Looking for a new hat

[Obsessed]

Ok, so I want to get a hat for fall and winter. One hat. A hat that

--I can wear to work (In NYC) with a suit
--I can wear to work with business casual
--I can wear at home in the 'burbs on the weekends

Some may say that finding one hat to do all these things is a tall order, but I think the guys who put the "B" and the "B" in "style" can handle it. So, any thoughts?

Thanks.

[r_w]

Black fedora.

[mparker762]

Or a gray fedora. If your suits are navy then a dark brown fedora will also work. Not quite as good of a match with a suit but better for casual wear.

[The Mick]

heres mine you can get pin on ribbons as well to change the look. I'm a casual guy and this goes with anything.
http://www.e4hats.com/_e/gdept/61/Hat_Band.htm
http://i35.tinypic.com/hs8gm8.jpg

[Sam F]

This is my most versatile hat shorter crown gives it a more casual look but the ribbon keeps it a little dressy. After the holidays last year LL Bean had a very sharp hat that may be along the lines you are looking.

[Kouros]

Go visit this store near Wall Street:

www.hats-capsonline.com

[Miles]

I can vouch for the versatility and quality of Kangol caps

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31BLFUpGKvL._SS500_.jpg

[buddydog]

Stetson....open read.

http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh450/andycat60/P1040013.jpg

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I would suggest "The Tucker" the hat that I thought of and it is custome made by Art Fawcett. You can search in the thread in here, I have pics of it ....or....google Art's name and you will find his website...

i use mine everyday....

[Obsessed]

Maybe a grey fedora would be moer versatile than black? Or not?


Go visit this store near Wall Street:

www.hats-capsonline.com

Thanks, I'll check it out. It's not far from my office.


I would suggest "The Tucker" the hat that I thought of and it is custome made by Art Fawcett. You can search in the thread in here, I have pics of it ....or....google Art's name and you will find his website...

i use mine everyday....

I found some of oyur photos - nice lids! If you don't mind me asking, would I be correct that it's not cheap to get a custom hat from Fawcett?

[Rick Sparks]

I'm looking seriously at the Bailey Bentley, in Senate (their name for the grey color for this hat). I like the Bailey Executive I've been wearing, but I'm ready to move from a wool felt to fur and I want to stick with the stingy brim style.

I found the best price here:

www.hats-plus.com

[scottish steve]

It might not quite be what you're looking for but for smart functionality you can't really beat a Tilley Woollen hat. V warm and wellmade but maybe a touch old for you? (Can't add links on my mobile. Sorry)

[Emmett]

It might not quite be what you're looking for but for smart functionality you can't really beat a Tilley Woollen hat. V warm and wellmade but maybe a touch old for you? (Can't add links on my mobile. Sorry)

I love mine but I've been forbidden to wear it in public! :lol: Not the most attractive hat, I'd say, but I love the warmth, the fit, and the brim. Gotta keep my glasses dry!

[GenErich]

I can vouch for the versatility and quality of Kangol caps

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31BLFUpGKvL._SS500_.jpg
+1

Flat cap, all the way. You can wear them just about any ol' time! They look great with whatever you decide to wear. They keep the sun out of your eyes. You can crush them into a coat pocket and pull them out on a whim. They work splendidly for swatting at flying insects that invade your space. You can get the 504 tropic air style for summer and a wool one for winter. Kangol makes a good cap!

James Dean wore one. My grandpa wore one. My dad wears one. I wear one. :cool:

[WhosYerBob]

Buncha real nice beaver felt hats at the Colorado Mountain Hat Company (http://www.cmhats.com/); I bought a wide brim version from them many years ago and it's perfect for sun, rain or snow.

[Macion grey]

+1

Flat cap, all the way. You can wear them just about any ol' time! They look great with whatever you decide to wear. They keep the sun out of your eyes. You can crush them into a coat pocket and pull them out on a whim. They work splendidly for swatting at flying insects that invade your space. You can get the 504 tropic air style for summer and a wool one for winter. Kangol makes a good cap!

