JohnnyB53
One of the Regulars
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Well, here's my cruiser grey CEO that I got for my 55th birthday 2 mos. ago:aldocello said:
And here it is with a light grey puggaree added:
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self-concious in my fedora
- Thread starter aldocello
- Start date
And here it is with a light grey puggaree added:
RobFedoraField
One Too Many
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wow, I think this thread should win a record about the highest # of posts in two days.
I started with an IJ hat from stetson when Raiders came out, then I went to a leather safari and wore them occasionally thru high school, but yea, it was typical highschool crap. but after college I bought my first "real" hat but being unexperienced I got a really wide brim (3 1/4") and a wide ribbon (1 3/4") and a short (4 1/2) crown in a poor attempt to get a "real" IJ hat and it looked pretty oddly proportioned, so I wore it on and began to religiously dust it off in the fall, wore it twice, then shelved it for next year. after 10 years of doing this, I decided to get a hat that I would wear and would get away from the IJ stigma. I picked up a Grey Fed IV and have work it and my campdraft nearly every day since I've gotten them. I'm not really a "retro" person and wear them with my columbia coat, polo's, etc and I've come to realize 1) I feel "undressed" when i don't have them on, and 2) 99.9% of the time, no one really cares that you're wearing a hat and the rest of the time you'll get a compliment, generally from an older woman who will say that her husband used to wear hats like that, or an older african american gentlemen who has one on.
I started with an IJ hat from stetson when Raiders came out, then I went to a leather safari and wore them occasionally thru high school, but yea, it was typical highschool crap. but after college I bought my first "real" hat but being unexperienced I got a really wide brim (3 1/4") and a wide ribbon (1 3/4") and a short (4 1/2) crown in a poor attempt to get a "real" IJ hat and it looked pretty oddly proportioned, so I wore it on and began to religiously dust it off in the fall, wore it twice, then shelved it for next year. after 10 years of doing this, I decided to get a hat that I would wear and would get away from the IJ stigma. I picked up a Grey Fed IV and have work it and my campdraft nearly every day since I've gotten them. I'm not really a "retro" person and wear them with my columbia coat, polo's, etc and I've come to realize 1) I feel "undressed" when i don't have them on, and 2) 99.9% of the time, no one really cares that you're wearing a hat and the rest of the time you'll get a compliment, generally from an older woman who will say that her husband used to wear hats like that, or an older african american gentlemen who has one on.
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I was a fertilizer/implement cap wearer daily in college but sported a brim in foul weather. Folks actually commented more when I didn't have a lid on. One prof gave me a hat that his wife wouldn't let him wear so it would get good use. I also enjoyed the Urban Cowboy surge, wore western before, during & certainly after. When I got to working world, I wore & still do a hat instead of umbrellas during bad weather, never liked having hand tied up with that thing. I really never cared what folks thought about it. I be more self-conscious about these backward ball caps & stocking hats worn on warm days!
carter
I'll Lock Up
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I grew up wearing straw caps on the farm in the summer, sports caps in school, a wide brim flat crown western in college, and various types of headgear in the military. It seems that more than half my life has been lived in some sort of head cover. For me a fedora or a newsboy or any other hat is a natural progression.
For folks who didn't grow up as I did or have the same life experiences, a fedora may seem odd or even eccentric. That's ok by me. To each his own. I've not been subject to ridicule but, then again, I don't invite it and a steady gaze is disconcerting to most knotheads.
I also take into account the fact that I've done and said some foolish things in my life that, on reflection, I wish I hadn't. This is not to say that you should suffer fools gladly, just have a little pity on them for they were shortchanged at the intelligence depot.
For folks who didn't grow up as I did or have the same life experiences, a fedora may seem odd or even eccentric. That's ok by me. To each his own. I've not been subject to ridicule but, then again, I don't invite it and a steady gaze is disconcerting to most knotheads.
I also take into account the fact that I've done and said some foolish things in my life that, on reflection, I wish I hadn't. This is not to say that you should suffer fools gladly, just have a little pity on them for they were shortchanged at the intelligence depot.
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Stick it.
This question comes up in one form or another regularly. It straddles several concepts:
one is -do you actually look good in a hat
two- is the style of hat you've picked good for you
three is -in the social circles you travel will it be acceptable
four is- in your area is it too outlandish a hat to be accepted by "strangers"
five is- why should you care what others think of your choice of hat.
One - for the most part everyone can look good in a hat. If you see pictures of the time period say from 1900 to 1960 if an ordinary guy is wearing a hat he usually looks good in it. Now his hat maybe part of his whole clothing ensambel and that can make it work better but I have yet to see a pix of someone and go "Now there's a guy that should not wear a hat."
Two - hat styles do have tie ins with the type of clothes you wear with it. A top hat tends to be formal unless you're trying to look all rock & roll like Slash.
