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[Samson25]

I have no problem with progress when progress truly is progress.
The division within society today is greater than it has ever been.
I have noticed that wearing a proper hat does polorize.
Here in E.U. it triggers lesbians, prompts compliments, and is mostly greeted positively, as an uncommon oddity, in a good sense.
I get better service, am remembered when at the steak or cheese counter, wine section of my high end supermarket. This is a good thing
That's just plain cool.
We all have our time in this life....and that's cool too, in every phase of it.

In many ways the world is better today. We’re not perfect, but in the last few decades we’ve made great strides in racial equality and in caring about environment. I don’t like everything that has changed, but I also see so much that is good too. It’s impossible to see our own time in its true historical perspective.

I think that the world is becoming more polarized with the good getting better and evil finding new depths of depravity. I don’t see the decline in hat etiquette falling into either group.

 

[Samson25]

So, my question for you....
I wear western/cowboy boots. An interest much older than hats.
Some purchase a nice pair of boots, then abuse the sh*t out of them before they consider them worn in.
I guess to give the new boots some character.
Is this a thing here in the hat universe?
trying to make a new hat look worn?
I try to take care of my boots and hate signs of wear. They, as my hats, should look good for as long as possible.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

So, my question for you....
I wear western/cowboy boots. An interest much older than hats.
Some purchase a nice pair of boots, then abuse the sh*t out of them before they consider them worn in.
I guess to give the new boots some character.
Is this a thing here in the hat universe?
trying to make a new hat look worn?
I try to take care of my boots and hate signs of wear. They, as my hats, should look good for as long as possible.

Intentionally distressing hats? Yep, there’s a sizable market for this. To each their own, but this mentally isn’t very prevalent here on The Lounge. You can order a custom made hat with varying degrees of distressing and/or soiling. Want fake sweat stains in your new hat? No problem. Want fake patches on the felt or the ribbon? Easy. Want the hat to look like it’s fallen into a dozen campfires and then was dragged down the road for 50km? There’s 50 “hatters” who offer this service. Want to spend $600 on a $75 hat that has been “artfully distressed?” There’s no shortage of hat vandals who will be glad to take your money.

 

[belfastboy]

So, my question for you....
I wear western/cowboy boots. An interest much older than hats.
Some purchase a nice pair of boots, then abuse the sh*t out of them before they consider them worn in.
I guess to give the new boots some character.
Is this a thing here in the hat universe?
trying to make a new hat look worn?
I try to take care of my boots and hate signs of wear. They, as my hats, should look good for as long as possible.

I share your sentiments around boots and extent that to hats. I have a collection of western, work type Danners and a big selection of good shoes. They are shined, shoe treed and kept in as good condition as possible. Hell, I have 30+ year old shoes that still are dress ready. My hats are treated much the same. I do however have a selection of what I call 'beater' hats that are worn in the pouring rain, or whilst working/sweating.....a sacrificial anode of my hat world. Or I do have flat caps, ball caps that serve a useful purpose too.

 

[Woodtroll]

Intentionally distressing hats? Yep, there’s a sizable market for this. To each their own, but this mentally isn’t very prevalent here on The Lounge. You can order a custom made hat with varying degrees of distressing and/or soiling. Want fake sweat stains in your new hat? No problem. Want fake patches on the felt or the ribbon? Easy. Want the hat to look like it’s fallen into a dozen campfires and then was dragged down the road for 50km? There’s 50 “hatters” who offer this service. Want to spend $600 on a $75 hat that has been “artfully distressed?” There’s no shortage of hat vandals who will be glad to take your money.

"Hat vandals!" Succinct but so descriptive!

 

[Woodtroll]

So, my question for you....
I wear western/cowboy boots. An interest much older than hats.
Some purchase a nice pair of boots, then abuse the sh*t out of them before they consider them worn in.
I guess to give the new boots some character.
Is this a thing here in the hat universe?
trying to make a new hat look worn?
I try to take care of my boots and hate signs of wear. They, as my hats, should look good for as long as possible.

I, like you, was taught to take care of my nice things and make them last. Boots and hats are tools by original design, and honest wear adds character, but in my opinion they should not be abused unless you're caught in a situation where it's necessary. Then, if you've taken care of them, you can be confident they can suffer a little abuse and still come through just fine, and still last you a long time.

Of course, some hats and boots are true works of art and maybe should be set back just to admire, but I'm the kind of guy that buys my guns to shoot them, not collect them. Same with my hats and boots. It's a good thing I'm not a wealthy man, probably, because then I might start collecting the pretty things that I'd hate to use!

 

[JeffOYB]

I dont like to put my hat on a chair -- like an empty one next to me a bar or restaurant. Never know when someone might want to join. It's kind of a 'chair reserved' sign. And they dont go on a table. In a lap is a pain -- they fall off! So I'll wear -- but i fully am not into blocking ppl's views. I want my hats to be part of a positive fashion/social experience for anyone around.

 

[belfastboy]

I, like you, was taught to take care of my nice things and make them last. Boots and hats are tools by original design, and honest wear adds character, but in my opinion they should not be abused unless you're caught in a situation where it's necessary. Then, if you've taken care of them, you can be confident they can suffer a little abuse and still come through just fine, and still last you a long time.

Of course, some hats and boots are true works of art and maybe should be set back just to admire, but I'm the kind of guy that buys my guns to shoot them, not collect them. Same with my hats and boots. It's a good thing I'm not a wealthy man, probably, because then I might start collecting the pretty things that I'd hate to use!

