The Borsalino Bellini

[tonyb]

I'm resurrecting this thread to report.

I got the Borsalino Bellini, instead of the hooker, and I love it.

The hooker would have been nice in a moment of madness but... A good hat will last longer than I can these days.

53 years Young today.

It's been a wonderful day.

You're officially middle-aged now. Only half the way to 106.

Congratulations, MAB1. Many happy returns.

 

[MAB1]

The harlot.

If anybody got short changed ???

It wasn't me.

And if I could last for 4 hours... I'll call my doctor buddy and thank him.

 

[MAB1]

Since it's been like pulling teeth to find out more about this hat I decided to email Bencraft.

To: sales@bencrafthats.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 3:13 PM
Subject: My Bellini

I just received a beautiful Borsalino Bellini as a birthday gift. I love it. Thank you Bencraft.

I'm having a hard time finding any real info on it though. Could you please tell me what the felt is? Is it a fur blend or is it 100% rabbit (lapin)?
________________________________________________________________

I gotta reply in jig time...

From: Steven Goldstein (besdor@mindspring.com)
Sent:Sat 6/28/08 2:40 PM
To: Mark Bruneau (markbruneau@hotmail.com)

Hi Mark,
The Bellini is made of 100% rabbit and hare fur. Not a drop of wool at all! Enjoy your hat.


Thank you,
Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[MAB1]

Sorry if I seem to be harping on this but...

This is some fine felt. The more I work with it... the better. It was really stiff starting out but it's really softening up and workable.

I couldn't be happier. I got a 3 1/4" WIDE BRIM Fedora.

I know that it was a lil more 'spensive than an Akubra Squatter but it's got that Italian panache that only an Eyetalian hatter (trained in France) could give it. I'm talkin Joe Borsalino. And I'm sure it's a lighter weight rabbit than the Akubra. It's a dress hat, not cowboy.

I know that it's Borsalino bashing time but... I love this hat. And it was cheap. Because it's rabbit.

Are the Akubra dress hats cowboy thick?

Check em all out.

Just my opine.

And BTW...

It was the look I was looking for. It's the only reason I wanted this Bellini. I'm just real happy that it's of such a fine quality.

 

[ADHD librarian]

Are the Akubra dress hats cowboy thick?

Akubras vary in thickness,
I have several (as do my kids).
The dress hats are a lot thinner and softer than the cowboy ones. But even amongst the cowboy ones there is variety. My thickest is an Arena, my cattleman is thinner and my stylemaster thinner again. But my son's Lancer is thinner (and softer) than the stylemaster while my daughters Hampton is as thin as the lancer, but significantly stiffer.

These are all fairly recent hat models, some of the older ones are different.
Also these are all Imperial Quality, which is the Akubra standard felt. They also do some hats in a Superfine Quality which is a softer felt.

 

[duggap]

Borsalino

I read where Steven at Bencraft says the Borsalino is as good as any production made hat out there. I bought the Borsalino Como and I have to say I second what Steven said. I have literally loved this hat. I don't find a great deal bad with this hat. I have a new Stetson, a new Bailey and one of Johnnyphi's NOS hats, and except for my Art Fawcett originals, I like my Como the very best. And, for a hat with a little taper in it, I don't mind the styling at all. I, along with Steven, stick up for the new Borsalino hats.:eusa_clap

 

[MAB1]

I read where Steven at Bencraft says the Borsalino is as good as any production made hat out there. I bought the Borsalino Como and I have to say I second what Steven said. I have literally loved this hat. I don't find a great deal bad with this hat. I have a new Stetson, a new Bailey and one of Johnnyphi's NOS hats, and except for my Art Fawcett originals, I like my Como the very best. And, for a hat with a little taper in it, I don't mind the styling at all. I, along with Steven, stick up for the new Borsalino hats.:eusa_clap

I'll third that. I guess that's what I've been doing all along w/ this thread. I'm happier than that proverbial pig in ... well you know. I couldn't be happier w/ this hat. It's my dream hat. And the 3 1/4" brim does my fat face proud, even w/ all my hair tied back.

And the wind trolley really tops it off. Not that I'll ever use it. It's just part of the cool factor.

And that typical Boso taper can be stretched out. Trust me, a lil spritzin, a lil shaping and voi la.

Gotta love it.

 

[MAB1]

One last Funny story about this damn hat. I promise.

I told the story of the hooker or the hat to a lifelong bud (43 years best o' buds now).

He says, "Don't be surprised if you don't find a naked woman in that hat."

Well, that dint happen...

Damnit

And btw,

I got me one big ass black Indy hat w/ an Al Capone shwoop.