Akubra Overload

[Orangegrad]

Acorn Sytlemaster

My first Akubra arrived today. My first fur felt fedora, for that matter. I have a few nice straws. Even with the August heat, I really don't want to take this off my head.

I'd appreciate your thoughts regarding my next Akubra. I have a rather narrow and long face - I stand around 5'6". Could I go for larger hats such as:
More brim with a Cattleman
More crown with a Fed IV

Or would a larger hat be just too much?

Thanks,

-Andy

 

[hatophile]

Hi OG,

I am about 5'7" and have an oval shaped face, thin build. When I started wearing hats, I thought higher crowns and wider brims looked too big on me. With time, I have become more comfortable with "bigger" hats. Based on your photo, I think the Stylemaster looks great on you, and I think you could look fine with a brim of up to 3". With a longer face, however, the taller crown may draw your face down. It may be worth trying on a few different hats just to see how you look and feel with them.

 

[fmw]

I agree. You wear that hat very well. I would also tell you to avoid tall crowns but, to be fair, I don't care for the look of tall crowns on anyone. They look too old fashioned to me. Wider brims would be fine if you like them.

 

[frussell]

Andy - the Stylemaster looks good on you. One thing that should be mentioned about taller crowns is that you can always put a crease in them that brings down the height quite a bit. Hard to do the opposite with a short crowned hat. Try a Fed IV, I like them very much. Frank

 

[jlee562]

I'm a bit shy of 5"7 myself and I wear a Fed IV with a simple center dent, you could certainly go lower with the Fed IV with a different crease, mine comes it at 4.5" high when creased.

 

[Orangegrad]

Thanks for all the responses regarding whether a larger hat would look good on me. The Hatsdirect Squatter in willow green looks really interesting. Or perhaps the EA Squatter in deep fawn. I think the crown is similar in size to the Stylemaster (or just a tad taller if at all), though the brim is a good bit larger. I just wish I could get a good sense of what the willow green color really looks like. All the photos I'd seen of the acorn Stylemaster seemed lighter in color than the hat I received. I'm just wondering if the willow green Squatter would make me look like a leprechaun (definitely not the look I'm going for). I tend to prefer warm colors and would probably stay away from gray.

 

[monbla256]

Thanks for all the responses regarding whether a larger hat would look good on me. The Hatsdirect Squatter in willow green looks really interesting. Or perhaps the EA Squatter in deep fawn. I think the crown is similar in size to the Stylemaster (or just a tad taller if at all), though the brim is a good bit larger. I just wish I could get a good sense of what the willow green color really looks like. All the photos I'd seen of the acorn Stylemaster seemed lighter in color than the hat I received. I'm just wondering if the willow green Squatter would make me look like a leprechaun (definitely not the look I'm going for). I tend to prefer warm colors and would probably stay away from gray.

With your size and shape of face a brim of probably no more than 3" would be just fine. As far as Akubra's go, John Helmer up in Portland carries the Stylemaster in a Green as well. It is the Willow Green of the Squatter, he just lists it as green.
As for the Squatter, are you aware that there are TWO models of it available? There is the OZ version with a dimensional bound brim, unlined and a shorter crown than the US model as David Morgan and other US retailers sell. I have 4 of the US model Sqautters and love 'em all ! The Mid-fawn that DM has is a GREAT color, just as versitile as the Acorn color. It is a nice solid mid brown with a slight redish undertone to it. Your face would look good with a nice center dent/front pinched crease crown on top Here's a pic of the DM Mid-fawn Squatter with this style of crease for ya :

 

[Orangegrad]

