Choosing the Correct Hat for your Body Type

[citRon]

Hello again Ladies & Gentlemen.
I was wondering if any of the experts here can lend opinions on the best Fedora style (brim width, crown height and crease) for a fellow such as I?
The closest hat shop seems to be 2 hours away, (and alas, as I shall visit as soon as time allows), where I undoubtedly would discover such a thing with multiple fittings. However, I am wanting to purchase a hat or two in the meantime, presumably from an online merchant.
That being said, I am tall and thin, (6'3 200 lbs) with a long face. (although fairly dashing if I might add)
What would the experienced haberdashers amongst you recommend for an everyday wear?

 

[warbird]

Do a search here. There is a good description on a website, but I can't remember the link. I should I've been there numerous times, but I can't recall.

 

[Flieger]

This one perhaps: http://www.villagehatshop.com/facts_faces.html

/F

 

[Mr. Lucky]

There's this one too: http://www.millerhats.com/hatcare_index/hatfaces.html

 

[Donato]

Hello again Ladies & Gentlemen.
I was wondering if any of the experts here can lend opinions on the best Fedora style (brim width, crown height and crease) for a fellow such as I?
The closest hat shop seems to be 2 hours away, (and alas, as I shall visit as soon as time allows), where I undoubtedly would discover such a thing with multiple fittings. However, I am wanting to purchase a hat or two in the meantime, presumably from an online merchant.
That being said, I am tall and thin, (6'3 200 lbs) with a long face. (although fairly dashing if I might add)
What would the experienced haberdashers amongst you recommend for an everyday wear?

If you're not too shy, why don't you post a few pics of yourself - tall, thin and dashing - and it might help to better advise you. And no doubt the ladies among us would not mind either!

 

[citRon]

If you're not too shy, why don't you post a few pics of yourself - tall, thin and dashing - and it might help to better advise you. And no doubt the ladies among us would not mind either!

I'm the one on the left!

[/IMG]

 

[pgoat]

You look to have a good facial structure - not overly long or narrow or wide or whatever, so you shouldn't need anything unusual from where I sit. Maybe others here can add their opinion.

Those website guides posted are good starting points, and they basically illustrate that what you want in any hat is a good balance that works with your face.

If you already own one or several hats, you might also want to post pics wearing them as a comparison point. I and others have done this and it really helps pinpoint what works and what doesn't.

 

[M_Jones]

...That being said, I am tall and thin, (6'3 200 lbs) with a long face...

If you are tall and thin then I need to see a doctor. I stand at 6'5" and weigh 185 lbs or so. I'm the definition of beanpole...

So far as I have seen as long as you have broad shoulders (us giants tend to) you can wear a wide brim (I like 2 3/4 in.) but the thing to watch out for is crown height. If you get a hat that is too tall it can look silly but that being said I can pull off an Indy hat pretty well. Wear what you like though and as long as you are confident you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Donato]

I'm the one on the left!

[/IMG]

I am so glad that you pointed yourself out. I was beginning to wonder. I agree with the others - you can probably wear just about any hat. You might try going for a lower crown to begin with without spending too much $$ and see how it looks. Maybe a more classic look with a 2.5 or 2.75 brim, 4.5" crown, etc. I happen to like the Akubras - Bogart, Stylemaster, Sidney, etc. Do a seach and take a close look at some styles and colors and take the plunge, but make sure your hat size is accurate. What do you think of the custom made hat here? > http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=494694#post494694

 

[citRon]

Donato, That looks like what I think of as a good looking fedora for me.

 

[Donato]

Donato, That looks like what I think of as a good looking fedora for me.

Yes, I agree, but it was custom made by Gus Miller in Cincinnati and cost $250. You can get a nicely made Akubra Stylemaster or Bogart for about $91.00. Check out this thread to see the Stylemaster in "Moonstone Grey," a lighter shade of grey like the Gus Miller fedora. The Stylemaster has a 2.5" bound edge brim and the crown is 4.75" - it comes in a variety of colors but not all are available at the same time: black, acorn fawn, medium brown, two shades of grey - carbon and moonstone, and bluegrass green and navy.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=21444&highlight=Akubra+Stylemaster
Or this thread to see my Akubra Bogart in black (it also comes in carbone grey - a dark grey):
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26824&page=3&highlight=Bogart
The Bogart by Akubra:
The Bogart is a modern classic 40's style fedora - made famous by its namesake, Humphrey Bogart.
Pure fur felt
The snap brim is 64mm or about 2 1/2 inches wide with a bound edge.
The hat band is a top quality gros-grain ribbon.
The crown is 100mm-4” high.
Colors are Black or Grey
Classic fedora style

