What Hat Are You Wearing Today ?

[Blare]

Once again I have some catching up to do on this thread but once again I have a good excuse!

My nephew is graduating university in May with a degree in music composition and jazz guitar. Very impractical degree but the lad has a great deal of talent and this all he has ever wanted to do so we are glad to support him.

This weekend we drove up to his school in Ohio to attend his senior year composition recital. He chose five of his original pieces to be performed by fellow students (musicians) at his school. It was a very special event and the night before we also had a chance to see his rock band play a gig in Toledo!

He even turned one of my poems into a song and it was VERY special indeed to hear it performed!

This was a magical weekend and I took the Mallory XV and the travel Borsalino up with me as well as the Stetson silk cap. Here are a few photos:

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Today I am back to the humdrum in the Stetson 25. At the orthopedist for an old ankle injury.
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Happy Tuesday friends!

How cool… very exciting I am sure. All the hats look great!

 

[Blare]

Out and about this morning under the newest member of the stable. It's a late 50s-early 60s 3X OR, in white. VERY happy I jumped on this one the moment I saw it.

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An absolute KILLER, Mark!! Great grab.. looks fantastic on you!!!!

 

[Blare]

This Stetson was my grandfather's, I have no clue how old it is or what model it would be, but it's my go-to for warm weather yard work.
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Great that you get to wear your grandfather’s hat. I believe that tyoe of weave is made from sea grass. Very airy.. perfect for yardwork.

 

[Blare]

Two hat Tuesday!
Stopped at a favorite home town eatery.
Both new to me, one a 7 3/8 40s Knox Twenty beside my new to me 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour. I added the red ralley stripes yesterday. Needed a splash of color.
Much bigger bags than my other Victory and my hats appreciate the brim room!
The other a 7 3/8 slightly blue mid 50s Whippet with 2 9/16” brim. I paid way too much, but still not over resale value. View attachment 691795 View attachment 691796 View attachment 691797 View attachment 691798 View attachment 691799 View attachment 691800 View attachment 691801
Added some ubiquitous local vegetation shots.

Both are fabulous, Randall. Beautiful Knox Twenty with that wide binding.

 

[Blare]

Got home from my ride and this was waiting for me. Long, long story about this eBay purchase, so I won’t tell it, but this hat has one crazy story concerning all the messaging back and forth over a long period. Just happy he finally made it to his new home.
Early 40s pre-Open Road just as it looked after opening the box, minus some quick dry shaping. I’ve got many Vita Felts, all with smooth finishes and luxurious feel, but this one is thin and has a soft/loose rabbit fur type hand. You’ll notice this one has the Borsalino type corrugated sweatband, which the leather is thin, super supple and in new condition. You’ll also notice that I had to remove several pieces of black foam that was stuck to oil skin for sizing.
The floppy summer weight felt needs a light cleaning or maybe a brisk dry sponging. The Lot number is 7717 so it’s an old one but guessing somewhere in the 40 to 44 circa. I’m proud to be its custodian for hopefully a long while. View attachment 691817 View attachment 691818 View attachment 691819 View attachment 691820 View attachment 691821 View attachment 691822

Randall with the hat trick! Each one better than the last!

 

[Blare]

Today began with a quick fuel run to Costco (early before the lines form)

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A Northwest Hat Co Seth Bullock

Love the Bullock!

 

[Blare]

Lord Biltmore Sky Rider
I haven't had this one out in quite a bit As when it arrived I attempted a repair on a hole that was worn in the brim. My previous repair needed some time to dry and harden the glue I had used. I guess two years was enough. LOL. Last night I sanded the heck out of the glue spot and made additional attempts to add felt fibers to the patch. I’m seeing some improvement today.

Here was yesterday

 

[VoodooSan]

Wow—that looks pristine! Congrats

Thanks, David!

 

[TimmyV]

Today began with a quick fuel run to Costco (early before the lines form)

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A Northwest Hat Co Seth Bullock

My kinda hat !! You wear it well sir.

 

[VoodooSan]

An absolute KILLER, Mark!! Great grab.. looks fantastic on you!!!!

Thank you, Joe!!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Spectacular vita-felt there!

Thanks, RC!

 

[rogueclimber]

Man, that looks SO good on you, Rob!

Love the Bullock!

My kinda hat !! You wear it well sir.

