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[LEOSTARK]

There are a great many shades that go by the name silverbelly. It’s not a single color. Your example of the CD and the OR are good references on how different the color can be between brands and even over time in the same brand.

None of the colors going by silverbelly look “loud” to me. It’s a very neutral color and it’s easy to work into most any wardrobe. It’s a perennial favorite for western hats, but it makes for great dress hats (fedoras etc.) too. Silverbelly has remained popular due to its east to match nature. I think only black is more versatile. Spend a few hours going through the Westerns Anyone thread and you should see why it’s such a well-liked color (really a range of tones).

Appreciate the reply, Brent.
That's what I am trying to get at, it's a very ubiquitous color in the western hat word. To me personally, when I see it worn, it stands out. Neutrality to me is more along the lines of medium gray/brown or even black albeit leaning formal. I have read through many a thread on here, and people seem to think of it as a very versatile color (or the multiple colors that constitute it as you have mentioned), but to me, it does its own thing, and other thank Khaki pants, and closely matching shades of color, I don't see it blending well with much. It's just too bright to me.

Silverbelly is a very loved color no doubt about that, and I don't think right or wrong belong as modifiers to this discussion. Maybe it should be jotted down as a matter of under-developed taste. But gosh it would be nice to see what the majority is seeing that I am not seeing, oh well!

Appreciate the thread recommendation, will be checking it out right after I post this reply.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Appreciate the reply, Brent.
That's what I am trying to get at, it's a very ubiquitous color in the western hat word. To me personally, when I see it worn, it stands out. Neutrality to me is more along the lines of medium gray/brown or even black albeit leaning formal. I have read through many a thread on here, and people seem to think of it as a very versatile color (or the multiple colors that constitute it as you have mentioned), but to me, it does its own thing, and other thank Khaki pants, and closely matching shades of color, I don't see it blending well with much. It's just too bright to me.

Silverbelly is a very loved color no doubt about that, and I don't think right or wrong belong as modifiers to this discussion. Maybe it should be jotted down as a matter of under-developed taste. But gosh it would be nice to see what the majority is seeing that I am not seeing, oh well!

Appreciate the thread recommendation, will be checking it out right after I post this reply.

I really don’t see it as in way “bright” and it’s truly neutral as it matches most anything. I think it would go great with a pair of jeans, khaki chinos, leather jackets, or ??? I think silvermist is a harder color to work with and I wouldn’t dispute that there is a brightness to it.

Here’s my Gannon fedora in silverbelly (Winchester’s dress felt version of the color).

I’ts not at all bright to my way of thinking and it’s an easy color to pair with most anything. It’s very neutral to me and very versatile because of it. I really think that’s why it has been so popular for so long.

 

[LEOSTARK]

I really don’t see it as in way “bright” and it’s truly neutral as it matches most anything. I think it would go great with a pair of jeans, khaki chinos, leather jackets, or ??? I think silvermist is a harder color to work with and I wouldn’t dispute that there is a brightness to it.

Here’s my Gannon fedora in silverbelly (Winchester’s dress felt version of the color).

View attachment 420087

I’ts not at all bright to my way of thinking and it’s an easy color to pair with most anything. It’s very neutral to me and very versatile because of it. I really think that’s why it has been so popular for so long.

It does look pretty good on you, sir. I am not sure if it's the background or just the natural light, but it looks a tad on the tan shade. I don't mind that! Wouldn't mind knowing the maker.

 

[The Shoe]

Hey folks, first time posting.
I am new to lid collecting. I am trying to dabble with different colors to see how they fit with others and expand my taste. For those who have and enjoy Silverbelly hats, how loud is the color truly? It seems a tad too bright from the pictures. Like Stetson OR's And Akabura CD's. I should have prefaced all this by saying that I am more of a subtle color type of person, with a wardrobe made mostly of chinos/denim/canvas jackets/leather jackets and mostly dark earthy colors, but some things can be acquired taste. Been trying to look through picture platforms for Silverbellys in the wild, unfortunately, most of the pictures are of solitary unworn lids.
Would you help me like/understand the appeal of Silverbelly color in lids? Thank you kindly.

There are a great many shades that go by the name silverbelly. It’s not a single color. Your example of the CD and the OR are good references on how different the color can be between brands and even over time in the same brand.

None of the colors going by silverbelly look “loud” to me. It’s a very neutral color and it’s easy to work into most any wardrobe. It’s a perennial favorite for western hats, but it makes for great dress hats (fedoras etc.) too. Silverbelly has remained popular due to its east to match nature. I think only black is more versatile. Spend a few hours going through the Westerns Anyone thread and you should see why it’s such a well-liked color (really a range of tones).