Three - here is where your friends and family get into the act. Like the clod in your band that gave you a hard time - if you want to wear the hat you have to let them know that their opinion or approval is not needed.
Four - some areas are historically reactionary or populated with a higher than normal percentage of cretins. If particularly large and fearsome or a big crowd, disgression is the better part of valour.
Five - Should you care? Wives and girl friends can make the most of their leverage. Parents and older relatives where you might be an heir to the family fortune may have influence. Children - well teens think their parents are stupid period, you're gonna piss them off no matter what. Work is a question, in these days a job is hard to come by.
The question does come down to what influence are you going to allow others to shape your happiness and hat wearing proclivities but in the end - if you want to wear the hat you have to let them know that their opinion or approval is not needed. Coming up with good response to stupid remarks is also a key for fending off attempts at humor or humiliation. See the dumbest comments thread.
Happy Hat Wearing!
This question comes up in one form or another regularly. It straddles several concepts:
one is -do you actually look good in a hat
two- is the style of hat you've picked good for you
three is -in the social circles you travel will it be acceptable
four is- in your area is it too outlandish a hat to be accepted by "strangers"
five is- why should you care what others think of your choice of hat.
One - for the most part everyone can look good in a hat. If you see pictures of the time period say from 1900 to 1960 if an ordinary guy is wearing a hat he usually looks good in it. Now his hat maybe part of his whole clothing ensambel and that can make it work better but I have yet to see a pix of someone and go "Now there's a guy that should not wear a hat."
Two - hat styles do have tie ins with the type of clothes you wear with it. A top hat tends to be formal unless you're trying to look all rock & roll like Slash.
Three - here is where your friends and family get into the act. Like the clod in your band that gave you a hard time - if you want to wear the hat you have to let them know that their opinion or approval is not needed.
Four - some areas are historically reactionary or populated with a higher than normal percentage of cretins. If particularly large and fearsome or a big crowd, disgression is the better part of valour.
Five - Should you care? Wives and girl friends can make the most of their leverage. Parents and older relatives where you might be an heir to the family fortune may have influence. Children - well teens think their parents are stupid period, you're gonna piss them off no matter what. Work is a question, in these days a job is hard to come by.
The question does come down to what influence are you going to allow others to shape your happiness and hat wearing proclivities but in the end - if you want to wear the hat you have to let them know that their opinion or approval is not needed. Coming up with good response to stupid remarks is also a key for fending off attempts at humor or humiliation. See the dumbest comments thread.
Happy Hat Wearing!
Just to add my newbie thoughts if I may...
I've only just started wearing proper hats at age 30, never worn baseball caps because I don't like them. Noticed (here in UK) more and more sightings of fedora style hats in the larger towns and cities, and also noticed a trend among older gentlemen towards dressing more nicely. So that sort of answered my doubts about being the only one in a hat - in short, I'm not.
Also, so far, wearing my Indiana Jones DP fur felt and my Stetson Fedora, I've had nothing except admiring glances and/or 'I like that hat' from women, and older men, only suffering childish giggles or comments from young males my age or younger. The very same group that think baseball caps look cool. I rest my case...
To conclude, I think that wearing a proper hat actually BOOSTS confidence, something I have never had much of, and I would recommend it to anyone who is self-conscious as a quick cure.
Good luck.
Nicholas.
P.S Plus my soon-to-be-wife thinks I look great in a fedora.
I've only just started wearing proper hats at age 30, never worn baseball caps because I don't like them. Noticed (here in UK) more and more sightings of fedora style hats in the larger towns and cities, and also noticed a trend among older gentlemen towards dressing more nicely. So that sort of answered my doubts about being the only one in a hat - in short, I'm not.
Also, so far, wearing my Indiana Jones DP fur felt and my Stetson Fedora, I've had nothing except admiring glances and/or 'I like that hat' from women, and older men, only suffering childish giggles or comments from young males my age or younger. The very same group that think baseball caps look cool. I rest my case...
To conclude, I think that wearing a proper hat actually BOOSTS confidence, something I have never had much of, and I would recommend it to anyone who is self-conscious as a quick cure.
Good luck.
Nicholas.
P.S Plus my soon-to-be-wife thinks I look great in a fedora.
If anyone ever gives you a hard time, just tell them that you'll be safe when the bombs come.
Marc Chevalier said:What a strange time the Truman-Eisenhower era was. Below is a suggestion from a government-sponsored book, "How to Survive an Atomic Bomb" (1949). Good news for us, eh?
