Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Jel

New in Town
Messages
18
Location
Singapore
Not sure if you are asking for input on this hat or not. But no way would I pay that kind of money for a wool hat. For not too much more you can get a custom hat made out of real fur felt.
Yes I'm asking for input. I have no experience with winter wool hats quality or brands

Sent from my ALP-L29 using Tapatalk
 
Messages
10,851
Location
vancouver, canada
Yes I'm asking for input. I have no experience with winter wool hats quality or brands

Sent from my ALP-L29 using Tapatalk
Wool is an inferior material with which to make hats (other than knitted toques). They tend to not hold their shape after being wetted from a downpour. The loss of shape is true for both brim and crown. Crowns tend to taper over time. The price point on this is one of the more expensive wools I have seen so it may be better quality than most. However, wool will never be an equal to a decent fur felt. There are a number of custom hatters that can supply you with a fur felt out of rabbit/hare that if taken care of will last you a lifetime...….even if you are young!!! If you are on a tight budget then I suggest you check out Akubra hats out of Australia. They offer rabbit fur felt and the hats are across the board well constructed and rugged (I have one 20 years old). Their price point is well below what they want for the wool one you reference. Check out Everything Austrailian (Akubra) or Hats Direct. They sell a great deal on line and both are highly reputable.
 

Jel

New in Town
Messages
18
Location
Singapore
Wool is an inferior material with which to make hats (other than knitted toques). They tend to not hold their shape after being wetted from a downpour. The loss of shape is true for both brim and crown. Crowns tend to taper over time. The price point on this is one of the more expensive wools I have seen so it may be better quality than most. However, wool will never be an equal to a decent fur felt. There are a number of custom hatters that can supply you with a fur felt out of rabbit/hare that if taken care of will last you a lifetime...….even if you are young!!! If you are on a tight budget then I suggest you check out Akubra hats out of Australia. They offer rabbit fur felt and the hats are across the board well constructed and rugged (I have one 20 years old). Their price point is well below what they want for the wool one you reference. Check out Everything Austrailian (Akubra) or Hats Direct. They sell a great deal on line and both are highly reputable.
Awesome, wife dodged a bullet thanks to you. Have a great one ahead!

Sent from my ALP-L29 using Tapatalk
 

Louis Mountbatten

A-List Customer
Messages
313
I was told by a guy on ebay that clear plastic did not show up in hat liners until the 1950s. Is that true, do you guys know? I mean, I guess it makes sense. But how can I find out for sure?
 
Messages
19,426
Location
Funkytown, USA
I was told by a guy on ebay that clear plastic did not show up in hat liners until the 1950s. Is that true, do you guys know? I mean, I guess it makes sense. But how can I find out for sure?

Yes, the clear plastic showed up around then, owing to the coming revolution in plastics. Prior to that, the material was an oilskin or lighter cellophane. Prior to that, normally no covering at all. The theory is that, as pomades and other hair treatments became prevalent, something to protect the liner tip was needed.
 

logan74k

New in Town
Messages
1
Hi there everyone. New Member, so apologies in advance if I make any faux pas with my query here - but I understand this would be a good place to ask with all you knowledgeable folks.

hatcomp.jpg


I'm looking to get a top hat like this made, or possibly off the shelf if it exists. Needs to be very close appearance wise. Would love to get the correct terms to describe what I'm looking for here - what the material is, any relevant info as to construction or style would be great for me as a novice to the hat collecting world.

If you all can recommend specific shops or makers for something like this, I would really appreciate that as well. Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • hatcomp.jpg
    hatcomp.jpg
    951.3 KB · Views: 381
Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
Yes, the clear plastic showed up around then, owing to the coming revolution in plastics. Prior to that, the material was an oilskin or lighter cellophane. Prior to that, normally no covering at all. The theory is that, as pomades and other hair treatments became prevalent, something to protect the liner tip was needed.

It seems to me that shiny hair dressings for men were popular in the 1930s. The liner of the hat serves as felt protection as well as a way to finish the product and provide advertising to the manufacturer and retailer. Paper (European hats) cellophane and plastic crown protectors seem to be a post-war thing.
 
Messages
19,426
Location
Funkytown, USA
It seems to me that shiny hair dressings for men were popular in the 1930s. The liner of the hat serves as felt protection as well as a way to finish the product and provide advertising to the manufacturer and retailer. Paper (European hats) cellophane and plastic crown protectors seem to be a post-war thing.

Thanks for the clarification.
 
Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
Thanks for the clarification.

Just a guess. Seems that hair treatments could be as thick and slick in the 1930s as in the 1950s. I grew up in the "vinyl wrap everyrthing" era. My mom had (I still have) an incredible set of red velour luggage with custom fitted vinyl covers. I'm not sure I have owned any hat from the 1930s with a protector over the crown lining.

gary.jpg
 
Messages
19,426
Location
Funkytown, USA
Just a guess. Seems that hair treatments could be as thick and slick in the 1930s as in the 1950s. I grew up in the "vinyl wrap everyrthing" era. My mom had (I still have) an incredible set of red velour luggage with custom fitted vinyl covers. I'm not sure I have owned any hat from the 1930s with a protector over the crown lining.

View attachment 204523

I suually associate the rise of heir gels and pomades with the 50s (Greasers, etc.). But yes, they did use some slick stuff in the thirties, as well. My limited collection has few, if any, pre-WWII hats, but I do have a few without protectors.
 

thundurchasur

Familiar Face
Messages
95
Location
South Texas
I suually associate the rise of heir gels and pomades with the 50s (Greasers, etc.). But yes, they did use some slick stuff in the thirties, as well. My limited collection has few, if any, pre-WWII hats, but I do have a few without protectors.

I'm pretty sure many of us remember, "a little dab will do ya," Brylcream ads.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,265
Messages
3,077,599
Members
54,221
Latest member
magyara
Top