Buying my first hat

[camjr]

x2 on Peters Brothers in Fort Worth.

Cheers!

[Blade Boy]

Are hats popular in Texas? Besides the cowboy hat, that is. I'm just curious, because every time I'm in Texas I see lots of fellows wearing Stetson type hats, but never really noticed any others, with the exception of the universal ball cap.

I dig the black Derby on this site.

[Quercus]

Try to find a nice charcoal tweed/herringbone flatcap. It's casual enough to work with anything, but classy enough to work with mild dressy clothing.

However, because you are in the south, you may want to opt for more southern or western style hats than fedoras and flatcaps associated with "damned Yankees", if you're the sort that considers what other people think.

Otherwise, if you can wear it well, go for whatever you like.

[Isaac]

If you decide you want a nice quality hat, I would highly recommend Art Fawcett. He can build your fedora to exactly what you want. Materials/Ribbons/Shape and cut. They will be a bit of an investment, but well worth the price IMHO. I have five so far, and think i may get back on the list for a sixth.

[Salty O'Rourke]

Go down to any local hat shop, even if all they sell are Western hats, and get them to determine your hat size. Forget about trying to measure your own head; I did that and was SURE I was a 7 1/8, only to find out the hard way that I wear a 7 1/4. Check out vendor's websites, like Peters Bros, The Fedora Store, and the like to see what styles are available. Then you can narrow down the choices for your first lid.

If you want to handle the merchandise before you buy, the Hatco Outlet (Stetson, Resistol, Dobbs) in Garland Texas is a good place to start. You can find dress fedoras, straws and Western hats in all sizes, colors, styles and grades for much less that you'd pay at a retail outlet or from an online vendor. If you know the model you like but can't make it up there, they are happy to check their inventory and ship direct to you. I think you want to make sure you're really a "hat guy" before you start shelling out the $$ for a custom hat.

HATCO
721 Marion Drive
Garland, TX 75042
(972) 494-0337

[trot1984]

Nice call, some beauties there!

[packersfan117]

I have a flat cap as well as a felt fedora that I wear with suits. Both are black, as I have a black pinstripe suit and a grey pinstripe suit. I prefer the fedora for dress settings though. Everyone's face is different though, my advice is to try on a bunch of different styles until you find something that looks good with your face/head shape.

[ksb63]

Definitely get a ladies opinion on what looks best on you. Got lucky on my gray, when going through the chairs, basically got a custom for less than of off the rack, 10x Butler he burned a small spot (under inside band) but it fit me like a glove.

[Sled Dog]

I have been in Texas in July...I would look at a Panama hat for the summer and perhaps something from Akubra for the winter...they make good quality hats, reasonable prices and a good selection, from full western to fedora

[Face&Head]

I have been in Texas in July...I would look at a Panama hat for the summer and perhaps something from Akubra for the winter...they make good quality hats, reasonable prices and a good selection, from full western to fedora

This is a good point; it's important to have different hats depending on the season. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I stick pretty much to my Panamas (not pictured).