Men's Hats: A Discussion Thread, Questions, Opinions, Suggestions...

[Captain O]

Thanks a million! I will investigate the beaver felt hats you mention...

Beaver fur felt has a tendency to hold its shape in humid climates. My new Northwest Hats "Whippet" is being made from beaver fur felt.

I want the black beaver fur bowler because the bowler has been my "signature" hat since 1975. It may look out of place in a small town, but the bowler comes across as a bit "dressier" than the fedora hat. I live in a small town 28.75 miles away from a major population center in the Pacific Northwest.

Ball caps and half-rotted teeth are de rigueur in this little burg. While there are educated people in this community, a well-dressed person stands out like a sore thumb.

I was online today and purchased a "vintage" Royal Stetson, brown, "V" dent, fedora with a 1.75"(?) brim and a 5-inch tall crown. I paid $14.95 + 9.25 shipping. (Personally, I think that I scored)!

This is a beautiful old hat of good quality that will enhance my collection.

 

[Munky]

A tip I picked up, recently, but I don't know from where. To pack a hat for travelling, first till the hat with socks etc. Then put the hat in the centre of the case and build up layers of clothes around it. I plan to try this with a cheapish panama, next month, when I take a trip from the UK to SA.

I'm sorry if this idea has been posted before and I am not at all sure if it will work. I don't really want a foldable hat as I don't like the ridge down the centre of the crown. I don't much like the idea, either, of crushable hats.

I expect that this is heresy.

With all good wishes, Munky.

 

[Captain O]

Thanks a million! I will investigate the beaver felt hats you mention...

Beaver fur is far more expensive, but it the "way to go" when it comes to felt hats. Warmth, rain resistance, dye retention, shape and hat life are all reasons for going with beaver fur felt.

It does make a difference, and, while more expensive is well worth the added cost. The old adage "buy it nice or buy it twice" applies. (Hint: Buy it right from the beginning). In the long run, you'll be much happier.

 

[Munky]

It was a dark and windy night on the Hat page. In the distance, a dog barked...

 

[HarleMo]

I posted this in the general area of the forum but thought I might have better luck here:

In an episode of Boston Legal Alan Shore was wearing this hat when he went fishing with Denny Crane at Nimmo Bay. Can anyone identify this hat. I like it but cant figure out what style it is. It looks like a slouch but Im not sure.

And it doesnt show well in the picture but its green not black

 

[ManofKent]

I posted this in the general area of the forum but thought I might have better luck here:

In an episode of Boston Legal Alan Shore was wearing this hat when he went fishing with Denny Crane at Nimmo Bay. Can anyone identify this hat. I like it but cant figure out what style it is. It looks like a slouch but Im not sure.

And it doesnt show well in the picture but its green not black

No idea of the make, but you'll find something similar from Stetson - try the explorer or Cromwell : http://www.stetson.com/store/hats/outdoor.html?p=5 alternatively try Akubra if you want something a bit better.

 

[HarleMo]

No idea of the make, but you'll find something similar from Stetson - try the explorer or Cromwell : http://www.stetson.com/store/hats/outdoor.html?p=5 alternatively try Akubra if you want something a bit better.

After looking at Akubra's website Im thinking it is something like "The Boss" with the brim turned down. https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/product/89/the-boss There is no pinch in the crown like you see in most of the other hats. Unfortunately there are no Akubra dealers close to me where I could go check one out in person. Thanks for pointing me towards Akubra

 

[Munky]

I write as someone who has come from the shoe world to the hat world. It is received knowledge, in the shoe department that you should wear your shoes in rotation. Does this apply to hats? Should you not wear the same hat two or three days at a time or can you wear it for days, weeks or years, before having any problems? I do appreciate, that shoes and hats are quite different sorts of things, so this may be a slightly odd question. I would appreciate any comments on it though. Yours, Munky.

 

[suitedcboy]

I write as someone who has come from the shoe world to the hat world. It is received knowledge, in the shoe department that you should wear your shoes in rotation. Does this apply to hats? Should you not wear the same hat two or three days at a time or can you wear it for days, weeks or years, before having any problems? I do appreciate, that shoes and hats are quite different sorts of things, so this may be a slightly odd question. I would appreciate any comments on it though. Yours, Munky.

There is usually no need for rotation of hats with a couple of exceptions: Rain or heavy perspiration. If it gets wet then it is best to not wear it until it dries. The brim will often sag and cause loss of its shape if worn with it wet. Of course if it's raining you wear it until you get home but once home if it is storing wet upside down until dry will promote the brim not going wonky. Fold leather sweatband out to allow more air flow. Do not towel off the hat as dark colors may lose dye to your towel if it is soaked. You'll end up with a new color if it loses dye.
If it is hot and you get the sweatband soaked then it will fare better if also turned up and sweatband turned out. The sweatband is going to get exposure and absorb oils and perspiration in use but a good soaking of perspiration not dried can allow some biologicals to grow and make the hat smelled soured.

 

[Munky]

There is usually no need for rotation of hats with a couple of exceptions: Rain or heavy perspiration. If it gets wet then it is best to not wear it until it dries. The brim will often sag and cause loss of its shape if worn with it wet. Of course if it's raining you wear it until you get home but once home if it is storing wet upside down until dry will promote the brim not going wonky. Fold leather sweatband out to allow more air flow. Do not towel off the hat as dark colors may lose dye to your towel if it is soaked. You'll end up with a new color if it loses dye.
If it is hot and you get the sweatband soaked then it will fare better if also turned up and sweatband turned out. The sweatband is going to get exposure and absorb oils and perspiration in use but a good soaking of perspiration not dried can allow some biologicals to grow and make the hat smelled soured.

Thank you very much for this very useful info. I appreciate it. M

 

[nicholasjohn]

I don't tend to wear a hat, but when I do it's usually a flat cap as pictured. I have a couple of these from Bates, one in a heavy wool and cashmere and a slightly lighter all cashmere one in a sort of gun check.

I think Bates called the model 'Gatsby', which would have put me off had they not fit my head so well. I have a fairly large bonce so finding a hat that fits is a tall order.

I can certainly see myself wearing hats more often as I get older (and balder), I just don't have the bearing to pull off a nice trilby yet.

 

[Munky]

I don't tend to wear a hat, but when I do it's usually a flat cap as pictured. I have a couple of these from Bates, one in a heavy wool and cashmere and a slightly lighter all cashmere one in a sort of gun check.

I think Bates called the model 'Gatsby', which would have put me off had they not fit my head so well. I have a fairly large bonce so finding a hat that fits is a tall order.

I can certainly see myself wearing hats more often as I get older (and balder), I just don't have the bearing to pull off a nice trilby yet.

View attachment 917037

With respect, a) we can't see much of the cap and b) the photo would look better without the gun. M.

 

[Munky]

When does a fedora become a trilby and vice versa? I only have Christy hats and most of them are fedoras. I have two or three, wide brimmed trilbys, too. The brims of the trilbys are only slightly smaller than those of the fedoras. I can see a difference in the height of the crowns but this is marginal. I can see the differences at the extremes. A stingy brim trilby is very different to a very wide brimmed fedora but there seems to be a grey area in between. Any thoughts would be welcome. Yours, Munky.

 

[Captain O]

According to Wikipedia, Trilby hats are generally unlined and were initially designed to be worn by "country" gentlemen. The concept of a "country" working quasi-dress hat dates back to the mid-19th century.

The bowler was a "gamekeeper's hat" before it became a symbol of the "office worker".

 

[Munky]

Thanks, Captain. Your reply still doesn't address the issue of when a trilby slides into being a fedora. Best wishes, Munky