Musashi
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 131
- Location
- Poquoson, VA
Greetings Everyone, I am very new here.
I have done some searches and found a huge amount of information. I feel in too deep and in need of help. I got here by a few different paths. In 2007, I picked up a magazine called 'Classic Style' at my Barnes and Noble. I didn't see any more issues... Anyhow by searching and through that magazine, I arrived at thefedoralounge.com
Right now I go around every day wearing a military cap. (think 'Castro Hat'). Bland. For years since i bought the magazine i have wanted to try out a fedora.
I live in the Newport News/Virginia Beach area of Virginia and I have yet to find a hat shop within hours any direction. Have i missed one???
If any Vendors who support this site are reading this and feel you can help, send me a PM, if allowed.
---
A Hat I Have on: A few weeks ago I came into possession of my wife's Grandfather's Stetson fedora. I have no idea what model it is but its given me 'the bug' .. however IT IS TOO SMALL for me and looks bad on my head, but... its a place to start...
Pics are here on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29458463@N08/sets/72157623105457846/
It was a size 7 1/8. I got a hat-jack and made the hat big enough to fit me. If you look at the pictures you can see that it now fits.. in ONE place: where i stretched it. Every other part of the hat is too small, in my opinion. The brim measures 2 inches, so whatever model hat it is its a bit too 'stingy' for me.
---
So here's the age-old question: I am new. Please help me choose a fedora?
The goods: Of course with that type of question come a thousand things I need to answer first: Here's my attempt to provide enough information that anyone nice enough to try to help me has a chance at it!
SIZE: My head, measured straight around just above my eyebrows, is 22 7/8 inches, or between 57.5cm and 58cm. Also with the hat stretching I have done i know well that size 7 1/8 is too small. The conclusion i have reached is that i need a size 7 3/8.(Additionally I did find one store that had some wool Bailey hats and a 'Large' fit me, was a teeny bit looser than i would like, but did not fall down over my ears. Their medium was too tight.
BRIM: 2 inches is too 'stingy'... pictures I linked to should bear this out. Maybe 2.5 or thereabouts? I am concerned about going too wide.
CROWN Height: I THINK i want/need a higher crown height than the one in my pictures. also I believe that stylistically i prefer the crown to be higher in front than in back. (Maybe significantly higher?)
BASH/PINCH: (???) I am very very hazy about the terminology here still. What i know is: The ones you guys pictures show from 'VS' look awesome, but perhaps a bit too stylist for 'my first hat' on the other hand, mine looks too boring to me. I like the idea of the pinch coming reasonably close together in the front.
The TOP of the hat, looking down on it, I think i am liking the 'diamond' shaped dents. However, I want a hat that comes PRE-styled, so I am flexible. I am not yet ready to DIY this. Maybe on a future hat.
BAND: I like thick/tall hat bands.
LIKE: Bogart in casablanca (Though Id be hesitant to try a tilt at this point!) Classic Clark Kent in B&W, Depp in Public Enemies, Everybody in 'Black Dahlia', Cary Grant in some photos. Generally very 'businesslike looks. Or what i would call businesslike in modern times. The 'working guy in a suit' look...
DISLIKE: Anything Rugged, outdoorsy, western, and anything that ventures into the indiana jones realm: It's just not who I am. I sit in front of computers all day, dont engage in many outdoor activities, and just feel unconfortable dressing as though i did.
WEATHER: It rains often here, but not constantly, and 99% of the time its a light drizzle when it does rain, Also i have the sense to take off the hat, But I have read enough here to know to avoid Wool Felt.
PRICE: Under $200 preferably. Im not ready to go custom yet, but I want something that is fur felt and not low quality. Even though it doesn't fit me, this Stetson i have here has a nice lining, the felt feels nice (to me) and I like the leather band in it.
VINTAGE vs. NEW: I'd like to go New for my first hat. ebaying is hard work and risk etc etc.
COLOR: Medium Grey, Dark Grey Either a matching grey band, a slightly darker grey or even black band. I own almost no brown clothing.
CAUGHT MY EYE on thefedoralounge.com: (In the "What Hat Are You Wearing Today" Thread): Every Stetson Whippet i have seen i have liked: IE Ande1964, boushi_mania, BobC and ; Billysmom's Stetson Twenty Sovereign, Elvisroe's sportscaster look hat.. Really everywhere i look the Whippet seems to be catching my eye. I'm not sure what the newly produced ones are like though.
