Sartorial Solecism?

[Red McCutcheon]

When it comes to fedoras I'm a bit of a formalist. Hence, I believe there are very definite dos and don'ts when it comes to this accessory. For example, I consider it a true no-no to wear a nice felt fedora with a tee-shirt, tennis shoes, shorts and even sweatshirts that have logos or writing on them.

I'm rather more undecided on the matter of straw fedoras, however. Is it acceptable to wear a straw with tees, tennis shoes, shorts and inscribed sweatshirts? I, for one, am not sure, but would love to hear the opinions of the fedora cognoscenti.

 

[Johnnysan]

I think that it's all a matter of taste. I will wear some of my felt fedoras with less formal clothing, reserving some of my better ones for "suit and tie" only. Same for my straws. I have a Borsalino Panama that is quite dressy; then again, I have a couple of Milan straws and an Orvis Panama that would look out of place with dress clothes. I even had a beater Panama that was reserved for yard work!

The only exceptions in my hat wardrobe are my Homburg and Derby. They are strictly for dress and formal wear.

 

[luvthatlulu]

I'm in the same camp with Johnnysan. Let your taste decide with the same exceptions he noted.

 

[The Wingnut]

I've always balked at wearing a fedora with anything less than a suit & tie, but lately I've been experimenting with different looks. Today it's a leather jacket, boots, jeans, turtleneck, white cable-knit sweater and a gray fedora. Not a bad look.

I do avoid t-shirts with my fedoras.

As for my panama, I don't feel comfortable wearing it without a good pair of light-colored trousers and at least a button up shirt of some kind(hawaiian or a silk batik print, maybe). Shorts, sandals, etc...they just don't feel right.

 

[ScionPI2005]

I generally dress above average with my fedoras. I never wear regular T-shirts as it is...they are always button up type shirts that just happen to be short sleeves. The biggest no-no for me is wearing a fedora with shorts. Course, I haven't worn shorts on a regular basis in probably four years...so...[huh]

 

[Edward]

I've never had a problem with casual dress being mixed with a fedora. Course, my original inspiration for wearing fedoras was a certain Dr Jones, so..... lol

 

[carebear]

Depends on "casual". Every carpenter in the movie Mr. Blandings dream house was in a lid. Ditto most men in all states of dress in bread line photos.

Gary Cooper and the rest of the quarrymen in the Fountainhead were covered in rock dust and fedoras.

Fedoras are not a "suit" hat, they are an everyday hat. They can be worn with formal clothes or working clothes equally well. (like Wingnut's recent photos show)

I guess my point is, the problem isn't with wearing fedoras with sweats and tees in public, it's why go out in public in sweats and tees at all?

If they are real trousers, or proper adult short trousers for a given climate, and you have a decent shirt on, wear a felt or straw.

As far as logo sweatshirts go, save those for the stadium or the yard, but if they are clean and fit properly, throw on a more casual "working" fedora or cap.

 

[Red McCutcheon]

f

You've sort of gone round the back end and made my point for me, carebear. The "working clothes" of the 40s and 50s would almost be considered semi-formal today. Thus the fedora was conceived and developed with what we would consider semi-formal wear in mind. It, thus seems anachronistic and misbegotten to wear a fedora with clothes for which it was not intended.

That said, when it's 110 in Texas, I'm going to wear shorts and quite possibly a tee as well. I'm just wondering if I can get away with a straw on such occasions. I mean, I respect the fedora too much as an icon of better taste than to cheapen it by wearing it with scut clothing. OTOH, I love fedoras so much that I want to wear them whenever I can!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I mean, I respect the fedora too much as an icon of better taste than to cheapen it by wearing it with scut clothing. OTOH, I love fedoras so much that I want to wear them whenever I can!

Its a hat.

Its meant to go on your head....worn, enjoyed...and not merely revered as some icon of taste.....after all....men before did not -iconize- their headgear...they wore it to protect their heads from the elements...

sighs...people overthink this stuff....

 

[Red McCutcheon]

f

Of course men in the good old days--not intended ironically, BTW--did not conceive of their lids as icons. That said, the general aesthetic ethos of that era was infinitely superior to our own and, accordingly, I revere the fedora in homage to good taste and sport it as a thumb in the eye of its lack.

