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TugboatTony

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Jacksonville, Fl
So I have a question... I have recently started wearing a nice fedora on a regular basis and find myself wanting more. I do have one hat store which I can go and try on different hats and enjoy doing it, but outside of the style and feel, I don't know what else to be looking for. Is there any tips to be offered up to buying nice quality hats? How do I tell the good vintage hats from something that really isn't vintage, just worn? Also when searching eBay, is there a science to finding a good hat, or is it really just hit or miss?
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,097
Location
San Francisco, CA
So I have a question... I have recently started wearing a nice fedora on a regular basis and find myself wanting more. I do have one hat store which I can go and try on different hats and enjoy doing it, but outside of the style and feel, I don't know what else to be looking for. Is there any tips to be offered up to buying nice quality hats? How do I tell the good vintage hats from something that really isn't vintage, just worn? Also when searching eBay, is there a science to finding a good hat, or is it really just hit or miss?

Personally, I think it would be kinda hard to mistake a well worn/abused modern hat for a vintage hat. For the most part, vintage hats are shaped differently, and are less likely to have the neat, blocked in creases of a modern production hat as more hats were produced open crown in the past. This is of course not to say that vintage hats were never blocked with a crease in them. Other indicators would be liners, size tags, and hot boxes if applicable. But these vary by brand. An older Resistol, for example, will have "A Byer-Rolnick Product" on the liner, as these hats pre-date the Resistol brand being bought out by Hatco.

As far as eBay, it's kinda hit or miss, mostly due to the fact that many sellers have no idea what they are talking about.
 

TugboatTony

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Jacksonville, Fl
Well I appreciate the answer. I guess I need to get out to more vintage shops to really start seeing the difference between true vintage and modern but worn. That looks to be what will help me on eBay. Developing my eye is key. Thanks again.
 

Marc Chevalier

Gone Home
Messages
18,192
Location
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
Hello everyone, first of all thanks for having me on this forum. I am an avid hat collector and have recently started experimenting with Newsboy caps. The type of hat i'd like is the two on the links below that Johnny Depp is wearing. My problem is every newsboy hat i buy seems to fit perfectly but not have that extra bit on top thats flops over the side of the hat, seen in the photos on the links. Are these oversized newsboy caps? or completely different caps altogether? was just hoping someone could shed some light on it for me!

I live in the UK also incase anyone can point me in the direction of where to buy them from!

Thank you!

http://www.caliqo.com/ebay/hats_masks_gloves/johnny_depp_cap_08.jpg

http://www.thirdage.com/files/originals/johnny-depp-rum-diary-premiere.jpg


Here's a 1920s example in a period photo: www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PHOTO-MAN-FASHION-FLAT-CAP-TRUCK-AEC-BADGE-/160695473881
 

timmiles

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Cardiff, South Wales
"Here's a 1920s example in a period photo: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PHOT...-/160695473881"


Ah yeah! thats exactly what i am after, i checked up on the info one other poster said about the hats being by Mister Freedom, i spoke to the manager at mister Freedom who confirmed although JD had purchased there clothing and hats, the hat in question in the style in question is not sold by them. So i guess i should keep looking, although the other link to the hat people, looks fantastic. There is two cuts - full cut and the extra full cut. Which would you suggest of the two i go for in order to achieve the hat that i want?

thanks!
 

Marc Chevalier

Gone Home
Messages
18,192
Location
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
Brilliant, 7 and 1/4 is about what i am, i believe that is around 58 cm. I look forward to the photos!


Here you go. Size 7 1/4. The photos don't show this, but the cap is actually navy blue:


IMG_4371.jpg


IMG_4374.jpg


IMG_4373.jpg


IMG_4375.jpg


IMG_4372.jpg


IMG_4368.jpg


IMG_4369.jpg
 

timmiles

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Cardiff, South Wales
I'd definitely be interested, i would want to make sure it was going to fit me though, as i said. My head measures just inder 58cm. I'm not totally sure of american hat sizes. What the measurement of your head if you don't mind me asking?

And does the hat fit you fine?

Also, i live in the UK, would shipping be an issue? If you want to chat more, your welcome to private message me on here :)

Thanks!
 

suitedcboy

One Too Many
Messages
1,348
Location
Fort Worth Texas or thereabouts
I can't figure out how to post photos in a reply to a thread. Posting to start a thread is no problem since the toolbar shows up. I have tried a few times to post a photo in the Post New Hats and What Hat Are You Wearing Today threads and I can't get the tool bar to show. I click +Reply to Thread button and the circular progress indicator circles and no window with toolbar ever opens.
 

scooter

Practically Family
Messages
905
Location
Arizona
Post your photo to an online hosting site, such as Picassa or Photobucket. Once there, right click on the photo and copy the image url. Come back to TFL, paste the image URL into the reply box and then add this in front
 

Stroker

New in Town
Hi Loungers. I have been around for awhile and this is my first post. (of course it's a question) I noticed a number of comments referring to a reeded or non-reeded sweatband. What is the difference and does anyone have photos showing this difference? Thanks!
 
Messages
15,072
Location
Buffalo, NY
Hi Loungers. I have been around for awhile and this is my first post. (of course it's a question) I noticed a number of comments referring to a reeded or non-reeded sweatband. What is the difference and does anyone have photos showing this difference? Thanks!

Welcome! Here is a thread that should help. In general, if you google search with your browser and include "Fedora Lounge" in the search field, you will access the threads on the lounge easily and more accurately than using the internal search functions on this site.
 

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