Recommend a ribbon?

[mikeh]

Hey,

I'm going to get a hat stretched and cleaned and reshaped as a fedora Thursday. It also needs a ribbon. The hat is black, and has a pretty wide brim (about 3.5 inches). I will probably trust the advice at the shop, but what do folks here suggest?

Mike

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

IN MY OPINION, if this is your only black hat, I'd suggest a 1-2 inch wide black ribbon. Black is a conservative color. If you already have a black hat with a black ribbon, then a gray ribbon (very dark to half way to white) would look good. I Maroon ribbon with an ostentatious bow would also be good.

Remember what you paid for this advice and pay attention to it accordingly.....

Later

 

[VetPsychWars]

Hey,

I'm going to get a hat stretched and cleaned and reshaped as a fedora tomorrow. It also needs a ribbon. The hat is black, and has a pretty wide brim (about 3.5 inches). I will probably trust the advice at the shop, but what do folks here suggest?

Mike

Brass Rooster?

I'd probably go about 1.5" on that. I personally don't like them super-wide.

Tom

 

[mikeh]

Yep, Brass Rooster. Never been there before, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. Whoever I spoke to seemed really friendly and helpful on the phone.

It is my only black hat, so I definitely should go a bit conservative. I wondered if black on black was a bit funerary, and if some shade of dark gray was what I was supposed to do for that look, or about options like that maroon suggestion, so thanks for that one too.

As long as the opinions stay free, I'll keep hearing them out!

 

[gtdean48]

I have a black Stetson Pinnacle that I had a ribbon change done for & also a edge binding.
Major Moore at Buckaroo Hatters did the nice work & put a dark olive color to it.
Makes the hat very versatile with suits & coats of varying shades.
Sorry about the bad flash effects. That camera has been retired...

 

[monbla256]

Hey,

I'm going to get a hat stretched and cleaned and reshaped as a fedora tomorrow. It also needs a ribbon. The hat is black, and has a pretty wide brim (about 3.5 inches). I will probably trust the advice at the shop, but what do folks here suggest?

Mike

If you keep the brim at the 3.5", as you say it has, and you go with a black hat band ribbon, it will take on somewhat of a "Rabinical" look as many of the Hassidic men wear black wide brimmed Fedora's with black ribbons. This may be the look you are going for and if so stay with black. If not, try a different color such as a grey and think about getting a matching brim binding as well. It's a good look and a 1 1/2" band is a nice comprimise depending on the crease and crown hgt.

 

[mikeh]

If you keep the brim at the 3.5", as you say it has, and you go with a black hat band ribbon, it will take on somewhat of a "Rabinical" look as many of the Hassidic men wear black wide brimmed Fedora's with black ribbons. This may be the look you are going for and if so stay with black. If not, try a different color such as a grey and think about getting a matching brim binding as well. It's a good look and a 1 1/2" band is a nice comprimise depending on the crease and crown hgt.

Ha! since I am a historian of early Christianity, and my particular approach is to emphasize connections with early Judaism, I think I should probably steer clear of the rabbinic look. If that isn't enough, my beard clinches the decision! Thanks for pointing that out.

Mike

 

[jlee562]

I like maroon, here's my black Penman fedora:

 

[mikeh]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I finally managed to get over to the Brass Rooster this morning, and John took his time with me in spite of the very full shop. Ended up deciding on a medium gray ribbon, and he's going to cut down the brim a little for me. He was really excited about doing the job. This is a great shop, plenty of other stuff besides hats in there too - vintage shaving, a few pens (I think those are all new, but didn't look really closely) and other fun stuff. If you happen to be in the area, don't miss a stop here.

I'll report back in a couple of weeks when the hat is finished.

 

[mikeh]

The hat had been ready for a while, but it took me some time to get time to go pick it up. Boy am I happy with it. John ended up deciding against the gray and doing a "dark espresso" ribbon. I haven't had a chance to take any pics, but little did I know pictures have been available ever since he finished with it! Here's a link to the picture on the Brass Rooster's facebook page. If you click through (to the right) you'll get to go back to what it looked like when it first came in. I think the second shot is the best, so don't stop at the bird's eye view in the first shot! I can see that this is going to be a growing section of my wardrobe - I just hope it grows slowly. Can't really afford fast and furious acquisition disorders right now.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=327926490575441&set=pu.182642235103868&type=1&theater