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[moehawk]

Do keep in mind that Western hats are plentiful and relatively inexpensive on ebay, even for (lower end) beaver blends. Every Western hat has a fedora inside just waiting to be set free. If you are the handy type it is quite simple to convert one with a brim trim, a steaming and reshaping of the crown and a new ribbon if necessary. Lounger T.Jones has quite a collection of beautiful hats converted this way. You just need to find one with the right crown height and color. Check out The Conversion Corral thread for a ton of pics of cowboy hats "elevated" by Loungers.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Every Western hat has a fedora inside just waiting to be set free.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooo...........................…………………………………………………
I need a "don't like button". Maybe the report button works the same...

 

[Frunobulax]

LOL

 

[tropicalbob]

Joao, I'm with you 100% about the button idea, and I wish they'd do it on all websites. Something stronger, though, like "Go, **** ********!"

 

[Bob Roberts]

When I got my first hat, a Panama, I was the same way. I liked to wear it back away from my brow, even though the lady who fitted me tried to get me to wear it "right." Over time, however, I've taken to wearing them more "traditionally," with a little tilt.

Dont forget our friend "Otis."

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I'm not the kind of guy who likes things to be perfect. In fact perfection tends to bore me. I like my guitars beat up, my home is full of rustic furniture and from what I've learnt so far, I like hats that have character too. I'm sure My mind may change as I delve more.
One thing I've noticed is the impact my hair has on the overall look. When I try and hide it a bit by tucking it in, the hat takes on a different look. It may be that I need a different "lid" (love that expression by the way!) for when my hair is shorter.. Can't believe I didn't realise the joy in hats earlier on in my life!!!

I wish I could say it's easy to find an actual hat store, but... it isn't.
If you want hats with "character," it's still not cheap, but getting second hand fedoras on line that are a bit beat up is less expensive. As far as experimentation, I think your instincts may be right on what brims and crowns will look good on you. Also, as you become more comfortable wearing hats, you will, almost mystically, start wearing them more naturally. At that point, the styles that work for you might branch out.

About the hair - if you sometimes cut your hair short, there might be a size/fit difference, too. If you want a hat that you can wear with long or short hair, do your measuring while you have the longer hair. You can always pad a slightly loose hat, but a tight hat is much harder to deal with.

 

[Sol James]

The point I was trying to make about hair was less to do with the fit of the hat and more to do with how hair changes the way a hat looks. I know he is ridiculously handsome and could probably put a bag on his head and still look cool, but In my opinion Johnny depp looks much better in this hat when his hair is long and poking out the bottom. Others may disagree. Interesting to see the dramatic difference hair length makes though...

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Also, as you become more comfortable wearing hats, you will, almost mystically, start wearing them more naturally.

You'll (the OP) get it when going outside and... theres something wrong! Damn I forgot the hat! And returns home to get it.

 

[Socially Distorted]

Hi there Sol.
I was in a similar position to yourself 18 months ago and trying to find what worked for me. As someone earlier mentioned, I bought a few different styles of hat after starting out with cheap wool and then discovering for myself the world of difference in fur felt and then again in quality vintage fur felt!

Im in Yorkshire and so as i'm guessing it was the case in Birmingham, flat caps predominated and the only vintage fur felts i've found in the charity shops probably belonged to the local bank managers!

I'm also lucky having a 6 3/4 - 6 7/8 hat size and in that a 2 inch brim on me looks like a 2 1/2 inch on a bigger guy! I reckon a good bet for you might be looking at the plethora of Dunn and co fedoras from the 60's-70's that come up on ebay.uk. (still plenty of wider brims in the UK then!) They are nothing special in quality (they were a precurser to topman, who probably had a hand in their demise, or about what Burton's is today) but are easily shapeable and had most had very little if any taper to the crown and are usually to be had for under £20. I'd also recomend using the advice and detailed threads on here to decipher some of the labeling sellers do on ebay, lots don't know what they're selling and bargains can definately be had.

