Another noob here

[jay_b]

Hi all!

I just wanted to take a few seconds to introduce myself. My name is Jason and I'm from Nova Scotia here in Canada.

I just found this site a few days ago during my on-line fedora search, and after reading the great info and advice on here I thought I'd join you fine folks. Looks like a great community here.

On the topic of the later, I've been researching fedoras, learning all the styles and ins and outs for my first investment in one. I wore plain old ball caps for years but I find myself turning towards a classier way of presenting myself in the past year or two. I was, and still am, into the rockabilly culture but I have become a huge fan of swing, I play guitar for the University Jazz Big band.:cheers1:, and I am very much a proponent of leading a custom lifestyle.
I really wish there were some hat shops around my area but since there are not any I think I'll have to buy on-line. I'm really liking the zoot fedoras with the 3" brim and the teardrop dent crown but I think that's a little over the top for everyday wear. Especially for casual times. So I'm trying to decide between a teardrop dent crown with a 2 - 2 1/2" brim or a centre dent crown w/ same brim size. Either way I’m thinking black with a white band. But, those zoot's are still rather appealing

Any advice is very welcome.

And I look forward to chatting with you all. Cheers.

Jason

 

[scotrace]

Don't remember seeing black with white ribbon, but I'm sure someone will correct me.
Welcome!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Welcome to the Lounge Jay_B...glad to have you on board.
Although there may have been some entertainers ( Sinatra) that wore black/white hats in the sixties, I don't know of any that wore them in the late 30s, when the zoot came out. Have you seen pics of this? I'd be interested if you have any to share. My minds eye goes to more conservative looks for that period as the times were different.

 

[jay_b]

Thanks for the welcome!

Here's 2, zoot style.

I realize that a lot of people like to try and get a look that is correct to the era but that's really not my main goal, however, I do respect that intent. I'm not absolutely set on it, I just want something a little different. The more conservative look is nice too but, I like the look of mixing it up a little. I'm not set on strictly black either.

Here are some others (non-zoot)I've been looking at:

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Raindog]

Jay_b, welcome to the forum!
I like the look of the lids, particularly the black with white ribbon.
The only advice I can give is to definitely try and find one made of fur felt and not wool. Fur felt is THE tough stuff for fedoras. They'll last a lifetime if you don't set them on fire....Wool ones are strictly indoor or dry weather hats.
I'd recommend custom if you can't find an off the shelf one to suit.


Keep Boppin

Jeff.

 

[jay_b]

Thanks Raindog, I appreciate the advice.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Welcome jay_b!

I very rarely see a hat with a white ribbon, unless the hat is white (or nearly so). Raindog is dead-on about the fur felt. It's the best you'll get for the money. If you want to check out a good site with lots of choices, try millerhats.com. Also, I sent you a Private Message.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Welcome

Hello Jay_b
My name is Daisy, but some of the guys call me Spiely or Spielberg (don't ask). I am the roommate of Hemingway Jones, who was kind enough to take me to the Queen Mary and help me begin my vintage addiction. I'm sure one day you will see a few posts by him. He's a good man, does a lot of good interesting posts. Well I just wanted to be the first gal to welcome you the the lounge. I hope you find it to be a great source of knowledge and fun, as I do. The people are great, and wonderful at answering questions, especially when it comes to Feds and other accoutramants (sp??). Sorry I can't offer you any advice on the purchase of a fedora ( I actually once called them hats, ooohh big mistake). I could offer you advice on woman's attire, but for some reason I don't think you'll be needing that. Unless you had a wife or girlfriend who you wanted to become a vintage addict like me. So, I'm sorry I can't offer you any help, but I did want to welcome you to the lounge. It's always nice to see a new face.
Well, welcome and enjoy:cheers1:
Daisy (Spiely Spielberg)

 

[Sardou]

Oh My!

My dear Daisy,

Not to worry: there are already plenty who have plenty to say about fedoras. But your photo makes clear that there is little you don't already know about choosing and wearing hats! Brava!

Sardou

 

[jay_b]

Hello Jay_b
My name is Daisy, but some of the guys call me Spiely or Spielberg (don't ask). I am the roommate of Hemingway Jones, who was kind enough to take me to the Queen Mary and help me begin my vintage addiction. I'm sure one day you will see a few posts by him. He's a good man, does a lot of good interesting posts. Well I just wanted to be the first gal to welcome you the the lounge. I hope you find it to be a great source of knowledge and fun, as I do. The people are great, and wonderful at answering questions, especially when it comes to Feds and other accoutramants (sp??). Sorry I can't offer you any advice on the purchase of a fedora ( I actually once called them hats, ooohh big mistake). I could offer you advice on woman's attire, but for some reason I don't think you'll be needing that. Unless you had a wife or girlfriend who you wanted to become a vintage addict like me. So, I'm sorry I can't offer you any help, but I did want to welcome you to the lounge. It's always nice to see a new face.
Well, welcome and enjoy:cheers1:
Daisy (Spiely Spielberg)

Well thank you very much for that fine welcome Miss Daisy. I personally don't wear womens clothes but, if I ever need any advice on women's attire I'll be sure to come to you.