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*********Lefty said:
Works best if you show them the "tin foil" liner!
deanglen
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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I went through the whole thing, and now I'm into caps, yet I can't help giving long wistful looks at the thin ribbon fedoras and long for a nice one to wear once again someday.
dean
dean
Godfrey
One of the Regulars
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- Melbourne, Australia
I wore a hat at University pretty solidly then sort of drifted away from it for some reason. I never felt that self conscious about it then but when I came back it 5 or 6 years ago - I did. I think it must have been all my indoctrination as a clone consultant! I eased back into hat wearing with flat caps most of the time and hats on the weekend. The cap is a little less obtrusive and can be pocketed. Now days putting on a hat is like ensuing I have my keys and wallet - I feel odd leaving the house without one. I'm sure I'm noticed by some on the street - but that's actually a good thing - a chap should have some presence.
There will always be people who don't like what you wear - its a good way to quickly determine what sort of people they are.
Very much agree with the earlier posts about ensuring you buy a hat that suits and don't try for a "look". I've only had the "Indiana" comment once - on reflection the clothes and hat combination probably warranted it. However it had been unintentional (ie I'd forgotten my whip)
There will always be people who don't like what you wear - its a good way to quickly determine what sort of people they are.
Very much agree with the earlier posts about ensuring you buy a hat that suits and don't try for a "look". I've only had the "Indiana" comment once - on reflection the clothes and hat combination probably warranted it. However it had been unintentional (ie I'd forgotten my whip)
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LOL - I got 1 Indy & 1 Where's your whip just today!
JohnnyB53
One of the Regulars
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Q: Hey Indy, where's your whip?gtdean48 said:
A: It's still stuck in the ass of the last guy who asked me that question.
Dr Doran
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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JohnnyB53 said:
You are my new hero. That is very badass (no pun intended).
Dr Doran
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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Not-Bogart13 said:
"that's why the good Lord invented brass knuckles"
JohnnyB53 said:
I've only had that comment once, but I responded: "No time for love Dr. Jones!" in my best Short Round impression (which got a few good laughs and an opening for a conversation).
I have to admit though that I didn't wear a hat for a couple of months after I returned to the US. Partially because it was a bit too warm to wear one (I don't have any straw hats) and also because I felt like I was drawing too much attention since I was the only person who seemed to wear a hat other than a baseball or trucker cap anywhere near where I lived.
Nowadays, I wear one every day including the weekends - but only if I feel I'm dressed properly in order to wear one. Not a problem though since I only own one pair of jeans that I never wear unless I absolutely have to.
JohnnyB53
One of the Regulars
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That's what I like about my new Akubra DM Bushman and other thin ribbon fedoras such as the Akubra Campdraft--it's a fedora-like brimmed hat that goes with jeans, dungarees, even overalls, but can also go with a sport coat and tie.Choeki said:
univibe88
One Too Many
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BlindeMan said:
Exactly! It also gives me a built in comeback for any comments. I just say "it keeps my head warm/dry" while giving them a disapproving look for having wet/snowy/disheveled hair.
jkingrph
Practically Family
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- 848
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- Jacksonville, Tx, West Monroe, La.
Dad bought me a nice felt western when I was in college but I was too self conscious to wear it. Straws in the summer were never a problem. Fast forward about 40 years, about 4 years ago I got a couple of Tilley hats and started wearing every day, then a couple of Akruba Banjo Patterson's and have been wearing a had daily since. Of course I have added a couple from Art and an Adventurebilt since then. I also have two of the higher grade of Stetson westerns large brim, triple pinch 20x for whatever that means to them. I have a teardrop pinch Resistol western which although not as good a quality, is my best fitting hat. I also have another lower grade resistol, and a cheap Beaver brand which I re bashed to a fendora type crown, flattened the sides and "snapped" the brim if you can call it with that heavy felt to a fendora shape. Kinda like a supera fedora with a 3 3/4"brim but I like them and do not hesitate to wear any of them at any time, of course reserving some for more casual wear.
All of that said, I am in small town Texas where western hats rule. Since I have started wearing nicer fedora's, felt and straw, I have not received anything but positive comments, often other middle aged men wanting to know where I found them.
All of that said, I am in small town Texas where western hats rule. Since I have started wearing nicer fedora's, felt and straw, I have not received anything but positive comments, often other middle aged men wanting to know where I found them.
Gilgamark
A-List Customer
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- 306
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- Nashville, TN
Back in style
Wearing your hats around the house is the best suggestion. Look at yourself in the mirror. You have to build up some mental images of you in hats so you know how you look. Build up a collection of different hats so you have options for different outfits, different occasions, etc.
Once you start wearing hats, you start noticing other people wearing hats. It seems to me that more men around Nashville are wearing them. Does anyone else think the same of their area?
Wearing your hats around the house is the best suggestion. Look at yourself in the mirror. You have to build up some mental images of you in hats so you know how you look. Build up a collection of different hats so you have options for different outfits, different occasions, etc.
Once you start wearing hats, you start noticing other people wearing hats. It seems to me that more men around Nashville are wearing them. Does anyone else think the same of their area?