James Dean wore one. My grandpa wore one. My dad wears one. I wear one. :cool:

I wear one too! In the warmer months, you never see me without one.

[The Knize]

Ok, so I want to get a hat for fall and winter. One hat. A hat that

--I can wear to work (In NYC) with a suit
--I can wear to work with business casual
--I can wear at home in the 'burbs on the weekends

Some may say that finding one hat to do all these things is a tall order, but I think the guys who put the "B" and the "B" in "style" can handle it. So, any thoughts?

Thanks.

Great idea for a thread. I like a hat! Are men wearing them in the City these days? And by a hat I mean a brimmed felt hat, not a cap. Something that as far as I can tell every man wore every day in say the 30's. Look at an old photo of a Yankee baseball crowd and every man is wearing a friggin' dress hat!

I own two fairly decent ("Bailey" is the brand I think) dress felt hats--one black and one grey. I guess they are regular brimmed Fedoras, and two "stingy" brim more causal hats, one in a dark blue and sort of a tweedy gray cloth. The last two I paid virtually nothing for at a Filenes or Syms or similar. I like them both, but my younger son forbid me to wear either outside the house! I am not sure what the objection is at all, but they truly offend him. I like the black Bailey's but it does have a bit of "undertaker" persona to it, and anytime I have worn it around with a suit, I get all of these "Hasidim" remarks from folks. So that is a bit discouraging. And I do not end up wearin the grey one much, in part because I am afraid I might look like a dork, and in part because it is annoying to keep up with. Hard to put it anywhere. Also, it needs cleaning and blocking. I will have to take it in to have that done. I will do it next time I take my detachable collars in to be laundered!

<finding one hat to do all these things is a tall order>

I would think it would be a tall order! Again, part of it is to you really what hat, or will one of those newsboy, etc. type caps do? Those are more versitile, but you are not going to have that ever cool Sam Spade look!

[Obsessed]

Are men wearing them in the City these days? And by a hat I mean a brimmed felt hat, not a cap.

I see them around sometimes, but not all that often (excluding Orthodox Jews, obviously).


in part because I am afraid I might look like a dork

Yes, there is a real risk of looking like a dork/jackass/fool with the wrong hat, so it's important to choose wisely

As for versatility, I'd imagine in this day and age that it would be easier to get away with wearing a slightly more casual hat with a suit than wearing a more formal hat with casual clothes. We'll see. There are actually still a few hat stores around so I can check them out when I have time.

[The Knize]

I see them around sometimes, but not all that often (excluding Orthodox Jews, obviously).



Yes, there is a real risk of looking like a dork/jackass/fool with the wrong hat, so it's important to choose wisely

As for versatility, I'd imagine in this day and age that it would be easier to get away with wearing a slightly more casual hat with a suit than wearing a more formal hat with casual clothes. We'll see. There are actually still a few hat stores around so I can check them out when I have time.


<I'd imagine in this day and age that it would be easier to get away with wearing a slightly more casual hat with a suit than wearing a more formal hat with casual clothes.>

I would say "a big 10-4 on that one, Buddy!" <g>

[Kouros]

Yes, there is a real risk of looking like a dork/jackass/fool with the wrong hat, so it's important to choose wisely


That's why I don't buy hats off of the internet. Try them on in person in a store and ask others what looks good on you. I remember trying on some felt fedoras in a hat store with my girlfriend when a woman said to her "he's gonna buy that brown one, right?". This store has hundreds of styles of fedoras and some looked rather goofy on me, but this one really worked.

[Obsessed]

Go visit this store near Wall Street:

www.hats-capsonline.com

In addition to that store, do any of you guys have any experience with these places:

http://www.bencrafthats.com/

http://www.jjhatcenter.com/

http://www.hatshop.com/

Thanks!

