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What Hat Are You Wearing Today ?

Messages
10,618
Location
Boston area
Catching up from under the cold and snow this week in a 1940s Stetsonian

IMG_8027.jpeg IMG_8028.jpeg IMG_8029.jpeg IMG_8030.jpeg IMG_8038.jpeg IMG_8039.jpeg IMG_8033.jpeg
She couldn’t wait for me to clear the driveway. Pickleball awaits!

IMG_8060.jpeg

Stay safe everyone.
 

RickP

One Too Many
Messages
1,190

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,199
Location
London, UK
Catching up from under the cold and snow this week in a 1940s Stetsonian

View attachment 675973

Stay safe everyone.

There's just something about that broad brim-binding on a Stetson (among others) from that period that looks wonderful. I'm awaiting a new Fed DLX in Moonstone coming in next month, but thereafter I think my next hat might well be a custom order from Agnolita with just that sort of binding as part of the spec.


Since it hadn't been put away yet, I'm going with the 3X Rockin JB fot TAR Thursday. I think it's the thinnest ribbon I have.

View attachment 676013
View attachment 676014


This *is* a slim ribbon! It's interesting how it affects perception of the hat's proportions. To my eye, it makes the crown look instantly taller, while remaining nicely in balance with a wide, Western brim. When I got my Campdraft way back when it surprised me just how much taller it looked than my Federations, despite there being no discernible difference in measurements - even side by side, the thin ribbon gave the illusion of greater height.

The other thing that intrigues me about a thin ribbon is how - as here - it's such a simple touch and yet it just gives that air of being finished that would be entirely missing in its absence. It did make me wonder whether these became at a time traditionally associated with Westerns as working hats (rather than townwear as such), and as such a simpler, more easily replaced ribbon style made more sense? Whatever the point of origin, they look great! Recently, I imposed on myself a 'no more black hats' rule - I've got a bunch, including three great fedoras, and it makes more sense to look to other hues. (I lie to myself I only buy hats I "need", but the reality is I try only to buy hats that will get worn as a way of preserving limited storage space and not over-spending...). Then the other day I saw a black Stratoliner, and with the think ribbon treatment it just looks so much more like a different hat than my Laird, Optimo, Biltmore fedoras that..... !

It's fun how the more you look into it, the more details like this can distinguish one hat from another!
 

RickP

One Too Many
Messages
1,190
There's just something about that broad brim-binding on a Stetson (among others) from that period that looks wonderful. I'm awaiting a new Fed DLX in Moonstone coming in next month, but thereafter I think my next hat might well be a custom order from Agnolita with just that sort of binding as part of the spec.





This *is* a slim ribbon! It's interesting how it affects perception of the hat's proportions. To my eye, it makes the crown look instantly taller, while remaining nicely in balance with a wide, Western brim. When I got my Campdraft way back when it surprised me just how much taller it looked than my Federations, despite there being no discernible difference in measurements - even side by side, the thin ribbon gave the illusion of greater height.

The other thing that intrigues me about a thin ribbon is how - as here - it's such a simple touch and yet it just gives that air of being finished that would be entirely missing in its absence. It did make me wonder whether these became at a time traditionally associated with Westerns as working hats (rather than townwear as such), and as such a simpler, more easily replaced ribbon style made more sense? Whatever the point of origin, they look great! Recently, I imposed on myself a 'no more black hats' rule - I've got a bunch, including three great fedoras, and it makes more sense to look to other hues. (I lie to myself I only buy hats I "need", but the reality is I try only to buy hats that will get worn as a way of preserving limited storage space and not over-spending...). Then the other day I saw a black Stratoliner, and with the think ribbon treatment it just looks so much more like a different hat than my Laird, Optimo, Biltmore fedoras that..... !

It's fun how the more you look into it, the more details like this can distinguish one hat from another!
I totally agree about the ribbon brim binding. Ive added ribbon to a couple of old raw edge hats and it always steps things up to a bit more towards refined. I do enjoy a wide ribbon on older hats, as long as its NOT the big, bulky, woven/ macrame/ guitar strap looking junk we saw in the 70's 80's and 90's. My favorite is in the the 3/8 to 3/4" range. gives the crown an illusion of height and just looks more subtle to me . (5/8" with a Campaign Bow treatment is just sweet in my humble opinion)


PXL_20241230_132615804.jpg
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,199
Location
London, UK
I totally agree about the ribbon brim binding. Ive added ribbon to a couple of old raw edge hats and it always steps things up to a bit more towards refined. I do enjoy a wide ribbon on older hats, as long as its NOT the big, bulky, woven/ macrame/ guitar strap looking junk we saw in the 70's 80's and 90's. My favorite is in the the 3/8 to 3/4" range. gives the crown an illusion of height and just looks more subtle to me . (5/8" with a Campaign Bow treatment is just sweet in my humble opinion)


View attachment 676113

Nice - natural leather? That'll age nicely too.
 

TimmyV

Practically Family
Messages
688
Location
Backwoods, Kentucky
I totally agree about the ribbon brim binding. Ive added ribbon to a couple of old raw edge hats and it always steps things up to a bit more towards refined. I do enjoy a wide ribbon on older hats, as long as its NOT the big, bulky, woven/ macrame/ guitar strap looking junk we saw in the 70's 80's and 90's. My favorite is in the the 3/8 to 3/4" range. gives the crown an illusion of height and just looks more subtle to me . (5/8" with a Campaign Bow treatment is just sweet in my humble opinion)


View attachment 676113
Nice choice of color for the ribbon and the campaign bow really catches the eye !
 

VoodooSan

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,112
Location
Boise, ID

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