Akubra bound

[1mach1]

Hello all. I am heading to Australia for 3 weeks (leaving in about 3 weeks) to do some photography work. Not taking any of my hats. I want to pick up an Akubra while I am there, sooner, rather than later. I really would like a Campdraft or Squatter, but seems like stocks are out on my size, since it is currently summer there. Looks like the Adventurer or the Stylemaster are available, but they are similar to some of the hats I already have here. Thought about the Snowy River (and have it converted when I get back), but the crown it to low. BTW, not going near The Hattery (Hats Direct) in Katoomba, so the Fed IV is out. Thoughts?

 

[Banky]

If you're in to the outback look check out the banjo Paterson, Harv. I wear mine almost daily.

 

[RJR]

Second on the Banjo Paterson.

 

[G MAN]

Funny, as I was reading your post I was thinking Banjo Paterson as well, it's a nice hat as is.

 

[1mach1]

Right. I looked at the BP on the Akubra site. Ya'll just found the right hat. Looks like they have many in stock. Thanks for the help!

 

[Blackthorn]

Second on the Banjo Paterson.

That's my favorite Akubra, too. I wear that one more than any other fedora.

 

[Seb Lucas]

You don't see a lot of Akubras in Australia. Melbourne and Sydney have a hat shop but the cowboy styles like the Cattleman and Snowy River (which tourists seem to buy) can also be found at Disposal stores (our version of an army and navy store) or camping stores. Very hard to obtain a Campdraft, Drover or Squatter here without ordering and a 12 week wait. Stylemasters are generally kept in most hat shops. What you end up getting will depend on what city you visit and what's available.

I think the Cattleman is the easiest generic style to get (it's often issued to outdoor workers like parking inspectors) it doesn't suit many people because of its 3 inch brim which you kind of need here. I usually trim mine when I've owned them. Frankly I don't know if any hat shops would stay in business here without tourists and the overseas market. The Banjo model I've only ever seen worn by two people in ten years, but you do see them for sale in my local hat shop from time to time. Good luck finding one you like that's available. I myself would go through Hat's Direct - only chance for me to ever get a drover or campdraft - my preferred choice.

 

[1mach1]

You don't see a lot of Akubras in Australia. Melbourne and Sydney have a hat shop but the cowboy styles like the Cattleman and Snowy River (which tourists seem to buy) can also be found at Disposal stores (our version of an army and navy store) or camping stores. Very hard to obtain a Campdraft, Drover or Squatter here without ordering and a 12 week wait. Stylemasters are generally kept in most hat shops. What you end up getting will depend on what city you visit and what's available.

I think the Cattleman is the easiest generic style to get (it's often issued to outdoor workers like parking inspectors) it doesn't suit many people because of its 3 inch brim which you kind of need here. I usually trim mine when I've owned them. Frankly I don't know if any hat shops would stay in business here without tourists and the overseas market. The Banjo model I've only ever seen worn by two people in ten years, but you do see them for sale in my local hat shop from time to time. Good luck finding one you like that's available. I myself would go through Hat's Direct - only chance for me to ever get a drover or campdraft - my preferred choice.

Thank you for the info. An Australian giving advise is great!

 

[nigeloscar]

Thank you for the info. An Australian giving advise is great!

Hi! My good friend runs a tailoring business in the City of Sydney! He has some Stylemasters for sale pretty cheap.. Around 100-120 bucks! They just need a good dust... Check out Rochefort tailoring on Elizabeth street.

I have a Banjo Patterson which I love too.. I suggest you go to Strandhatters too - in the strand Arcade.. They are owned by Akubra I believe( and they introduced me to the Lounge)

 

[Landman]

Seb,

That surprises me that you don't see a lot of Akubra's in Australia. Is that just in the metropolitan areas?

I also second your opinion on buying a hat from HatsDirect. 1mach1, you could order a hat from them and if they have it in stock you would have it before you leave in 3 weeks. When I order from them it takes 10 days or less to be delivered to Texas. My favorites are the Campdraft, Fed IV and the Squatter. I prefer the Campdraft the most because it is a thin ribbon.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Seb,

That surprises me that you don't see a lot of Akubra's in Australia. Is that just in the metropolitan areas?

I also second your opinion on buying a hat from HatsDirect. 1mach1, you could order a hat from them and if they have it in stock you would have it before you leave in 3 weeks. When I order from them it takes 10 days or less to be delivered to Texas. My favorites are the Campdraft, Fed IV and the Squatter. I prefer the Campdraft the most because it is a thin ribbon.

Most people wear baseball caps or terrible but fashionable stingy brimmed numbers and cotton sun hats. I was in Melbourne yesterday for 3 hours counted 2 Akubras. I think the men wearing them were tourists. You don't see a lot of them in the country areas I've been to either. No doubt they are worn by some stock men in some remote areas but I'm certain the vast bulk of Akubras are sold overseas.

The Akubra hat you used to see in the country was the Squatter. Forty years ago you saw a few of those still. That was the real Australian country hat. Not the country style cowboy hats which were popularized by movies in the 1980's.

I'm not saying that Akubras are not worn, just that in my experience they are not a common sight.

Strand Hatters in Sydney and City Hatters in Melbourne are nice places to visit and without tourists I doubt they would remain viable.

 

[1mach1]

Interesting insight. Although, when I think of it, you don't see many people here in Washington DC wearing fedoras (or any full brim hat). I have secured a bluegrass green Campdraft from Everything Australian in Melbourne. I will pick it up when I am passing through. Hopefully will post some pics. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

 

[Geldoc]

Strand Hatters (Sydney) and City Hatters (Melbourne) have Stylemasters (imperial felt) and Banjo Pattersons (heritage felt).

 

[Seb Lucas]

Interesting insight. Although, when I think of it, you don't see many people here in Washington DC wearing fedoras (or any full brim hat). I have secured a bluegrass green Campdraft from Everything Australian in Melbourne. I will pick it up when I am passing through. Hopefully will post some pics. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

Did they have it in stock? Normally they have to order them.

 

[hatband]

If you are visiting Adelaide, in Adelaide Arcade in Rundle Mall,the hat shop there has some Campdrafts and Bogarts, and Hamptons for around $150.00. Frankly you can buy them cheaper on line which I have done. But they stock more fedora styles in that shop rather than the more outback styles. I've see Bowlers in 2 colours black and grey and top hats there as well by Akubra.

 

[1mach1]

Did they have it in stock? Normally they have to order them.

He had some in my size, and is holding one for me to pick up. Very pleasant to deal with!

 

[1mach1]

If you are visiting Adelaide, in Adelaide Arcade in Rundle Mall,the hat shop there has some Campdrafts and Bogarts, and Hamptons for around $150.00. Frankly you can buy them cheaper on line which I have done. But they stock more fedora styles in that shop rather than the more outback styles. I've see Bowlers in 2 colours black and grey and top hats there as well by Akubra.

I will be going through Adelaide. Thanks for the info, I will check them out!