The Bowler or Derby Hat

[randooch]

Stetson has a YouTube ad with a model ( a very attractive one!) wearing a Derby. First, it's nice to see the Derby getting some fashion recognition, and second - she's rocking that hat! It'd be just fine with me if more women wore Derbies.

[video=youtube;tso0MvD4xbE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tso0MvD4xbE&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

Brad

Catchy tune, too!

Alan, you almost look as good as Krista does in hers.

 

[bowlerman]

sweet...


of course this will not help the situation at home: my wife already thinks I wear women's hats!

 

[alanfgag]

Catchy tune, too!

Alan, you almost look as good as Krista does in hers.

Randall, you should live and be well! :yo:

 

[Sam Craig]

Just picked up a new fur felt derby at Wichita Hat Works. It's a "house brand" that appears to have originated with Beaver Brand hats.
It has a nice feel to it ... just the right ratio of brim to crown.
I've already worn it twice this week with shirt and tie and a black golf windbreaker jacket.
I'd missed having one to grab on derby day!

Sam

 

[Brad Bowers]

The Stetson Derby crown has a pleasing shape, and I've thought about buying a few Stetson Derbies and experimenting to see if I could "correct" them by recurling into a proper D'Orsay curl and possibly restitching the binding to the brim so that the stitches are hidden. If it worked, I also thought about offering it as a service. But then that sounds like too much work, and I pass on the idea. I also wanted to convince Hatco to offer them under the Dobbs name. I think Derbies are going through a minor resurgence.

Brad

 

[bowlerman]

Just picked up a new fur felt derby at Wichita Hat Works. It's a "house brand" that appears to have originated with Beaver Brand hats.
It has a nice feel to it ... just the right ratio of brim to crown.
I've already worn it twice this week with shirt and tie and a black golf windbreaker jacket.
I'd missed having one to grab on derby day!

Sam

Good to know. I have kept those under my radar for at least 3 years, but was hesitant. Those BBs seem to be so readily available, it might be worth grabbing one. Did you post pics of that hat yet? I would love to see it.

 

[bowlerman]

Not that I'm ready to dive in right now, but given the choice in the future, if I were to get a production derby from Beaver Brand (5X) or Biltmore ("fur felt"), which would be the better choice?

 

[Brad Bowers]

In Bowler news today, Matt Smith, the current Doctor Who (and one of the best, right behind Tom Baker, I dare say), turned up last night on CBS' "The Late Late Show," with Craig Ferguson, sporting a Bowler. It didn't look like a particularly expensive Bowler, but given the high profile of "Doctor Who" now, it's a hopeful sign that a resurgence could occur.

Since I wear Derbies, one of my students and fellow Doctor Who fan was excited to show this to me this morning.

[video=youtube;ub4QijsSZzY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub4QijsSZzY[/video]

That's two new videos I've posted in less than a week featuring the Bowler/Derby. Promising, indeed!

Brad

 

[bowlerman]

I'm both inspired and cautious by these recent derbies showing up in the media! I guess I'm learning something about myself here: if an item of apparel becomes "trendy," I tend to escape as quickly as possible. Not that I really want to stand out that much in a crowd, but if I'm doing something everyone else is at "the moment" then something feels wrong!

 

[alanfgag]

I think you're going to be OK on this one, Jeff.

 

[Viseguy]

Heartbreak!

I won this Tress & Co. bowler on the 'Bay a few days ago. It arrived today. This is my first vintage bowler, and I must say it met and exceeded all my expectations based on the auction photos and description. It is quite simply a gorgeous hat!

Sadly, it doesn't fit me. It's a 7-1/2, which is my size for fedoras; however, in a bowler, it's just too big. I have a (modern) Christys bowler in 7-3/8, and it's a bit snug (really wind-proof!), so I was hoping I could get by with 7-1/2 this time. It was not to be. I tried putting inserts into the hat band, but it wasn't enough. It seems I'm out of luck! :Cry: :Cry: :Cry:

Oh, how I wish I could find this hat -- in this condition -- in 7-3/8!

 

[bowlerman]

What a shame! That is a real beauty, there. Just how stingy is that brim, anyway?

 

[Viseguy]

What a shame! That is a real beauty, there. Just how stingy is that brim, anyway?

Pretty stingy. I'd say it's about an inch from the side of the hat to the curl. Maybe a shade more.

One thing that impressed me is that the hat is light as a feather. Noticeably lighter than my Christys.

Thanks for commiserating.

 

[alanfgag]

Crofut & Knapp Derby

A pearl from the derby/homburg cabinet in my wife's costume shop wardrobe:

Great suspension weave between the sweatband and the hat body:

Originally sold from a shop in Buffalo's historic downtown Statler Hilton:

Manufacturing label:

 

[Viseguy]

Crofut & Knapp Derby

A pearl from the derby/homburg cabinet in my wife's costume shop wardrobe:
...
Originally sold from a shop in Buffalo's historic downtown Statler Hilton:

Wow, beautiful! Looks to be in pristine condition.

 

[RichardH]

The list so far:

United Kingdom: Bowler
United States: Derby
Germany: Melone
France: Chapeau mélon
Sweden: Plommonstop
China: 圓頂小檐邊黑色禮帽, 長禮帽

Who else can contribute?

Brad

In Norway:
Bowlerhatt (Hatt = Hat, I guess that was obvious! lol) but more commonly it's just called a "bowler"

And yes, I know that the post I'm quoting is well over a year old

 

[bowlerman]

Alan, that derby is magnificent.

I've modified my new Mallory Aristocrat-Cravenette dealie (the ragtop [cr. HatsEnough], the one that arrived having been cut in half) with some duct tape and electrical tape. I hope that won't be damaging, since it's not permanent. I'm thinking of someday sending this to have someone put a subtle decorative cross- stitching on the outside between the crown and brim with a carboard backing or the like, almost a subtle zombification.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Alan; That is just plain quite a bowler! A gem indeed. You and Bowlerman make the derby hats look appealing.

Derby on, Eric -

 

[alanfgag]

Thank you Jeff and Eric! I agree... this is a particularly nice one.

 

[delectans]

Alan, you have been on a Knapp-Felt roll of late. This has to be the most splendid lid I have seen from Buffalo.