Ask a question, get an answer

[JAVIER]

Wow, Some are truly lucky. GREAT FIND!!!! The pros here will definitely help you out. Welcome to the lounge.

 

[zetwal]

Cool!

 

[DJH]

Well, I'm a newbie myself but I know you have a nice hat there. I also have one that is very similar:

I can date mine pretty accurately by the tag that is attached to the size tag - between 1950 and 1953.

The number 15 refers to the retail price of the hat at the time Stetson 15 sold for $15. There were others such as the Stetson 25, all the way up to Stetson 100 and 150.

For the time they were made, the Stetson 15 seems to have been a decent quality hat. I really like the one I have. There are plenty of real experts here that can give you much more info.

Thanks for stopping by the Lounge - you might want to hang around, there are a lot of ladies here as well.

 

[Lefty]

The Satellite box goes with a different hat. As far as I know, there's no dedicated 15 or 3x box, and vintage hats often find themselves in whatever boxes happened to be around when they were last sold.

50s to early 60s is a pretty safe bet on the hat.

 

[Pancho]

I need help regarding choosing what fedora hat to buy.

http://www.aztexhats.com/products/1...olden-Gate-Philadelphia-Wool-Felt-Fedora-Hat/
http://www.aztexhats.com/products/1...36-Indiana-Jones-Wool-Hat-by-Dorfman-Pacific/
http://www.aztexhats.com/products/1.../1018-Bailey-Curtis-Packable-Wool-Safari-Hat/
http://www.hatcountry.com/Mens+Dres....html?osCsid=a70a00609079e6ec43231772f3c7fad0

I'm looking for something like these, preferably in brown color, not too high crown, and at least 2.5 inch wide brim (my face is something between long and diamond shaped so I guess it's better to get something with low crown and wide brim) for 40 - 80 bucks cost. Don't want to give no more because I don't know how will it fit me and will I like it and so on.
Can anyone tell me which fedora under 80 bucks is good quality for the money? Any one of these I posted?

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

Pancho,

Any one of those hats will be fine and are all about the same quality. The "Wool" felt is not the same quality as the fur felts that most of us deal with here on the lounge but we all have to start some place. If it were me I'd save my money, pay about double what you are looking at and get a better quality one to start out with. There is nothing better than the feel of a good "fur felt" fedora. You might want to look at Akubra. They are a great quality hat. I'm wearing a Camp Draft in my picture.

Terry

 

[monbla256]

Pancho,
Most of those hats you linked to will probably work well for you until you get caught in a full on downpour and then you WILL NOT be happy with the results after the hat dries. Wool felt DOES NOT do well as a hat to wear in the rain and most, no matter how well made, tend to shrink and loose much of their shape. You would do better to save up a bit more money and go ahead and get a GOOD NEW FUR FELT in the $130./$150.00 range. Ther are many available from good manufacturers and retailers in this price range and you will be glad you did after going thru the wet wool felt disaster. As was mentioned, an Akubra, which you will find many of us here own, is probably one of the BEST modern made hats available. They are available from several retailers on the web. Take a look at the various Akubra threads here on the LOUNGE. I currently own 8 of them.

 

[Rats Riley]

I'm wondering as to who makes Merinos and Selentino hats and caps. Anyone have their contact info?

They're 8pieces look pretty sharp, but does anyone have experience with their hats or caps?

Thanks again!

 

[T Rick]

Sizing question. Long Ovals, in a given size, are they the same as their regular counterpart? (Say if a 7 1/8 is 22.5 inches, is a Long Oval in 7 1/8 also 22.5 inches, as in they'd take some of the width away and add it to the length?). Or is the circumference of the Long Oval a bit larger than the regular of the same size?

 

[Rats Riley]

Pancho,
Most of those hats you linked to will probably work well for you until you get caught in a full on downpour and then you WILL NOT be happy with the results after the hat dries. Wool felt DOES NOT do well as a hat to wear in the rain and most, no matter how well made, tend to shrink and loose much of their shape. You would do better to save up a bit more money and go ahead and get a GOOD NEW FUR FELT in the $130./$150.00 range. Ther are many available from good manufacturers and retailers in this price range and you will be glad you did after going thru the wet wool felt disaster. As was mentioned, an Akubra, which you will find many of us here own, is probably one of the BEST modern made hats available. They are available from several retailers on the web. Take a look at the various Akubra threads here on the LOUNGE. I currently own 8 of them.

I would totally agree with the above. Also since it wasn't mentioned, the originals that can still be found are much nicer and I think have more character than the new models. I'd put out a request and see if anyone has a vintage lid they might want to part with. I personally bought a couple new models, then was lucky enough to pick up some originals from a helluva guy here in the Lounge (Thanks again Beuler!). As it sits, I never wear the newer models and rely on the originals.

 

[monbla256]

Sizing question. Long Ovals, in a given size, are they the same as their regular counterpart? (Say if a 7 1/8 is 22.5 inches, is a Long Oval in 7 1/8 also 22.5 inches, as in they'd take some of the width away and add it to the length?). Or is the circumference of the Long Oval a bit larger than the regular of the same size?

The only difference is that the hat block is in an OVAL shape as opposed to the ROUND shape of a non long-oval block. Size and dimensions are the same as was explained by Joe Peters to me awhile back.

 

[gtdean48]

Sizing question. Long Ovals, in a given size, are they the same as their regular counterpart? (Say if a 7 1/8 is 22.5 inches, is a Long Oval in 7 1/8 also 22.5 inches, as in they'd take some of the width away and add it to the length?). Or is the circumference of the Long Oval a bit larger than the regular of the same size?

Same circumference but different shape of the oval.

