That is a beauty, Bill. Nice catch. Hard to narrow down, but anywhere between the 1910s to early 30s I'd say.
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GHT
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 9,797
- Location
- New Forest
Could anyone with a boater confirm that you should buy a smaller hat size than usual because boaters are meant to sit high on the head. It sounds rather odd to me and if I go for it, this will be my first straw boater, so I want to get it right. The website below shows the hat, if you read the write up you will see the point about buying a smaller size. Are they right?
https://gambleandgunn.com/product/gamble-gunn-straw-boater-stripe-grosgrain-ribbon/
"As boaters have a shallow crown, they are worn high on the head. Therefore, it is usual to select a boater hat size at least one size smaller than you would usually wear."
https://gambleandgunn.com/product/gamble-gunn-straw-boater-stripe-grosgrain-ribbon/
"As boaters have a shallow crown, they are worn high on the head. Therefore, it is usual to select a boater hat size at least one size smaller than you would usually wear."
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
I don’t have a real vintage boater, but I have three Ponte Rialto boaters. They are, in my opinion, much nicer that the Scala and the Olney hats I’ve seen. I’m a 7 5/8 long oval and my 7 5/8 fits slightly on the large side, but not too much so. My other two are 7 1/2s and one fits perfect and one is decidedly on the small side. All three have the Bon Ton Ivy floating sweatbands.
All I can say is it depends. Not a lot of help. Sorry.
Perry Underwood
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 100
- Location
- Taiwan
The Gamble and Gunn boater looks very much--if not exactly--like the Olney boater, except for a different ribbon and liner and higher price.
Olney offers them at a considerable lower price. However, they are not accepting orders at this time.
https://olney-headwear.co.uk/product/sm6-straw-boater/
You might find them on eBay, but the ones I see now near the Olney price are a different weave. Search Olney straw boater and look for The Hat Company.
The Olney boaters have a rather thin brim--I believe two layers of straw compared to the three layers on my Stetson.
I'm not sure of your location, but if you are outside England, remember that British hat sizes are one size less than American hat sizes. For example, an American 7 1/4 in a British 7 1/8. I normally wear a 7 3/8 (American size) and purchased the Olney boater one size less (American 7 1/4, but British 7 1/8). It fit snug, but I am also a long oval. I succeeded in stretching it a little.
Olney offers them at a considerable lower price. However, they are not accepting orders at this time.
https://olney-headwear.co.uk/product/sm6-straw-boater/
You might find them on eBay, but the ones I see now near the Olney price are a different weave. Search Olney straw boater and look for The Hat Company.
The Olney boaters have a rather thin brim--I believe two layers of straw compared to the three layers on my Stetson.
I'm not sure of your location, but if you are outside England, remember that British hat sizes are one size less than American hat sizes. For example, an American 7 1/4 in a British 7 1/8. I normally wear a 7 3/8 (American size) and purchased the Olney boater one size less (American 7 1/4, but British 7 1/8). It fit snug, but I am also a long oval. I succeeded in stretching it a little.
Perry Underwood
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 100
- Location
- Taiwan
Decided to add a few photos of the Olney weave, and the brim is two layers. It's an OK hat. I bought it because I live in a harsh hat environment and didn't want to wear my Stetson daily.
GHT
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 9,797
- Location
- New Forest
Thank you both for responding, I'm UK based and aware of the US/UK size variation, if I suspect any size ambiguity I will quote metric. It makes sense, thinking about it, to put this purchase on hold until I can actually try on a straw boater, just to see if I like the hat and to see if I really do need a smaller size. Buying on the internet, is like buying blind.
Gamma68
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,937
- Location
- Detroit, MI
Easter Sunday:
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1961MJS
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,370
- Location
- Norman Oklahoma
Hi, I have a lot of hats, but I don't have a boater and probably never will. That being said, I saw one years ago at Levin's hat shop in Downtown StL. I tried a few on and they felt horrible. They're not a hat, they're more of a bowl with a shade around the outside. I wouldn't buy one unless you can try it on. I'm a 7 3/8 LO and I'm betting that none of the ones I tried on fit. They hurt my head.
