Thunderbolt
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 114
- Location
- McChord AFB, WA
I don't know if Late Model is the right set of words as this is more for cars, but I need to know the difference between Vintage and New hats. I have been attracted to late model hats because they are easy to find, brand new and complete. I'd be interested in vintage but they seem to be harder to find, my size, my taste of color, and the fact that they are used. Isn't it gross? A sweaty oily old hat? I know I will indeed get a lesson from The Fedora Lounge. Do you replace all the interior parts? How are vintage better than newer hats? I have owned a few wool felt crushable felt hats which all shrank after the rain, a Bailey Fur Lite which is a crushable 10% fur 90% wool fedora called the "Baker". Four years ago I got my first fur felt fedora. It's a Indiana Miller originally with an open crown. It too shrank in the rain but had it blocked and streatched at western wear stores nearby. I find felt frustrating because they keep shrinking when wet, but they are seen in the rain in countless movies, new and old. I expected mine to do the same, but they are basicly ruined when they get wet until they get blocked again. Washington is a tough place to keep a hat dry. Is this where vintage comes in? Does vintage have tolorance to shrinkage after getting wet? A friend of mine wears fur felt western hats made by Stetson and Resistol and they handle getting wet pretty good. They don't shrink hardly at all. I was almost tempted to buy a western hat and convert it to a fedora. I'm pretty new here. I am ignorant and stupid. Please someone educate me about vintage hats!!