Borsalino in the Hammock

[fedoralover]

Hey it's a rough life here but someone has to do it. Here's a vintage Borsalino that's one of my favorites.

fedoralover

 

[budward]

I didn't know there was bamboo like that in the Great Northwest. In any event, I've now got hat envy. And probably hammock envy.

budfried

 

[scotrace]

Agreed.

Crackerjack of a hat - very nice.
We have some "Lucky Bamboo" in a glass pot with water that we can't keep alive to save our lives. The rest of our garden flourishes!

 

[shamus]

Is that the Timber Bamboo? I've been thinking of getting some for the back...

How old is that stand? How big were they when you got them?

And is the hammock actually attatched to them?

oh... nice hat too.

shamus

 

[fedoralover]

The borsalino is probably from the early 50s. Very soft, dense and floppy felt. My daughter just got back from spending 9 weeks in Guatemala and brought the hammock with her. Yes it is attached to the bamboo, its a stand of Timber bamboo I've been growing for about 15 years. It's a great place to hang the hammock and relax.

regards fedoralover

 

[jamespowers]

Geez, your backyard looks like pictures I have seen of Bali.
Nice hammock too. I could imagine myself laying on it while smoking my pipe surrounded by the pleasant scent of Argosy Black tabacco wafting in the air. A Manhattan or Old Fashioned at the ready on the table or in my hand whilst I peruse a good book.
Oh, uh, nice hat too.

Regards to all,

J

 

[budward]

Well then, it's settled. Tiki party in Fedoralover's bamboo garden. I'll bring some whiskey for the manhattans.

budmond

 

[jamespowers]

Well then, it's settled. Tiki party in Fedoralover's bamboo garden. I'll bring some whiskey for the manhattans.

Sounds good to me. I'll wear my Hawaiian shirt.

Regards to all,

J

 

[jamespowers]

I sort of prefer the wide ribbons as well. The thin are fine for variety though. I have lots of variety.

Regards to all,

J

 

[dopey]

Right lads: definitive answer/views requested....

Thin bands versus 2" bands. Pros and Cons?

I've an affinity for wide, wide bands, 'cos they scream '30s/'40s, but thinner ones were around then too. I'm bidding on a thin band Stets now anyhow.

Thoughts, please....

PS: Hat, setting, look is very couth.

This is a silly question. It is like asking — Right ventricle or left ventricle. Pros & Cons.

You must have both to survive.

Good luck on your thin band Stetson. After you get it, go out and get a wide band immediately.

 

[dopey]

I've all wides now. I started off with mediums. If I get this one, it'll be my first thinny.

Believe me, I do not think they're interchangeable - you either prefer wides are thins. I was/am trying to find out which type most other members prefer.

I know, Dopey, you have gone on a very recent shopping spree for hats, and therefore probably have a mixture of hat types, but I guess most guys here have a distinct preferance for one type over another.

So, guys, please tell us: which type do you prefer?

Since you are being so serious, I will give you a serious answer. I do not like the narrow ribbons as found on the Stetson Open Roads and Stratoliners. I particularly dislike the bows laid flat, whatever that is called. While I have been on a recent ebay buying spree, I have been wearing hats for nearly 20 years (I have only owned three during that period and one got the Lion’s share of the wear. Although worn about 3 days a week, it looks fine and has not tapered, which should also tell you something about the claims that modern felt is inferior). My strong preference is for medium width ribbons, around 1.25 inches. Much larger than that, e.g., in the 2 inch range, and I think the ribbon draws too much attention. I feel less strongly about wide ribbons when used in black on black or other low contrast situations. While I don’t really like narrow ribbons, I think they look fine. Just not really for me.

EDIT: I should point out that part of my preference away from wide ribbons is that I also don’t like a particularly tall crown. With a 5.5 inch crown, a 2 inch ribbon is fine. I prefer my crowns shorter than 5 inches as well. In general, I think the high-crown wide brim vintage archetype that so many here love does not really suit me. Maybe it is just what I am used to.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Wide. Don't care for the thin at all.

Brad

 

[budward]

H--Go wide.

budro

 

[fedoralover]

When I first started collecting fedora's about 6 or 7 years ago I preferred the wider ribbons as well. However I started finding too many real high quality hats that had the narrow ribbons. Like my Cavanagh 100 and the Borsalino you see in this picture as well as the Dobbs 2 Ouncer I'm wearing in my Avatar. Many narrow ribbon fedora's were meant to be a Town and Country type of hat, like the Stratoliner, while the Whippet was more a dress hat. I found that the variety was good to have and it's nice to have hats that will fit many different occasions. I like to keep things original if I can, so unless they really need an overhaul, I don't change them.

fedoralover

 

[dopey]

No worries

Hey Dopey!

I actually didn't realize you meant the "ventricle" thing in a lighthearted way.

SORRY!!

No worries. Apparently, my sense of humor is as stunted as my IQ.