[SlyGI]

If you get a black fedora, don't wear a black suite with it. Unless you want to look like a member of the tribe. :biggrin:

[Sterling Cooper]

Ok, so I want to get a hat for fall and winter. One hat. A hat that

--I can wear to work (In NYC) with a suit
--I can wear to work with business casual
--I can wear at home in the 'burbs on the weekends

Some may say that finding one hat to do all these things is a tall order, but I think the guys who put the "B" and the "B" in "style" can handle it. So, any thoughts?

Thanks.

http://www.optimohats.com/

High quality fedoras start and end with these people. They recently did all the hat work in Public Enemies.

[Topgumby]

If I may be so bold-

The Optimo and Art Fawcett suggestions would get you a fine fur felt hat. Top of the line, with prices to match.

There are also lesser quality, cheap hats, with the majority being made of wool felt. They are usually disappointments, losing color and shape, and not providing the great fit a fur felt hat with a leather sweatband does as it wears in and conforms to your head shape.

In between, you have fur felt fedoras by famous US names like Stetson and Resistol, both now owned by the same company, and many say they are not the quality that they once were.

A choice worth considering is the Akubra hat, a very well made fur felt from Australia. They can be ordered from an Australian vendor, or from a US distributor.

I would argue that Akubra represents a sweet spot combining quality and value. I think you'll find a lot of folks on the Fedor Lounge site (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/) would agree that the Akubra represents good "bang for the buck."

If you get the hat bug, you can move up to the custom offerings, or the more expensive lines. You might find that the Akubra is all the hat you need.

I'd think grey or brown with a self colored band would be most versatile, and agree that a lower crown with a moderate taper would be a good choice.

Here are some choices (http://www.akubra.com.au/products_fashion.html) from the Akubra site. The Stylemaster in Acorn Fawn is my avatar.

I'm curious, what hat size are you, and how would you describe your body type and face? Do you have a round, broad face, or long and narrow? Also, what is your hair color?

[Obsessed]

If you get a black fedora, don't wear a black suite with it. Unless you want to look like a member of the tribe. :biggrin:

:confused: The Cleveland Indians wear blue caps. :wink:

[Improbable]

It takes a certain kind of style, but I actually have a short top hat I like to wear in the cooler months. Definitely a bold choice, though. The Bailey "Ice" if you're curious.

http://www.hats.com/images/products/1_133790_FS_BLK.JPG

[Obsessed]

If I may be so bold-

The Optimo and Art Fawcett suggestions would get you a fine fur felt hat. Top of the line, with prices to match.

There are also lesser quality, cheap hats, with the majority being made of wool felt. They are usually disappointments, losing color and shape, and not providing the great fit a fur felt hat with a leather sweatband does as it wears in and conforms to your head shape.

In between, you have fur felt fedoras by famous US names like Stetson and Resistol, both now owned by the same company, and many say they are not the quality that they once were.

A choice worth considering is the Akubra hat, a very well made fur felt from Australia. They can be ordered from an Australian vendor, or from a US distributor.

I would argue that Akubra represents a sweet spot combining quality and value. I think you'll find a lot of folks on the Fedor Lounge site (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/) would agree that the Akubra represents good "bang for the buck."

If you get the hat bug, you can move up to the custom offerings, or the more expensive lines. You might find that the Akubra is all the hat you need.

I'd think grey or brown with a self colored band would be most versatile, and agree that a lower crown with a moderate taper would be a good choice.

Here are some choices (http://www.akubra.com.au/products_fashion.html) from the Akubra site. The Stylemaster in Acorn Fawn is my avatar.

I'm curious, what hat size are you, and how would you describe your body type and face? Do you have a round, broad face, or long and narrow? Also, what is your hair color?

See, this is why it's good to have you around despite those "disturbing" political views you mentioned in the other thread! :wink:

Seriously, thanks for the post. I'm familiar with Akubras and think they're really nice. The only issues are that some of the colors are not readily available and that I probably won't be able to find a lot of their styles to try on in a hat store.

