Open Road pics

[RBH]

Here a a few pics I made last night of my Open Road.
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This is a tag that is under the sweat, its not a good pic but the tag reads left to right.
Reorder no \ Block \ Size
B522565 \ C642 \ 7 3/8

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Here is the Washer Brothers tag:

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And finally me in my hat.

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[Kaleponi Craig]

Sweet lid, RBH!! Looks great on you. I recently got an Open Road and am having Art block it into a Seabiscuit style. Will post pics when I get it...KC

 

[John in Covina]

What a difference a day makes.

That Open Road looks pretty darned great. When I first stumbled onto this forum, I had no Idea that a fine hat could be re-bashed to create such an outstanding hat epitomizing the outdoorsman's fedora. The crew here has consistantly surprised me with creating some of the most beautiful hats I have ever seen.

Congradulations on that Open Road, it is a keeper and a really fine example of the hatters trade.


Sincerely,

 

[Art Fawcett]

Very nice hat Sir..and it fits your features terrifically ( is that a word?)

 

[Shademaker]

That does look very nice.

 

[RBH]

Thanks everyone..

There is something about a vintage hat. I really like the look of these Open Roads [as a fedora] I wore it to church Sunday morning, with khakis and a nice shirt, got several good comments on my hat too. And then you can also wear it casual with jeans and it still look classy.
Thanks to all here at the lounge for all the input and great pictures. I love seeing everyones hats.

 

[riccardo]

Great hat.
I've an Open Road, I like very much this kind of hat.
You look very well under it!!

With compliment.
Riccardo

 

[shamus]

Lookin' Good!

I think everyone should have one open road in their collection...

 

[John in Covina]

Outdoors & Classy

There is something about a vintage hat. I really like the look of these Open Roads [as a fedora] I wore it to church Sunday morning, with khakis and a nice shirt, got several good comments on my hat too. And then you can also wear it casual with jeans and it still look classy. Thanks to all here at the lounge for all the input and great pictures. I love seeing everyones hats.

*****
After reading the article about the Geology Majors that would buy an Open Road as Freshman and the condition of the hat was indicative of their experience I was impressed. Seeing the same Open Road as the hat of OIL MEN or construction company head or as the rancher in some Perry Mason shows, plus as Jimmy Stewarts Cattle buyer hat, I tie it to the outdoorsman and entrepenuers. It speaks of class, rugged charms and manly men doing manly things. It goes well with the right suit but also dresses up the khakis and even a demin jeans wardrobe. So it has powerful mojo too.

Wear it in good health and with great sucess!

 

[Hemingway Jones]

That is an amazing hat and its dimensions suit you well. I really love the block shape and the sweep of the brim. It is a beautiful hat. Enjoy it!

My only problem with the Open Road is the narrow ribbon. I realize that is the look of it, but maybe I am such a citizen of the eastcoast that the narrow ribbon throws off my eye. Did they ever come with more generous ribbons?

That is just my little hang up on the hat. It is absolutely incredibile and I wouldn't change a thing, even if I owned it. :arated:

 

[John in Covina]

Wider Ribbon and purist concerns.

My only problem with the Open Road is the narrow ribbon. I realize that is the look of it, but maybe I am such a citizen of the eastcoast that the narrow ribbon throws off my eye. Did they ever come with more generous ribbons? That is just my little hang up on the hat.

****
So far, I have only seen it with that narrow ribbon. I think it is a definative feature of the Open Road and carries over to the competitor versions of the Dobbs Westward and the Mallory Dallas.

Now if you wanted to you could replace the ribbon with something wider but it would be an elemental change in the design, so it might not be an "Open Road" anymore that way. However I am still sure it would be a good looking hat with the wider replacement ribbon.

Sincerely,

 

[RBH]

I understand what you mean HJ. I have never been a fan of a bound edge, till I became engrossed with the Open Road, I like the look of the thin bound edge and the thin ribbon. I myself think it is the outdoorsey look of the hat that I really like.
In all my hat wearing years I never, never wore a hat with the back brim snapped up. I always wore it down... til I recieved my Adventurebilt.Now I really like the look. I think thats why I fell in love with the OR , the upturn on the back brim is so gradual.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Thanks for the information John. I never have the heart to alter a vintage hat, unless a ribbon were destroyed; then I could. There just seems to be so much crown on those Open Roads; you could put a really wide ribbon on there.

RBH, I'll tell you, it looks really good on you and it makes me want to find one. After buying my Borsalino, I learned to love the bound brim as well. I suppose the narrow ribbon would follow suit.

I agree with you that it looks outdoorsy, so of a western flavor, but still 100% fedora.

 

[clevispin]

Very nice hat & pinch. The style reminds me of something Hank Williams would have worn in the early 50s.

m

 

[RBH]

Miller Westside

I never have the heart to alter a vintage hat, unless a ribbon were destroyed; then I could. There just seems to be so much crown on those Open Roads; you could put a really wide ribbon on there.

Here is a Open Road like hat by Miller Hats called the Westside Hat
http://www.millerhats.com/dresshats_index/fullsizecrown.html

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You can get an idea of what a wide ribbon would look like on a Open Road.
While I think it looks really good, I think the charm of the Open Road is the thin ribbon and thin bound edge.

 

[RBH]

Very nice hat & pinch. The style reminds me of something Hank Williams would have worn in the early 50s.

m

Heres a pic of Ol' Hank. I myself always thought he looked better in a fedora than a western hat.

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