Baily Hats

[Stoney]

Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of the Baily line of hats?
I've seen several that I like, but since I'm a new hat guy I 'm wondering how well they will hold up.

Thanks

 

[MattJH]

I just recently purchased a Bailey Jackson which you can read about here. They're considered entry-level fur felt hats from what I've read from previous posts here, and they're fairly common in hat shops. Some Bailey hats are sized numerically (6 7/8, 7, 7 1/8, etc.) and some are sized by the less than desirable S/M/L/XL method.

User thetankw/ahat has stated several times that he wears Bailey hats almost exclusively. He may be a good source for information on them. All I know, from internet searches, is that the brand was founded in 1922 by George Bailey.

 

[feltfan]

We seem to have a pattern at the Lounge lately.
New users ask questions that have been asked many
times before, seeking information already available in
earlier threads.

I think we'd save a lot of time and effort if we had a
hat or Lounge FAQ, sent to each new user and available
as a sticky. If it were for the Hat section alone it might have:

- How to use the Search function (including how to search
using Google), including encouragement not to post until
one has tried searching old threads first
- How to post pictures (a link to the existing explanation,
which needs improvement)
- Link to existing stickies
- Some basic info on ongoing issues:
+ vintage vs. today's hats
+ factory vs. custom
+ the great hat makers of the past
+ basic hat style examples: fedora, homburg, bowler, topper, porkpie, etc.

I leave it up to the bartenders. But if we're going to have a
lot of newbies, this could be a big annoyance.

Apologies, Stoney, and welcome to the Lounge. This post
isn't really about you. You can find plenty about Bailey if
you use the Search function. You can start here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/search.php?searchid=409402

 

[Stoney]

Thanks for the info on the Search function. I was looking for it and Gee if it was a snake I would have been bitten.

I just picked this Stetson up on e-bay, Hopefiully I didnt get burned.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250081133690&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015

 

[vonwotan]

Uh Oh. Looks like I have some competition for those size 7's out there... My small noggin has allowed me to pick up a few nice hats with no other bidders.

 

[Stoney]

Re: Bailey Hats

Thanks again for the info Fellas.

BTW I have one Bailey Executive stingy brim hat in Camel that I really like.
I guess I'll see how it holds up with time. Does anyone have any idea when the Stetson was made based on the available information in the auction?

:cheers1:

 

[Rick Blaine]

As I recall

the black sweatband & diamond pattern on the liner are indicative of a production date of eighties or later, the brim looks like an overwelt, of course if it were a mode (Cavanaugh) edge this would push the date back significantly...

 

[thefedorastore]

Welcome Stoney

Glad to see new people here asking the same old questions, as it keeps the dialogue about hats active, and there are plenty of folks anxious to answer a newbie's questions. Bailey hats are a very nice entry level hat, whether looking at wool or fur. For folks new to hats, I recommend experimenting with inexpensive hats in various styles and colors until you find one you really like, the "favorite" hat. Then I suggest getting a custom hat made of your favorite by a quality hatter such as Art Fawcett, Optimo, Beaver Brand, etc.

Duane

 

[SHARPETOYS]

The Question was Bailey hats

Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of the Baily line of hats?
I've seen several that I like, but since I'm a new hat guy I 'm wondering how well they will hold up.

Thanks

I love mine... It is a 50% beaver 50% rabbitt fur felt that I bought from Aaron's. Excellent hat...

I try to support the hatters that support the Fedora Lounge like Aaron and Bencraft if they don't have what I'm looking for then I go to other sources.

I love custom hats but I wear my factory hats also and not all folks want or can afford a custom...

http://www.getahaton.com/proddetail.php?prod=ARH6062


http://www.bencrafthats.com/list.php?cattype=2&subcatid=1&subcname=Bailey

 

[besdor]

Bailey Hats are a decent line for the money . As a retailer, I like the company because they will customize the hat for the store . The problem is that their fur felt selection has gotten smaller every year because people aren't wearing hats anyone like they did in the past.
The companies strong points in selling are their wool hats and straw hats. If you are looking for a nice casual wool hat in the 35.00 to 60.00 range , then Bailey's are for you.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Stoney]

Thanks Again for the Feedback

Wow,

Thanks so much for the information. I wasn't expecting this much response.
Hey, The 50-50 Bailey hat in the above link looks awesome and the price is within the range I'm looking at.

 

[RedPop4]

Glad to see new people here asking the same old questions, as it keeps the dialogue about hats active, and there are plenty of folks anxious to answer a newbie's questions. Bailey hats are a very nice entry level hat, whether looking at wool or fur. For folks new to hats, I recommend experimenting with inexpensive hats in various styles and colors until you find one you really like, the "favorite" hat. Then I suggest getting a custom hat made of your favorite by a quality hatter such as Art Fawcett, Optimo, Beaver Brand, etc.

Duane

Excellent, Duane. I tell people on another forum all the time, that IF older members tell every newbie to "use the Search Function" then we'll have no dialogue. Newbies will use the search function, and never get into discussions, and we always learn from these discussions. It's also less than welcoming sometimes.