Boater faction!

[Redfokker]

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

If you have access to USA Ebay, there seems to be a large number of Boaters floating around. You might look for a 7 1/8 if you are a smaller 58. If they won't ship internationally, send me a PM and I can get it to you. I do it all the time for your neighbor Stefan Steur in Volendam.

 

[SvH]

Thank you for the reply Redfokker. Have not thought of ebay. I might take a look there and if necessary it is good to know I can contact you, thank you for the kind offering! But for now I am strongly leaning forward to the Olney Boater after doing some more research. I think I will have to go for size 57 then if I am right?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thank you for the reply Redfokker. Have not thought of ebay. I might take a look there and if necessary it is good to know I can contact you, thank you for the kind offering! But for now I am strongly leaning forward to the Olney Boater after doing some more research. I think I will have to go for size 57 then if I am right?

Boaters are tricky when it comes to fit. The rigidity of the straw means it either fits or it doesn’t and head shape is as important as size. I’ve had poor luck buying boaters without being able to try them on first. Just be warned.

As to brands, I like Ponte Rialto and their prices on the used market are attractive.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

Boaters are tricky when it comes to fit. The rigidity of the straw means it either fits or it doesn’t and head shape is as important as size. I’ve had poor luck buying boaters without being able to try them on first. Just be warned.

As to brands, I like Ponte Rialto and their prices on the used market are attractive.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 To test the "boater waters" one may be wise to go with a finer quality modern offering. I agree with Brent about the Ponte boaters. They are plentiful and lower priced. My boaters are both over 70 years old and are only worn for special sunny occasions. I need a daily driver boater...

 

[Senshu]

Under my new boater in the train. This hat is recent Japan made, claiming made by old stock straw material from Italy. Well made, with genuine leather sweat band.

In Japan, once boater was very popular early 20th. We still have several local hat manufacturers keeping boater production for around 100 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1mach1]

Under my new boater in the train. This hat is recent Japan made, claiming made by old stock straw material from Italy. Well made, with genuine leather sweat band.

In Japan, once boater was very popular early 20th. We still have several local hat manufacturers keeping boater production for around 100 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boaters suit you S. Looks great.

 

[M Hatman]

Under my new boater in the train. This hat is recent Japan made, claiming made by old stock straw material from Italy. Well made, with genuine leather sweat band.

In Japan, once boater was very popular early 20th. We still have several local hat manufacturers keeping boater production for around 100 years.

Really like the weave on this!
M

 

[Senshu]

Boaters suit you S. Looks great.

Thank you! I am a kind of new comer to hat lovers, and am trying many types of hat. So far, I found boaters best fit to me ;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Senshu]

Really like the weave on this!
M

Yes, I do like the weave also, after trying vintage Dobbs boater and recent Olney’s. Definitely, old Dobbs shows best hand crafted quality, though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

Under my new boater in the train. This hat is recent Japan made, claiming made by old stock straw material from Italy. Well made, with genuine leather sweat band.

In Japan, once boater was very popular early 20th. We still have several local hat manufacturers keeping boater production for around 100 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very nice Senshu-san! I like the vintage look of that weave. It is hard to tell it didn't come from 1922!

 

[Senshu]

Very nice Senshu-san! I like the vintage look of that weave. It is hard to tell it didn't come from 1922!

Thanks for Italian old stock material!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

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 wear boaters pretty frequently. The biggest thing for any old hat is taking care of the sweatband. The salt from your sweat will dry the leather over time. Keep it clean and moisturized with something like Lexol.

If you maintain a hat properly it will last you a lifetime. Even straw hats. I wear a straw boater from 1915-ish and the sweatband is still soft.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MondoFW]

I wear boaters pretty frequently. The biggest thing for any old hat is taking care of the sweatband. The salt from your sweat will dry the leather over time. Keep it clean and moisturized with something like Lexol.

If you maintain a hat properly it will last you a lifetime. Even straw hats. I wear a straw boater from 1915-ish and the sweatband is still soft.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good to know. Presumably, my Cadillac shoe & boot conditioner would do the job. For my summer hat, I settled for a 1940s Panama (unworn!), so I'll be sure to condition the sweatband often, as there will surely be more than enough sweat when I visit NY this year.

It's fascinating how some of these Edwardian era boaters are still wearable, some of them looking fresh out of a warehouse, when there was this tradition to punch out the top of one's boater at the end of the summer. I guess since it was a very mainstream style for a while, a lot of them were left to stand the test of time.

 

[David Conwill]

Took mine down to Wildwood, New Jersey, for The Race of Gentlemen. We got a bit wet at times, any tips for getting my brim and crown flat once again? They're not bad, but I'd hate to have them move any further.

 

[SvH]

Good evening,

Thanks for al the input.
A small update on my search for a Boater. I did order the Olney in the end. Black ribbon, size 57. It ships from the UK, so it won't be too costly to sent it back if it doesn't fit. I'm excited and can't wait to try it on.
And if this one turns out well, I will keep my eyes open for a Ponte Rialto.

Sander

 

[SvH]

Btw, that is a very nice hat you are wearing Senshu! I really like the weave.

 

[SilverBlaze83]

Bloomsday, the one day wearing a boater in Ireland doesn't get me a second glance.

 

[MondoFW]

View attachment 122391

Took mine down to Wildwood, New Jersey, for The Race of Gentlemen. We got a bit wet at times, any tips for getting my brim and crown flat once again? They're not bad, but I'd hate to have them move any further.

Awesome boater! Proves you can pull these babies off these days, even when out of period wear. Keep wearing your boater with pride.

Bloomsday, the one day wearing a boater in Ireland doesn't get me a second glance.

Welcome to the Lounge! Nice boater--Is it vintage?

 

[SilverBlaze83]

Ű

Welcome to the Lounge! Nice boater--Is it vintage?

Thank you, it is vintage, a York hat with the original Yorkminster logo. I don't know what periods they used that and the blue star logo before Olney branding, if anyone can shed any light on dating it would be great! The ribbon is home made, a glossy navy and ivory stripe, one of several.

 

[MondoFW]

Ű


Thank you, it is vintage, a York hat with the original Yorkminster logo. I don't know what periods they used that and the blue star logo before Olney branding, if anyone can shed any light on dating it would be great! The ribbon is home made, a glossy navy and ivory stripe, one of several.

There's a thread in this subforum dedicated to dating people's hats, it shouldn't be hard to find. Post pics of the hat there and you may get an answer from some of the many knowledgeable enthusiasts here.