim for sun protection, but the Stetson I bought, although it fit well, looks horrible on me! So does the no-name bush hat.
So, I've decided I want to start wearing a fedora. As I've been reading here and looking online, there are so many options that it's almost enough to turn one away. Since I don't have hat shops near me (Kohl's doesn't count), I'm limited to looking online. Just before I joined here, I ordered a Bailey "Tino Wool Felt Trilby Fedora" in Loden Green. I chose the green because I wear black and brown leather jackets extensively during the colder months and wanted a hat that would work with both.
I do think a spiffy grey hat would be a nice addition. Perhaps for my next hat.
So, short of buying, trying and returning hats, how do I determine what hat looks best on me? I think my preferences are:
Snap brim, about 2"
Crown not too high (no Akubra Campdraft types)
Lined
Proper fit (I'm 7-1/4 or 58cm)
There's more. But this is already too long as an introductory post. I look forward to spending time learning from the great heads here.
The good news is that the wider brims are more in demand and some great buys are to be had on Ebay for the shorter brim, lower crowned Trilby style. And 7 1/4 is a common size. Be cautious about the vendors as there are a lot of non-hat savvy vendors that err in their descriptions. Ask a ton of questions before you enter the bidding fray. Don't be afraid to enter low ball offers for the Buy It Now or even the fix priced auctions. I often (more with cowboy boots) shoot a polite message stating that by the end of the auction if they don't get their price I am willing to pay $xxx. Some times it works, sometimes not. But try not to get attached to any one hat if the seller does not bite I move on to the next.By way of introduction, this is my first post. I'm OldStrummer in the USA. As I've gotten older, my always-fine hair has become thinner and more fly-away. I've worn hats most of my adult life, but as a runner, they have been wicking, front-billed baseball-type caps. When I was younger and golfed with my dad, I used to love the porkpie/fedora style hats I could by at the local convenience store (!).
Earlier this year I bought two "bush" hats for a photo shoot in the Utah canyons. I wanted a wide brim for sun protection, but the Stetson I bought, although it fit well, looks horrible on me! So does the no-name bush hat.
So, I've decided I want to start wearing a fedora. As I've been reading here and looking online, there are so many options that it's almost enough to turn one away. Since I don't have hat shops near me (Kohl's doesn't count), I'm limited to looking online. Just before I joined here, I ordered a Bailey "Tino Wool Felt Trilby Fedora" in Loden Green. I chose the green because I wear black and brown leather jackets extensively during the colder months and wanted a hat that would work with both.
I do think a spiffy grey hat would be a nice addition. Perhaps for my next hat.
So, short of buying, trying and returning hats, how do I determine what hat looks best on me? I think my preferences are:
Snap brim, about 2"
Crown not too high (no Akubra Campdraft types)
Lined
Proper fit (I'm 7-1/4 or 58cm)
There's more. But this is already too long as an introductory post. I look forward to spending time learning from the great heads here.
Yes, sizing in all hats modern and vintage is confounding at best. Usually they are close and I purchased a hat jack to ease out the ones that are just a tad snug or use spacers to size down. Both work well as long as the gap is small. In my experience I prefer to err on the side of too large as it is easier to pit in spacers than stretch a hat. But I am easy to please in hats and shoes.....as long as it looks good I live with the discomfort in the hopes I can get it to conform to me.
Best to get fur felt, holds its shape better than wool
I will shut up pretty soon now ......my judgement is that wool hats can be problematic, they can shrink, deform and generally go wonky when subjected to the elements whereas a decent fur hat will withstand these same elements and in the long run provide better value for the $$$. you can buy cork spacers on line, multiple varieties or as many others do just use that which is at hand, folded paper towelling, foam insulation strips, whatever your imagination comes up with. There are multiple hat jacks available on Ebay...even one named "Hat Jack". I have several priced from the teens into the high $20 range. All work to fit the purpose just be cautious not to stretch the hat too far as it can and will (trust me on this!) deform the crown of the hat or bust the sweat band stitching. I use mine now mostly to place in a hat to hold its shape and size between wearings, especially if it gets doused with rain.
Where are you located and what do you consider "near"...?
Do a Google search. Make a few calls. See what they have. Bite the bullet. I drove 2 hrs each way in NYC traffic to go to Bencraft Hatters in Brooklyn, NY.
Someone else may chime in here with a diff opinion but based on what I see in Vancouver and Seattle unless you can get it on a 50% sale (post Christmas) they don't represent good value but I am open to a contrary experience.
But it may be a worthwhile trip to get to try on multiple styles and see which ones fit for you.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. 
