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[Bob Roberts]

New question, probably been asked before but my searches have been futile: Are there any hat brands to avoid?

I'm looking to start building my collection. My tastes run to the Trilby-style. My first order is a Bailey. Sterkowski, Jaxon, Goorin and Stacy Adams all have models that interest me.

Jaxon fur felt porker from Village Hats. $80. Very decent.

 

[OldStrummer]

That's the ticket!

I've got this one on my watchlist. Only in black, but I guess every man needs a black hat. By the way, what's with all the Navy Blue hats?

 

[Bob Roberts]

That's the ticket!

I've got this one on my watchlist. Only in black, but I guess every man needs a black hat. By the way, what's with all the Navy Blue hats?

Maybe cuz they're nice...?

 

[OldStrummer]

Maybe cuz they're nice...?

Well, OK.

I'm an old-school kind of guy. I believe in coordinating my attire. I debated using "Brown Shoes with Blue Suits? NEVER!" on my signature line. So I'm trying to figure out what I'd wear one with. Not my brown leather bomber. Maybe with my black leather...

That's why I chose Loden Green for my first fedora!

 

[KarlCrow]

Well, OK.

I'm an old-school kind of guy. I believe in coordinating my attire. I debated using "Brown Shoes with Blue Suits? NEVER!" on my signature line. So I'm trying to figure out what I'd wear one with. Not my brown leather bomber. Maybe with my black leather...

That's why I chose Loden Green for my first fedora!

I think navy blue can look well over brown.

 

[belfastboy]

That's the ticket!

I've got this one on my watchlist. Only in black, but I guess every man needs a black hat. By the way, what's with all the Navy Blue hats?

I think that is a good looking hat and you sure cannot beat the price. The shipping cost from Europe is great...usually for me it is so high and becomes a deal breaker. Coming from Poland they may use Tonak felts from Czech Republic and I really like their felts.

 

[OldStrummer]

With typical newbie enthusiasm, I went shopping after work today. There are some department stores (Lord & Taylor, Macy's, JC Penney) nearby, so I went to see if any had hats I could try on. Yes, they did, although the selection was pitiful. Lord & Taylor had a fairly nice looking Bailey, but even with 30% off, I didn't think it was worth $52. No lining, plain headband, and apparently "crushable." No, I want a better quality hat. Size large (7-1/4 - 7-3/8) seemed to fit, but a little loosely. Macy's had more sizes and selections, but also smacked of cosplay or something -- not serious hats. The brand was Floyd, and I tried both mediums and larges. Both were "almost-fits," but I felt the the large would be more comfortable over the long run.

The best thing I managed to was borrow a tape measure from the inattentive sales guy and measure my head. As best as I could figure (I could only measure once -- I know several measures are needed to get a better fit), I measure in at 58cm. That translates roughly to 7-1/4 (I guess the baseball hat I have that measures 58.7cm is pretty right on).

So I took the plunge and ordered the Sterkowski. They offer a thirty-day money-back guarantee, and I confirmed that they have a 57cm model should I want to change sizes. It's going to take up to three weeks to arrive, so I'll get comfortable -- I hope -- with my first fedora, which should be arriving in a day or two. I'm jazzed!

 

[Bob Roberts]

I think navy blue can look well over brown.

You and abt 100 gazillion other people as well.

 

[KarlCrow]

You and abt 100 gazillion other people as well.

Is that against one of your rules Bob?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Is that against one of your rules Bob?

No. Lol. Not at all. I like navy and brown as does half the world. It's a xtremely popular color combo.

 

[hatsRme]

No. Lol. Not at all. I like navy and brown as does half the world. It's a xtremely popular color combo.

Rightyouare, Bobster! And, @KarlCrow... It's amusing to me, though, how folks get an idea in their head(s) about something like that, and can't see beyond the belief. I won't even argue.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

It's amusing to me, though, how folks get an idea in their head(s) about something like that,

Newbie here!

