Ask a question, get an answer

[RJR]

B!Wear caps are still just $35 (just like when I got mine 12 or 13 years ago!), and definitely good quality at that price. Note that they're eight-panel newsboy caps, not simple flat caps. Not sure if that's what you're looking for.

http://mariposa.yosemite.net/bwear/

But I have to caution you: I'm also a 7-1/8, and I got two different wool Mediums from them... One fits like a 7, the other like a 7-1/4 - neither is quite right. If you order from them, you should ask if you can specify exactly what circumference you need, since there's clearly some variation in their Mediums, perhaps due to the fabric thicknesses.

OTOH, that might no longer be the case. I got mine so long ago that I don't know if this advice still applies. Send them an email and ask about their sizing if you're interested.

I have several B!Wear caps.I've found that within reason Brett will do whatever you like.This one is team colors,etc.

 

[Fivesense]

Does anyone know anything about the Belfry Expedition? It looks comparable to the Stetson Bozeman. I'm looking for a crushable wool hat to wear in the snow, in and out of the car, etc... that I don't have to worry about.

This one from Hats in the Belfry is on sale for a pretty good price.

 

[singlechange]

F.Y.I. You might want to check out the flat caps I just posted in Classified section of this forum to see some well made caps with U.S. and Euro size tags for reference.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

To be honest, wool brimmed hats don't get much love from a lot of the folks here at the Lounge. I think they have a place, but I find that I rarely wear mine. I don't know about the hat you are asking about.

As an aside, the preferred process for such questions is to use an existing thread such as Ask a Qestion, Get an Answer. It becomes cumbersome if a new thread is started for routine questions.

You might also look at how to use the Google search function (rather than the search feature on the Lounge's website).
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/how-to-search-the-fedora-lounge.61323/

Some of the old guard take umbrage at us newbies not following protocols. I'm sure there is some general information on crushable wool hats to be found, and a specific question about a specific model would fit right in the Ask a Question, Get an Answer thread. No biggie, just for the future.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks for all the help guys. If I can find some caps that work well I'd be ok with going a little higher in price, but since I'm just exploring right now I'd like to be a little cautious with my spending. As in all things though I'm sure you get what you pay for.

I'll look into all the suggestions and keep checking back here.

 

[Mustang Mike's Hats]

OK .... Well I guess I phrased THAT question incorrectly. Sorry guys. LOL! Totally my fault and I none the less appreciate the feedback. I already sell Sunbody hats (also less expensive than on their site) SO .... What I was thinking of was more on the lines of what types of fedora bashes do you folks see as acceptable in a palm straw

 

[deadlyhandsome]

OK .... Well I guess I phrased THAT question incorrectly. Sorry guys. LOL! Totally my fault and I none the less appreciate the feedback. I already sell Sunbody hats (also less expensive than on their site) SO .... What I was thinking of was more on the lines of what types of fedora bashes do you folks see as acceptable in a palm straw

My bad Mike. I knew you sold SunBody and even recommended that you see yourself to buy one . I didn't look to see who had posted the question.

I like teardrop creases on "straw" hats. The diamond crease has never looked right to me on straw hats, but maybe I've never seen the right one? More than the crease, I wish SunBody had taller crowns with less taper.

 

[Zombie_61]

OK .... Well I guess I phrased THAT question incorrectly. Sorry guys. LOL! Totally my fault and I none the less appreciate the feedback. I already sell Sunbody hats (also less expensive than on their site) SO .... What I was thinking of was more on the lines of what types of fedora bashes do you folks see as acceptable in a palm straw

As long as a straw hat has the same dimensions/proportions as a fedora, I see no reasons it couldn't have the same typical crown creases as a fedora--Center Dent, Teardrop, C-Crown, Diamond, and so on. Of course, it really depends on who's wearing it and his/her preferences.

 

[jlee562]

Akubra is like the Toyota/Honda of hats. They're nice, they'll last forever, but if you're looking for luxury, it doesn't quite hit the mark. And I drive a Honda (and own an Akubra) so I cast no aspersions.

 

[barrowjh]

carousselvic - no, just repeating what I have read in other threads here, and for that matter, probably could not locate that thread.

