please, help me decide what hats to buy

[sergejvandervreede]

As I stated in the introduction thread, I'm looking to buy my first two proper hats. I'm thinking a panama for spring/summer and a nice felt fedora for autumn and winter. I'm currently trying to make a shortlist. Could I have your expert opinions on the following:

Panama:
http://www.ecualanda.nl/mens-hats/fedora-claacutesico-graad-6

Fedora:
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=155_81&products_id=2605
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=162&products_id=4417 (is that a logo on the sweatband??)

I'm thinking light grey would be a good choice for a first hat. It should go with most of my wardrobe. Are these good choices or would I be better of buying a light grey Federation IV or other Akubra?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I'm really looking forward to your opinions.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

My personal choice

Hello Sergej,
as Italian my first choice will be the Borsalino Marengo.
Second could be a Melegari hat like these:
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=4898
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=2946
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=2390
I see them in my hands and they are really an excellent production in the best Italian tradition hatters.
You have to decide the color and then take an agreement.
For Panama I can suggest you some Melegari production or Tesi (a famous Italian straw hats maker).
Hope you will find the right hats
Saluti da Verona

 

[Big J]

Get a Penman.
You won't regret it.

 

[tommyK]

Sergej, Some fine hats You've chosen and Daniele's and Big J's suggestions are very good as well. If price is a concern the Penman may have to wait.

I think an Akubra Camp Draft is another hat no one regrets buying in any color you can get.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

:arated: for the CampDraft (Sergej put always an eye on shipping cost!)

 

[Bob Roberts]

As I stated in the introduction thread, I'm looking to buy my first two proper hats. I'm thinking a panama for spring/summer and a nice felt fedora for autumn and winter. I'm currently trying to make a shortlist. Could I have your expert opinions on the following:

Panama:
http://www.ecualanda.nl/mens-hats/fedora-claacutesico-graad-6

Fedora:
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=155_81&products_id=2605
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=162&products_id=4417 (is that a logo on the sweatband??)

I'm thinking light grey would be a good choice for a first hat. It should go with most of my wardrobe. Are these good choices or would I be better of buying a light grey Federation IV or other Akubra?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I'm really looking forward to your opinions.

Fed in Moonstone is a nice shade of Grey.

 

[moontheloon]

Sergej, Some fine hats You've chosen and Daniele's and Big J's suggestions are very good as well. If price is a concern the Penman may have to wait.

I think an Akubra Camp Draft is another hat no one regrets buying in any color you can get.

I back the campdraft statement .... wearing mine as I type this

 

[RJR]

Pretty hard not to recommend a CD whatever color.

 

[sergejvandervreede]

Hello Sergej,
as Italian my first choice will be the Borsalino Marengo.
Second could be a Melegari hat like these:
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=4898
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=2946
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165&products_id=2390
I see them in my hands and they are really an excellent production in the best Italian tradition hatters.
You have to decide the color and then take an agreement.
For Panama I can suggest you some Melegari production or Tesi (a famous Italian straw hats maker).
Hope you will find the right hats
Saluti da Verona

Hi Daniele,
Thanks for your help. Good to know somebody handled the Melegari hats personally. They seem like good value for money.

I see Melegari has a nice panama for around 75 on a base made in Ecuador. Seems like a good deal.

 

[sergejvandervreede]

Get a Penman.
You won't regret it.

Hi Big J. Thanks. Nice, very nice, but a bit more expensive than I had in mind.

 

[sergejvandervreede]

I think an Akubra Camp Draft is another hat no one regrets buying in any color you can get.

Hi Tommy K,
Thanks. I'm pretty sure a CD is unavoidable somewhere in the near future [emoji1]

 

[sergejvandervreede]

Hi Moon, RJR, Bob,
As I said. I'm pretty sure CD will make it into my collection

 

[ingineer]

Sergei,
I like my CD's but;
I like your initial choices, they make sense avoid the VAT and high shipping charges and put your guilders into the hat, plus if an exchange needs to take place then much easier.
That's what i'd do if i lived in the Netherlands
Mr. Tanto;
This is interesting , almost a Alexandria
http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1728&language=en

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Richard my suggestions is determinated by the country where Sergej lives.
I think Melagari, I visited him, with a lot of care, in the spring and I noticed he has a vast selection of shapes and a great choice of materials.
Many of his hats, for the same price are cost-effective than other emblazoned brands.
The finish is great and the possibility to choose shapes and colors is very attractive.
He also has a particular eye for the top hats and the bowlers of which produces a very broad spectrum. There may be other alternatives in Europe, but knowing well the work of Melegari I gave what I believe practical advice to spend the most money for a hat in that price range.
Richard, the hat that you indicate is really very nice and I recommend, if someone of you visit Milan for Expo 2015 or for other reasons, to pay a visit to Melegari. It's worth it

 

[ingineer]

Daniele;
Thank you for the heads up.
Just ordered that.
I wish my Italian was better, the check out difficult for me.
Let us see if they accommodate my size request
Seems like a bargain

 

[theoldnorthwest]

If you are a 7 1/4 or smaller buy vintage, if you are a larger size vintage may be too difficult to find but vintage hats a the way to go if possible.

 

[tropicalbob]

Hello, Sergej,
When I bought my first two hats online, I was shocked by the difference between the way they looked on the screen and in person (on my head). You might want to visit a hat shop and try on a few styles if you can, as the shape of your face, the size of your head, and other factors can make a huge difference in the way a hat will look on you. For example, a tapered hat with a center dent looks terrible on me, as I have a wide face and a large head.

 

[jhoops01]

Richard my suggestions is determinated by the country where Sergej lives.
I think Melagari, I visited him, with a lot of care, in the spring and I noticed he has a vast selection of shapes and a great choice of materials.
Many of his hats, for the same price are cost-effective than other emblazoned brands.
The finish is great and the possibility to choose shapes and colors is very attractive.
He also has a particular eye for the top hats and the bowlers of which produces a very broad spectrum. There may be other alternatives in Europe, but knowing well the work of Melegari I gave what I believe practical advice to spend the most money for a hat in that price range.
Richard, the hat that you indicate is really very nice and I recommend, if someone of you visit Milan for Expo 2015 or for other reasons, to pay a visit to Melegari. It's worth it

I will be visiting Melegari in two weeks and hope to bring back a couple of hats. I especially like the Bogart and Dillinger models Daniele referred to and hope to try them on.

Joe

 

[sergejvandervreede]

Hello, Sergej,
When I bought my first two hats online, I was shocked by the difference between the way they looked on the screen and in person (on my head). You might want to visit a hat shop and try on a few styles if you can, as the shape of your face, the size of your head, and other factors can make a huge difference in the way a hat will look on you. For example, a tapered hat with a center dent looks terrible on me, as I have a wide face and a large head.

Thanks tropicalbob.

Hmm, sounds like a good idea. I might just do that to see what looks good on me.

 

[sergejvandervreede]

I will be visiting Melegari in two weeks and hope to bring back a couple of hats. I especially like the Bogart and Dillinger models Daniele referred to and hope to try them on.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Make sure to take lots of pictures for us