Best and most affordable bowler options?

[Seb Lucas]

I've been reading some bowler hat posts here for research. I love the things. I don't have time to search ebay, etc, and how can one get the sizing right for sich a stiff hat? And I don't want to pay more than $250-300 US. I'd like a fur felt bowler to fit a (generally) 58 sized head (my Akubras are all that size). I like the fur-felt Christy's version but fear they are not well made and may be made in China - which kind of goes against the atmosphere of a bowler for me. Any ideas?

I had a Lock and Co made for me (by them) 34 years ago - great thing but I grew out of it (I was 12 when I got it). They're too expensive now. I hear they may currently be the same as the Christy's bowlers. Is this true?

 

[Seb Lucas]

Bump

 

[ukali1066]

An original used vintage one is your best option, I've just won a 1930's Moores bowler on Ebay, it's a risk with the sizing but if it doesn't fit you can always relist it.

From what I've read the special techniques of making them are long gone and you won't be able to get the same quality and shape from any modern maker

 

[jlee562]

I dunno, if you have two days to wait around for a response from the lounge, I would think you have the time for an ebay search.

 

[mayserwegener]

An original used vintage one is your best option, I've just won a 1930's Moores bowler on Ebay, it's a risk with the sizing but if it doesn't fit you can always relist it.

From what I've read the special techniques of making them are long gone and you won't be able to get the same quality and shape from any modern maker

+1

Also check the FL Classifieds.

 

[ofcoursemyhorse]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/1163870...ry&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all

This guy does custom bowlers, if you don't mind the pencil curl over the traditional d'orsay.

 

[bowlerman]

It's true that the size and head shape are extra important for such a traditionally stiff hat. Lots of custom hatters make nice looking bowlers, and personally, I've come to realize that in fact I prefer the pencil curl to the D'Orsay, especially if it has a nice western flair to it.

buckaroohatters.com
goldengatewesternwear.com
clearwaterhats.com

Or if you prefer the vintage D'Orsay curl, you're pretty much restricted to searching eBay, etsy, and antique shops, not to mention the classified section here at the lounge.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I dunno, if you have two days to wait around for a response from the lounge, I would think you have the time for an ebay search.

Kind of a snide comment, or am I getting you wrong? There's a big difference in spending a five minutes on Fedora Lounge posting and scouring ebay for a quality wearable bowler, posting questions and speculating on options especially when you have no idea what size is needed or what's what in terms of felt firmness, etc. Or was that really hard to get from my initial question?

 

[Seb Lucas]

It's true that the size and head shape are extra important for such a traditionally stiff hat. Lots of custom hatters make nice looking bowlers, and personally, I've come to realize that in fact I prefer the pencil curl to the D'Orsay, especially if it has a nice western flair to it.

buckaroohatters.com
goldengatewesternwear.com
clearwaterhats.com

Or if you prefer the vintage D'Orsay curl, you're pretty much restricted to searching eBay, etsy, and antique shops, not to mention the classified section here at the lounge.

Thanks that's helpful.

I can try on a Christies here and work out my fit. In a Chrisites the size is actually 3 sizes larger than my normal size. Who knows how the ebay hats fit?

Is the Christies a poor product? If its a reasonable hat I may well buy one since it is convenient.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I guess I don't see the big problem with getting the correct size in a bowler. I have picked up 4 bowlers from ebay. I only buy ones that have the factory size tag. I have found they run pretty much as advertised, and since a bowler is a stiff hat, and not the kind of hat that can be successfully stretched, they are not often messed with like other hats may be. In other words, if you are a 7 1/8, standard oval, for example, you should get a hat you can wear. Any variation is usually on the larger side, and nothing a little padding won't bring into trim. In addition, at the prices bowlers can be had for, your not going to lose much if it doesn't fit. Don't over think it, Amigo.

 

[mayserwegener]

The 1930s (and later) models tend to have self conforming sweatbands. If you go vintage that would be a good starting point.

Some of the stiff hats I have were stretched (this even happened back in the day). The way you can tell is if they don't lay flat. This isn't a big deal IMO.

Also the lighter the better (state of the art stiff hat making). I have some German and Austrian Melonen (Bowler, Derby) that are in the 115-130 gram range. Usually the makers will make note that it's a light weight model (Feather Weight, ect.).