 

[citRon]

I'm also considering killing 2 birds with one stone- I was also researching 'real' Indy style hats- right now I have a cheap wool 'souveneir' type hat that I wear with my Indy getup. (see other post from me), and I'm thinking I might just start with one brown nice fur fedora that can serve that purpose too, and go with my suits. Keep in mind, I am not 'Screen Accurate' obsesed. -What I'm thinking is something with a lower crown up to 5.5, maybe a black ribbon, (aka Kepplars's version, and I know ribbons can be changed), but I do like a larger brim, over 2.5. The Adventurer fits the bill at 5.5; how about the Stetson Temple? It has a smaller crown, although research here varies on Stetson's quality- I do need something rain-worthy. Also, Millers has their own version similar to the Temple. I like the Akubra Sydney, but want a larger brim. Also looking for readily available within a month's time and $150 or less.
Just fishin for remarks I guess, as I've said, there is nowhere locally to see or sample any hats.
p.s. I have a pm in to JPD, just awaiting a reply.

 

[Donato]

I'm also considering killing 2 birds with one stone- I was also researching 'real' Indy style hats- right now I have a cheap wool 'souveneir' type hat that I wear with my Indy getup. (see other post from me), and I'm thinking I might just start with one brown nice fur fedora that can serve that purpose too, and go with my suits. Keep in mind, I am not 'Screen Accurate' obsesed. -What I'm thinking is something with a lower crown up to 5.5, maybe a black ribbon, (aka Kepplars's version, and I know ribbons can be changed), but I do like a larger brim, over 2.5. The Adventurer fits the bill at 5.5; how about the Stetson Temple? It has a smaller crown, although research here varies on Stetson's quality- I do need something rain-worthy. Also, Millers has their own version similar to the Temple. I like the Akubra Sydney, but want a larger brim. Also looking for readily available within a month's time and $150 or less.
Just fishin for remarks I guess, as I've said, there is nowhere locally to see or sample any hats.
p.s. I have a pm in to JPD, just awaiting a reply.

You did what I would have suggested - PM JPD. He can make you a fedora to fit your specifications. He charges $125 for rabbit fur felt and it will take about one month. The only problem is that I PM'd JPD last week and called him and I still have not received a reply. So maybe he is overloaded right now. I don't know. We Loungers tend to forget that these hatters do have private lives apart from taking our custom orders. In any case, keep trying with Jimmy.
I was also browsing through Indygear.com/cow at Club Obi-Wan and the buzz over there is that Marc and Steve are planning a factory built Adeventurebilt fedora to coincide with the release of the new Indy film on May 22. A price has not been set but it will be "reasonable," according to them - less than the custom built AB's - ? $175.00, depending on how much it costs for them to make. You can be sure that it will be a quality lid. I am planning to wait until then before ordering an Indy style fedora.

 

[Rick Blaine]

From the Miller hats website...

Deciding What Style of Hats to Wear?
The Art of Fitting Faces

 

[citRon]

Heres a couple hats/shapes, while not 'screen accurate' Indies I like:

The Miller Teardrop Fedora, $135
Brim: 2 3/4", 2 5/8", 2 1/2" raw edge (how can it be all 3?)
Crown: 4 5/8" front, 4 1/8" back
Band: 1 3/4" grosgrain band

[/IMG]

The Stetson Temple, found it for $105
Brim: 2 5/8" X 2 3/8" raw edge (snap brim)
Crown: 4" centerdent
Band: 1 3/4" grosgrain band

[/IMG]


Still, at these prices, I'd like to talk to Jimmy; try to support a fellow Lounger.

 

[Donato]

I like that Miller fedora. If you need one fast, that would be the one I would order. They are built by Biltmore and are considered decent for the price. I don't know how the Miller can have three different brim sizes. I think you can specify which size you prefer at the time you place your order. I agree it is best to go with Jimmy, unless his wait time is much longer. He has been tough to contact lately.

 

[citRon]

well it seems Jimmy is AWOL; same consensus over at COW. I like the Miller a lot, I'll search the Lounge and see if anyone has experience with it.

 

[rlk]

Rolnick recommends...

Is there a better thread for this?

 

[zetwal]

Thanks for posting, RLK. That's an interesting little notice.

 

[job]

How come big guys buy small tapered stingy brimmed hats while small guys seem to buy large hats.
To me little brimmed hats on a full face is not flattering. IMHO.