While I understand your wife's concerns, Dm101, if you burn another $120 on a "slap your head" deal, you will have spent almost that much with little to show for it. Michael Gannon will make you a custom...CUSTOM...rabbit fur felt for $200 and a pure beaver for $275. And if you ask, you will have dozens upon dozens of positive referrals and recommendations by others here on the Lounge. Rick at Phoenix Hats has comparable offerings and prices.
Please understand that I am not trying to dictate anything to you, merely offering suggestions from a "been there, done that" point of view. I could have saved myself hundreds of $$$ and lots of frustration had I been more serious about a custom from the start. If you only see yourself having a few hats, it might make sense to get a custom hat fit to your exact specifications for less than the cost of a new off-the-rack hat (ps, a mid-level Stetson Premier Stratoliner will run you about $235 mail order).
Many loungers also offer some great hats in the classifieds as well. Deadlyhandsome has/had a vintage Knox Twenty for $90 I believe.
Welcome to the Lounge.
https://gannonhatcompany.com/pages/custom-hats
Well, when you present it that way...it makes perfect sense. Man, I should have asked here before I even started this journey. I would have...and could have...gotten the right hat from the jump.
Ah well, I'll wait until after the new year and approach the wife with your method and see how things go. Until then, I'll butcher this bolero hat and see if I can't get it to look like how I envision...eventually. Since I can't get my money back anyhow...I might as well get some "Experience" learning how to mod these hats.
Thank you so much, I'm liking it here!