What hat are you waiting for today?

[steur]

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:nod: @steur

Saved!

 

[Edward]

Quite some months ago, I dropped The Hattery a line to ask when they'd be getting the Federation Deluxe back in stock in Moonstone grey. The response indicated late February or March, and asked whether I'd like them to keep one aside for me and let me know when it arrived. I took them up on this. Last Monday morning, as I logged into my email I was reminded of this, and just as I was thinking of dropping them a line to see if there was any news, I noticed there was an email in from them over the weekend- hat had arrived, and a link to where I could pay the invoice. The hat was in the postal system by Tuesday. It arrived at Heathrow on Friday evening, and has now cleared customs; I'm expecting it to arrive tomorrow or Thursday. Seems, fingers crossed, I've not been hit by customs charges (maybe I've benefitted from the Australian trade deal with the UK that was signed a year or two ago, not sure).

I've always had great customer service from The Hattery (I've bought I think seven hats from them now since 2008), but would highly recommend with this experience dropping them a line if they don't have your size in stock. It's been a wait of four or five months for this one to come available, but I see my size was sold out already when I got their email, so well worth getting in the queue if you want a Fed in particular.

 

[BobHufford]

Probably paid too much, but I just liked it!

 

[Rmccamey]

Probably paid too much, but I just liked it!

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Nice one, Bob.

 

[Mighty44]

Probably paid too much, but I just liked it!

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Wow—even if it cost more than $13 Bob, it was absolutely worth it. That is a stunning hat!

 

[steur]

Probably paid too much, but I just liked it!

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That is a beauty, Bob. But at 7/8 it's either going to be far too small or much too big, isn't it?

 

[BobHufford]

Nice one, Bob.

Wow—even if it cost more than $13 Bob, it was absolutely worth it. That is a stunning hat!

That is a beauty, Bob. But at 7/8 it's either going to be far too small or much too big, isn't it?

Thanks guys! Does size matter?

 

[steur]

Thanks guys! Does size matter?

Do you want the honest answer or the diplomatic one?

 

[Blare]

Probably paid too much, but I just liked it!

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Just liking it seems as good a reason as any!!

 

[RickP]

I really didnt plan on a big hat purchase this month, but I finally ran across a nice brown Campdraft Deluxe in 59 after looking for what sees like forever. I just couldnt resist. (another one of those " probably more than I needed to spend" hats). More than I usually spend on a hat, but it was less than a new imperial grade, AND it was Heritage felt, and in the color and size I wanted... Cant wait till the usps gets it here!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316535263723

 

[Edward]

My moonstone Federation Deluxe edges ever closer.... Ordered on the 18th March, landed in London on the 22nd, passed customs on the 24th and was handed over to the local carrier..... then nothing for over a week until I get an email from Royal Mail this morning requiring import taxes and VAT. Ironically, the first time I've ordered a hat from Australia since the UK-Aus free trade deal took effect - and the first time I've been charged for one. Hat will arrive with me Thursday. Four days to get to London from Aus, 12 days to work its way through the London system to me. What a world!

 

[The Lost kansan]

My moonstone Federation Deluxe edges ever closer.... Ordered on the 18th March, landed in London on the 22nd, passed customs on the 24th and was handed over to the local carrier..... then nothing for over a week until I get an email from Royal Mail this morning requiring import taxes and VAT. Ironically, the first time I've ordered a hat from Australia since the UK-Aus free trade deal took effect - and the first time I've been charged for one. Hat will arrive with me Thursday. Four days to get to London from Aus, 12 days to work its way through the London system to me. What a world!

Good to know. I’ve been wanting to add an Akubra to my rotation but I was hoping the trade deals would make that more economical (was recently charged absurdly large import fees for an old hat from the USA). Was hoping Australia would be less!

 

[Edward]

Good to know. I’ve been wanting to add an Akubra to my rotation but I was hoping the trade deals would make that more economical (was recently charged absurdly large import fees for an old hat from the USA). Was hoping Australia would be less!

Yes, I fear I had rather naively picked up the notion that it would mean we wouldn't get charged for buying tings in from Australia. It's not a huge amount - £42 (£8 of which was Royal Mail's "handling charge"), but with the postage is it enough that if it's a model that you can get from Akubra's UK site their upcharge is about equalled out. Of course, being a Federation which is a Hattery exclusive, an import is the only option there. (Same with Stetson for me, as the Stratoliner isn't sold on their EU & UK website.)

