The Black Hat Brigade

[AbbaDatDeHat]

My take:
I have to ask. Does the hat make the man or the man make the hat?
There are times black is the only perfect choice to wear no matter the style and they go with everything if you coordinate well.
If you don’t like black hats i suggest you are missing something special in wearing hats and to reflect on the question posed.
I love black hats. In a hurry....grab black.
B

 

[Silverstreak]

I don't mind black hats, but I don't go out of my way looking for them either. I'm pale, so black tends to look bad on me anyway. I much prefer grey or brown as I look better in earth tones.

Plus where I live, black hats connote old school gangsters and the orthodox Jewish community. I'm neither, so I tend to stick to other colors.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My take:
I have to ask. Does the hat make the man or the man make the hat?
There are times black is the only perfect choice to wear no matter the style and they go with everything if you coordinate well.
If you don’t like black hats i suggest you are missing something special in wearing hats and to reflect on the question posed.
I love black hats. In a hurry....grab black.
B

I do like my black fedoras, but it isn’t my favorite color. I’ll buy less than perfect hats in other colors, but for me to add another black fedora to my collection it has to really be something special. I’d go for a vintage OR or a CD in black in a heartbeat. Better yet, one of Steve’s seal velours!


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[deadlyhandsome]

What about not quite black fedoras? I find the “near blacks” to be a better choice when not attending a funeral or an even that requires black.

This is a Tonak in “iron.”

I was going for the 1920s vibe with a tall crown and a shorter than my normal brim. While you like the style, I don’t feel any compunction to duplicate it exactly; hence the blue metal ribbon.



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[tropicalbob]

I don't know if it's true, but I remember reading that, prior to WWII, many of the hats that seemed to be black were actually dark navy blue, particularly in evening-wear hats. Anyone know if this is true? Anyway, there's nothing that looks as good with a black leather jacket (non-biker) as a black fedora. I sometimes pair my old black leather Sears car-coat with my black Fed IV and feel very Boris Badinov.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I don't know if it's true, but I remember reading that, prior to WWII, many of the hats that seemed to be black were actually dark navy blue, particularly in evening-wear hats. Anyone know if this is true? Anyway, there's nothing that looks as good with a black leather jacket (non-biker) as a black fedora. I sometimes pair my old black leather Sears car-coat with my black Fed IV and feel very Boris Badinov.

I know that when electric lights were becoming standard at the turn of the century some dinner suits (tuxedos) were made in midnight blue as it was reported it looked blacker than black in the electric lighting. I don’t know about blue fedoras. I have ran into many dark blue homburgs, but fewer fedoras.

Aside from formal attire, I rarely wear black (I also rarely wear formal attire). Not a conscious decision, I just don’t buy garments in that color. I have several black homburgs and a few black fedoras, but for me they’re niche hats and not a grab-and-go option. We all have our preferences.




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[mayserwegener]

I don't know if it's true, but I remember reading that, prior to WWII, many of the hats that seemed to be black were actually dark navy blue, particularly in evening-wear hats. Anyone know if this is true? Anyway, there's nothing that looks as good with a black leather jacket (non-biker) as a black fedora. I sometimes pair my old black leather Sears car-coat with my black Fed IV and feel very Boris Badinov.

They were black.

 

[GHT]

They were black.

If I told you that this was navy blue, would you believe me?

 

[mayserwegener]

If I told you that this was navy blue, would you believe me?
View attachment 165585

The paper label in the hat usual had a felt color designation. Black (see language / company code) was by far (nothing was close) the most common color for Stiff and Soft Felt Hats. For example Mayser used "1" for Black / Schwarz "Farbe/Color 1". I wonder why the used "1"?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Looking at what has survived, its apparent that black hats outnumbered all others by a large margin. Was this because people preferred black or was it a case of the Model T where you could have it in any color you wanted as long as it was black?

People also used to wear black frock coats, stiff detachable collars, and one piece underwear: I don’t venerate things because they’re they way it used to be.

With black fedoras, I think it’s something you can warm to once you see them done right.


