Ask a question, get an answer

[deadlyhandsome]

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:
View attachment 391644

I own/owned at least a dozen Agnoulita hats. They make a good hat and the color options are vast. They aren’t top tier, but neither are his prices. I’ve been thinking about an Agnoulita in olive with the antelope/suede finish for quite some time…might have to actually scratch that itch at some point.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/agnoulita-hats.93020/

 

[GHT]

Maybe a Camoliner.

That is amazing, so unususal, I love it.

I own/owned at least a dozen Agnoulita hats. They make a good hat and the color options are vast. They aren’t top tier, but neither are his prices. I’ve been thinking about an Agnoulita in olive with the antelope/suede finish for quite some time…might have to actually scratch that itch at some point.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/agnoulita-hats.93020/

Agnoulita Hats is a name that I have heard of previously, but having found Esther, a trading trust is established. It's the same with my suits and shoes, when I find an artisan who is not only good, but will go that extra mile, I tend to stay with them.

I own/owned at least a dozen Agnoulita hats.

Reading your early posts about your disappointment of Agnoulita's lack of communication reminded me of the frustration that I experienced with former Lounger SimonC, proprietor of SJC. The shoes that I bought were second to none, but the six month wait and no communication has put me off buying from SJC. Customer service is just as important as the product, I would say.

 

[belfastboy]

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.

Yes, but some hatters that use Winchester give their own names to the colours just to confuse the issue. But if you look at their swatches the actual colour is still the same just different names are given. To me it is an issue of zero competition so they are not forced to innovate and entice the market with new colours each year. Optimo comes out with a few new FEPSA colours each year but Winchester has been offering the same for a very long time. Art at VS at least had enough volume to justify ordering large enough quantities to get Winchester to develop proprietary colours for him.

 

[Zombie_61]

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.

As others have said, this is not a common practice for Lounge members, and is actively frowned upon by some. Me, I like the look of a good "beater" hat with character, but I'm not about to take a hat I've spent good money on and intentionally beat it to death just so I can look even more like a moron with an old hat. My suggestion to anyone who wants to own and wear an old hat is to buy a new hat and wear it for 30-40 years.

 

[ProfCharles]

Hey Y’all,

Is there anywhere I can get an affordable fur felt fedora in black cherry color without waiting half a year?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hey Y’all,

Is there anywhere I can get an affordable fur felt fedora in black cherry color without waiting half a year?

Are you looking for Winchester’s new version that is more black or the years ago discontinued version that’s more cherry?

You can always see if Agnoulita has a color that’s close…should arrive in about 45 days.

 

[ProfCharles]

Are you looking for Winchester’s new version that is more black or the years ago discontinued version that’s more cherry?

You can always see if Agnoulita has a color that’s close…should arrive in about 45 days.

I would say more black than cherry, but not something that could easily be confused as black.

 

[Robieman]

Hey Y’all,

Is there anywhere I can get an affordable fur felt fedora in black cherry color without waiting half a year?

Try Mike Moore at Buckaroo Hatters in Covington Tn. Website buckaroohatters.com. He also has a Facebook page. He is only open on weekends, but you can email him and ask questions. If he had the color in stock, you’d get it in a few weeks.

 

[SaintOne]

Hello there,

New to hats and this website with a question. I bought this hat at a thrift store for 50 cents because I really liked it and suits me. it seems to be an older (50s 60s) panama hat from J. Pull in Amsterdam

It is in really rough shape. (yellowing, stains out of shape) any tips on how I can restore or clean it would be appreciated.
If it is to far gone and not fix or cleanable well that's an answer as well never hurts to ask,

thanks in advance for any reaction.

 

[dmoser1978]

Thanks for the responses, confirms my suspicions.

Yes, but some hatters that use Winchester give their own names to the colours just to confuse the issue. But if you look at their swatches the actual colour is still the same just different names are given. To me it is an issue of zero competition so they are not forced to innovate and entice the market with new colours each year. Optimo comes out with a few new FEPSA colours each year but Winchester has been offering the same for a very long time. Art at VS at least had enough volume to justify ordering large enough quantities to get Winchester to develop proprietary colours for him.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Hello there,

New to hats and this website with a question. I bought this hat at a thrift store for 50 cents because I really liked it and suits me. it seems to be an older (50s 60s) panama hat from J. Pull in Amsterdam

It is in really rough shape. (yellowing, stains out of shape) any tips on how I can restore or clean it would be appreciated.
If it is to far gone and not fix or cleanable well that's an answer as well never hurts to ask,

thanks in advance for any reaction.

View attachment 392375
View attachment 392369 View attachment 392370 View attachment 392371 View attachment 392372 View attachment 392373 View attachment 392374 View attachment 392390

Can you tell if the hat is dried out or still supple. If supple that’s a really good sign. If you want to put an investment in it you can always send it off to an outfit like Northwest hats that has some experience servicing Panama hats. If you were thinking of doing a service at home just let us know. Or maybe pier the question over on the Panama hat thread. Lots of knowledgeable people over there.
Johnny

 

[jviss]

What are the BEST sizing strips, or otherwise best way to pad out a sweat, or make a fur felt hat a little snugger?