 

[Fivesense]

Thanks for the response. I actually thought I was posting in the “Ask a question” thread. I admit to being a little confused by the flow of this forum. It is quite a bit different than any other Internet forum I’ve used, which makes the search function challenging.

Thank you for the link regarding the Google search- I will take a look and learn how to better use it.

Regarding the wool felt hats- they aren’t my favorite either, but the warmth and cover they provide at a value is nice, and they keep my other hats in good condition when the weather has other plans! That said, my nicer hats are probably more capable- maybe I should push them a bit.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks for the response. I actually thought I was posting in the “Ask a question” thread. I admit to being a little confused by the flow of this forum. It is quite a bit different than any other Internet forum I’ve used, which makes the search function challenging.

Thank you for the link regarding the Google search- I will take a look and learn how to better use it.

Regarding the wool felt hats- they aren’t my favorite either, but the warmth and cover they provide at a value is nice, and they keep my other hats in good condition when the weather has other plans! That said, my nicer hats are probably more capable- maybe I should push them a bit.

I have a few wool felt brimmed hats. I believe that do have a place in my wardrobe. I've also never experienced shrinkage that others complain about. When I'm camping or hiking I still wear a wool Beretta outback hat. I also have an Orvis woolie that is full of old memories.

I don't know anything about hat you're looking at, but as long as you understand the limitations and quirks of both wool and fur felt I think you won't go too far wrong. As a bonus, most wool hats are cheap enough that if you only get a couple of years of use from them it still amortizes out in your favor. You can save your fur felt hats some hard use/abuse.

 

[Fivesense]

I like Orvis hats too (I just wore an Orvis straw fedora today in these unseasonably warm temps!). I also had an Orvis wool felt that I sold a couple years ago- it was quite handsome and comfortable.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I like Orvis hats too (I just wore an Orvis straw fedora today in these unseasonably warm temps!). I also had an Orvis wool felt that I sold a couple years ago- it was quite handsome and comfortable.

I think you'll feel no that there are not all that many hat makers. There are lots of brands that just put their logo/tags on a mass produced hat. US made Orvis, Pendleton, Woolrich, Beretta, etc., all look way too similar to not be made by the same company.

A word of caution: there are some serious hat snobs here at the Lounge, but wear what you like regardless of their sneering. There are also lots of fine gentlemen (the large majority) who will have nothing but good things to say about your $40 hat even though the cheapest hat in their 200 hat collection is worth $500 (perhaps bit of hyperbole?). I still occasionally wear wool, stingy brims, and caps of all sorts. To each their own.

 

[moehawk]

One benefit of wool that must not be forgotten especially for those kinder of heart to all creatures great and small is that the sheep are reusable.

 

[Grey Homburg]

I have been a hat collector for almost two decades now and I have everything from silk toppers to Resistol cowboy hats.

Having family ties in Australia and having spent a lot of time in Queensland over the years, I have fallen in love with the "distressed Akubra" look - something you will see a fair amount of in Australia, if you stay out of the big towns. Being a perfectionist, I find it very difficult to allow any asymmetry to form in my Akubra and no matter how long I own, wear and sweat into my Akubras, they always look brand new.

However, one thing that makes a hat look "worn" is sweat stains in the felt, something you will see a lot of in Australia. What I don't understand is that these hats have leather sweat bands which prevent the felt from developing sweat stains. The only time an akubra of mine started to develop sweat stained felt was after a year of backpacking in Australia; the sweat band on my Akubra had shrunk so much that I was forced to remove it, otherwise the hat wouldn't fit anymore. So here's my question:

Why do I see so many people, including on this forum, with sweat stained felt on the outside of the hat? Did you remove your sweat bands? Why do none of my Akubras develop this beloved "much loved hat" aesthetic that I crave?

 

[Fivesense]

One benefit of wool that must not be forgotten especially for those kinder of heart to all creatures great and small is that the sheep are reusable.

And delicious, too!

(I'm sorry- I couldn't resist...)

 

[moehawk]

And delicious, too!

(I'm sorry- I couldn't resist...)

Slowly braised with root vegetables and lots of red wine and garlic especially.

 

[Fivesense]

Slowly braised with root vegetables and lots of red wine and garlic especially.

Sounds perfect!

I do often cook with wine- some of it even goes into the dish!

 

[moehawk]

The process described above does tend to end the reusability factor.