Boater faction!

[Safford]

Hello:
New to the Fedora Lounge. I'm sort of wondering where to find a decent boater hat. Actually, there's one hanging from the bedpost, but it's an ancient Adams Aristocrat Long Oval, the old 3 ply variety with a black grosgrain band...guessing 1920s. It looks brand new but the sweatband has perished & will be replaced. The problem is, I can't find many new boaters fitting my high standards set by this hat:

Black band
3 or 4 ply straw, as heavy and brittle as your favorite Victrola record.
Long oval construction
Leather sweat, satin crown lining.
Nice shady brim, sits up level on your head and won't fly off.

Being definitely manly-looking but unimpressive in build I look like my granddad back in the 1930s. It is nice to dress like that because I always feel more natural & relaxed but as hot as it gets down South, I wants me an extra straw hat! From whom can I source one?

 

[Gamma68]

Hello:
New to the Fedora Lounge. I'm sort of wondering where to find a decent boater hat. Actually, there's one hanging from the bedpost, but it's an ancient Adams Aristocrat Long Oval, the old 3 ply variety with a black grosgrain band...guessing 1920s. It looks brand new but the sweatband has perished & will be replaced. The problem is, I can't find many new boaters fitting my high standards set by this hat:

Black band
3 or 4 ply straw, as heavy and brittle as your favorite Victrola record.
Long oval construction
Leather sweat, satin crown lining.
Nice shady brim, sits up level on your head and won't fly off.

Being definitely manly-looking but unimpressive in build I look like my granddad back in the 1930s. It is nice to dress like that because I always feel more natural & relaxed but as hot as it gets down South, I wants me an extra straw hat! From whom can I source one?

Would love to see some photos of that classic boater.

I found my hat at a local estate sale. That was happenstance. You may have better luck searching eBay.

 

[M Hatman]

Would love to see some photos of that classic boater.

I found my hat at a local estate sale. That was happenstance. You may have better luck searching eBay.

Plus 1.....This time of year Straws go MUCH cheaper on the Bay.....................
M

 

[RJR]

Plus 1.....This time of year Straws go MUCH cheaper on the Bay.....................
M

+1

 

[Safford]

Thanks a lot guys, but I was thinking to pick up a newer one. I love to use my antiques but what I'm scared of is obliterating an awesome antique lid through carelessness--because with these disgusting Scala straws on the market people are going to forget what a boater should look like when fit for human wearing. I also do not like panama hats. Why wear a panama when the straw boater is the official lid of summer? (Most of the antiques I actually use are metal and wood--technological stuff. I'm not likely, for example, to wear out a typewriter, fountain pen, or Victrola. But a 90 year old straw hat?)

No pics, sorry--I have an old bellows camera and that's it.

 

[David Conwill]

A mirror selfie with a bellows camera would be outstanding!

 

[Gamma68]

No pics, sorry--I have an old bellows camera and that's it.

Not even a smartphone camera?

 

[Safford]

Sorry to disappoint you guys. The boater looks like any other out of the 1910s thru 1930s--very conservative, plain, black-banded and classy as all get out. Yes, mirror selfie with the old camera would be cool but I've got two rolls I haven't even had the chance to process and the camera needs repairing. (Broke during a ball game.)

I'm pretty hardcore about my vintage preferences...it's 2017, I use a laptop, but refuse a smartphone to save my life, sanity, and relaxation. Besides, I can do all that a smartphone does without one. Even have a cellphone but it's a Jitterbug flip of the ordinary kind.


Check time of day: Mechanical pocket watch.
Recharge: Winds watch & refills fountain pen.
Send text message: Antique typewriter, envelope, stamp, and best wishes.
Text on the go: Fountain pen, envelope, stamp, car window, mailbox.
Pictures: Back of envelope & fountain pen. Or a good memory suffices, God still gives us those!
Movies: Hal Roach silent shorts I have memorized on repeat in the back of my cerebrum.
Music: 2 Victrolas, a couple hundred records, an Edison cylinder phonograph, and me own set o' pipes--Baritone!
Light: 1925 Aladdin Model 11 Kerosene Lamp, duly nickeled and polished as is right and just. (I need to fix it.)
Headphones: Close door, play cylinder records, ignore shouting neighbor banging on wall. (Just kidding.)
Calendar: A Calendar.
Calculator: Hand cranked Odhner 10-digit pinwheel machine.
Camera: 1948 Universal Roamer II, needs repaired.
File Storage: Hard sided briefcase.
Media Storage: Bookcase.
Music Streaming: Open window, play Victrola, go outside.
Portable books: Favorite book tucked in briefcase.
Way to escape the harshness of outside world: Wear an overcoat.
Comments: Chivalry & class usually bring in the best ones--and you meet some nice people!!

How to be current, up to date like this? It's easy: Stop, ask someone for time, reset pocket watch. Smile, tip hat, "thank you sir/ma'am" and be on your way.

 

[Gamma68]

Yes, that is a "hardcore" vintage lifestyle. Sounds refreshing, in a way.

I assume you also live in a vintage home and drive a vintage car (or perhaps ride a bicycle)?