At least, I *think* it might equal out the UK price.... it's hard to tell with so many places now declining to put their Akubra prices online (this may be the desired effect for Akubra of course). Back when I bought my first Federations in 2008, they were £70 or so for a regular and £90 or so for a Deluxe. Most Akubras were around that price. Their UK stockist now averages them at £225 a pop for comparable models. Inevitably, they have only very limited model and colour choices.

 

[The Lost kansan]

Yes, I fear I had rather naively picked up the notion that it would mean we wouldn't get charged for buying tings in from Australia. It's not a huge amount - £42 (£8 of which was Royal Mail's "handling charge"), but with the postage is it enough that if it's a model that you can get from Akubra's UK site their upcharge is about equalled out. Of course, being a Federation which is a Hattery exclusive, an import is the only option there. (Same with Stetson for me, as the Stratoliner isn't sold on their EU & UK website.)

At least, I *think* it might equal out the UK price.... it's hard to tell with so many places now declining to put their Akubra prices online (this may be the desired effect for Akubra of course). Back when I bought my first Federations in 2008, they were £70 or so for a regular and £90 or so for a Deluxe. Most Akubras were around that price. Their UK stockist now averages them at £225 a pop for comparable models. Inevitably, they have only very limited model and colour choices.

I’d honestly be happy with the initial up charges and then not have to worry about delayed deliveries and paying the customs fees separately etc. except that, like you said, the uk stockist for Akubra only has a very limited range of styles and colours. For Akubra I’m interested in the Camp Drafts and Squatters but I haven’t seen those models available through them yet at all.
Looking forward to seeing your new federation though, when it finally does arrive.

 

[Olumin]

Just got this Borsalino for €49. Looks late 50s - early 60s to me. Looks to be in brilliant condition, just a bit of dirt that’ll probably clean off with a quick brush and a bit of tape. Bit if steam and this one should be good to go. Don’t see any moth bites or stains, Sweat looks good too.

Ill probably remove the lining on this one however, or maybe Ill just try to cut out the plastic part. I like having the original linings in my hats.

*Not my pictures*

"But you already have 5 brown fedoras!"
So?

 

[Edward]

I’d honestly be happy with the initial up charges and then not have to worry about delayed deliveries and paying the customs fees separately etc. except that, like you said, the uk stockist for Akubra only has a very limited range of styles and colours. For Akubra I’m interested in the Camp Drafts and Squatters but I haven’t seen those models available through them yet at all.
Looking forward to seeing your new federation though, when it finally does arrive.

Yes, it's frustrating being shafted with fees when the reason I'm ordering from abroad in the first place is that the UK options don't offer what I want...

I'm a big fan of the Campdraft (I have a DLX) as a fan of the Stratoliner style. When they have more stock again, I might drop past Thomas Farthing and have a look at their Burbank model, which is another nod to the style - https://thomasfarthing.co.uk/collections/fedoras

The UK Akubra stockist does seem only interested in stocking earthtones in the few models they have. Not sure whether that's because they've traditionally been a country wear seller, but it's frustrating.

 

[The Lost kansan]

Yes, it's frustrating being shafted with fees when the reason I'm ordering from abroad in the first place is that the UK options don't offer what I want...

I'm a big fan of the Campdraft (I have a DLX) as a fan of the Stratoliner style. When they have more stock again, I might drop past Thomas Farthing and have a look at their Burbank model, which is another nod to the style - https://thomasfarthing.co.uk/collections/fedoras

The UK Akubra stockist does seem only interested in stocking earthtones in the few models they have. Not sure whether that's because they've traditionally been a country wear seller, but it's frustrating.

It would definitely be nice if Elm would expand its offering— in the meantime I think RM Williams uk offers a few Akubras as well but again, a pretty small selection to choose from.
As for Thomas Farthing, I’ve been meaning to write in here to see if anyone has much experience with their felt hats in terms of longevity. There’s a lot of posts here regarding their flat caps but not much in the way of felt reviews just yet.
But I’d actually gone to the Thomas Farthing store a few weeks ago with the intention of buying a Burbank Rancher hat and decided against it. It looked really nice on their website but it just felt wrong in person. The fit and finish felt off and it was surprisingly heavy, even chunky feeling in terms of the felt.
Absolutely nothing against the store though, it’s set up really nicely and the employees were very friendly!
I’d also be quite glad if someone here tells me that I was overthinking it and that their hats are worth the £200 price tag

 

[Blare]

 

[Rmccamey]

Very interesting, Joe. I look forward to seeing more pictures.

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[steur]