If you have made it through this post, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Its ridiculously long!
I have done some searches and found a huge amount of information. I feel in too deep and in need of help. I got here by a few different paths. In 2007, I picked up a magazine called 'Classic Style' at my Barnes and Noble. I didn't see any more issues... Anyhow by searching and through that magazine, I arrived at thefedoralounge.com
Right now I go around every day wearing a military cap. (think 'Castro Hat'). Bland. For years since i bought the magazine i have wanted to try out a fedora.
I live in the Newport News/Virginia Beach area of Virginia and I have yet to find a hat shop within hours any direction. Have i missed one???
If any Vendors who support this site are reading this and feel you can help, send me a PM, if allowed.
---
A Hat I Have on: A few weeks ago I came into possession of my wife's Grandfather's Stetson fedora. I have no idea what model it is but its given me 'the bug' .. however IT IS TOO SMALL for me and looks bad on my head, but... its a place to start...
Pics are here on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29458463@N08/sets/72157623105457846/
It was a size 7 1/8. I got a hat-jack and made the hat big enough to fit me. If you look at the pictures you can see that it now fits.. in ONE place: where i stretched it. Every other part of the hat is too small, in my opinion. The brim measures 2 inches, so whatever model hat it is its a bit too 'stingy' for me.
---
So here's the age-old question: I am new. Please help me choose a fedora?
The goods: Of course with that type of question come a thousand things I need to answer first: Here's my attempt to provide enough information that anyone nice enough to try to help me has a chance at it!
SIZE: My head, measured straight around just above my eyebrows, is 22 7/8 inches, or between 57.5cm and 58cm. Also with the hat stretching I have done i know well that size 7 1/8 is too small. The conclusion i have reached is that i need a size 7 3/8.(Additionally I did find one store that had some wool Bailey hats and a 'Large' fit me, was a teeny bit looser than i would like, but did not fall down over my ears. Their medium was too tight.
BRIM: 2 inches is too 'stingy'... pictures I linked to should bear this out. Maybe 2.5 or thereabouts? I am concerned about going too wide.
CROWN Height: I THINK i want/need a higher crown height than the one in my pictures. also I believe that stylistically i prefer the crown to be higher in front than in back. (Maybe significantly higher?)
BASH/PINCH: (???) I am very very hazy about the terminology here still. What i know is: The ones you guys pictures show from 'VS' look awesome, but perhaps a bit too stylist for 'my first hat' on the other hand, mine looks too boring to me. I like the idea of the pinch coming reasonably close together in the front.
The TOP of the hat, looking down on it, I think i am liking the 'diamond' shaped dents. However, I want a hat that comes PRE-styled, so I am flexible. I am not yet ready to DIY this. Maybe on a future hat.
BAND: I like thick/tall hat bands.
LIKE: Bogart in casablanca (Though Id be hesitant to try a tilt at this point!) Classic Clark Kent in B&W, Depp in Public Enemies, Everybody in 'Black Dahlia', Cary Grant in some photos. Generally very 'businesslike looks. Or what i would call businesslike in modern times. The 'working guy in a suit' look...
DISLIKE: Anything Rugged, outdoorsy, western, and anything that ventures into the indiana jones realm: It's just not who I am. I sit in front of computers all day, dont engage in many outdoor activities, and just feel unconfortable dressing as though i did.
WEATHER: It rains often here, but not constantly, and 99% of the time its a light drizzle when it does rain, Also i have the sense to take off the hat, But I have read enough here to know to avoid Wool Felt.
PRICE: Under $200 preferably. Im not ready to go custom yet, but I want something that is fur felt and not low quality. Even though it doesn't fit me, this Stetson i have here has a nice lining, the felt feels nice (to me) and I like the leather band in it.
VINTAGE vs. NEW: I'd like to go New for my first hat. ebaying is hard work and risk etc etc.
COLOR: Medium Grey, Dark Grey Either a matching grey band, a slightly darker grey or even black band. I own almost no brown clothing.
CAUGHT MY EYE on thefedoralounge.com: (In the "What Hat Are You Wearing Today" Thread): Every Stetson Whippet i have seen i have liked: IE Ande1964, boushi_mania, BobC and ; Billysmom's Stetson Twenty Sovereign, Elvisroe's sportscaster look hat.. Really everywhere i look the Whippet seems to be catching my eye. I'm not sure what the newly produced ones are like though.
If you have made it through this post, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Its ridiculously long!