To taper or not to taper

[GoneSolo]

Hello all. I was just wondering what the general opinion was around here. I like a hat to have those perfectly straight sides. I can't get over the fact that the / \ effect is the right one for my face. How 'bout you?

 

[budward]

Just say no, to taper.

 

[PeeWee]

Very little taper

 

[Dinerman]

it depends on the hat. Some tapered hats look quite good on me. Some don't.

 

[jamespowers]

Just say no, to taper.

My thoughts exactly. This is my kind of taper:

Reverse taper.

Regards,

J

 

[DOUGLAS]

OOOOOH

Cool hat JP, I'm lovin it!!

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Cool hat JP, I'm lovin it!!

Me too! Specs! Specs!

 

[Dinerman]

I think it looks rather silly.

 

[J.B.]

I think it looks rather silly.

HERETIC!

 

[Russ]

I think it looks rather silly.

It looks a bit like those 19th century American campaign hats, which are cool in their own way. But I didn't think so when I first saw them; they kinda grow on ya.

 

[deanglen]

It looks a bit like those 19th century American campaign hats, which are cool in their own way. But I didn't think so when I first saw them; they kinda grow on ya.

Yes, they do, don't they?

dean

 

[GoneSolo]

Does that hat that James posted appear like that because the center dent is too tight and low?

 

[deanglen]

At least! And a very tight ribbon!

dean

 

[jamespowers]

Me too! Specs! Specs!

Briwm: 2 1/4"
Crown: 5 1/4" blocked
Ribbon: 2 1/4"
It has a plush texture so the picture really isn't as blurry as you think.
Inside it has the John B. Stetson Grand Prize Paris 1900 logo. The hat was likely made between 1910 and 1930.
I actually changed the block to a hand done C crown. The reverse taper is such that the front peak still sticks out a bit from the body though.
It is not cartoonish. That is just the way they were made in those days. Check out pictures of hat wearers from the period. The crown has no problem going back to the previous block too. A center dent and *bang* it is that way again.

Regards,

j

 

[John in Covina]

Historically Correct Taper

I think it looks rather silly.

Here is the thing, this hat represents a style someone likes enough to seek it out and/or have it made. I don't really know the time period (1920's?) but it is hstorically accurate and is a thing of beauty.

As an aside: when I was a Home brewed beer judge, I learned to accurately judge beers in styles I did not really enjoy, but my ability to appreciate them and their closeness to the style of beer as entered, has made me more appreciative of that which I don't always personally like.

As a hat it may seem silly now but it was in tune with the fashion of the times and it's ability to represent that style is what makes it a thing of beauty.

Can anyone name a film where this style hat is worn? (Cagney comes to mind but I can't think of a title.)

If you see it in action, maybe you understand the context in which it is worn.

 

[Dinerman]

it's just my personal opinion. I didn't mean to step on any toes, or start anything, I just don't like the way it looks, that's all.
Then again, I also find hats with an extreme taper a bit silly looking.

 

[aliados]

Can anyone name a film where this style hat is worn? (Cagney comes to mind but I can't think of a title.)

I think Cagney generally wore high crowned, small brimmed diamond crowns (some of which are nicely displayed in "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938). This style seems ot be from a lsightly earlier time, so here's a still of him in "Public Enemy" (1931).
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4610/d097eu1.jpg

How about William Powell in "The Thin Man"?

 

[John in Covina]

Movies!

I know I have seen this style in the movies! It is just that if our friend sees it on somebody with period clothes from the era it my give him insights to the style.

 

[Dinerman]

probably. Things in context always look better.