Ask a question, get an answer

[Sol James]

From the "Ask a question, get an answer" thread, that's something of a 40's style fedora. Nice tall crow with little or no taper. Go get one!!!

Thank you! The guy in the picture (Langhorne Slim) has loads of wicked hats.
Where do you suggest I look for such a hat? Im in England!

 

[Frunobulax]

http://lancasteronline.com/features...cle_6d223ec6-2663-11e5-b6d7-9b9e027261a9.html

A Stetson? From the article...

Stetson hat

Slim worked with Stetson to create a limited-edition hat — an accessory that the musician has made part of his signature look. There is no release date set for the hat.

 

[hatsRme]

Ebay. Or TheFedoraLounge Classifieds. Half the fun is in the search. Go get 'em!!

 

[Sol James]

I'll be honest, I had no idea such a huge hat community existed! This could be my new favourite forum on the Internet. Cheers guys! "Stetson fedora" in Google brings up some crackers! A little pricey for a first timer though... Was hoping for something in the £40 region...

 

[Stanley Doble]

They seem expensive don't they. A decent hat will outlast 10 of your cheap straws. A top of the range pure beaver felt hat will last the rest of your life and you can pass it on to your son, and they cost 700 pounds.

You don't need anything that pricey. I'm just saying you have to revise your thinking, from buying a cheap throw away hat every 2 or 3 months to one that will last years.

 

[Sol James]

Yes you are right. May need to up my budget... The brim on most of the ones I look at seek to be sloping down slightly. Has he Mildred his to slightly bend up all the way round or do they all have this capability?

 

[Frunobulax]

A snap-brim fedora, such as he's wearing, can be worn brim up, or you can "snap" the brim down. A little steam, and you can get the desired hat you want. Since you're just starting, and I'm not certain how the second-hand or thrift store market is where you are, spend a Saturday or two prowling thrift shops and the like. Perhaps you'll get lucky and find something you like, in your size, for a decent amount in your pocketbook's range. I wouldn't go all out on the first one unless you had somebody fairly knowledgeable to guide you.

Of course, we're more than willing to (mis)guide you, as well!

 

[jlee562]

The Stetsonian would be a good lookalike.

 

[stratcat]

You'll struggle to get anything that looks like that hat inexpensively in the UK in my humble opinion. You might be lucky and find something on ebay, but it'll probably be a black, small brimmed, trilby type hat rather than the wide brimmed fedora type hat in the photo.
When I started wearing hats I bought a cheap wool Jaxon hat. After a short time I decided to upgrade to a proper fur hat and splashed out on an Akubra Fed IV from hats direct. I wear the jaxon hat while I'm in the garden or cleaning the car - I wouldn't wear it out, it looks awful in comparison to a 'proper hat'.
Have a good look around on this forum and do a bit of googling, maybe buy a cheap wool felt hat while you get a feel for what's about (and save a little?) and then maybe go for a fur felt hat.
I think the cheapest fur around for us in the UK is D'aquino from Portugal - you won't get hit for vat like you would importing from Australia or the States, but you won't get that straight sided type of hat from there either.

 

[Sol James]

That Daquino place is great. Thank you very much. Not too pricey either! Think I'll start there.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Yes you are right. May need to up my budget... The brim on most of the ones I look at seek to be sloping down slightly. Has he Mildred his to slightly bend up all the way round or do they all have this capability?

Sol,

Welcome to FL! Yes, some brims are stiffer than others. But with a teakettle and some patience, you can work the front brim to "swoop" as you like. I prefer a spray bottle of distilled water and then shaping by hand. Years ago I bought a number of Stetsons and Biltmores at my local shop -- despite the foul hot climate in New Orleans, we have one of the last full-line hat shops left in the States here. After discovering the Fedora Lounge, I bought two fedoras from Australia, and a bunch from eBay. All have worked out well.

"Mildred"? Is that a local UK phrase for "modified" or "shaped"?

 

[Metatron]

Excellent! Thank you. The first one looks closer to what I'm looking for. I thought it might be a tyrolean hat, but I suspected that those didn't come with wider brims like this one.

 

[Frunobulax]

My second D'Aquino has very little if no taper, at my request. She'll work with you.

 

[Bing]

New guy here, found this hat in a junk store in the K-W Ontario area for $20.

Detenbeck was a men's clothing store in the K-W area. Did I do OK?

 

[moehawk]

Welcome to the Lounge!

I would suggest going to the nearest shop that sells fine hats and try on as many different brim widths and crown heights and shapes as you can. You may find that this one size/shape you are looking at doesn't suit you when it is on you in front of a mirror. You may find several types you like (then you, like me, are doomed...). Then take this knowledge shopping with you on ebay or anywhere else you go thats more affordable.

Then there is always the bespoke route to the exact hat you like...not cheap, but should last a lifetime with proper care.

 

[boze]

Don't be shy about spending real hat money on a proper hat. Two things that in broad terms denote quality beyond the cheap stuff you're used to: first, any quality hat will come in sizes (e.g. 7 3/8 or 59cm) so find out your size and don't buy anything that comes in small medium and large. Second, get a hat that is made of fur felt and not wool felt.

I wear all my hats unsnapped so that's what any fedora that isn't a stingy brim (ie short brim) can look like.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

What size are you, James? If you're a smaller size, vintage hats on ebay and etsy can be easier to come by, and less expensive. Larger sizes are harder to come by, so the prices are always up there.

Also, check out these guys;
http://hatsdirect.com/collections/the-akubra-range-1

They have a few styles you might like, including "open crown" hats you can shape yourself, and closer to your original budget. In my experience, Akubras are the best value for the dollar in factory made present day hats (keeping in mind, my experience does not cover all makers).

Enjoy the quest!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

You live in England and your country and Europe are full of vintage hats.
There are many all accross the Old Continent looking for a "patron"
For your first shopping the best is to look at sites that list vintage hats and try to have your experiences without spend so much money.
You will improve your taste and have the right "size" of your head and the chance to see you with hat in the mirror.
This is important to discover what you really like

 

[Sol James]

Thanks for all the help guys. It's nice to go on a forum and people be decent!! I think I'm going to find a shop near by and try a load on before I make the plunge. However, I was walking through my local high street earlier and saw this! It was 16 quid and to be honest, I think it's a bit small but I purchased it anyway. Forgive my scruffy work attire and messy room, but what do you think of this shape on me? I quite like it but Maybe I look a tit!

 

[Frunobulax]

Looks pretty good. Definitely a European feel to it. At least the brim width is substantial. Enjoy it!