Another company with some really nice hats is Borsalino, but those are really expensive. (Interestingly, I learned recently that they have a number of models marketed largely to the Orthodox Jewish community.)

To answer your question, my hat size is 7 3/8, or 59. I'm about 6'3", and I'd say my face is longer than it is wide. It's not narrow, mainly because I could lose some weight, but it's not what I would characterize as a round, broad face.

[Obsessed]

http://www.optimohats.com/

High quality fedoras start and end with these people. They recently did all the hat work in Public Enemies.

Thanks, those look really nice. It looks like they just had an event in New York last week.


It takes a certain kind of style, but I actually have a short top hat I like to wear in the cooler months. Definitely a bold choice, though. The Bailey "Ice" if you're curious.

http://www.hats.com/images/products/1_133790_FS_BLK.JPG

Pretty cool,but I don't think I could pull that off!

[Topgumby]

Tried finding a shop that carries the Akubra fashion line in your area, no dice.

Unfortunately, that leaves out the possibility of try before you buy, and that's a shame, because they really are great hats.

I know the Stetson Open Road was mentioned earlier. The Silverbelly gray color would make it versatile. The brim size and thin ribbon give it a sort of country look.

Here's Jimmy Stewart in an Open Road...

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh94/Cosky69/ajamesstewartfbistoryTHE_FBI_STORY-.jpg

[mark the shoeshine boy]

FOR AKUBRA HATS I HAVE USED WWW.HATSDIRECT.COM (http://www.HATSDIRECT.COM) AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIER SERVICES.

[Topgumby]

FOR AKUBRA HATS I HAVE USED WWW.HATSDIRECT.COM (http://www.HATSDIRECT.COM) AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIER SERVICES.

Ditto. The Campdraft is an Open Road clone.

[Dr. Jones]

Akubra Federation IV Fedora in Moonstone Gray.

[Topgumby]

A great hat, Dr. Jones, and welcome to Badger and Blade!

[Obsessed]

FOR AKUBRA HATS I HAVE USED WWW.HATSDIRECT.COM (http://www.HATSDIRECT.COM) AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIER SERVICES.

Thanks - that store seems to have a better color selection than many other sites, too. I'm thinking that the "Bogart" and the "casual" are not bad looking for my purposes. But that opinion is subject to change (and change and change and change) before I actually get something! :biggrin:

Those Optimo hats are great-looking. I didn't see the prices on the site; I assume they're stratospheric.

[StylinLA]

As an FL member, I will assert that Art Fawcett and OPTIMO are two of the finest fedora hat makers in the world. I don't know who would be better.

I've got hats from both and they are head and shoulders above any ready made hats. But they are pricey indeed.

Art is able to custom size your hat using a unique device he sends you.

One of the advantages of a bespoke hat is tinkering everything about the hat, including ribbon color. I have a black fedora from Art with a grayish ribbon that sets it apart a bit from looking too religious. Black hat with black crown ribbon is just pretty intense looking.

As topgumby noted, the Akubra hats are known to be excellent value too, but I belive there's often quite a wait involved. When just starting, you need to get a sense of whether hats are for you or not, so best to start with some of the felt ready mades.

For what it's worth, a wool fedora to an FLer is like a Bic disposable and Barbasol to a B&B guy. Most men's stores in malls that sell hats, sell wool hats in S M L XL. Pass.

If you dive in, get a felt hat (usually rabbit, beaver, or a blend thereof). The Fedora Lounge is loaded with suggestions.

[lamina]

If you dive in, get a felt hat (usually rabbit, beaver, or a blend thereof). The Fedora Lounge is loaded with suggestions.



Indeed...Maybe a beaver hat is a tad excessive as a first hat!!:biggrin:

[galopede]

For Akubra fur felts, try HatsDirect (http://hatsdirect.com/). I've bought a few from them and never had a wait other than the shipping from Australia.

They are also the only place you can get the famous Federation fedora. Great hat. Love mine.

Gareth

[Obsessed]

Thread resurrection in progress!

