taper question

[Obsessed]

I'm a fairly big guy - around 6'3" and 240 lbs. I'm starting to think that the reason I tend to fall out of love with hats I buy is that I need to switch to hats with little or no taper in the crown (even if I lose a few pounds). Does that make sense?

 

[Bob Roberts]

I'm a fairly big guy - around 6'3" and 240 lbs. I'm starting to think that the reason I tend to fall out of love with hats I buy is that I need to switch to hats with little or no taper in the crown (even if I lose a few pounds). Does that make sense?

Me too but it has nothing to do w my height or weight. Just liking a full even crown w/o that "pointy effect."

 

[tommyK]

$.02
Some of these rules of size and shape seem somewhat subjective to me. I don't like tapered crowns so I think they look bad on everyone regardless of their size and shape. I think full crowns and big brims look good on everyone. You're a pretty big guy so I say, if you like, get a proportionally big hat.

 

[gtdean48]

Remember the effect of symmetry on what is appealing to the eye, golden ratio & all that.
A hat brim makes a line of demarcation so to speak. What is above it needs to be in balance what is below.
Most of us have broad faces, so a short & tapered crown above isn't in balance with our mugs below.

 

[tropicalbob]

That's absolutely correct. That's why I stay away from Borsalinos. A tapered hat is especially unsuitable for anyone with a wide face: I have a large Celtic head and look like Zippy the Pinhead in one or even in a center-dent.

 

[Ginseng]

A hat brim makes a line of demarcation so to speak. What is above it needs to be in balance what is below.
Most of us have broad faces, so a short & tapered crown above isn't in balance with our mugs below.

I agree. But just to clarify, visual balance often involves several dimensions, some of them not structural or geometric. For example, color/darkness and texture. Also, while a low crown and a tall crown could taper to the same span or crease up top, by virtue of being taller, the sides will rise at a steeper angle giving the appearance of a gentler taper.

I find that I like my tall crown hats to have minimal taper. Aesthetically, this is what appeals to me. However, for a trilby of narrow-brim fedora worn casually, more taper comes across as more playful, less serious.

Different hats for different moods, I say.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I certainly don't want to look like a Pilgrim or a Leprechaun and I especially don't want to look like a Dunce, wearing a Dunce Cap. I look stupid enuff.

 

[viclip]

Evidently only those with receding chins should sport hats with significant crown taper:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/05/28/the-perfect-hat-for-your-ugly-mug/

 

[Bob Roberts]

Evidently only those with receding chins should sport hats with significant crown taper:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/05/28/the-perfect-hat-for-your-ugly-mug/

What abt receding hair lines...?

 

[triple-d]

Evidently only those with receding chins should sport hats with significant crown taper:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/05/28/the-perfect-hat-for-your-ugly-mug/

GEEEEZ...........I wish I hadn't read all that.....lol

 

[Obsessed]

With apologies to any fans out there, I just can't take a website presuming to call itself the "art of manliness" seriously. Besides, I don't know how the guy could claim to create such a sight without consulting me first . . .