Getting an Eastman B3 need suggestions for a hat.

[CigarConnoisseur]

First let me say that it is a privilege to be here at this forum among so many knowledgeable people! I am getting an Eastman B3 in Seal Brown HH for Christmas! It's amazing how much income you have after you put your last kid through college I am looking for the right hat to go with it. If I had the stones I would wear a crusher however, I don't want to be THAT guy. I would really like to know what other B3 jacket owners wear. Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[bn1966]

I've got these:

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=149

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=147

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=273

Wear them with either leather or nylon flight jackets & vary it sometimes with a Stetson flat cap.

 

[Stand By]

Welcome aboard, CC!
I know exactly what you mean about the appropriate hat - one doesn't want to look like you stepped off a movie set for The War Lover, but damn, it's a fine look … But this is 2014.

So for the pre-dawn dog walks in Winter when it's very cold (and dark), I have a couple of ELC B-2s (one in russet that matches my jacket, and one in "bitter chocolate" brown) to go with my trusty old ELC RW B-3.
But when it's daylight and I'm with my lady (who doesn't share my passion for all things vintage and WW2), I have a couple of the wool watch caps by Buzz Ricksons - one in black (the William Gibson one) and a blue USN version. I deliberately didn't opt for the OD green one as I felt that was steering towards the military look again.

 

[CigarConnoisseur]

I've got these:

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=149

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=147

http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=273

Wear them with either leather or nylon flight jackets & vary it sometimes with a Stetson flat cap.

When you say flat cap are you referring to a Gatsby or Newsies style hat?

 

[Otter]

Welcome aboard, CC!
I know exactly what you mean about the appropriate hat - one doesn't want to look like you stepped off a movie set for The War Lover, but damn, it's a fine look … But this is 2014.

So for the pre-dawn dog walks in Winter when it's very cold (and dark), I have a couple of ELC B-2s (one in russet that matches my jacket, and one in "bitter chocolate" brown) to go with my trusty old ELC RW B-3.
But when it's daylight and I'm with my lady (who doesn't share my passion for all things vintage and WW2), I have a couple of the wool watch caps by Buzz Ricksons - one in black (the William Gibson one) and a blue USN version. I deliberately didn't opt for the OD green one as I felt that was steering towards the military look again.

What he said! With the addition of a NASA ball cap.

 

[Rudie]

We have four stellar cap makers here. Get your cap porn here and then ask JohnnyJ, Simonds, DamianM or Stuffsmith to make you the cap of your dreams.

 

[rocketeer]

I would go with the watch cap. You can get anything from a £2.99(about $5) to those Buzz's for £50. This has been debated before though, I have an Eastman B£ and wear the $5 option simply because I tend to loose them, I also wear a wide brim fedora or even a Harley Riders cap.
As 'Stand By' says, it is 2014 and if originality is not that important, does it matter what you wear as long as your head is warm? And if anyone comments that you are not wearing the correct patten watch cap, set the dog on them!

 

[CigarConnoisseur]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the input. Now to search for a vintage pair of Ray Bans

 

[Big J]

I asked this very same question a couple of weeks back. I settled on a Stetson Skyline.

 

[Fanch]

Since you are in the US (Kansas), how about a Filson:
http://www.filson.com/products/wool...Product=mens/hats-and-caps&fmetaProduct=1011/
or
http://www.filson.com/products/biso...Product=mens/hats-and-caps&fmetaProduct=1011/
or
http://www.filson.com/products/doub...Product=mens/hats-and-caps&fmetaProduct=1011/

I picked those cold weather weather Filsons to go with your B3 as I lived in Kansas for a couple of years long ago but left never to return mainly because of the cold winters there. :smow:

 

[thor]

^^^ +1 on a Filson double Mackinaw cap!

 

[rocketeer]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the input. Now to search for a vintage pair of Ray Bans

You expecting to get snow blind?

 

[Big J]

Filson! Good suggestion. I saw this and thought of Elmer Fudd!
I think I'll get one. It'll go well with my N-3B.

 

[Stand By]

Filson! Good suggestion. I saw this and thought of Elmer Fudd!
I think I'll get one. It'll go well with my N-3B.

Speaking of Elmer Fudd, I see that this particular Mad Bomber hat is made with "Wabbit" - fake fur!

http://www.madbomber.com/Khaki-Waxed-Cotton-w-Brown-Wabbit-Faux-Fur-p/305ffxkhk.htm

A Mad Bomber hat would be nice and toasty … but then again, it's that look again with a B-3 … it's solely why I've never gone for one, as much as I think they look good and warm.