My experience has been a little different from Brent’s. For a long time, I had greys, browns and blacks and had thought it would be cool to have a silverbelly. I wanted a Fed IV, but they don’t make them in silverbelly. Reading the Akubra forums, people were saying “Get a Fed IV and a Campdraft at the same time because sooner or later you’ll end up with both, so you might as well save on the shipping.” I took their advice and got a brown Fed IV (the Indy hat) and a silverbelly Campdraft. Surprisingly, I think I like the Campdraft better as a hat, but find the silverbelly more difficult to wear. My fashion advisor (wife) has pulled more strange faces when I’ve tried the Campdraft on than almost any other hat I own.
I agree with Brent that it’s not especially bright, but (maybe because it’s quite different from my other hats and we’re not so used to the look), I do find it more difficult to pair with outfits. That said, it works just fine sometimes, and I absolutely do not regret the purchase.
So I say go for it.

 

[Frunobulax]

My experience has been a little different from Brent’s. For a long time, I had greys, browns and blacks and had thought it would be cool to have a silverbelly. I wanted a Fed IV, but they don’t make them in silverbelly. Reading the Akubra forums, people were saying “Get a Fed IV and a Campdraft at the same time because sooner or later you’ll end up with both, so you might as well save on the shipping.” I took their advice and got a brown Fed IV (the Indy hat) and a silverbelly Campdraft. Surprisingly, I think I like the Campdraft better as a hat, but find the silverbelly more difficult to wear. My fashion advisor (wife) has pulled more strange faces when I’ve tried the Campdraft on than almost any other hat I own.
I agree with Brent that it’s not especially bright, but (maybe because it’s quite different from my other hats and we’re not so used to the look), I do find it more difficult to pair with outfits. That said, it works just fine sometimes, and I absolutely do not regret the purchase.
So I say go for it.

Interesting about taste and perception. To my mind, a Silverbelly Open Road, Camp Draft, or any other thin ribbon is a go-to no matter what I'm wearing.

But I've also been told all my taste is in my mouth....

 

[The Shoe]

Interesting about taste and perception. To my mind, a Silverbelly Open Road, Camp Draft, or any other thin ribbon is a go-to no matter what I'm wearing.

But I've also been told all my taste is in my mouth....

As I said, it may just be a case of getting used to a different colour.

But I’ve never been accused of having taste.

 

[Frunobulax]

As I said, it may just be a case of getting used to a different colour.

But I’ve never been accused of having taste.

That's a lie, sir - I've seen your cooking!

Consider yourself accused!

 

[jlee562]

Well, different strokes and all, but I personally don't consider Silverbelly a particularly "loud" color. As Brent notes, "Silverbelly" can be a slightly different shade depending on the manufacturer and/or time period. Optimo in Chicago is one of the few hatters that offers a true, natural, undyed Silverbelly (for those unaware, the color name is derived from the lighter colored hairs that appears on some beavers).

Most of the dyed Silverbellly hats will be lighter, however.

Clear Beaver Stetson:

Very casual jeans and hoodie:

Slightly less casual (3x Stetson)

Also with a suit (Stetson 100 slightly different shade)

Obviously I agree that a thin ribbon in Silverbelly is a very versatile hat...

 

[basbol13]

I agree Silverbelly to me is not loud at all. The only thing I don't like about the modern Open Road in silverbelly is the Twin Peak crease.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

It does look pretty good on you, sir. I am not sure if it's the background or just the natural light, but it looks a tad on the tan shade. I don't mind that! Wouldn't mind knowing the maker.

The maker is Michael Gannon.

https://gannonhatcompany.com/

 

[VansonRider]

A question about the crown heights in hat bodies...

Do any manufacturers or sellers list crown height of the hat body before it's been bashed? I'm looking for a taller hat and I can't seem to get this dimension.

I wear a 60cm in a strong oval shape, and either I have an egg shaped dome or maybe just low ears but hats have a tendency to sit too high.

I never wore ball caps growing up because they looked odd, perched too high over my ears. Now I've been wearing felt westerns and I'm encountering the same problem. I've raised the bash on both my Stetson Ashley (a cheap and cheery wool crusher) but also on my Akubra Coober Pedy. Same thing with the few palm hats I have.

It would be great to find out which models start out with more height and volume in the crown! I don't mind a little steam kettle tweaking, but I really would like to get my hands on a couple taller crowned hats. Just a little breathing room...

It looks like Akubra, Resistol, Stetson, and the other names will tell you the after bash measurments, but that doesn't tell me what I'd be working with.

 

[Bamaboots]

Akubra

Campdrafts come OC and both of mine measure 5 3/4.

 

[jlee562]

A question about the crown heights in hat bodies...

Do any manufacturers or sellers list crown height of the hat body before it's been bashed? I'm looking for a taller hat and I can't seem to get this dimension.