 

[Safford]

Ha!

No, not an old home. Does an old Catholic seminary from the 1960s count as vintage? My room looks like part of the set from Apollo 13 mixed with the early 1900s. Just a normal 19 year old guy in training to become a priest in about 8 years.

It's just the way I do things. The oil lamp, 2 Victrola machines, and one of my typewriters I didn't bring--try to move a floor model Victrola cross country. Then try it with records! Nope, I didn't even want to go there. So for cheap dormitory entertainment I got a "beater" Amberola that I'm rebuilding slowly. It plays nicely but could stand some cosmetics.

Boaters are cool because my diocese is deep Southern, and the priests in their heavy cassocks (our bishop thinks they're okay if we wear cassocks) sometimes need to chill. If I get ordained I won't be the only priest in straw... and with my 1910s Emerson electric fan I can chill out in my office while working there. (8 years down the road.)

Living on $5 a day and being forbidden alcohol due to age makes it really hardcore vintage--everything is like my own personal Great Depression!
Make it Do--Wear it out--Mend it Back--Or Do Without.

 

[MondoFW]

Can any boater owners tell me how long one in good condition would last me when worn almost everyday each summer (assuming it'll last more than one, which I'd hope)?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Can any boater owners tell me how long one in good condition would last me when worn almost everyday each summer (assuming it'll last more than one, which I'd hope)?

There are too many variables to give an accurate answer. The straw isn't subject to friction so there really isn't a mechanism for wear. The leather sweat can last decades if well-cared for. The ribbon also has an indefinite life expectancy. What will happen is sun bleaching and environmental discoloration. Greases, oils, dust, etc. can all leave their marks. If you take care of it, a well-constructed boater should last decades. I would recommend that you have more than one and rotate them so they can recover; sort of like leather shoes.

Most boaters' lives end in accident or neglect and not from getting worn out. Of course, if you don't want a disposable hat you need to invest in quality.

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Can any boater owners tell me how long one in good condition would last me when worn almost everyday each summer (assuming it'll last more than one, which I'd hope)?

I go to a school wear we wear straw boaters everyday. The Olney ones wear done very well if not handled well. It is a custom to varnish your boater with yacht varnish at my school although that is not a 'must' but it is fairly recommended. I recommend you get hold of a Stetson Boater or the English makes are very good. (Gieves Ltd, Tress & co, Battersby & etc).

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Goodness look at those typos, I meant where we wear and wear down.

 

[fabiovenhorst]

Yesterday another Brunetto arrived to me. It required some work to put it in condition to wear.


Before:

After:

 

[1mach1]

Yesterday another Brunetto arrived to me. It required some work to put it in condition to wear.


Before:
View attachment 119919
View attachment 119920

After:
View attachment 119922
View attachment 119921
View attachment 119923

Looks great Fabio! As always, super pics.

 

[VinhatFancier]

This hat is by far the one I get the most compliments on. Seller claimed it was from the 60's. Not sure if that is accurate. No liner. Label says the National, East Maine at stone. Same on one side of the hat band, snapper on the other. Tag under band says United Hatters Cape and millinery wrx. Looks like it has 89 on this tag. Is that the year.

 

[Redfokker]

This hat is by far the one I get the most compliments on. Seller claimed it was from the 60's. Not sure if that is accurate. No liner. Label says the National, East Maine at stone. Same on one side of the hat band, snapper on the other. Tag under band says United Hatters Cape and millinery wrx. Looks like it has 89 on this tag. Is that the year.

I don't think the "89" is the year on that union tag. There is a dedicated thread around here about these tags. One of the key factors is the wording of the union. I'll have to review my notes.

Here we have a union tag from the early 20th century from an old Derby. The 27 is not the year. Yours may well be of a newer vintage, there are other clues though. Are there any tags under the sweat other than the union mark? Picks of the innards sometimes can help date. The style seems later than a true boater.

 

[VinhatFancier]

Thanks for responding.
Looking around the internet. This tag was used from 1934 until 1983. Nothing under the band. However the band is not leather, possibly backed with a thin layer of what used to be foam.
So 89 is out but still later. I still think 60 is too early. Tag says Straw panam

 

[SvH]

Good evening,
I really would like to be part of the Boater Faction, so I am looking for a boater. But living in the Netherlands, it is hard to find one here. Actually, any kind of hat of decent quality is hard to find here... But well, thankfully we have the internet now...
I set my mind on two options now. One is a Steton, the other an Olney.
https://www.hoedshop.nl/Vintage-Boa...MIpaOuhM6m2wIVi7obCh3Jnge5EAQYAiABEgIKI_D_BwE
http://thehatcompany.com/boater/36-...s_size-56cm/olneys_colours-natural_black_band

Now my question is: which one of the two is the better option to choose? I'm leaning forward to the Olney, it has a leather sweatband, what make it a big plus for me. And also, what size to choose? My size is a bit under 58. At the shop that sells the Olney they advice to choose a size smaller. The Stetson only come in s, m, l, xl. (m= 56-57, l= 58-59)

So, what would be the best choice?

Thanks,
Sander