So, I never ended up buying a new hat last year. What do you guys think of the Akubra Bogart?

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=44&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

When Topgumby mentioned the Stylemaster last year I have to admit I wasn't crazy about it, but it's starting to grow on me a little:

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=47&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

I dunno . . .

[Obsessed]

Mind, I like fedoras very much. But what I've found is, except for my own office and home, society seems to have done away with proper hat racks to stow the fedora when I get to my destination. As a result, I'm too often carrying my hat with me everywhere I go, losing the use of one of my hands.

That's very true. I have that problem when I wear my panama hat in the summer.

I know there are some crushable hats out there that might be easier to deal with. Some of them are nice, although not in the classic fedora style (e.g., Akubra Traveller).

[binowatch]

I wear a Stetson Weekender fedora in olive. Great Hat and slightly more casual but still formal enough. Fedoras are making a comeback-just watch the TV show White Collar! My family gave up on its admonitions and now admit it has a cerrtain penache!
The alternative is a flat cap, either soft or more molded as already suggested. Would just avoid a pork pie/newsboy cap-too casual.

[SlyGI]

Thread resurrection in progress!

So, I never ended up buying a new hat last year. What do you guys think of the Akubra Bogart?

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=44&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

When Topgumby mentioned the Stylemaster last year I have to admit I wasn't crazy about it, but it's starting to grow on me a little:

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=47&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=0

I dunno . . .

I like it. I've bought an Akubra Stylemaster and Camp Draft from Hatsdirect.com. Both the hats and the store are awesome. Amazing customer service.

[SlyGI]

:confused: The Cleveland Indians wear blue caps. :wink:

:001_cool: Orthodox Jewish :001_cool:

[luvmysuper]

+1 on the grey Fedora.

http://www.hats-plus.com/ in Chicago is a great shop.

They do ship.

I recommend the Bailey Carson in senate. Smaller brim, but not a skimpy brim, great style and a versatile color which goes well with both dark and lighter clothing selections.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=113262&stc=1&d=1279041973

[AlanL]

The flat cap solves these problems, while still providing a bill to shield my eyes, a bit of style that is not a !@#$ baseball cap, and is pretty much indestructible. Not only that, I can wear it in my car because it lacks the high crown my fedoras have.+1 on the flat cap.

They're quite versatile, are appropriate in almost any environment from work to play, and come in a variety of materials. I got one when I realized I needed something to wear in the rain when going to church that wasn't a baseball cap.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

if i may be so bold-

the optimo and art fawcett suggestions would get you a fine fur felt hat. Top of the line, with prices to match.

There are also lesser quality, cheap hats, with the majority being made of wool felt. They are usually disappointments, losing color and shape, and not providing the great fit a fur felt hat with a leather sweatband does as it wears in and conforms to your head shape.

In between, you have fur felt fedoras by famous us names like stetson and resistol, both now owned by the same company, and many say they are not the quality that they once were.

A choice worth considering is the akubra hat, a very well made fur felt from australia. They can be ordered from an australian vendor, or from a us distributor.

I would argue that akubra represents a sweet spot combining quality and value. I think you'll find a lot of folks on the fedor lounge site (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/) would agree that the akubra represents good "bang for the buck."

if you get the hat bug, you can move up to the custom offerings, or the more expensive lines. You might find that the akubra is all the hat you need.

I'd think grey or brown with a self colored band would be most versatile, and agree that a lower crown with a moderate taper would be a good choice.

here are some choices (http://www.akubra.com.au/products_fashion.html) from the akubra site. The stylemaster in acorn fawn is my avatar.

I'm curious, what hat size are you, and how would you describe your body type and face? Do you have a round, broad face, or long and narrow? Also, what is your hair color?




+1

[Obsessed]

:confused: The Cleveland Indians wear blue caps. :wink:


:001_cool: Orthodox Jewish :001_cool:

I knew what you meant! :biggrin1:


I like it. I've bought an Akubra Stylemaster and Camp Draft from Hatsdirect.com. Both the hats and the store are awesome. Amazing customer service.

