Can you identify this David Bowie Fedora?

[ThomasJeromeNewton]

Hi, this is my first post here after too much lurking!
I'm learning about fedoras in the process of trying to find what this is, or to find a modern-day fedora that looks exactly like it.
I'd say it is a tan fedora with teardrop fold, and a fairly wide, stitched brim. I was told the original is a Borsalino but that may be incorrect - I've not seen a Borsalino with that stitching around the brim. Bailey Briars seem close for a currently available hat but the height seems different and of course the band, but that could have been replaced for this film.
The film Man Who Fell To Earth was made in 1975 but the hat was already vintage then.
Here are some images to help! Thank you!
TJN
http://imgur.com/HI1z9Id
http://imgur.com/rLbp3Dl
http://imgur.com/Qo5gQq3
http://imgur.com/bi8NIDt
http://imgur.com/1i0amLw
http://imgur.com/tNJ4mSu

 

[jlee562]

Looks like it might have a Cavanagh edge on the brim...I'm not sure I see the stitching you're referring to. Borso is a good guess. You won't fnd anything like this in a modern hat. There's actually a decent amount of crown there.

 

[ThomasJeromeNewton]

Thank you for your reply! Yes - I was sure it wasn't a raw edge but I think you're right, the stitching I "saw" in the fourth and last images I linked to is probably not stitching at all but a felted-in Cavanagh edge.

I'd love to find a vintage item but as my head needs a 62-63 I slightly despair of finding something from the past that fits (large sizes seem to be rarer).
Thanks
TJN

 

[jlee562]

If money is no object, a custom hatter can easily replicate this kind of look, minus the Cavanagh edge of course. Art Fawcett has a near invisible overwelt that works quite nicely as "close enough." The block shape is also very similar to Optimo's preferred block.

If I had to guess I'd say 5 1/2"-5 3/4" Open crown height with about a 2 3/4" brim.

You might also consider something like changing the ribbon on a Stetson Dune:
http://www.hats-plus.com/p-140-stetson-dune-western-cowboy-hat.aspx (just the first link that popped up on google, no affiliation/not an endorsement)

 

[DJH]

Bowie looks as though he's trying to pull of an Alan look in some of those photos.

 

[ThomasJeromeNewton]

Thank you for the info and ideas jlee562! I'm going to keep researching and checking back here. Will update as I go along! Any more suggestions welcome!

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

He does have style and the hat looks sharp, but a similar hat is not out of reach for relatively low cost.

Not sure what hat that actually is, but I would buy an Akubra StyleMaster and enjoy the binding as it is. If you are more interested in perfection, remove the edge binding and have a reputable hatter put an overwelt on it. Reshaping the crown to look similar should not be difficult - could be ordered with the edge treatment. I understand that they arrive a bit stiff, but also know that several members have reworked them a bit and the crown shape of his hat is not all that hard to adapt. Looks like it was a teardrop that was roughly reworked to an elongated triangle to give the sides more of a pointed effect. Rather than hide the rude changes, he left the rough for all to see.

Take a look at the following sites for some ideas:

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=535

http://www.akubra-usa.com/stylemaster_acorn.html

http://www.akubra-usa.com/stylemaster_acorn.html

Fed

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Thank you for the info and ideas jlee562! I'm going to keep researching and checking back here. Will update as I go along! Any more suggestions welcome!

Well Hello! Not any expert here...but I would think the Akubra StyleMaster sure looks very close as Fed in a Fedora has made mention. Personally if I was wanting to buy a hat to match what David Bowie was wearing, that is the hat I would buy. The "crown" of the hat should be able to be creased super close to Bowie's hat and if the edge of the brim needed any changes to make it be more "exact", it would not be a very hard ordeal for any "hatter" to be able to fix it right up for you. The great thing about hats from the Akubra company, they are not going to cost you a ton of money, they are a well made hat, (like they say about Timex watches, take a licking but keep on ticking). Most that own the Akubra hats say the hats are built to "take it" and still look good. Not super sure of the prices but I think around $150.00 and if you needed some work done on the brim, would not be too much, perhaps $30.00 - $35.00 by most custom hatters.

If you did want to have a hat as "exact" as possible, then spending a small fortune (LOL), and have one made by any of the well know hatters that are available. I would think a custom made can be from $250.00 or so, up to over a grand.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Bowie looks as though he's trying to pull of an Alan look in some of those photos.

I've been thinking, David, someone that has a good eye and uses a camera as well as Alan, should sit down and have some of the "Loungers" pictures put together and make and market a Calendar. You know I peek at so much of what has been posted in many threads, there are enough "pictures" to use, but hey, Alan could do this...make a Calendar, and yes you are so right. "The High Hat Calendar", featuring all the "hot guys" from the Fedora Lounge. (this idea could go "viral")....lol

Cindy