Hats for formal events

[Tirailleur1]

can anyone recommend hats that can go with tuxedos?

 

[AlanC]

A homburg would be the classic option. You could get away with a black fedora in most circumstances. Of course, if you're choosing to wear a hat with black tie these days, it seems that a homburg would be the way to go. The most affordable quality option would be by Akubra.

During summer months, you might choose a Panama with a black ribbon.

 

[landshark]

Top hat all the way.

 

[recondite]

Always preferred an Opera Hat, but for white tie and not black tie where I would wear a Homburg or straw Boater. So much easier to stow.

Top hat all the way.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

Traditionally, black or midnight blue homburg, lord's hat, or bowler with cold-weather black tie. Lord's hat (stiff homburg but with lots of bashes) is probably the least conspicuous.

I think Alan is right that in today's world, black or midnight blue fedora (soft hat) would look perfectly suitable.

For summer wear, traditionally, homburg, lord's, bowler, boater, and possibly an Optimo Panama (as below). Today, fedora-like panama with black band would look fine: certainly would with a cream linen DJ.

Check out the illustrations at blacktieguide.com.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

Also, for hats with warm-weather black tie, check out the second illustration in this post from the Cutter and Tailor forum. Looks like one of those trilby-like Italian straws. I think it would look good with a cream DJ.

I doubt a felt trilby would look good with cold-weather black tie, though.

 

[Tirailleur1]

Thanks guys. This is really insightful
I am trying to buy it for my former boss who is around 80. He usually in midnight navy tuxes.

 

[cptjeff]



Also, for hats with warm-weather black tie, check out the second illustration in this post from the Cutter and Tailor forum. Looks like one of those trilby-like Italian straws. I think it would look good with a cream DJ.
I doubt a felt trilby would look good with cold-weather black tie, though.

Cool hat. Which reminds me, I need to order a straw something. I'm typically in linen ivy caps during the summer, but a full brim could be nice every once in a while.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

It is nice, isn't it? I guess it's a classic trilby in a Milan straw, with a wide colored band. The super-short brim trilbys still seem to be fashionable among hipsters, so it shouldn't attract too much notice.

I wear a standard fedora-type Panama in the hot sun: it gets some notice, but not much, and no puzzled looks. I think people realize its usefulness in those conditions. In fact, I think the bareheaded shorts-and-T-shirt-wearers, their skin sizzling and brains frying, rather wish they had one.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]



Thanks guys. This is really insightful
I am trying to buy it for my former boss who is around 80. He usually in midnight navy tuxes.

I'd definitely go with a black or midnight blue felt homburg, then. Nobody will begrudge one to an 80-year-old. He'll look great.

 

[Elegantly Wasted]

My eyes keep reading "homburg" but my mind keeps seeing "hamburger", thus my stomach starts going

 

[Master Squirrel]

In winter: I go with a nice ambassador hat.

 

[Tirailleur1]

off topic though.. I really despise stngy brim hats. i find them really unflattering on many people.

 

[recondite]

Persian lamb [Karakul], beaver, mink, sable, or chinchilla?

In winter: I go with a nice ambassador hat.