I bought a beautiful, like-new condition Dobbs Fedora on eBay, and it arrived today. It has a 7 1/8 tag on the swweat. Immediately upon putting it on I thought it was bit big. I turned out the sweat and found a very nicely home-made pad. Then, I found the internal data tag (don't know what this tag is called, it's like the manufacturing tag), and it indeed says 7 1/8. The other tag one would expect to find inside the sweat is missing, though remnants of the glue and paper remain.

Initially I thought it was a 7 1/4 that had been padded out, but the internal label confirms 7 1/8.

Do Dobbs run big?

All of that said, what's the BEST way to make it fit? Best sizing strips? Or, shorten the sweat?

Noobie inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

jv

 

[glider]

Use strips of felt or leather behind the sweat, I prefer strips. If there is a Tandy Leather store close, you can get the leather strips pretty cheap already cut.

 

[jviss]

Use strips of felt or leather behind the sweat, I prefer strips. If there is a Tandy Leather store close, you can get the leather strips pretty cheap already cut.

Thanks, Glider. I probably have some suitable leather on hand. How about cork? I've seen self-adhesive cork sizing strips. I have some cork sheets and double-sided tape.

 

[belfastboy]

What are the BEST sizing strips, or otherwise best way to pad out a sweat, or make a fur felt hat a little snugger?

I bought a beautiful, like-new condition Dobbs Fedora on eBay, and it arrived today. It has a 7 1/8 tag on the swweat. Immediately upon putting it on I thought it was bit big. I turned out the sweat and found a very nicely home-made pad. Then, I found the internal data tag (don't know what this tag is called, it's like the manufacturing tag), and it indeed says 7 1/8. The other tag one would expect to find inside the sweat is missing, though remnants of the glue and paper remain.

Initially I thought it was a 7 1/4 that had been padded out, but the internal label confirms 7 1/8.

Do Dobbs run big?

All of that said, what's the BEST way to make it fit? Best sizing strips? Or, shorten the sweat?

Noobie inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

jv
Nice hat. I have used many different types of sizing strips and they all work. Cuttings from a felt brim work well, I have bought corked back ones off Ebay that work great, in a pinch I have used folded paper toweling (not terribly classy by any stretch), leather strips are good in that you can buy the leather in a multitude of thickness to match your needs.

What are the BEST sizing strips, or otherwise best way to pad out a sweat, or make a fur felt hat a little snugger?

I bought a beautiful, like-new condition Dobbs Fedora on eBay, and it arrived today. It has a 7 1/8 tag on the swweat. Immediately upon putting it on I thought it was bit big. I turned out the sweat and found a very nicely home-made pad. Then, I found the internal data tag (don't know what this tag is called, it's like the manufacturing tag), and it indeed says 7 1/8. The other tag one would expect to find inside the sweat is missing, though remnants of the glue and paper remain.

Initially I thought it was a 7 1/4 that had been padded out, but the internal label confirms 7 1/8.

Do Dobbs run big?

All of that said, what's the BEST way to make it fit? Best sizing strips? Or, shorten the sweat?

Noobie inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

jv

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks, Glider. I probably have some suitable leather on hand. How about cork? I've seen self-adhesive cork sizing strips. I have some cork sheets and double-sided tape.

I have used strips with cork on one side and fabric on the other. They don't really need the tape. The cork has some 'grab' to it and I have not found that they move around at all so skip the tape. Folks in the Lounge have also used foam weatherstipping as well. It works and is cheap.

 

[jviss]

I have used strips with cork on one side and fabric on the other. They don't really need the tape. The cork has some 'grab' to it and I have not found that they move around at all so skip the tape. Folks in the Lounge have also used foam weatherstipping as well. It works and is cheap.

Thanks. I'll give the cork, sans tape, a try - couldn't hurt!

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks. I'll give the cork, sans tape, a try - couldn't hurt!

Yes, and classier than folded up Bounty paper towel!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Yes, and classier than folded up Bounty paper towel!

I always find old newspapers from the 1920s to stick behind the sweatbands.

 

[Snowman]

What are the BEST sizing strips, or otherwise best way to pad out a sweat, or make a fur felt hat a little snugger?

I bought a beautiful, like-new condition Dobbs Fedora on eBay, and it arrived today. It has a 7 1/8 tag on the swweat. Immediately upon putting it on I thought it was bit big. I turned out the sweat and found a very nicely home-made pad. Then, I found the internal data tag (don't know what this tag is called, it's like the manufacturing tag), and it indeed says 7 1/8. The other tag one would expect to find inside the sweat is missing, though remnants of the glue and paper remain.

Initially I thought it was a 7 1/4 that had been padded out, but the internal label confirms 7 1/8.

Do Dobbs run big?

All of that said, what's the BEST way to make it fit? Best sizing strips? Or, shorten the sweat?

Noobie inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

jv

I use felt craft squares cut into strips as needed. I can double them in certain areas to customize the fit. I’ve also used foam craft squares if the gap is large. Both are cheap and they don’t move around.