My two biggest collections are hats and mountain bikes. The rule that I came to first with the bikes is no "garage queens" allowed. If the bikes were just hanging in the garage for me to admire I vowed to move them along. There were a number of them that I refurbished, were vintage collectibles that I could not bring myself to ride and damage. So reluctantly I moved them on to buyer who would use them they way they were intended. I then extended that rule to my hats.....not worn?.....then they must be moved along.

 

[Christoball]

Dear Mr. Leftwell,

This thread has come along in the nick of time. My wife and I are having a bit of a tiff, and I'm wondering whether you might be able to help us sort things out. She is hosting a tea for the Women's Auxiliary tomorrow, and believes that the cucumber sandwiches should be round. I, on the other hand, believe that they should be square. Obviously, in either case, we both believe that the crusts should be removed. In any event, round or square? Can you please help us sort this out?

Yours faithfully,
James the Lid

Triangular., of course. Trim the crust, cut from corner to corner. Ideally, with a light touch of fresh dill mayo.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Triangular., of course. Trim the crust, cut from corner to corner. Ideally, with a light touch of fresh dill mayo.

We don’t mind resurrecting old threads etc. here, but you’re replaying to a post from 2009. Just FYI.

 

[Christoball]

Dear Mr. Leftwell,

This thread has come along in the nick of time. My wife and I are having a bit of a tiff, and I'm wondering whether you might be able to help us sort things out. She is hosting a tea for the Women's Auxiliary tomorrow, and believes that the cucumber sandwiches should be round. I, on the other hand, believe that they should be square. Obviously, in either case, we both believe that the crusts should be removed. In any event, round or square? Can you please help us sort this out?

Yours faithfully,
James the Lid

Triangular., of course. Trim the crust, cut from corner to corner. Ideally, with a light touch of fresh dill mayo.

We don’t mind resurrecting old threads etc. here, but you’re replaying to a post from 2009. Just FYI.

 

[glider]

Depending on what one is collecting it can certainly be an investment. Granted most collections, boots, hats, bikes, etc. probably won't appreciate very much if at all. Other things like automobiles, firearms, art, may prove to be better than money in the bank. When I'm looking at used hats, I'm not interested unless I can get one for a lot less than it's actually worth. Paying what something is actually worth is no fun. Most of my hats would bring more on the bay than I paid for them but then that's not my intention and I do have some that never get worn. However, I don't own any hats that are not my size and some of our friends here do.

 

[belfastboy]

Depending on what one is collecting it can certainly be an investment. Granted most collections, boots, hats, bikes, etc. probably won't appreciate very much if at all. Other things like automobiles, firearms, art, may prove to be better than money in the bank. When I'm looking at used hats, I'm not interested unless I can get one for a lot less than it's actually worth. Paying what something is actually worth is no fun. Most of my hats would bring more on the bay than I paid for them but then that's not my intention and I do have some that never get worn. However, I don't own any hats that are not my size and some of our friends here do.

Yes, at best I may have broken even on my bike collection in terms of hard currency but my labour was donated (no return on that whatsoever other than the enjoyment in the doing). Clothing better be worn as there is no recapture on that at all. Art work is a crap shoot unless you find a Picasso at a garage sale. I have a modest collection of Canadian and European paintings that maybe my heirs can sell for a buck or two and maybe recoup my money but not in my lifetime as I bought them because I like them. And I suspect my hats will just be a pain in the ass for my wife to dispose of.

 

[dmoser1978]

Something of a generic hat question. I've noticed that a lot of custom hat makers have the same list of colors for their beaver hats, i.e. "whiskey," "pecan, " etc.. Is this due to them all getting their felt from the same source or is it due to a standard set of colors in the hat industry?

 

[Frunobulax]

Something of a generic hat question. I've noticed that a lot of custom hat makers have the same list of colors for their beaver hats, i.e. "whiskey," "pecan, " etc.. Is this due to them all getting their felt from the same source or is it due to a standard set of colors in the hat industry?

Yes, most hatters in America source their felts from Winchester, so mny have the same selection.

 

[Christoball]

We don’t mind resurrecting old threads etc. here, but you’re replaying to a post from 2009. Just FYI.

I wonder how the party turned out.

 

[GHT]

Not so much a question as your opinion. This fabric will become a new shirt in due course. A good matching hat might be a black fedora.

A ready made shirt came up following a search, it might give you a better idea.

Tina suggested that a camouflage cap might fit the bill, but a cap wouldn't be my first choice. Do you think she's right?
By the way, that ready made shirt, I'll give you a link, but unless you've got $225:00, (£167:00) give it a miss. I couldn't believe the price. Camouflage pin up print.

 

[belfastboy]

View attachment 391601
Not so much a question as your opinion. This fabric will become a new shirt in due course. A good matching hat might be a black fedora.
View attachment 391599
A ready made shirt came up following a search, it might give you a better idea.
View attachment 391600
Tina suggested that a camouflage cap might fit the bill, but a cap wouldn't be my first choice. Do you think she's right?
By the way, that ready made shirt, I'll give you a link, but unless you've got $225:00, (£167:00) give it a miss. I couldn't believe the price. Camouflage pin up print.

I would go with a dark moss/dark forest fedora, narrow ribbon or even a narrow 7/8" leather band. Stick with the casual outdoorsy theme.

 

[GHT]

I would go with a dark moss/dark forest fedora, narrow ribbon or even a narrow 7/8" leather band. Stick with the casual outdoorsy theme.

Those dark green hues that you mention have been so difficult to source owing to my hat size. I'm a seven & three quarters, or sixty two cm in metric. But inspired by your suggestion I found a milliner. Not cheap at a hundred & forty-five pounds, but certainly worth considering. Many thanks. It's by Agnoulita Hats:

 

[Bamaboots]

Maybe a Camoliner.