The Black Hat Brigade

[ofcoursemyhorse]

A large portion of my hats are black, mainly because I collect bowlers. I think that fedoras were generally designed to be a bit more flashy. All the advertising I see for the era all go to lengths to describe the vast array of felt colors available.

I just assume that most hatmakers back then just figured the need for a black hat was already filled with the then popular derby or homburg.

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes for stiff felts it was close to 100%. Most soft felts were also black. The English makers were especially resistant to anything other than black (stiff or soft). They were not happy with the soft felt styles coming from the Continent (this was also the case in America to a lesser degree).

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I may be adding another black hat to the collection. It all depends on what Stetson is asking for their hats in the 150th Anniversary collection.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I opened the coffers to put to air my black pearls.

I am a lover of black hats and today I'wearing a black homburg CDF (Chapeau de France).
Very elegant of average proportions in the shadows now ......

 

[alanfgag]

Elegant indeed! :eusa_clap

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I opened the coffers to put to air my black pearls.

I am a lover of black hats and today I'wearing a black homburg CDF (Chapeau de France).
Very elegant of average proportions in the shadows now ......

That hat looks great!

 

[InsolentPuppy]

Stetson Top Breed 15X 3 1/2" brim with self band. Black on black with a cattleman's crease.

 

[RJR]

FED IV in carbon.

 

[SurfGent]

View attachment 53885
FED IV in carbon.

RJR that is a really nice hat. Looking good brotha

 

[SurfGent]

 

[SurfGent]

 

[SurfGent]

Hears a hat I don't wear nearly enough. A Stetson mercury in graphite. It was on the clearance rack at a hat shop in downtown Oakland CA. Nothing was wrong with it and it was in my size the gentleman said that they just stopped carrying the mercury cause it wasn't selling. It fits me perfectly. Strange some 7 5/8 Stetsons fit me good and sometimes it's 7 3/4

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Better not list all my black hats...

 

[InsolentPuppy]

This is my experiment hat. It came with a cattleman's crease and a swoopy 4 " brim. This is the 4th or 5th crease I've tried and my 1st attempt at a kettle curl.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Nice work!

 

[InsolentPuppy]

Nice work!

Thanks!

 

[FedOregon]

I like black hats just fine, but only have 2. One is a cheap Norm Thompson import, a wool felt creation that has been rode hard and put away wet. I grabbed it up one holiday season when they hired me to work as undercover security in their north Portland store.

The other is an ebay grab, a Stetson Downs fedora that came with ribbon water stains and a nice red/purple/black feather stuck into the back of the ribbon. I've worn it to church, work and around town. I like the character, style and color.

I don't think I'd order a custom in black, but never say never... right?

 

[Frunobulax]

Mallory "The Dallas" (thanks to a tip from moontheloon)

1960-era Royal Stetson

Schoble Homburg

Knox Superfine Homburg (thanks, Matt!)

^^^Jeff (Bowlerman) has this one's sib. Mine's 7 1/4, his is 7 1/8^^^​

 

[RJR]

This pic is bad but this is a foldable Borso in black.Its become a favorite.

 

[fabiovenhorst]

My black hats...

Ramenzoni homburg

Lincoln Bennett bowler

Melton & Co. top hat

Tress & Co. bowler