Thank you gentlemen. Another hat that pushed my comfort level a bit, but I'm glad I ordered it and Mike @Northwest Hat Co knocked it outta the park

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Spectacular vita-felt there!

Great hats. I'm loving that Knox.

WOW

The Whippet is very nice, but that Knox Twenty is FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!! (The Victory is looking fantabulous, as well.)

Wow! That beauty is even more awesome than how you described it. Glad it finally completed its journey.

Wonderful looking Royal Stetson Vita Felt, Randall. I'm so happy that it's finally in your custody.

Looks good on you, my friend.

Triple wow on those. That whippet though—takes the cake!

Amazing!

Both are fabulous, Randall. Beautiful Knox Twenty with that wide binding.

Randall with the hat trick! Each one better than the last!

Thanks for all your friendships, support, generosity and commentaries here on the Lounge and the recent kind remarks on my newest additions, guys!
Ya’ll are the best!

 

[Ent]

Akubra Stylemaster.
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One of my favourite styles. Like the ribbon and felt combination.

 

[Ent]

Thank you for your compliment, appreciate that and forgive me, it was remiss of me not to welcome you to The Lounge. Welcome.

Your Jacaru intrigued me, not a hat, nor even a word that I have previously come across. Looking it up I find:

It is tough, made to withstand rough treatment, yet designed to look elegant whatever the occasion. Made from full grain, water repellent Kangaroo leather. You can expect it to provide excellent protection from the harsh Australian sun and the soaking rains of the wet season.

What a treasure of information you can find here on The Lounge. I'm reminded of a cap in leather, horsehide leather, horsehide being the leather of choice for expensive shoes. It took some searching but I have finally found it. Here you go, not exactly kangaroo leather but horses have known to be good jumpers. I've lost a shekel or two betting on that!

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I love the different styles and twists different countries bring. Also hidden manufacturers that might be well known locally but missed internationally.

I have a friend that is very economical so hunts his hats from flea markets and showed me his Stenson made in Australia. Of course it was a rebrand Akubra right down to the same fount they use. It was probably 1960s but that is just a guess.

The Raiders of the Lost Ark is from an English hat company’s model made for 1930s Australian market I believe is called the poet. It is a common style from NSW race goers and the late RM Williams’ style but with much thinner ribbon.

We see the DNA continues in the Federation IV.

We see Stenson and Akubra as country hats but at least for Akubra they started off more city and thanks to JFK hat wearing declined the country folk stayed loyal to felt hats. Nice to see we still can get city versions.

 

[Ent]

Tonak in an Antelope finish on a sunny, but blustery Saturday.

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Me like!

 

[Ent]

And now for something different. An Akubra Homburg.

 

[Pellie]

One of my favourite styles. Like the ribbon and felt combination.

Thank you! I changed the ribbon myself, so it's not the original one!

 

[The Lost kansan]

Got home from my ride and this was waiting for me. Long, long story about this eBay purchase, so I won’t tell it, but this hat has one crazy story concerning all the messaging back and forth over a long period. Just happy he finally made it to his new home.
Early 40s pre-Open Road just as it looked after opening the box, minus some quick dry shaping. I’ve got many Vita Felts, all with smooth finishes and luxurious feel, but this one is thin and has a soft/loose rabbit fur type hand. You’ll notice this one has the Borsalino type corrugated sweatband, which the leather is thin, super supple and in new condition. You’ll also notice that I had to remove several pieces of black foam that was stuck to oil skin for sizing.
The floppy summer weight felt needs a light cleaning or maybe a brisk dry sponging. The Lot number is 7717 so it’s an old one but guessing somewhere in the 40 to 44 circa. I’m proud to be its custodian for hopefully a long while. View attachment 691817 View attachment 691818 View attachment 691819 View attachment 691820 View attachment 691821 View attachment 691822

I like this one a lot- reminds me of some of the old Russell Lee photographs

 

[Ent]

It is amazing what a little customisation can make on a hat. Manufacturers tend to be conservative in their colour choices. With the Melbourne based custom hat maker I asked him to give me options ranging from safe to out on the edge then pick what suits me and my collection of garments. Been able to mix and match yourself mean you can get the best out of a hat which you have done.

Look forward to seeing more combinations.

Thank you! I changed the ribbon myself, so it's not the original one!