I agree Wesne, this'll be my 1st Bianchi, I've been wanting one and I like the look of the color and style of this felt....luckily for me I just acquired some really nice grosgrain recently, so maybe I'll even change the width & color, who knows? [huh] That straw is called a "Sea Spray", it's in a Champ box only.....that's what I get out of the ad anyway. I never heard of this hat, has anyone else?Wesne said:That Champ looks great, Bolthead. As for the Bianchi, the felt looks really nice and soft, but I think I have to agree with you on that fan. It certainly has panache, though. Maybe too much panache.
Wesne said:That's a South African surplus field jacket. Here's a picture from a few years ago that shows more of the jacket. No hat though.
Wesne said:Striking my best Douglas pose in my new hat:
It's something a little different so I thought it deserved its own thread: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=30619
DOUGLAS said:
The hat has a nice smokey Black color because of the felt and the ribbon is a fantastic Blue to Green cast.
He does always seem to find the good ones.....[huh]GWD said:Jeese Douglas! You find the greatest hats! Congrats it's beautiful!
Maguire said:... I dread the responses from these, as i'm sure most of you are used to better quality than this. Perhaps you may see me as a poser and exile me from your community
I appreciate the suggestion, i'll get working on the bailey, maybe i can get it back in action after all this time.J.T.Marcus said:You, sir, are not a poser! Posers don't risk themselves by showing everything they've got.
Your Knox is probably from the 1960-1975 period. A good hat, of course.
The Jaxon is wool, and as you surmise, of lesser quality than the other two. But, if it fits, you can still get some good out of it. One thing that would make it look better would be to let the ribbon cover those stitches in front. Pull the ribbon down, then tack it with a stitch, or two, from inside the crown. It's an easy sewing project. Do be sure your thread matches the color of the ribbon, and that your stitches are on about the same level as the factory ones (same space between the top and bottom of the ribbon). If the ribbon is "puckered" (doesn't lie flat), you can dab cold water on it, all the way around, till the entire ribbon is saturated. When it dries, it will lie flat.
The shape of the Bailey is also an easy fix. You can use steam to reshape it. However, the easiest and most rewarding way, for most beginners is to dunk the entire hat in cold water, until it is saturated. Then, shape it exactly the way you want it. Hang it to dry, so that it will hold that shape while drying. It's also a good idea to try it on, from time to time, while it is drying. Once dry, it will hold the shape it dried in. Drying time is usually 2 1/2 to 3 days.
Good luck, and welcome to the Lounge. :eusa_clap