Later
Later
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
The Bon Ton Ivy sweatband is a sort of floating suspension system for hats and is common on boaters. My boaters with this type of sweatband are among my most comfortable hats on my 7 5/8 long oval head. This type of sweatband conforms to most any head shape with ease.
Bill Hughes
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,165
- Location
- North Texas
The only one that hurt my head were 2 sizes too small.
David Conwill
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,854
- Location
- Bennington, VT 05201
Re: Boater sizing. I kinda view mine as a dressier version of my pith helmet. The pith/sun helmet uses its internal suspension to stay up off the head to provide shade while also letting the air circulate around your scalp. Properly fitted, it sits high enough on the head to keep the crown up off your pate, but it shouldn't pinch or squeeze you.
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,545
Here we have a early 50's??? Knox Premier with a period pug. Originally sold at the "White House"!!!
of San Francisco...... This is one of the hats that came to me with a few pugs. It also hat the original black ribbon and bow that were sewn together and had hooks installed so it could be used like a pug!!! This pug is a woven pattern. It fits great!!! The brim is a little wonky and I could easily correct it, BUT, "I like it like that", as the song goes....
of San Francisco...... This is one of the hats that came to me with a few pugs. It also hat the original black ribbon and bow that were sewn together and had hooks installed so it could be used like a pug!!! This pug is a woven pattern. It fits great!!! The brim is a little wonky and I could easily correct it, BUT, "I like it like that", as the song goes....
- Messages
- 12,384
- Location
- Albany Oregon
Great look overall. Love that suit, is it linen or seersucker? This is the total package sir!
Here we have a early 50's??? Knox Premier with a period pug. Originally sold at the "White House"!!!
View attachment 231353 View attachment 231354 View attachment 231355 View attachment 231356 View attachment 231357 View attachment 231358
This is really cool Mark. I have never seen a boater made for a Pug, they look really cool on this style. This one is aces!
- Messages
- 12,384
- Location
- Albany Oregon
I too work my boater on Easter. Just put the outfit on long enough for pictures, and then watched Easter services online wearing my best Sunday-go-to-meeting sweats. This Pedigree made boater for a men's store in Washington, USA is probably pretty early, maybe pre WWII? Based on the store location and tags, but hard to tell. Just thought I would drop this off here...
Gamma68
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,937
- Location
- Detroit, MI
Thank you, kindly. The suit is seersucker.
Dazzy G
New in Town
- Messages
- 7
- Location
- Manchester, United Kingdom
Hi there folks, my second ever post on this forum!
Awaiting the arrival of this Dunn & Co. boater that I picked up on ebay for £22.10 (approx $27.50) including shipping. Sadly there is some damage to the top edge, which I'm hoping I can strengthen/tidy up a little, and some discolouration on the ribbon, which I'm hoping I can clean, re-dye black, or replace, as I have made a few hat ribbons and bows in my time.
Or if I'm not able to rescue it, I figured it was a good price for a 'beater' hat, to test if I like the style on me. At least it looks rather pristine inside! The seller has listed it as 1970s but hard to know really.
Stay safe all!
Darren
Awaiting the arrival of this Dunn & Co. boater that I picked up on ebay for £22.10 (approx $27.50) including shipping. Sadly there is some damage to the top edge, which I'm hoping I can strengthen/tidy up a little, and some discolouration on the ribbon, which I'm hoping I can clean, re-dye black, or replace, as I have made a few hat ribbons and bows in my time.
Or if I'm not able to rescue it, I figured it was a good price for a 'beater' hat, to test if I like the style on me. At least it looks rather pristine inside! The seller has listed it as 1970s but hard to know really.
Stay safe all!
Darren
David Conwill
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,854
- Location
- Bennington, VT 05201
Nicely proportioned hat and at that price, I'd say the damage is negligible. Personally, I'd happily wear it with anything short of a dinner jacket.
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,545
David Conwill
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,854
- Location
- Bennington, VT 05201
They're absolutely appropriate, I was just referring to the condition. I'm fine with looking a bit shopworn most of the time, but if I'm going to a black-tie event, I try to keep everything looking its best.
Depends on the Boater crown depth, age, production run and also your head shape! .. But Typically Yes - I normally as a rule of thumb (or rule of head) sell boaters one size below standard hat size. The often need swiveling on head to fit better too.. hence why a lot are warn at a jaunty angle..
