The Black Hat Brigade

[Mean Eyed Matt]

The form and the ribbon / bow design. I have many hats that have a similar look. I believe I have seen the branding before too. It was common to see made up American and British brands. Usually the paper labels don't have any company mark. Sometimes you can tell the company by the paper label format or hat construction. Also by doing a trademark search but it could remain a mystery. If you can post a photo of the paper label it might help. I would say it's mid to late 1950s. The liners are glued in once you get into the 1960s.

Thanks for the notes, MW! Interesting... Your dating is what I thought, too. But never knew this bow design is German.
Your encyclopedic recall is great! I will picture the paper label as soon as possible for you!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

A 60's Stetson and a Resistol Stagecoach

 

[M Hatman]

My "new" Knox for the Brigade....cleaned, steamed, remade the center dent...wore it to dinner today actually....
Cheers,
M

 

[Redfokker]

My "new" Knox fo the Brigade....cleaned, steamed, remade the center dent...wore it to dinner today actually....
Cheers,
M

Nice!

 

[RJR]

Borsalino.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Black hats often feel somber and cheerless to me. I liked them for formal attire or at funerals, but lately I’ve been working them into my rotation. Still not my favorite color, but I don’t avoid them like I used to.

Puerto Fino with 3 1/8” brim:

I gave it a good brushing, but I find that black hats need a lint roller and I didn’t bother today...it’s also drizzling so water is beading and streaking.


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[The Jackal]

Black is the color I think of when I think of wearing a hat, be it a fedora or a baseball cap. I typically have to put conscious effort into putting on a different color.

 

[Hats Matter]

Okay, I know it is not vintage but here is a photo of my Optimo Black Dearborn fedora. I have 23 hats from Optimo and this is just one in the rotation. I added the feather which can be easily removed if that is your taste.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 165063

Okay, I know it is not vintage but here is a photo of my Optimo Black Dearborn fedora. I have 23 hats from Optimo and this is just one in the rotation. I added the feather which can be easily removed if that is your taste.

Very nice! I like vintage hats for their attributes, not their age. Optimo holds its own with the best of any vintage.


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[WideBrimm]

I really do like black fedoras, of which I have at least a couple. They tend to go with any clothing. Either short or wide brim hats look good. They've only got one drawback: PET HAIR. Black hats are a magnet for pet hair, especially cat hair.
It's hard to get rid of the pet hair, even with a good hat brush!

 

[Rmccamey]

I have a black cherry coming from Art but we are putting a colorful wide ribbon on it to counter the somber black and give it some "pop".

I'm not much into solid black either but I do have a short hair trilby (thanks Brent) that is really sporty and I find it has become my grab'n-go hat!

 

[T Jones]

I can take 'em or leave 'em when it comes to black hats. They're not high on my list of favorites, but they're not at the bottom of my list either. With that said, some black hats can look pretty nice with the right proportions and ribbon work. Here's a black Borsalino that I refurbished....

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I can take 'em or leave 'em when it comes to black hats. They're not high on my list of favorites, but they're not at the bottom of my list either. With that said, some black hats can look pretty nice with the right proportions and ribbon work. Here's a black Borsalino that I refurbished....

I read your comments in this thread written 10 years ago. It seems that your opinion has moderated a bit; that speaks well for you. We are all growing and learning and changing.


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[T Jones]

I read your comments in this thread written 10 years ago. It seems that your opinion has moderated a bit; that speaks well for you. We are all growing and learning and changing.


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I remember that. I hated black hats with a passion. The one I had then was a black Akubra Squatter. I really hated that hat. But, I found that black hats can actually be made to look pretty decent.

 

[Rmccamey]

I've always liked black westerns much more than black fedoras.

 

[mayserwegener]

Wear whatever you want.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I go through phases. Last winter I was really into my black fedora. It is sturdy, warm, and stylish. And holds its shape really well.
However, I recall times when I have said in the past "why did I buy that thing? Black? Really?"
I guess that's why I have a collection of hats. Sometimes one strikes my fancy, sometimes another.

 

[GHT]

The hat, for me, is an accessory. The colour doesn't matter, it's how it compliments whatever I am wearing that makes it my selection of choice. Black does tend to get disliked, probably because of it's association with funeral attire, who knows?

Black needs some contrast, so if the garment is black I would contrast that with a fine straw, like a Biltmore, worn with a black hatband. As for wearing a black, felt fedora, that's no problem if it does, as I explained, compliment the rest of the outfit.

 

[mayserwegener]

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).

 

[hatophile]

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).

Now those are some nice black hats!