Alternatives to a fedora

["Doc" Devereux]

I'm 34, and wear my fedora pretty much all the time when I'm out. It's a practical thing for me: I have no hair and want to protect my head. Occasionally I might wear a flat cap, but those occasions are rare. Nobody's called me 'Indy'; in fact I've never heard a disparaging comment despite wearing it with suits or leather jackets.

Perhaps it's the moustache, but I don't think a pencil's going to be that much help.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Explain the beard thing?

I can't, because I don't understand it myself. It just is.

 

[Viola]

Not a fedora? ...I like some of the '40s ladies' hats with flowers and little veil-bits and whatnots on them but I don't know if it'll work on you, qwerty. Nor get you less stared-at.

I'm starting to see kids my age wearing stingy-brims as well as newsboy caps. Not a whole lot but its making incursions on the baseball cap. But they're being worn as statements, not "please-don't-lookit-me."

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'm starting to see kids my age wearing stingy-brims ... But they're being worn as statements, not "please-don't-lookit-me."

Yes, but they're statements that have been sanctioned by young pop celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Qwerty
If you want a hat that does not draw attention, then look around and take note of the hats you do see. I know in Alberta "BC Hats" showed up here a few years ago at the trade shows. Now you can buy them at any Sears department store. You now see them just about as much as you see "Tilley" hats. If you really want sun protection and still want to blend in. See what the locals are selling and are wearing. Don't be afraid to stop and ask people on the street where they got there hat. I know I couldn't guess what blends in in Serbia so I really cant make a recommendation beyond that. Hope that helped a bit.

Redpop4
The beard thing. I know what they are talking about but really cant explain it. People look at you different and treat you different when you have "intentional" facial hair (not out of control stubble). Its as if you are some how more respectable then you were without it. If that makes any sense.
Johnny

 

[Johnnysan]

It also helps if you're balding or completely bald.

...yes, it does. lol

 

[art92101]

Followed by cops?!?!?!

Do not misunderstand me. I love fedoras. I have one. And I wear it from time to time. But very often I just want a hat wich does not atract so much attention when I am walking down the street. So that's why I asked the question I asked.
One more thing. I did not buy the story that all of you wear your fedoras on regular basis. It seems to me that your fedoras spend more time inside of the house then out. And that when you wear it on the street same things happen to you as they happen to me. (do not tell me that you were never followed by the pollice just becouse you wore a fedora)

Kwerty, no offense thou doth protest too much. I'm not a shrink but it sounds like you lack confidence in your hat wearing ability. I am 51 and wear a fedora most of the time. A beret when I bike ride, since it has no brim and it keeps the head warm. People at the dog park do not recognize me if I don;t wear a fedora. Anyway, i want to make this suggestion that I make to those that do not feel confident in wearing a hat. wear it around your home until it becomes second nature. depending on the candidate.. it could take a few days...or years. at some point you will reach the threshold of confidence that will allow you to step outside and not give a damn what others think of your hat. As an alternative, try a trip to chilly NYC. No one is gonna give you a second look for wearing a fedora. heck you might get compliments.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Here in Los Angeles, nobody pays any attention to you anyway. If you walk down the street buck naked, the cops may eventually take notice, but that's about it.

I wear my fedora constantly. I do have a beard, and my build is large and imposing, which may have something to do with the lack of any kind of derogatory comments.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... my build is large and imposing, which may have something to do with the lack of any kind of derogatory comments.

I forgot to add that to the list! You're absolutely right. A large and imposing build acts as teflon for fedora-wearers.

 

[TommySalieri]

Although I agree that fedoras aren't as commonplace as they were in it's heyday, they are certainly still as handsome as ever before. IMHO, the fedora is the man's hat. Nothing else makes a man look like a man.

When you hit the mean streets of the South Bay in your fedora, people look at you as if you were wearing a live pheasant on your head. I walked into a barbershop the other day and almost every single person inside turned their heads to look at this young man wearing an old timer's choice of headware. Why does wearing a fedora hat seem so "taboo"? My theory involves the sudden decline of hat wearing in the mid-20th century and the social revolution that took place during that time. Now that the newer generations are taking control of the world from the Baby Boomers, new social trends are slowly being established by the current Generation X and the emerging Generation Y. Those trends established by the older generation are slowly being forgotten. Who knows? Maybe, in time, it won't be as weird seeing a man in a hat on the street. Just my two cents.

 

[jamespowers]

Redpop4
The beard thing. I know what they are talking about but really cant explain it. People look at you different and treat you different when you have "intentional" facial hair (not out of control stubble). Its as if you are some how more respectable then you were without it. If that makes any sense.
Johnny

I think it has to do with your ability to grow a beard not crazy stubble. Some people just can't do it. I mentioned before how my friend was jealous of my beard because he could never grow one. [huh]
I think the beard is more respectable because it gives one the stereotypical countenance of a professor, scientist, doctor etc. Just as the white lab coat gives one the appearance of authority in commercials, the beard gives you that Sigmund Freud look. Just my two cents as someone who recently grew a beard.

