THE LEAGUE OF THE RAT PACK BRIM: Stingy Lids Unite!

[spiridon]

How about the Stingy Brigade?

That sounds like a pretty good name to me. I believe I would be a candidate for membership as most of my hats have 2-inch brims.....give or take an eighth.

 

[Magus]

Actually, I don't even own any hats with over a 2" brim anymore. I've got a Borsalino on the way with a 2 3/8 brim on the way though. I used to own a couple, and I've tried several on, but I just prefer Stingies. I guess I'm a member of the League of the Rat Pack Brim. Although.. isn't that name kind of a mouthful? How about the Stingy Brigade?

Hey ha Mis.

While I apreciate the Stingy Brigade because the League is a bit of a mouthfull.....its...hmmm....I don't know....I guess it dosn't have enough punch. I am trying to remember...isn't the term "stingy" short for the name original name of the hat type...Sting Ray? Someone will help me here I am sure.


But based on that...perhaps the Sting Ray Brigade?

Thoughts ...

anyone...


Buller...Buller....

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

That was just the first thing that came to mind, I'm sure there are some much better names out there, feel free to make suggestions! I really don't know about the original name being Stingy Ray, I've never heard that before, but that certainly doesn't make it true.

 

[Visigoth]

Well, "rat pack brim" just seemed a nice triple punch. RPB works well too. I've never liked the word "stingy," simply because it connotes miserliness. Clearly this needs further thought...

 

[RedPop4]

Actually, to me at least, The Stingy Brigade, trips off the tongue.

 

[Magus]

Vis...


I agree the "Stingy" term dosn't sit well with me either.. Rat Pack Brim works, but it is more of a hat description than a group name....if that makes sense.

I agree...the name needs to roll off the tongue... I will put it to thought as well.

 

[Briscoeteque]

The Rat Pack skinny lapels, narrow tie, and stingy brim is still my Number 1 look, it looks absolutely perfect on me. This may be because I'm 6' "1 and 135lbs. I still love my Golden Era Wide-Lapel DB's and wide deco ties to death. And some day I may like the Golden Era stuff more; I definately like it more on me than I used to. I thought that the wideness would make me look clownish on such a skinny frame. But it's really grown on me.

But not for now, my fashion Icons right now are odviously the Rat Pack, but also Dick Van Dyke and Dick York. I love these suits! I admit they definately take alot to pull off, and the tie knot has to be perfect, and some times the stylings are just way too much, but when conservitively done, it's great. I wear narrow ties with modern clothes, for a more distictive modern look; I'm of the opinion that modern fat ties look silly with the lapel widths that are in vouge. Plus, skinny ties can be had for about 50¢ each.

Dick Van Dyke


Dick York


Here's the only good picture of me I have in a stingy brim... ignore the fact that I look like a down and out vacuum cleaner salesman:

 

[Visigoth]

Okay, I really like "The Fedoration." Unfortunately, it doesn't make reference to the brim size. That said, once we get famous, people will know all about our preferences.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Okay, I really like "The Fedoration." Unfortunately, it doesn't make reference to the brim size. That said, once we get famous, people will know all about our preferences.

It will also make people think of Akubra's "Federation" hat, which is reeeaaaalllyyy far from being a stingy brim!

Brad

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

I agree, "stingy" is kind of an unkind word. But then again, having "Rat Pack" in the name insinuates that all of us Stingy wearers also emulate the RP.. which we all don't. So I guess it's a matter of finding another way to distinguish the type of hat brim we all favor.

Thin brim?
Skinny brim?

What are some common themes associated with stingy brims? I think there is definitely a certain attitude that a stingy brim advocates, I just can't quite put my finger on it.

 

[Magus]

Ok. After a bit of research I have found that the society of a group of rats is called either a:

Horde
or
Mischief

So...any ideas with those references? Errr.....the Thin Brim Horde? The Mischief League? ....???


I will post the general question regarding the term "Stingy" on another thred...because something still itches my mind that the full name is the Stingray ...don't know why.

M

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

I like mischief! That works. lol
A stingy brim does sort of bring to mind Vegas casinos and wise guys..
The Wiseguys?
I don't know.. I'm brain dead at the moment. :eusa_doh:

 

[Visigoth]

"Mischief" is great! And I take it that's one of those collective nouns, like a "murder of crows." So... maybe it should be a "mischief of" something.

Or perhaps: Horde of the Mischievous Brim.

(I like that. Nicely mysterious. I can see a secret brotherhood called The Horde of the Mischievous Brim -- I'd wanna belong.)

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Doesn't "horde" sound a bit unruly? I do like the "Mischievous Brim"!! "Order of the Mischievous Brim"? Actually, Visigoth... I think you're on to something...

"Brotherhood of the Mischievous Brim"

I like it...

 

[Senator Jack]

Aah, Briscoeteque, you're a man after my own heart. Dick York! How can you go wrong? Finally, someone who understands!

That's a great picture too, the drunken lout vacuum salesman. Reminds me of a younger me some 10,000 drinks ago. Hang in there, kid. Here's a recent one of me in a new Bailey

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Citizen Ed]

I'm normally not a big fan of the stingy brim. But that combo of brim, shades and tie epitomizes cool. Thanks now I want one of those too.

 

[Senator Jack]

What a difference 1/8" makes. My 2" fedoras simply do not go with this rigout - the wider brim is at odds with the sharp taper suit/narrow tie. This hat is 1 7/8" and appears, to me, compositionally right for this look. When I wear my 40s/early 50s suits, I wear the 2"-ers which, on me, look just as fedoran and dressy as anyone's 2 1/2".

This look was based on a number of influences from my childhood. Films from the 60s, (as I mentioned, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Killers), the Dragnet series from 67-68, home movies from my parents at the '64 World's Fair (all the guys in the background seemed to look like this), the ska revival of the late 70s. But despite the never-ending claims of passersby, I never was influenced by the Blues Brothers. Sam and Dave, yes, certainly (as Belushi and Akroyd aped) but of course people don't understand that and I have to suffer constant shouts of 'hey look it's the Blues Brothers.' You get used to it.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[funneman]

The League of the Stingy Brim

How about it Gents!

Take a long gander at that picture of Senator Jack standing in front of our Global Headquaters, or Briscoteque relaxing after a long mission in the League's Lounge and just keep saying to yourself "The League of the Stingy Brim."

I really don't have a problem with the term "Stingy". Come on guys, butch up.

The Stingy has been around for a long time. I've seen plenty of old films, including one with Eddie Cantor where Stingys are clearly seen. What is that? Late 30's?

"Rat Pack" seems to limit narrow our scope to the early sixties.

I don't know why anyone would have a problem with the short brims. It comes down to a what looks good on you. I have 1-7/8 brims and I have brims over three inches. I like 'em both and I think they both look okay, but I prefer the short brims.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Once upon a time I also made the mistake of associating brim size with a particular period of time, but that's just not the case. Stingy and wide coexisted all along and it was the choice of the wearer. What opened my eyes to this was a W.C. Fields movie I saw on TCM a few years ago, shot in the mid 30's. There was this scene at a circus and there in the crowd was every size brim, worn up and down. 90% of my hats are 2" brims, and I like to wear them up, day or night.

And these fine gents are my models, nothing against the Rat Pack.

 

[Pilgrim]

Good call. Der Bingle endorsed the Whippet in many ads. I'm happy to have two Whippets, which I think go well with my face and build.