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

I would totally agree with the above. Also since it wasn't mentioned, the originals that can still be found are much nicer and I think have more character than the new models. I'd put out a request and see if anyone has a vintage lid they might want to part with. I personally bought a couple new models, then was lucky enough to pick up some originals from a helluva guy here in the Lounge (Thanks again Beuler!). As it sits, I never wear the newer models and rely on the originals.

If you have a normal size head (unlike my 7 5/8 long oval) you can pick up just about anything you want over at Ebay. Don't make the mistake I made and post an Ebay sale item over here-LOL. The sharks will take it right out of your mouth if it's really a good quality rare hat. You can pm one of us with a question about the hat to make sure you are making the correct decision or you can reference the hat without mentioning that it is at Ebay for a great price. The guys (guys meaning both genders) here really know a ton about most of the manufacturers and can steer you in the right direction.

 

[T Rick]

The only difference is that the hat block is in an OVAL shape as opposed to the ROUND shape of a non long-oval block. Size and dimensions are the same as was explained by Joe Peters to me awhile back.

Same circumference but different shape of the oval.

Thanks Gents, that is as I thought. My recently nabbed Stratoliner is a 7 1/8 Long Oval, and fits fine, is just slightly tight on the sides (not enough to be of any concern at all). It is looser than I'm used to on the front/back axis, which is usually a bit tight in a 7 1/8, so I was pretty sure this was correct.

Still haven't posted the Strat, need to photograph it better. It has a slight musty odor and is currently in a plastic bag with some crumpled newspaper in an effort to rid it of the smell. It's been there since Fri. night, will emerge either tonight or tomorrow (watching the mail for my repro pin also). It's also been far too warm to wear it here anyway (except in the evening/early morning). Will post it soon!

 

[sulla]

I want to replace the ribbon on a felt derby I own. The lining is glued in place and I'll have to take it out for the ribbon change. What adhesive should I use to put it back in?

 

[sulla]

I want to replace the ribbon on a felt derby I own. The lining is glued in place and I'll have to take it out for the ribbon change. What adhesive should I use to put it back in?

I have never done this before and I wonder if they should be sewn in instead... I have not examined my more expensive Fedoras. Maybe I should take a look under the hood as it were...

 

[Pancho]

Thanks all for help :eusa_clap

Just could you tell me is Akubra's Leisure Time good for warm temperatures, 90 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit next two to three months?
Is this Akubra good all year long, considering that winter temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?

Or would I be better off with Panama Bobs Cuencano for 30 bucks for time being?
And how long is waiting time for specials at Panama Bobs?

If I didn't have money to get two hats, should I get only Akubra or Panama and wear wool cap at winter?

 

[monbla256]

Thanks all for help :eusa_clap

Just could you tell me is Akubra's Leisure Time good for warm temperatures, 90 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit next two to three months?
Is this Akubra good all year long, considering that winter temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?

Or would I be better off with Panama Bobs Cuencano for 30 bucks for time being?
And how long is waiting time for specials at Panama Bobs?

If I didn't have money to get two hats, should I get only Akubra or Panama and wear wool cap at winter?

In high, humid temperatures, a felt hat will be warmer than an equivilent Panama hat for sure. Though some really finely woven Montecristi Panama's can be as warm as a felt due to them being so tightly woven . That said, ANY Akubra can be worn in ALL sorts of weather. Remember, they are made in Australia, mostly for Australians, and that country has temperatures reaching above 105 and folks wear them in it all the time.
As for the winter, there is NO felt brimmed hat which will keep one's head as warm in freezing temperatures as a wool stocking or watch cap but these don't do a good job keeping rain and snow off your face as a broad brimmed hat You need to decide what is your greatest need and purchase accordingly. Ther is NO perfect all around hat to meet such a wide range of weather conditions perfectly. Buy what you want for NOW, save some more money and get what you want for later.

 

[danofarlington]

Thanks all for help :eusa_clap

Just could you tell me is Akubra's Leisure Time good for warm temperatures, 90 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit next two to three months?
Is this Akubra good all year long, considering that winter temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?

Or would I be better off with Panama Bobs Cuencano for 30 bucks for time being?
And how long is waiting time for specials at Panama Bobs?

If I didn't have money to get two hats, should I get only Akubra or Panama and wear wool cap at winter?

I'll give you an anecdote that might be helpful, or might not. I haven't bought a beater panama hat yet, so only have good ones. I take a really long morning walk most days, and in very sunny areas--need a hat. Not having the panama to use, I started to wear my beater Open Road, inspired by old movies when folks wore felts all the time in the summer--1930s and 40s, specifically. It's good that the hat is light in color, both for looks in the summer (dark felt hat wouldn't be right) and for comfort. Long story short, it works for that purpose. I carry lots of paper towels because I sweat into it, and wipe it off every five minutes or so, making me take the hat on and off. But it does the job, and I think it provides more sun protection than a baseball cap. So here in the Washington area, not a polar region by any means, I'm making an Open Road work. By extension, I think you can wear an Akubra around if you have a plan to deal with the sweat. As Monabla says, they wear 'em in Australia where it's hot. Now I would rather go through the summer with a Panama Bob hat, but right now I don't have one, so it's the Open Road.

 

[fenris]

I want to replace the ribbon on a felt derby I own. The lining is glued in place and I'll have to take it out for the ribbon change. What adhesive should I use to put it back in?

I'm actually also planning to change the ribbon on my beat up Christy's Adventurer which was my first Indy hat. It's now shrunk in terms of crown height but still looks straight. I want to replace the ribbon to make it less Indy-ish. Do any of you have a suggestion on what color ribbon would suit a sable-colored hat? I'm guessing a lighter one, but can't figure out what would look the best. I saw a camel colored ribbon... would that work?

If any of you have brown hats with lighter colored ribbons, could you post 'em? I need a visual aid before I purchase a ribbon.