Thanks. I know Akubra makes a great hat, and the praise for hatsdirect.com is uniform, but I'm just leery about buying a hat without trying it on first (for style, not size).

I also like some of the Stetson fedoras I've seen pictures of. There's a hat shop in Brooklyn that's supposed to have a good selection; I may have to check them out. They also carry a big selection of Borsalino, but that's getting pricey.

Nice hat, Phil!

[Crixus]

Before you buy anything like an Akubra, you better make sure you're not a long oval or extra long oval--those are stiff hats and will never break in for you IF your head shape doesn't fit their block.

I love fedoras also, but they take commitment. People will stare at you. We always say fedoras are "becoming stylish again", but look around and you tell me. You'll stand out in a fedora style. Nothing wrong with that at all, but you have to want to do it. Otherwise, your $150+ lid will suddenly find itself being left home more and more often.

I recommend a nice wool flat cap style. They dress up or down, which is a big plus. With a suit on Madison Ave. to an upstate antique barn--you're never out of sync.

Here are a couple of mine--true Harris tweeds that are VERY comfortable and look fine outdoors and anywhere indoors where a cover is acceptable. Easier to find a suitable place to set it than a fedora. And that happens more than you think.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I have been a fedora wearer for over four years now and when my friends or customers see me without my hat, they coment. Especially if I have a ball cap on....

[James1971]

See avatar to left.

Akubra campdraft. Silverbelly.

[Obsessed]

I love fedoras also, but they take commitment. People will stare at you. We always say fedoras are "becoming stylish again", but look around and you tell me. You'll stand out in a fedora style. Nothing wrong with that at all, but you have to want to do it. Otherwise, your $150+ lid will suddenly find itself being left home more and more often.

As I said in a prior post,


Yes, there is a real risk of looking like a dork/jackass/fool with the wrong hat, so it's important to choose wisely

the right hat looks great, the wrong hat looks terrible, IMHO.

[luvmysuper]

As I said in a prior post,

the right hat looks great, the wrong hat looks terrible, IMHO.

Right you are sir!

Compare the pictures here and you can clearly see that guy 1 has chosen poorly.

It's a shame, because with a little effort, he could have chosen a hat that suited his face.
.
.

[SlyGI]

Right you are sir!

Compare the pictures here and you can clearly see that guy 1 has chosen poorly.

It's a shame, because with a little effort, he could have chosen a hat that suited his face.
.
.

My guess is the guy on the left didn't choose well?

[luvmysuper]

My guess is the guy on the left didn't choose well?

Bingo.
It's as plain as day.

[Kouros]

My guess is the guy on the left didn't choose well?

More like Mother Nature chose him poorly...

[Obsessed]

Geez, for the monsoon we're having here today, maybe I need something like this. (I like the new color from Akubra - "olive brown.")

[Tom Frost]

I have (and wear) flat caps AND hats, both in summer and winter. While a flat cap suits most casual wear, if you want something to wear along with a suit, but also with jeans and stuff, the Fedora is your option.

I have two different Fedoras, one for formal occasions; the other one for more "casual but sharp" looks.

Yet what's been told here is completely right: some hats simply don't fit. I sadly remember I was mad about a pork pie till the day I tried it... I looked like a total dork.:laugh:

[Crixus]

I sadly remember I was mad about a pork pie till the day I tried it... I looked like a total dork.:laugh:I may be biased, but anyone that's not a performing jazz musician looks dorky in a pork pie. And there are even jazz musicians out there that can't pull it off.

[Obsessed]

While a flat cap suits most casual wear, if you want something to wear along with a suit, but also with jeans and stuff, the Fedora is your option.

I agree. (I'm not really going for the outback look. I just liked the color of the hat I posted above.)

[Obsessed]

I never posted a picture of the hat I eventually got, a Selentino Hudson, so here it is:

254855