Take it easy

SD

 

[stratcat]

Do keep in mind that Western hats are plentiful and relatively inexpensive on ebay, even for (lower end) beaver blends.

The OPs in the UK, and ebay uk doesn't have the amount of quality hats that the US has.

I can't find a shop anywhere near me that stocks lots of different styles for me to try. Very frustrating. It may be a case of trial and error and ordering them online. Rather expensive way of doing it. Unless anyone on here can reccomend a shop near Birmingham in England....?

There was a thread on here some time ago that had a list of 'proper' hat shops in the UK. If I remember rightly, most were in London with one or two others dotted about. I'll have a look to see if I can find it.

I'm in a band and got a big gig tonight.... Donning my hat for the first time!

I hope the gig went well, I'm sure the hat added value to your perfromance
What kind of stuff do you play? There's quite a few of us who play guitar on here.

 

[Sol James]

I've never sung as well as o did last night!! It's all down to the hat I'm sure!
We play country, skiffle, rock n roll kind of stuff.. All acoustic. Lots of close harmonies... Here Are a couple of videos from a few weeks back. Hope you don't mind me sharing. See what you think. I'm in my straw hat in both!!

 

[JoeyC]

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!

Sol, welcome. You have youth, good looks and a desire to wear proper hats, all good attributes. Several styles will look good on you. Google Mellegari (sp.) hats in Italy, I think you might find something you'll like. I, like you, prefer tall square crown hats with moderate sized brims 2 3/8"- 2 1/2" in my fedoras. Good Luck.

Joe

 

[stratcat]

I've never sung as well as o did last night!! It's all down to the hat I'm sure!
We play country, skiffle, rock n roll kind of stuff.. All acoustic. Lots of close harmonies... Here Are a couple of videos from a few weeks back. Hope you don't mind me sharing. See what you think. I'm in my straw hat in both!!

Great music, very enjoyable, thanks. I've got a colleague that is very much into a similar style - close harmony+acoustic. Nice wheels too, is the Triumph yours?
Man, you've got good taste, guitars, hats and bikes

 

[stratcat]

I'll have a look to see if I can find it.

@Sol James I found it here
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/forums/threads/hatters-hat-shops.80787/#post-1899245

 

[Bob Roberts]

Sol, welcome. You have youth, good looks and a desire to wear proper hats, all good attributes. Several styles will look good on you. Google Mellegari (sp.) hats in Italy, I think you might find something you'll like. I, like you, prefer tall square crown hats with moderate sized brims 2 3/8"- 2 1/2" in my fedoras. Good Luck.

Joe

Havnt seen your pic posts in our daily circus...?

 

[JoeyC]

Havnt seen your pic posts in our daily circus...?

I, unlike Sol, no longer have my youth or good looks, add to that I'm a bit of an old dinosaur and don't even own an i-phone so can't take a selfie
Tough trying to hold an i-pad steady and taking a selfie. Perhaps one day.

Joe

 

[Sol James]

I'm a bit of a technophobe my self to be honest. I think the photos I posted here were my first ever "selfies"! Just finished another gig. Donned the hat for a second time... People seem to dig it!
It's funny, I've worn a straw hat for a number of years but wearing this new fedora, although it's not perfect, really makes me feel great! the straw hat never this impact on me!

 

[Bob Roberts]

I, unlike Sol, no longer have my youth or good looks, add to that I'm a bit of an old dinosaur and don't even own an i-phone so can't take a selfie
Tough trying to hold an i-pad steady and taking a selfie. Perhaps one day.

Joe

Ha. I think I kno what u mean. Took me almost a year to figure out how to post pics.

 

[Frunobulax]

Ha. I think I kno what u mean. Took me almost a year to figure out how to post pics.

(Sigh) well, it was nice while it lasted...

 

[Bob Roberts]

(Sigh) well, it was nice while it lasted...

[emoji14]

Hahahaha! I'll just have to get some more hats to make it interesting.

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