Regards,

J

P.S. I heard on the radio this morning that of women surveyed about men and facial hair, 51% don't like it---my wife must have been in that survey.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Well, let's see....

1. fedora (I have too many)

2. newsboy cap (I have a dozen)

3. cowboy hat (I have three)

4. straw gardening hat with long brim (just one)

5. panama hat ( just one)

6. That is it, I do not look good and would not wear a ballcap, or a flat cap, or a Greek Fisherman's cap, but -- I would wear all of those before I would ever wear a bucket hat.

karol

 

[jamespowers]

Well, let's see....

1. fedora (I have too many)

2. newsboy cap (I have a dozen)

3. cowboy hat (I have three)

4. straw gardening hat with long brim (just one)

5. panama hat ( just one)

6. That is it, I do not look good and would not wear a ballcap, or a flat cap, or a Greek Fisherman's cap, but -- I would wear all of those before I would ever wear a bucket hat.

karol

You missed a few. What about the derby, boater or tophat?

Regards,

J

 

[TommySalieri]

Although I agree that fedoras aren't as commonplace as they were in it's heyday, they are certainly still as handsome as ever before. IMHO, the fedora is the man's hat. Nothing else makes a man look like a man.

When you hit the mean streets of the South Bay in your fedora, people look at you as if you were wearing a live pheasant on your head. I walked into a barbershop the other day and almost every single person inside turned their heads to look at this young man wearing an old timer's choice of headware. Why does wearing a fedora hat seem so "taboo"? My theory involves the sudden decline of hat wearing in the mid-20th century and the social revolution that took place during that time. Now that the newer generations are taking control of the world from the Baby Boomers, new social trends are slowly being established by the current Generation X and the emerging Generation Y. Just my two cents.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

It's because brimmed hats are so, well, emblematic. Wide brims? Old time gangsters. Stingy brims? Sinatra. Bowler hats? Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy. Fedoras are seen more as props than as useful headwear.

Think of other masculine items that are now perceived as more-or-less outlandish. Monocles. Pipes. Cigarette holders. Pocket watches, watch chains, and fobs. Pearl stickpins for neckties. Ascots. And yes, spectator shoes.


.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

James -- I don't wear derbys because, well, I don't wear derbys. Or bowlers. Or hombergs.

I do wear top hats on occasion, like a New Years Eve party or some sort of celebration. I no longer own a top hat, however.

And I have worn "boaters" at a couple of political parties, but they were hardly straw -- they were styrofoam.

I once wore a Spanish hat (think "Zorro") for Halloween.

Oh, I forgot my Aussie hats, which I tend to either think of as fedoras or cowboy hat, depending on whether it is a Campdraft or a Snowy River. I have several Akubras.

Oh, and I forgot my hemp Tilley hat, which, as someone pointed out on the Lounge, one could always smoke if one were into that sort of thing.

Oh, and I have lots of stocking caps for cold weather, called Beanies now for some odd reason. They have come in handy now that I left San Diego and live in the frozen wastelands of Des Moines, Iowa.

Other than that, I didn't miss a thing....

karol

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Oh, and I forgot: I wear a do-rag in the gym when I work out on the machines. It makes me look like one tough woman. It is just a black and white cotton scarf that says "Jack Daniels" on it.

karol

 

[Brad Bowers]

Think of other masculine items that are now perceived as more-or-less outlandish. Monocles. Pipes. Cigarette holders. Pocket watches, watch chains, and fobs. Pearl stickpins for neckties. Ascots. And yes, spectator shoes.

It's really too bad the nature of masculinity has changed.

Brad

 

[Sefton]

I don't know what the situation is like in Serbia, but I can second the comments that some have made about hat wearing life here in the U.S. A Fedora will bring a lot of attention. Depending on how you wear it and what your style of dress is it will (usually..) be positive. What I mean by how you wear it is: Confidence and ease. If you look like you're self-concious in your hat people will notice this and react. Teenagers will react with derision...but as long as it's only verbal who cares what they think. (If you have to run away their baggy trousers will allow you a neat escape!lol ).

I don't have a Fedora that fits properly at the moment. I wear nearly a size 8 so I am a bit jealous of anyone that can easily get a good one....wear that hat man!

 

[Bebop]

Do not misunderstand me. I love fedoras. I have one. And I wear it from time to time. But very often I just want a hat wich does not atract so much attention when I am walking down the street. So that's why I asked the question I asked.
One more thing. I did not buy the story that all of you wear your fedoras on regular basis. It seems to me that your fedoras spend more time inside of the house then out. And that when you wear it on the street same things happen to you as they happen to me. (do not tell me that you were never followed by the pollice just becouse you wore a fedora)

I do wear a fedora every single day of the year (almost). I don't feel I attract any attention at all. I may be the only guy wearing a fedora sometimes but I certainly do not feel that I attract any more attention than the only guy wearing glasses. I also have never "been followed by the police" because I was wearing a fedora. It sounds like a bad 30's movie script. The police will focus more on the jerks with ball caps worn backwards than on a guy with a fedora. Maybe it all depends on where you live.[huh] I know that there are people that wear cowboy hats every day of their lives but if they did in San Francisco or New York they would stick out and attract attention.