With your size and shape of face a brim of probably no more than 3" would be just fine. As far as Akubra's go, John Helmer up in Portland carries the Stylemaster in a Green as well. It is the Willow Green of the Squatter, he just lists it as green.
As for the Squatter, are you aware that there are TWO models of it available? There is the OZ version with a dimensional bound brim, unlined and a shorter crown than the US model as David Morgan and other US retailers sell. I have 4 of the US model Sqautters and love 'em all ! The Mid-fawn that DM has is a GREAT color, just as versitile as the Acorn color. It is a nice solid mid brown with a slight redish undertone to it. Your face would look good with a nice center dent/front pinched crease crown on top Here's a pic of the DM Mid-fawn Squatter with this style of crease for ya :

That is a nice-looking hat - thanks for posting. Until a week or two ago I had assumed that the US and Australian Squatters were the same. But recently I had read the differences. I have been leaning towards the Australian version with its lower crown. I've been wondering how a center dent with side pinches would look. Along with having a long face from top to bottom, it's also long from front to back. Nothing round about my head at all. I was wondering if the center dent would just make my head look even longer. Nice thing about the DM Squatter is that it's open crown, so I can make my own bash.

I think I'll wear this new Stylemaster for a month or so to see if the size is the right one for me (I'm using the pads that DM sends right now, and wonder if it will shrink any). Once I'm certain of my size, I'll get another Akubra. There is a hat store here in Cleveland, and none of the hats I've seen there match the quality of my Akubra. Can't see a reason at this time to purchase any other brand, though that may change with time.

 

[monbla256]

If you like the Stylemaster alot, here's another color that Jon Helmer carries, the Mid-Brown, which is a nice dark solid Brown.

The front pinches have sharpened over the year of wear of it as I have the BAD habit of taking it off/on by the crown But I like how a GOOD fur felt adapts to me as I wear it. And don't worry about wearing 'em in the rain, Akubra's only get BETTER with rain

 

[Gromulus]

If you like the Stylemaster (as I do) then look into the Moonstone color. I get more compliments on this hat than any other. It is also my wife's favorite. It is only available from Australia but definitely worth it.
As far as your height/build; try a few different styles, give them some time, and then decide what you like and don't like. Perhaps the FED IV with it's 2 3/4" x 2 1/2" dimensional brim would be a good choice. You can bring the height down a bit and it still looks good.

I am only 5'7" but 215 #. Along with an 18" neck, wide shoulders, and a 7 1/2 head I find that many crown heights and brim sizes (under 3 1/4" work for me, at least as well as they can!). I really like the Campdrafts as well as my Bushman and FED models and think they all look good in their own way. As previously mentioned, you can always adjust the height of an open crown model somewhat with the bash.

And I concur that an Akubra is a lot of hat for the money. I don't like owning anything I have to "baby" so the tough, durable qualities of the Akubra appeal to me. And don't limit yourself to the domestically available models, there are many other styles and colors available from great OZ sellers such as Hats Direct and Everything Australian. I have fourteen Akubras and wear them all.


I note your Cleveland location and Orange (high school?) reference. Where in the area do you live? Hatophile lives in the Canton area if I am not mistaken and I live a bit further northeast in Concord Township, close to Chardon.

Enjoy the Stylemaster!

 

[Orangegrad]

If you like the Stylemaster (as I do) then look into the Moonstone color. I get more compliments on this hat than any other. It is also my wife's favorite. It is only available from Australia but definitely worth it.
As far as your height/build; try a few different styles, give them some time, and then decide what you like and don't like. Perhaps the FED IV with it's 2 3/4" x 2 1/2" dimensional brim would be a good choice. You can bring the height down a bit and it still looks good.

I am only 5'7" but 215 #. Along with an 18" neck, wide shoulders, and a 7 1/2 head I find that many crown heights and brim sizes (under 3 1/4" work for me, at least as well as they can!). I really like the Campdrafts as well as my Bushman and FED models and think they all look good in their own way. As previously mentioned, you can always adjust the height of an open crown model somewhat with the bash.