 

[flylot74]

For example, I consider it a true no-no to wear a nice felt fedora with a tee-shirt, tennis shoes, shorts and even sweatshirts that have logos or writing on them.

When I am wearing a t-shirt and shorts and tennis (running) shoes, I'm running or exercising. It is athletic gear. Wearing a fedora while jogging is plain silly. Wearing athletic gear when not doing athletics in my mind is plain silly, though too many people do it. That's just me.

If I am casual, I am still wearing slacks and a collared shirt and leather shoes. A fedora is certainly worn then. I've never liked shorts worn in casual attire.

I'm rather more undecided on the matter of straw fedoras, however. Is it acceptable to wear a straw with tees, tennis shoes, shorts and inscribed sweatshirts? I, for one, am not sure, but would love to hear the opinions of the fedora cognoscenti.

See above. However, when in warm weather, I will wear slacks (cotton or linen) and either a collared polo shirt, button up short sleeve, Hawaiian or more often than not, a Guayabera and either nice sandals or, more often than not a pair of loafers. I choose the Panama or straw that fits the occasion. It may be a Fino Fino Montecristi or if I'm doing yard work, my beater Cuenca.

I guess if you must wear shorts and a Panama, then at least wear a nice bright colored Hawaiian shirt rather than a a simple T. Some nice sandals (and no white socks please) would be much more sartorially balanced than sport shoes. I've just never been one to wear a sport shoe for non sporting activities. It's just a thing I have, I guess.

But I'm an ol' phart and also some things our uncle (Sam) instilled in me have never changed as well..........

 

[Red McCutcheon]

d

I respect your high standards, flylot, even if I'm unable to meet them.

lol

 

[flylot74]

Well, just remember in summer months, Thursday is Hawaiian shirt day!

Gawd, I have an inspiration! In the summer everyone post pics on Thursday of your Panama and the most outrageous Hawaiian you can stand to wear- in public.

...just a thought...... enough of this silliness, I must don my running shoes and hit the road. Bet you've never seen an old fat man in running tights have ya? The sight would curdle your breakfast milk!

Cheers!

 

[Red McCutcheon]

f

I do have several Hawaiians to fill the bill. Perhaps that's the route I'll go when the weather warms up: button down short sleeves (Hawaiian or no), loafers (sans socks), shorts (yes, shorts), and a straw. No fedora with the tees.

PS--Looking for a blue straw fedora, incidentally. And it doesn't have to be vintage.

 

[Sefton]

I'm in the "it's a hat. You just wear it" group myself. No disrespect to those of you who have a more, let's say orthodox view. I often wear any one of my three lids from Art with:1946 or 1951 army field jacket. LVC 1937 jeans or courduroy pants or Bill's khakis. Sometimes longsleeve t-shirt or sweaters. Art's hats are so good that they make me feel dressed up in any of the above.

 

[Red McCutcheon]

f

I think the fedora/sweater combo is a good one, and it's one I often wear. IMO sweater is sufficiently dressy to match up well with a felt fed.

 

[Quigley Brown]

I look at old photos to get an idea of how they were worn in different situations. I don't think I'd wear one while in a t-shirt, definitely not while in shorts and not while wearing tennis shoes. I've looked at old photos from county fairs and see farmers wearing fedoras, neckties and bib overalls, though.lol

 

[RBH]

I always wear a fedora, either straw or felt. If its hot and dry as it is in the summer here in the Delta, I am sure to wear my PanamaBob panama or one of my other straws.Very seldom do I wear a felt in the summer months.

 

[indycop]

I have always liked fedoras but did not get any until earlier this year when the dermatoligist said I need to start wearing hats or sunscreen on my ears and face (yuck) or get ready for skin cancer. So I found an indy type fedora and then this site which led to all kinds of other fedoras. I have straws but even in the heat of summer prefer the felts. I will wear one with whatever I am wearing as long as it is comfortable, it does not matter to me.

 

[Twitch]

You can wear a fedora with most dress but perhaps not all. I regularly wear jeans and a sweat shirt with mine an still get comments on the hat. Technically it's timeless wear since jeans ans sweat shorts pretty much look the same as they did in 1939.

If it's warm enough for shorts it's warm enought for a Panama or other straw too.:fedora: