Bowler hat with Tux... Yey or Nay?

[tiratela]

Fellow Enthusiasts:

This year's annual Marine Corp Ball is coming up in November. For last year I wore a typical Black SB, reg Lapel Tux with a Raw Gold Silk Vest and Bow tie to match my wife. (My Avatar)

This year I want to go a little different. I'm thinking of a SB White Jacket, Deep BLUE Raw Silk vest and Bow.

But because I want to stand out a bit, I also want to wear a Bowler hat..

I doubt anyone else will be wearing a hat at all, but I'm not like everyone else.. More than likely this will be held in the Embassdor's Residence Lawn. (Outside)..

So, convince me otherwise.. Hat - Bowler or Not.. Yes or NO!

Thanks in advance..

 

[stach]

A bowler is a daytime hat which really should not be worn with an evening suit. I don't want you to wind up looking stupid so I would say no. Sorry!

 

[Stu]

Richie, no tiene nada que ver, pero eres puertorro?

 

[Manton]

Yeah, if you want to be strictly "correct" a Homburg is the best choice.

 

[Aristocrat]

I would go for a cylinder hat, it's more correct.
In beaver fur off course!

 

[tiratela]

Originally Posted by Stu

Richie, no tiene nada que ver, pero eres puertorro?

Dominicano..

I might look at the Homburg and see how it works out..

Thanks for the suggestions so far... I might have to dig up some pics to see how they stack up..

R...

 

[Gladhatter]

Originally Posted by tiratela

Fellow Enthusiasts:

This year's annual Marine Corp Ball is coming up in November. For last year I wore a typical Black SB, reg Lapel Tux with a Raw Gold Silk Vest and Bow tie to match my wife. (My Avatar)

This year I want to go a little different. I'm thinking of a SB White Jacket, Deep BLUE Raw Silk vest and Bow.

But because I want to stand out a bit, I also want to wear a Bowler hat..

I doubt anyone else will be wearing a hat at all, but I'm not like everyone else.. More than likely this will be held in the Embassdor's Residence Lawn. (Outside)..

So, convince me otherwise.. Hat - Bowler or Not.. Yes or NO!

Thanks in advance..

Homburg would work of course but the cylinder hat is the correct accompliment and as the man said in Beaver of course but actually in a silk plush would be fine. Ascothats.uk can help you out and Doug Simpson is a fine man.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by Gladhatter

Homburg would work of course but the cylinder hat is the correct accompliment and as the man said in Beaver of course but actually in a silk plush would be fine. Ascothats.uk can help you out and Doug Simpson is a fine man.

I think that Manton is strictly correct in this instance. A cylinder beaver hat would be strictly formal (so, white tie), but a homburg is more correctly worn with a dinner suit and black tie.

Of course, no one is going to know the difference, and anyone who does and objects is probably an ass.

 

[Manton]

The old fashioned silk and beaver pelt hats are no longer made and haven't been for decades. You can only find them second hand, if you are extremely lucky, and they are mucho expensive. Top hats currently being made today are either felt (for daywear) or a thin silk (collapsable opera hat, for evening wear).

And, yes, the top hat was traditionally reserved for full formal dress: either the morning coat (daytime) or the tailcoat (evening). It's a bit much for black tie.

 

[Gladhatter]

Originally Posted by Manton

The old fashioned silk and beaver pelt hats are no longer made and haven't been for decades. You can only find them second hand, if you are extremely lucky, and they are mucho expensive. Top hats currently being made today are either felt (for daywear) or a thin silk (collapsable opera hat, for evening wear).

And, yes, the top hat was traditionally reserved for full formal dress: either the morning coat (daytime) or the tailcoat (evening). It's a bit much for black tie.

Small correction this hat has not been produced commercially for decades but have been rarely available to a few select people that was forturne to have the connections or inclinations . They generally do fetch a premium for the larger sizes in good condition. We have 3 friends in the top hat business and all of them generally get around 3500.00 each for their hats around Ascot days and to the folks in the equine persuassions.

Doug offers these hats in any state of vintage or restored and also is about to release them made again traditionally from the Plush that many thought extinct.

Beaver "pelt" top hats have never dissapeared at all and are still something that many custom hatters can produce. Pelt is a bit of a misnomer I think for this hat as it was always a veloured beaver felt or plush hat traditionally.

 

[Manton]

$3,500 is even more than I thought. 15 or so years ago, I had a chance to buy one in my exact size for $400. On a student's budget, it seemed silly. Plus, I thought, when the hell would I ever wear it? Looking back, I sort of wish I had done it, just for the novelty of the thing.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Manton

$3,500 is even more than I thought. 15 or so years ago, I had a chance to buy one in my exact size for $400. On a student's budget, it seemed silly. Plus, I thought, when the hell would I ever wear it? Looking back, I sort of wish I had done it, just for the novelty of the thing.

I think we all have clothing purchases that we passed on, that looking back on them we wish we hadn't. Sigh, such is life, no?

Jon.

 

[Gladhatter]

Originally Posted by Manton

$3,500 is even more than I thought. 15 or so years ago, I had a chance to buy one in my exact size for $400. On a student's budget, it seemed silly. Plus, I thought, when the hell would I ever wear it? Looking back, I sort of wish I had done it, just for the novelty of the thing.

Hat prices have been the subject of some controversy over time. Some are more proud of thier work than others. I was going to show you a 6000.00 hat but realized they have went up. topping out with our incomparable 1OOOX priced at $7500

http://www.montecristihats.com/furfelt.htm

If you want the band with this hat it can range up to a 1/4 million more.

If you really feel like you want to spend a ton then you have to go ultra custom as this is stock prices.
*Disclaimer* I am not voicing any opinions on this hatters prices as I am acquained with Milton and like all others in business I think he has a market for this hat or else he would not be offering it.

Must be doing something right as he has some impressive clientele.

 

[propertyofalady]

Go with a top hat instead of a bowler.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

I think that Manton is strictly correct in this instance. A cylinder beaver hat would be strictly formal (so, white tie), but a homburg is more correctly worn with a dinner suit and black tie. Of course, no one is going to know the difference, and anyone who does and objects is probably an ass.
OK, I'll be an ass: A top (cylinder) hat of any type should only be worn with a tailcoat, either white tie or a morning coat. Those are the Rules, as Manton states. If following sartorial tradition is of any consideration (and it doesn't have to be, of course), wearing a top hat with blackt tie is entirely wrong. IMO, it also looks odd and unbalanced.