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How do I pull off a casual Fedora?

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bluefoxicy

I like the Fedora, but it's too classy for jeans/t-shirt or vanilla bizcas. I think some black shoes (not necessarily dress shoes... the NB walking leather shoes I have should work), decent khakis (my Lands End ones have nice, defined line), a good pressed collar shirt with a button neck (not a full button, a polo)...

I think I may actually need an open jacket on top to pull this off, maybe a long one rather than just a waist-length one? Not a trench coat, but maybe just above the knee.

I guess I don't want to look like this guy:

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Maybe this guy though... from this link:

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Huh, is that a dark flannel jacket?

Anyway, casual Fedora?
 
Unless I am going for a long ride I do not leave the house without either a dress hat or my daily wear fedora. The key is to feel comfortable and having a good quality hat that fits you in both size and style. I generally wear a nice shirt (open collar, not button-down) and slacks (vintage wool when I can). My brother pulls off one with a t-shirt and cargo pants.
 
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bluefoxicy

Huh interesting. The style seems to be very... dressy looking. A couple of the guys at the bar I frequent have them, but they're always a bit sharp dressed. I'd think it'd look out of place if you weren't in a certain level of style; but I prefer to avoid the full formal wear style (no suits!).

Hmm, thanks.
 
A straw Fedora might be the better choice over felt, at least during clear weather; it looks a little more casual.

I've been planning on buying a hat or two, and the clothing you describe is what I usually wear. I'm strongly leaning to a straw Fedora for most days and a felt for inclement weather or something a little more formal.
 
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bluefoxicy

A straw Fedora might be the better choice over felt, at least during clear weather; it looks a little more casual.

I've been planning on buying a hat or two, and the clothing you describe is what I usually wear. I'm strongly leaning to a straw Fedora for most days and a felt for inclement weather or something a little more formal.

Straw huh?

I know two fellows at the bar that show in Fedoras. One has several; he showed up in this sort of thing recently, but I've seen him with a white band too:

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The other has something akin to this:



These are not as dressy as the dude up top on this post with the $41 hat!
 
the -right- fedora can be worn with anything, it's a broad term. just think of Indiana Jones, it can be anything from workwear to semi-formal depending on style and materials.

my go-to is an early '60's Saks Fifth Ave fur felt, 1.25" brim with a wide ribbon. dark taupe w/ dark brown ribbon, unbound brim. $12 at Salvation Army, but would likely go for $100-$200 on Ebay. digging around can be fun.

gets plenty of compliments, whether with a white tshirt/jeans/polished shoes or linen pants and a Cuban/guyabera shirt. kids (i'm 40) think it's cool and older people have actually thanked me for wearing a hat (and knowing when to take it off).

my only solid advice would be to stay away from the trendy 'patterns' and get a quality fur-felt (three season) and/or straw (summer).

if you want to be overwhelmed with suggestions and reviews, the B&B of hats is Fedoralounge.com .
 
As much as I'd like to see fedoras revived in great number, wearing them now seems a bit pretentious. It all depends on the ensemble. I'm not going to offer any advice on what to choose, only that warning. Be careful. The point of great style is not to show off.
 
my only solid advice would be to stay away from the trendy 'patterns' and get a quality fur-felt (three season) and/or straw (summer).

For emphasis. The newer trend to extremely short-brimmed (I wear a short brim, but not quite that short) fabric "fad"oras should be avoided if you are aiming for the classy look.
 
I wear a fedora in everything from jacket and tie to jeans and T-shir.t
For casual wear a brown, tawny, sage, etc felt fedora or trilby are fine with anything short of a black suit.

Christ's Trilby

Stetson "Chatham" Fedora

Borsalino Como

three -great- choices. i've coveted a Borsalino for while now, but i keep getting lucky in second hand shops and haven't been compelled to spring for one.

and to the OP, sorry about the link, haven't been there for a while and forgot the "the".
 
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