Custom Topper?

[David V]

I thought this looked promising.
anyone ever seen these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

 

[Orgetorix]

Hadn't seen them before, but I'd be skeptical about the quality. The technology to make proper silk plush for top hats hasn't existed for decades, and if someone had found a way to do it again, I think we'd have heard about it.

New fur felt toppers run about $400, and refurbished vintage silk ones can go for thousands. I don't think there'd be much of a market for either if good-quality new silk ones were available for $75 on Ebay.

At any rate, those hats look a bit "fuzzy" for some reason...definitely not smooth, polished silk.

 

[David V]

Agreed.
The price is about the starting bid on most vintage hats.
The first picture looks fuzzy everywhere. Th second photo looks pretty good. Not good enough for me to take the leap!

 

[maff2k]

eBay UK

A quick scan on eBay over here showed a few silk top hats. I'll make the offer of posting them on if you can't get the seller to post out of the UK.

http://buy.ebay.co.uk/top-hat

Matthew

 

[Orgetorix]

Aye, they do come up on Ebay with some frequency. The trouble is finding and affording one to fit my big head (7 1/2).

 

[maff2k]

Sizing

I'm sure you're aware of this but for those that aren't (like me 10 mins ago!)

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/hatsizes.html

It would apear that the world can't agree on hat sizes either [huh]

 

[Dinerman]

UK, US, Punti, Metric. Yep- lots of variation. Can be quite confusing.

With the top hat here- notice it says it's faux brushed silk? what exactly does this mean? polyester?

 

[Undertow]

I was wondering the same thing. Faux silk? Like Rayon? Or Polyester? Egyptian Cotton perhaps? [huh]

 

[maff2k]

Faux Silk

A google reveals the following:

http://www.silkdirect.com.au/silktrader/faux_silk.cfm

I think we could probably say the faux silk is a posh term for satin (which I have nothing against!)

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I thought this looked promising.
anyone ever seen these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

He does have a 100% score on the 41 hats he has sold.

 

[David V]

He does have a 100% score on the 41 hats he has sold.

Little internet digging. Her name is Janan Fairbairn and her sparse web site is tophatlady.com
I have no idea as to what faux brushed silk could be.

here is another link.
http://www.animationfascination.com/toyfaire.html

 

[Topper]

Most modern "silk looking" hats are made from "Melusine" fine fur felt, gives a sheen similar to silk plush, but if you compare it with a real one then there is no comparison. Real silk wins no questions asked.

There are a number of other "silk" type plushes available, most with a rayon pile and a silk or cotton weft. Some of these are very good, some not so good.

Without seeing one of this ladies hats in person I cannot comment... If anyone wants to buy one for me and post it to England - would be happy to look at it

Though looking of the other hats on the wesite, a number look like they are made using "millinery" techniques rather than "hatter" techniques.

 

[metropd]

NO NO NO

Very nice women but I would highly suggest if you are looking for a top hat and not a costume prop dont waste your money on something that is not even comparable to a vintage or new PATEY top hat. If you want a new top hat then contact

www.pateyhats.com

http://www.historyinthemaking.org/catalog/menhat.htm

 

[Topper]

'tis a shame as a vendor I cannot recommend myself

 

[metropd]

Ok Topper, I will recommend you, plus please please pm me when you have a topper 6 1/2 to 7 inches tall with a bell crown as I know you usually have shorter top hats but I personally like them tall.

http://www.thetophatshop.com/

http://www.vintage-toppers.com/

 

[Topper]

Are you 7&1/8 UK or US. If US7&1/8 then have a very nice 6&1/4 crown with very famboyant bell curve and beautiful saddle brim that is right up your street. Don't have 6&1/2 right now.

Those firms are a couple of different dealers

My website is on my Profile.

Pip-pip
Doug

 

[metropd]

Oops sorry Topper, I will make it more evident just in case


http://www.ascot-tophats.co.uk/



I am a 7 uk 7 1/8 american