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[crawlinkingsnake]

I don't mind black hats, but I don't go out of my way looking for them either. I'm pale, so black tends to look bad on me anyway. I much prefer grey or brown as I look better in earth tones.

Plus where I live, black hats connote old school gangsters and the orthodox Jewish community. I'm neither, so I tend to stick to other colors.

hmmmmm, good thought Streak. I'd tend to agree but gotta say I've had trouble warming up to black. But when you mention "old school gangster", hey I'm kinda liking that thought. Also saw a mention of Bing Cherry with Periwinkle ribbon... now there's another thought also! Might have to check into something along that line.

 

[Doctor Strange]

As I think I said years ago near the start of this thread, I can't wear black hats. With a black hat, I look too much like a Chasidic Jew... and I'm merely a lapsed Reform Jew!

I don't "hate" black hats. But dark gray - like Akubra's Carbon/Steel/Mid-Grey - is as close to black as I personally wear.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Charcoal hats have a special place on my hat rack. Black hats matter.

Best, Eric -

 

[mayserwegener]

Looking at what has survived, its apparent that black hats outnumbered all others by a large margin. Was this because people preferred black or was it a case of the Model T where you could have it in any color you wanted as long as it was black?

People also used to wear black frock coats, stiff detachable collars, and one piece underwear: I don’t venerate things because they’re they way it used to be.

With black fedoras, I think it’s something you can warm to once you see them done right.


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There was a resistance against other than black hats by the English and American Felt Hat Industries. They also resisted European Style Soft Felt Dress Hat styles and there was more color die knowledge by main land European Felt Hat Companies regarding Soft Felts.

 

[steur]

Looking at what has survived, its apparent that black hats outnumbered all others by a large margin. Was this because people preferred black or was it a case of the Model T where you could have it in any color you wanted as long as it was black?

People also used to wear black frock coats, stiff detachable collars, and one piece underwear: I don’t venerate things because they’re they way it used to be.

With black fedoras, I think it’s something you can warm to once you see them done right.


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There was actually a good practical reason for this as well. Back then all the heating was done by either coal or wood, industry was right in the middle of towns and airpollution was rife. A lighter coloured suit or hat probably wouldn't last you an hour. Black clothign and black hats make a lot more sense in those conditions. Brushing off clothing was done for far more good reason than today: you were likely covered in soot if you had been outside for any significant period of time.

 

[M Hatman]

TONAK Formely Hückel Zephyr Seal Velour, size 7 3/8 (late 1940s early 1950s) vs. J. Hückel´s Söhne (JHS) Zephyr Seal Velour, size 7 3/8 (late 1930s).

WOW!! Really....really...nice!

 

[M Hatman]

J. Hückel´s Söhne "Alpha - Seal Velour",probably mid 1930s.

SPEACHLESS........ Beautiful!! I would love to find one in my size......

 

[M Hatman]

My take:
I have to ask. Does the hat make the man or the man make the hat?
There are times black is the only perfect choice to wear no matter the style and they go with everything if you coordinate well.
If you don’t like black hats i suggest you are missing something special in wearing hats and to reflect on the question posed.
I love black hats. In a hurry....grab black.
B

YES!!!! I too have several black hats AND I wear them with, well...anything and everything!
M

 

[M Hatman]

There was actually a good practical reason for this as well. Back then all the heating was done by either coal or wood, industry was right in the middle of towns and airpollution was rife. A lighter coloured suit or hat probably wouldn't last you an hour. Black clothign and black hats make a lot more sense in those conditions. Brushing off clothing was done for far more good reason than today: you were likely covered in soot if you had been outside for any significant period of time.

Or inside too really, wood and coal stoves and fireplaces...tallow candles, manufactured gas and kerosene lamps and fixtures....lots of sooty and greasy things EVERYWHERE!!
M
PS Here is a quick black hat contribution......a Mayser.....which I wore this past Saturday while out and about......grey ribbon gives a nice contrast!

 

[mayserwegener]

SPEACHLESS........ Beautiful!! I would love to find one in my size......

Mark, Unfortunately this one is tiny. I rarely buy hats there are not my size range but couldn't pass this one up.