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[DudeInBlack]

Hat sizing is a real pain the you-know-what.
I measure 22-1/2 in. On some sites I'm a 7 1/8 and on others I'm a 7 1/4. What's up with that?

Anyone else have this problem, or am I missing something?

 

[The Good]

Hat sizing is a real pain the you-know-what.
I measure 22-1/2 in. On some sites I'm a 7 1/8 and on others I'm a 7 1/4. What's up with that?

Anyone else have this problem, or am I missing something?

I think you're seeing the difference between American and British hat sizing, there... I'm not sure how to explain it, but if you're 7 3/8 in the U.S. for example, you're 7 1/4 in British sizing. Correct me, someone, if I'm wrong about it.

 

[bowlerman]

I think you're seeing the difference between American and British hat sizing, there... I'm not sure how to explain it, but if you're 7 3/8 in the U.S. for example, you're 7 1/4 in British sizing. Correct me, someone, if I'm wrong about it.

I'm also 22 1/2... I'm led to believe, however, that the US 7 1/8 compares to the UK 7 in circumference. However, there will always be slight discrepancies between companies' sizing, so best to use measurements whenever possible.


My question:
How much of a "stretch" would it be to shrink a vintage 7 3/8 to a 7 1/8???
came across a beauty in a local shop, but didn't purchase yet...

 

[DRB]

I just purchased one of these from Panama Bob. Can anyone tell me the proper name for this instrument? His description was:
"Scissor - type hat measuring tool size measure accurate"

I want to say it is an Ellipse Circumference Calculator, but I don't think that is right.

 

[billyspew]

Which is older, the whippet logo on the inner liner or the inner sweatband? And around when did it change from one to the other? And where does the whippet rank in the stetson hierarchy as opposed to, say, the open road? Thanks; and, yes, I just got my first whippet for $12 (the one w/ the sweatband logo). It seems kind of flimsy and the fur of not the greatest quality, but I've read elsewhere the whippet is highly regarded. Your thoughts?

If you could show us pictures of the sweatband lining etc we might be able to help.

 

[Chinaski]

Which is older, the whippet logo on the inner liner or the inner sweatband? And around when did it change from one to the other? And where does the whippet rank in the stetson hierarchy as opposed to, say, the open road? Thanks; and, yes, I just got my first whippet for $12 (the one w/ the sweatband logo). It seems kind of flimsy and the fur of not the greatest quality, but I've read elsewhere the whippet is highly regarded. Your thoughts?

I believe the logo on the liner indicates an older hat than the logo on the sweat. Generally, there were many whippets made and they were mostly an everyday hat and on the lower end of Stetson's quality range. Whippets are widely liked due to their proportions. Many find them desirable for that reason. Open Roads (and Open Road style hats made by Stetson) are quite ubiquitous, but unlike the Whippet they were made in a wide range of quality designations. Open Roads are a well-liked thin-ribbon hat - a bit more casual or country than the "city" styling of the Whippet.

 

[Lefty]

That's probably true as to the 40s and 50s Whippets we usually see, but I think it started off on the sweat in the 30s. Scroll to Feraud's hat.

 

[nyfinest]

Does anyone ever spray a "rain and stain" on their hat for added protection?

 

[Seth Hawkins]

How do you identify a reeded sweat?

 

[Lefty]

A reeded sweat is attached like this.
An unreeded sweat is sewn directly to the hat, like this

 

[Seth Hawkins]

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at in those photos.

 

[buler]

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at in those photos.

Look at the joint where the leather is stitched to the hat.

B

 

[ejbhats]

Can one of you nice people point me in the direction of a thread for Stevens hats?
I picked up a Stevens, "Rod and Hunt Club" hat. Seems nice but can find no info on it.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Seth Hawkins]

Look at the joint where the leather is stitched to the hat.

B

Now I see. Thanks.

 

[fluteplayer07]

Did we ever with any certainty find out what Vita-Felt really is? I zoned out by around the 2nd page of the BS War in the main Vita-Felt thread. Aureliano's posting has piqued my interests.

 

[Lefty]

Simple answer: no, as to composition. It might be the then-new technique used by Stetson (though used by HCA prior to that) that resulted in springier felt (to compete with the Borso shortage during the war). Check out the last page of the vita-thread felt, where I post this theory, the patent that lead me to it, and the discussions I had with JtL to flesh it out.

 

[Lefty]

Can one of you nice people point me in the direction of a thread for Stevens hats?
I picked up a Stevens, "Rod and Hunt Club" hat. Seems nice but can find no info on it.
Thanks for your help!

here you go

 

[email68]

I'll be in the 90's all summer. I'm thinking my fur hats will be too warm. I've been thinking of a Panama, but not sure how it will look on me. Looks like they only come in white.

Are there any other fedora looking hats that are good for the summer heat?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

There are also Milan hats that will work also.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?30949-Milan-Mania&highlight=milan+mile

You can also get Panama's in brown and black. I have a brown one.
Here are two of my Panama bob hats.

 

[DudeInBlack]

I've heard a lot of debate on this. So I'll pose it to you.

If you are between sizes...
Would you say it's better to stretch a smaller size or pad a larger size?