 

[jay_b]

I very rarely see a hat with a white ribbon, unless the hat is white (or nearly so). Raindog is dead-on about the fur felt. It's the best you'll get for the money. If you want to check out a good site with lots of choices, try millerhats.com. Also, I sent you a Private Message.

thanks for the site NB. I have replied to your PM.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Biltmore makes a decent fur felt fedora and Miller's sells Biltmore's. You could get a Biltmore and just change the hat band out with a white silk one. They just go over your ribbon thats already on your fedora. $9.00 changes the whole look.

http://www.getahaton.com/search.php Just type in hat bands.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Welcome Jay-b to the Lounge. I am a woman who does wear fedoras. I love old Borsalinos, Stetsons, Knoxes and Dobbs -- and do have some newer Biltmores.

I had a white/black Zoot fedora once that I got from Village Hat Shop in San Diego; however, it was wool. I don't buy wool now after owning fur felts.

I like lots of your selections, especially the light gray (?) Scala fedora and also the dark brown (or is it black) one right below the zoot.

If you stay on this Loung site, you will soon find you have probably every hat you pictured. It is a lovely addiction.

karol

 

[jay_b]

Biltmore makes a decent fur felt fedora and Miller's sells Biltmore's. You could get a Biltmore and just change the hat band out with a white silk one. They just go over your ribbon thats already on your fedora. $9.00 changes the whole look.

http://www.getahaton.com/search.php Just type in hat bands.

I had actually thought about that, I really like the look of the silk bands. Thanks SHARPETOYS.

 

[jay_b]

Thanks for the welcome K.D.
All you folks are very friendly and very helpful.

Both those fedoras (grey and black) are actually wool felt but you are right, they are pretty sharp. The reason I was thinking of going with a wool felt was because it was my first fedora and I wanted to really be able to try the whole deal out. It would probably become my go anywhere do everything hat so I was leary of spending too much. But then again if the fur felt lasts that well it's really not that much more in the end. But they do get up there in $$$, after all, I'm only a poor University student right now


Between my hat and guitar addictions I'll be broke. But I'll sure look good doing it.

 

[tonyb]

Have you considered checking out your local secondhand vendors? The pickings are much slimmer than they used to be, and the prices have risen, but I've recently scored some reasonable deals in such places. I can understand your desire to stay within a budget, but wool felts are false economy. They don't look anywhere near as nice as fur, they don't hold their shape for a darn (especially if you wear 'em in the rain), and their "feel" is just plain wrong. Should you get the chance to compare a wool and a decent fur felt side by side, the difference will be immediately apparent. Wool felt hats may look pretty sharp in a picture, but they disappoint "in person."

 

[jay_b]

Hey Tony, ya I've been keeping an eye open everywhere but there isn't much around here even in second hand shops. I'll be going into the city (Halifax) in a couple weeks and there has to be a hat shop in there somewhere.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

My dear Daisy,

Not to worry: there are already plenty who have plenty to say about fedoras. But your photo makes clear that there is little you don't already know about choosing and wearing hats! Brava!

Sardou

Thank you so much Sardou, your sentiments are greatly appreciated! I just got that hat at a local used clothing store, it still has the tags, and got it for cheap, so that makes it an even greater hat!
Thanks again,
Daisy

 

[Not-Bogart13]

jay_b, where are you?

I tried to PM you, but for some reason it won't accept it. Was it something I said?

 

[SHARPETOYS]

New rule by MK

I tried to PM you, but for some reason it won't accept it. Was it something I said?

New Policy and New User Group

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have made a new used group called "Fully Fledged". No....this is not a type of stocking for the Powder Room. It is a new member catagory.

When someone first joins they are a "Registered Member". When they get 30 or more posts then they will become "Fully Fledged" members and will be able to have private message privileges. This will keep trouble makers from just starting a new account to PM and stir the pot. It also keeps people with sales agendas that aren't really interested in being part of the community from just marketing to our members.

This will affect some new....and shall we say "shy" members, but will hopefully inspire some to contribute more. We regret any confusion this might cause in the interim.