Bound or not??

[Badluck Brody]

OK, I have a couple originials, nothing great. But with trying to keep things between the 20's and 30's, I'm wondering about brims with bound edges or not. I've just recently picked up a stetson with an unbound edge. It's not bad, but I'm wondering as to just how period correct it is... Also which length of brim would be right??

Brody

 

[Andykev]

It all depends

That is a lot in one post, to be sure!! My preference is bound edge on my 40- 50's looking hats, the ones with the taller crown. Bound edges add weight, and formality, a bit of dressiness.

The unbound, or raw edge, was often used on cheaper hats, or the lite weight summer hats.

Brim width? My hats about 2 1/2. Anything narrower looks to much like a stingy brim on me.

I can go as wide as 2 3/4 but that is a bit much, for me.
You want to achieve balance, with your face shape, height, and shoulders. Try on several hats of different sizes..you will very quickly see what looks good on you.

Remember, not EVERYONE looks great in a true Indiana Jones hat. Some of us are not tall enough, are too skinny, too fat...


My summer Montecrisit's however, I only go 2 3/4 to 3 inches. On that type of hat, it fits.

 

[Badluck Brody]

I agree

I really didn't want to go Indy(Not that there's anything wrong) But I'm hoping for more of a working class fella or plainclothes cop look. That's also why I was reluctant to go with an "Indy Brown". But most of my suits are earth tones.

I suppose I could have gone with a Dk. gray or black?

What about swapping ribbons for contrast? Who makes grossgrain replacements?

Brody

 

[Andykev]

Sent it out to have welting added.

Most of the pictures from the 50's cop showes, and the Republic Serials, all the good guys and the bad guys wear classic fedora's with bound edges (mostly).

I really think this is "the look" for that.

You can have any hat rebound, or if never bound, converted. I highly recommend sending it to Optimo, and Marlene will work magic on it.

Look at the hats worn by Bogart in the Maltese Falcon and in The Big Sleep, also by Bob Steele, Elisha Cook, Regis Toomey,and John Ridgely. Most had bound or welted hat edges.

 

[Andykev]

They all wore great hats

Oh, and those characters are: Sam Spade/Phillip Marlowe, Canino, Harry Jones/Wilmer, Bernie Ohls, and Eddie Mars.

In The Maltese Falcon, the hotel detective, played by James Burke, (Luke), also wore a fine bound edge fedora.

James Burke was a marvelous character actor, playing in Dead End, All Throught The Night, and Maltese Falcon..to name a few.

Lastly, speaking of fine hats, Ward Bond (Sgt. Polhaus) and Barton MacLane (Lieutenant Dundy) also had bound edge hats. Pure good cop looks, what better? A 1940's hard boiled detective, a detective Sergeant, and his Lieutenant.

 

[Andykev]

Hope this helps

If it is a modern Stetson, I would NOT waste my time on sending it out for modificatons.

You can easily find on Ebay, some quality vintage hats. Depending on your budget, I would select an Optimo, or wait for Art to have his shop set up. You will have to wait a few months though on Art.

Fedora makes a fine hat, but I don't believe he does the bound edges. That said, nothing preventing you from having him make you a fine hat and then sending it to Optimo to have the edge bound. I believe it would cost no more than $15 to $20. But the shipping is about $ten bucks each way.

I have several vintage hats with bound edges. Nothing modern comes close to them.

 

[Pen Collector]

Borsalino bound.....

A couple of years a go a sent Optimo my "Indy" Borsalino I purchased from Peters Brothers and had it reblocked from an "Indy" block to a "Mitchum" block and had the brim bound. Having the brim bound was $15.00. It made a world of difference on how the hat looked. Kevin is right, it gave it a dressier appearance. I also had it reblocked because the "Indy" look did not suit my face. On some people it looks great but not on me.

 

[Pen Collector]

Optimo Fine Hats

Call Optimo Fine Hats in Chicago and talk to Marlene. More than likely she will be the one answering the phone. Their number is 773-238-2999. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks. Of course it all depends on how busy they are. I have always been very please with their work. :clap

 

[Badluck Brody]

Thanks Pen!

Since I'm in Wisconsin, they're just over the border!

Do they have a shop etc??

Might be worth a trip and a stop....?

Brody

 

[Pen Collector]

Yes they do...

have a shop. Their address is 10215 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60643.

The owner is Graham Thompson. They are great people to work with. Most of the folks on this forum wish they were as close as you are to them so they could drop by and see their line of hats and try them on for size.

Enjoy your visit with Graham and their staff.

 

[Badluck Brody]

Might go check em out...

I actually have the next three days off(Floating schedule 6 on 3 off) So I might go pay em a visit!!

Thanks again

Brody

 

[Pen Collector]

Take your camera

and take some pictures of the shop and the crew there at OPTIMO. Let us know how you liked the visit.