European Velour Hats?

[johnnyphi]

I have found an interesting selection of Velour hats in my inventory. Based on markings on some of the boxes, they appear to date back to the mid to late 1970's, and they are all European. I'm curious about the background of velour hats. They are all stingy brims with open crowns, Homburg or porkpie styling.

Bianchi was the first brand I found. Most of the hats are in the boxes, and they are described as Italian, but the markings are all in English, so I'm assuming that they were marketed to the US and UK.

Then, we found a box of velour hats that appear to be French, and the markings are all in French. I'm not a French speaker, so I'm not even clear as to the brand name. See below for photos of the hat and the lining.

The quality of these hats seems very high, but I haven't seen any discussion of Velour on the FL, so I'm interested in learning how these hats fit in with the rest of the world of hats.

Cheers!

 

[Sefton]

Well,I don't really have any information about 70s velour hats but just as an observation it reminds me of the kind of hat that Chico Marx always wore. Probably felt though. I wonder if the velour hats are meant to have a shape "bashed" into them?

 

[bolthead]

I love these Velour hats, I bash them just the same as any felt hat.

 

[ideaguy]

Found a terrific one in deep,deep blood red, almost too soft to conform, but able to after a tussle; Borsalino, and went to my wife; being so soft and
"slouchy", it looks great on a woman. I was allowed to clean it. After I bought it through a dogfight at auction. Now that she knows how to brush a hat clean, I've not been within 5 ft of it since...great hat.

 

[besdor]

Jonnyphi, those hats look to be made in the USa. They were probably made by the Lynbrook Hat Co which is long gone. They closed in the late 1970's. They made one hell of a hat. They might have also been made by Miller Bros which is also closed.
I'd love to see what else you have in the attic of hats. Are you going to sell them ?


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The liner suggests "Lucien Brabant and Borther" (et Fr?©re) as the maker.

bk

 

[johnnyphi]

Found this old thread discussing the same brand

Thanks for the translation, BK

I found this old thread on the Lounge, and the script on the liner is identical. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=7845

Do we know anything about this brand?

The liner says Paris. It possible that the hats could have been produced in the US?

 

[J.T.Marcus]

Velour hats have come and gone in popularity. The ones I remember were "fur" content. Some were quite expensive. Some of the major hat makers still offer one or more velour models. Yours shown here looks like what is usually called a Tyrolean or Alpine model. It would be creased by the owner and a feather would almost be a necessity.

I have only one velour in my collection. It's a bright red, wide brim, made by Lock & Co., St. James St., London.

 

[besdor]

The best manufacturers of velour today is Tonak. They sell their bodies to Hatco for the Dobbs line. Biltmore makes velour finishes as well but the company is not doing well financialy so production is very spotty.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[NonEntity]

Golden Pheasant Tyrolean

Biltmore makes this hat, which is constructed of a rich velour fur felt, and though the company is in financial straits, they are still available, as this style is far from a hot seller.

In the traditional loden green only, Menshats.com com sells it for $185.00, which includes the real badger brush that attaches to the four-strand cord hat band. I don't remember where, but have seen it recently from other vendors, which offer more colors, and offer it with or without the brush, which alone is $35 to $45.

I got my loden Golden Pheasant in the late '70s when I was a teenager, and despite all kinds of nasty winter weather it's been through, is still in excellent condition and looks great. And it's one of the warmest, most comfortable hats I've ever owned. With the huge badger brush, it's a bit over the top for a "grown-up", so I don't wear it much anymore, but, in combination with Tyrolean shorts, hiking boots, tall woolen socks, a wooden walking stick, and a German accent, it made a superb costume this past Halloween.

 

[feltfan]

Thanks for the translation, BK

I found this old thread on the Lounge, and the script on the liner is identical. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=7845

Do we know anything about this brand?

All I know is if you find one in your stash with a high crown
and wide brim like the one in the link and it's a large size
(7 1/2 or larger), let me know!

 

[johnnyphi]

More Velours!!!

I took the time to inventory the entire collection of velours last weekend...

I've got some interesting brands and styles, and I'll go ahead and post examples of all of the hats on this thread.

To start, I thought folks might be interested to see what it's like to open a pristine box of hats. It's fun to find a box that hasn't been touched for 30 or 40 years.

These 3 hats all appear to be French. I'll post photos of the linings, next.

Linings of each hat will follow...

 

[johnnyphi]

French hat linings...

Hat #1: Black Velour, Size 7 1/8

Hat #2: Green Velour, Size 6 7/8

Hat #3: Green Velour, Size 7

 

[Bantam Man]

French

Do we know anything about this brand?

The liner says Paris. It possible that the hats could have been produced in the US?

Lucien etc was as French as French can be. :cool2:

 

[johnnyphi]

Italiano Capello Brand Hats

I also have several hats from the Italiano Capello brand.

As shown here:

And here:

 

[Spatterdash]

Thank you for this.

I am with a lot of people who say that famous movie hats really got them pumped about vintage headwear, but it was a family member that planted the seed of admiration and respect.

My grandfather gave me all of his old hats right before he passed away, four velours, a tyrolean and a dobbs fedora.

Those hats are why I am a fedora man today. Good memories.

 

[johnnyphi]

Do you still have his hats?

Thank you for this.

I am with a lot of people who say that famous movie hats really got them pumped about vintage headwear, but it was a family member that planted the seed of admiration and respect.

My grandfather gave me all of his old hats right before he passed away, four velours, a tyrolean and a dobbs fedora.

Those hats are why I am a fedora man today. Good memories.

You're very welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying these hats. They really are beauties.

Do you still have your grandfather's hats? I have a Knox that belonged to my grandfather. He died nearly a decade before I was born, so the hat has always been a meaningful connection to him, as a man. It's a Size 7, so it's too small for me to wear, but it's an amazing hat.

 

[boris1]

Italiano Capello Fedora

Hello, I was wondering if this dark (blue or black?) Italiano Capello Fedora was for sale. I've been looking for a velour hat and also trying to figure out if felt or velour is higher quality or better for rainy days. Thanks.
Boris

I also have several hats from the Italiano Capello brand.

As shown here:

And here:

 

[cookie]

I have found an interesting selection of Velour hats in my inventory. Based on markings on some of the boxes, they appear to date back to the mid to late 1970's, and they are all European. I'm curious about the background of velour hats. They are all stingy brims with open crowns, Homburg or porkpie styling.

Bianchi was the first brand I found. Most of the hats are in the boxes, and they are described as Italian, but the markings are all in English, so I'm assuming that they were marketed to the US and UK.

The quality of these hats seems very high, so I'm interested in learning how these hats fit in with the rest of the world of hats.


Cheers!

The lovely Milan Straw Fedora I stole off of eBay was a Bianchi...beautiful hat FWIW JP...

 

[Chicolino]

Chico Marx's hat

I am seeking a hat like the one Chico Marx used in the classic Marx Brothers movies. Any suggestions or sources would be helpful. Thanks.