I wear a 60cm in a strong oval shape, and either I have an egg shaped dome or maybe just low ears but hats have a tendency to sit too high.

I never wore ball caps growing up because they looked odd, perched too high over my ears. Now I've been wearing felt westerns and I'm encountering the same problem. I've raised the bash on both my Stetson Ashley (a cheap and cheery wool crusher) but also on my Akubra Coober Pedy. Same thing with the few palm hats I have.

It would be great to find out which models start out with more height and volume in the crown! I don't mind a little steam kettle tweaking, but I really would like to get my hands on a couple taller crowned hats. Just a little breathing room...

It looks like Akubra, Resistol, Stetson, and the other names will tell you the after bash measurments, but that doesn't tell me what I'd be working with.

.....well there aren't that many open crown hats to begin with, and those that are list those dimensions AFAIK. Are you planning on popping out the creases on a pre-creased hat? If so, you may not be satisfied with the results. It's hard to make those hydraulically pressed creases go away with steam.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A question about the crown heights in hat bodies...

Do any manufacturers or sellers list crown height of the hat body before it's been bashed? I'm looking for a taller hat and I can't seem to get this dimension.

I wear a 60cm in a strong oval shape, and either I have an egg shaped dome or maybe just low ears but hats have a tendency to sit too high.

I never wore ball caps growing up because they looked odd, perched too high over my ears. Now I've been wearing felt westerns and I'm encountering the same problem. I've raised the bash on both my Stetson Ashley (a cheap and cheery wool crusher) but also on my Akubra Coober Pedy. Same thing with the few palm hats I have.

It would be great to find out which models start out with more height and volume in the crown! I don't mind a little steam kettle tweaking, but I really would like to get my hands on a couple taller crowned hats. Just a little breathing room...

It looks like Akubra, Resistol, Stetson, and the other names will tell you the after bash measurments, but that doesn't tell me what I'd be working with.

My last Campdraft’s (CD) open crown measured 5 1/2 inches. I really wanted a black CD, but the possibility of getting another with a crown in the 5 1/2” range has kept me from getting one. If I knew it would be one of the taller hats (at or close to 6”) I’d have bought one as soon as they became available.

 

[moehawk]

Hey everyone!
I'm trying to figure out who made my recent find, the Paleari Monza Mystery hat. I know I have seen this particular size tag on another hat, but just can't remember where.




The factory sticker is pretty generic.




And FWIW, the union label on the back of the size tag.




If this rings a bell with anyone, let me know!
Thanks!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hey everyone!
I'm trying to figure out who made my recent find, the Paleari Monza Mystery hat. I know I have seen this particular size tag on another hat, but just can't remember where.

View attachment 420829


The factory sticker is pretty generic.

View attachment 420830


And FWIW, the union label on the back of the size tag.

View attachment 420831


If this rings a bell with anyone, let me know!
Thanks!

Some McLachlan hats used a similar size tag:

 

[moehawk]

Some McLachlan hats used a similar size tag:

View attachment 420861

Interesting. Especially since after a couple sessions with the Jiffy and a brush all the coarse, ruggy feeling to the nap of the felt is gone, and the hand is now very nice and soft. I no longer think there is any wool involved. The construction overall is quite good. Note the sweatband stitching in the pics.

 

[LEOSTARK]

Evening folks. I have a question.

Would you be so kind as to describe via pictures or words the difference in colour between Stetson's caribou and Akubra's moonstone?

I have a stratoliner on the way, and was eyeing out a moonstone stylemaster. I am debating whether the shades of grey are too close and redundant. Thank you very much.

 

[Frunobulax]

Evening folks. I have a question.

Would you be so kind as to describe via pictures or words the difference in colour between Stetson's caribou and Akubra's moonstone?

I have a stratoliner on the way, and was eyeing out a moonstone stylemaster. I am debating whether the shades of grey are too close and redundant. Thank you very much.

In my eye, though I've never seen a moonstone in person, is there is more gray in the moonstone, more blue or violet in the caribou. But the real answer is they are two distinct styles so you should get them both.

The real answer is always get them both.

 

[belfastboy]

Evening folks. I have a question.

Would you be so kind as to describe via pictures or words the difference in colour between Stetson's caribou and Akubra's moonstone?

I have a stratoliner on the way, and was eyeing out a moonstone stylemaster. I am debating whether the shades of grey are too close and redundant. Thank you very much.

The risk in accepting my answer as gospel is that dye lots change. My Cariboo Stetsonian is a mid grey while the Akubra Moonstone I owned was a light grey with strong blue undertones. Two very distinct colours. But my Stetsonian is maybe a decade old and the Moonstone goes back at least as far.