 

[Redfokker]

Newbie here!

View attachment 95653

 

[Antinomy]

Dear friends!
I have an opportunity to buy singer 29k sewing machine for low price. Is it good for sweatband stitching or not?

 

[Doc Glockster]

I know it's bad to leave a felt or fur hat in the hot car in the summertime, but what about in the fall when the inside temperature of the car might be 40-60 degrees?

We are going to do some outdoor activities out of town in the next few days, and then go to dinner. Can I leave my Akubra in the car while we are at dinner?

 

[Bamaboots]

I know it's bad to leave a felt or fur hat in the hot car in the summertime, but what about in the fall when the inside temperature of the car might be 40-60 degrees?

We are going to do some outdoor activities out of town in the next few days, and then go to dinner. Can I leave my Akubra in the car while we are at dinner?

Shouldn't be a problem. Just avoid direct sunlight.

 

[Doc Glockster]

Got another question: Our house has a master bathroom with two walk-in closets. The closets have doors which I keep shut.

I've started storing my Akubras in one of the walk-in closets in the master bathroom. I store the hats in hat boxes that support the brim and I have a hat jack in each one. To repeat: the closet door stays shut, especially when someone showers.

Should I be worried about long-term damage or changes to the hats due to the humidity from the shower over time? Or is it okay as long as the door is kept closed? I'm afraid I'm not in the habit of using the bathroom exhaust fan while showering; I just never think of it.

Should I move my hats to a hall closet perhaps?

 

[OldStrummer]

@Doc Glockster, I would have to ask (more for myself than for anyone else), are your hats for wearing, or for keepsakes? I'm a collector of sorts - guitars, cameras, etc. I take care of everything I own, but I don't go to extremes. I keep my guitars clean and in tune, but I don't put them in display cases. They are made for playing. With my new and growing hat collection, I plan to do the same thing: I'll keep them clean and stored in my closet, but I'm not going to extremes. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable wearing them, and that defeats the whole purpose, in my mind.

I know that doesn't answer your question, and truthfully, it wasn't an attempt to. It made me think about how I approach "collectibles."

 

[Doc Glockster]

@Doc Glockster, I would have to ask (more for myself than for anyone else), are your hats for wearing, or for keepsakes? I'm a collector of sorts - guitars, cameras, etc. I take care of everything I own, but I don't go to extremes. I keep my guitars clean and in tune, but I don't put them in display cases. They are made for playing. With my new and growing hat collection, I plan to do the same thing: I'll keep them clean and stored in my closet, but I'm not going to extremes. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable wearing them, and that defeats the whole purpose, in my mind.

I know that doesn't answer your question, and truthfully, it wasn't an attempt to. It made me think about how I approach "collectibles."

I'm basically turning into a "one hat" person--but I have spares I keep in storage. I have an Akubra slouch hat that I've decided is about the perfect safari hat, and since I wear it in all kinds of weather I have a couple of spares on hand in case I irreparably damage the one I use every day. The ones I store I basically plan to take out about once a year and apply some Pecard's leather conditioner to the sweat band. Otherwise, they stay in the hat box with a hat jack.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Got another question: Our house has a master bathroom with two walk-in closets. The closets have doors which I keep shut.

I've started storing my Akubras in one of the walk-in closets in the master bathroom. I store the hats in hat boxes that support the brim and I have a hat jack in each one. To repeat: the closet door stays shut, especially when someone showers.

Should I be worried about long-term damage or changes to the hats due to the humidity from the shower over time? Or is it okay as long as the door is kept closed? I'm afraid I'm not in the habit of using the bathroom exhaust fan while showering; I just never think of it.

Should I move my hats to a hall closet perhaps?

Hello Sir: Not to have your answer but, if you are that concerned, (nothing wrong there), you could buy a inexpensive hygrometer and monitor the humidity swings and decide what is best for you. Might be interesting. Be well. Bowen