And I concur that an Akubra is a lot of hat for the money. I don't like owning anything I have to "baby" so the tough, durable qualities of the Akubra appeal to me. And don't limit yourself to the domestically available models, there are many other styles and colors available from great OZ sellers such as Hats Direct and Everything Australian. I have fourteen Akubras and wear them all.


I note your Cleveland location and Orange (high school?) reference. Where in the area do you live? Hatophile lives in the Canton area if I am not mistaken and I live a bit further northeast in Concord Township, close to Chardon.

Enjoy the Stylemaster!

The Orange refers to Syracuse University, where I studied many years ago. I'm a west sider. Work downtown. Good to know that there are some fedora wearers in the area, if not directly next door.

 

[hatophile]

Lefty is from the NE Ohio area also.

 

[T Rick]

That is a nice-looking hat - thanks for posting. Until a week or two ago I had assumed that the US and Australian Squatters were the same. But recently I had read the differences. I have been leaning towards the Australian version with its lower crown. I've been wondering how a center dent with side pinches would look. Along with having a long face from top to bottom, it's also long from front to back. Nothing round about my head at all. I was wondering if the center dent would just make my head look even longer. Nice thing about the DM Squatter is that it's open crown, so I can make my own bash.

I think I'll wear this new Stylemaster for a month or so to see if the size is the right one for me (I'm using the pads that DM sends right now, and wonder if it will shrink any). Once I'm certain of my size, I'll get another Akubra. There is a hat store here in Cleveland, and none of the hats I've seen there match the quality of my Akubra. Can't see a reason at this time to purchase any other brand, though that may change with time.

I may be mistaken (I hope someone will correct me if I am), but I think you are confusing which Squatter comes in Open Crown. Pretty sure it is the Oz version, NOT the DM US version that comes open crown. Of course you can always remove a factory bash and redo it to your liking.

 

[Orangegrad]

I may be mistaken (I hope someone will correct me if I am), but I think you are confusing which Squatter comes in Open Crown. Pretty sure it is the Oz version, NOT the DM US version that comes open crown. Of course you can always remove a factory bash and redo it to your liking.

I just checked the DM site, and it is listed as an open crown there. I emailed Everything Australian this past week, and received an email back indicating that they stock their Squatter as shown on their site (I believe that is a telescope?), though it can be ordered as open crown, on request. I'm not sure about the Hatsdirect Squatter.

 

[SgtRick]

I found a Squatter in Moonstone. I was trying to decide if I want another Stylemaster or the Squatter. The Sytlemaster I have right now is the acorn color. Either one would be fine I suppose.

 

[T Rick]

I just checked the DM site, and it is listed as an open crown there. I emailed Everything Australian this past week, and received an email back indicating that they stock their Squatter as shown on their site (I believe that is a telescope?), though it can be ordered as open crown, on request. I'm not sure about the Hatsdirect Squatter.

Well thank you, then it seems it was I who had them confused! That may change things a bit, as I'd wanted to get a Squatter, but wanted Open Crown. Would prefer without a lining, but suppose I can always remove the lining. And IIRC, the DM version has a fuller crown as well, so hard not to choose that one for me..

 

[SgtRick]

Just ordered the Squatter in moonstone from DM. To bad I won't see it until January.

 

[Orangegrad]

Just ordered the Squatter in moonstone from DM. To bad I won't see it until January.

That is a bit of time...but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

 

[SgtRick]

It will be in Houston by next weekend......but I won't.

 

[T Rick]

Actually, I'll partially retract my statement above. While I thought the DM version came creased (site says "shipped uncreased"), I'd remembered a line from the Hattery (Hats Direct), which says of the Squatter "An older style with classic snap brim sold as an Open Crown hat so you can put your own shape and style into the hat". That must've been the one I was thinking of. About $20 Aus. more than at EA, but appears to be in stock in Carbon Gray (in my size anyway).

Now did I recall reading of a difference in the crown taper bnetween the US and OZ hats? Or was it just lining and crown ht. (and how much difference there?).