 

[Edward]

We have four stellar cap makers here. Get your cap porn here and then ask JohnnyJ, Simonds, DamianM or Stuffsmith to make you the cap of your dreams.

Agreed - support the small independent capmakers. All these guys make fantastic stuff. I have two caps from Cordova, one denim, one linen. Beautifully made. I'd also recommend Hepville in Germany. He sells through Etsy. I have three of his eight panel caps - two in linen for Summer use, and one in a fawn Harris Tweed for Winter. Lovely stuff. With my B3 and Irvin (and, indeed, the B15C and B15C Mod), I tend to wear either that Hepville, or one of my other tweedy eight panels. The ELC B2 is also a great choice; getting that folded down round your ears in the cold is great. I'm always tempted by the ELC B5 helmet, but while it would look great with a long coat, I think with the B3 it might be a bit much.... The B2 is a very practical cap, though. The only thing you have to watch with it is that in high wind, if the draft gets under the bill it can lift it. Otherwise, very practical.

One thing to watch with the ELC B2 is the sizing: I had to exchange mine because I ordered my regular size, but it was too tight and I couldn't get the flaps down. I think it's because they sit lower on the head than a fedora, maybe? Either way, give them your regular hat size in CM and they'll tell you the size. Turned out in that model I'm a couple of sizes bigger than in anything else.

Another option is a ushanka. Can look a bit odd when they're being worn flaps-up, if you care what other people think (I generally don't), but flaps down and untied, really they could pass unnoticed among the trendy ski-hats of the day... Again, ideal for the cold. Good quality rabbit fur versions available on eBay for in and around GBP20/USD30.

The Simmonds motorist cap always looked sharp to me:

As long as you don't think it looks too much like a Crusher. For my money, it looks midway between a crusher and a civil war era Kepi; I'd totally wear it with a B3. Mind you, I'd also wear a Kepi....

I would go with the watch cap. You can get anything from a £2.99(about $5) to those Buzz's for £50. This has been debated before though, I have an Eastman B£ and wear the $5 option simply because I tend to loose them, I also wear a wide brim fedora or even a Harley Riders cap.

Yeah.... I've never been convinced by the idea of paying out Buzz money for them, tbh. I'm sure they're good, but ten times the price good? Eh.... For my money, some things are just cheap items, and can't get any better paying out exorbitant sums for them.... ymmv, naturally. I get SB's point about not wanting to look too military fancy dress; I'd get twitchy at wearing a black hat with a brown jacket, but navy would look good.... If you go into extreme cold conditions, a ski mask rolled up into a watch cap could be a handy thing to have. I'm always tempted by one of those, but security bods here don't seem to take too kindly to some smartmouth Irish trying the "but it's my national costume!" gambit. :lol:

As 'Stand By' says, it is 2014 and if originality is not that important, does it matter what you wear as long as your head is warm? And if anyone comments that you are not wearing the correct patten watch cap, set the dog on them!

Mn. I'd definitely ear whatever you find is warm and looks good in a civlian context. I maybe be trying to dress like it's somewhere between 1942 and 1959, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to play soldier!

Filson! Good suggestion. I saw this and thought of Elmer Fudd!
I think I'll get one. It'll go well with my N-3B.

View attachment 21448

Those hunter caps look to me like the civilian inspiration for the B2.

 

[CigarConnoisseur]

LOL Well there is snow in the forecast I just like the look of the vintage aviators! Thanks again for the many suggestions! By the way, has anyone here ever wore a vintage crusher as in a Bancroft Flighter?

 

[bn1966]

Here's a picture of my Stetson flat-cap

 

[bn1966]

I've had Elmer Fudd comments whilst wearing a B2 Cap :-D

 

[Edward]

Stetson caps are nice, pity they're not wider. I have a couple of leather one - the Burney model. The black one takes a bit of breaking in to get past the Village People look, though it's worth it, but the brown one looks superb from the off:

Hogskin, really durable, very comfy. If buying again, I would maybe try gonig up a size as they are neat, but a Winter's good wear and they stretch out a bit and fit nicely. Really good for wet weather wear.

 

[CigarConnoisseur]

Stetson caps are nice, pity they're not wider. I have a couple of leather one - the Burney model. The black one takes a bit of breaking in to get past the Village People look, though it's worth it, but the brown one looks superb from the off:

http://www.cockpit-
boutique.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/c/o/cockpit.jp
g

Hogskin, really durable, very comfy. If buying again, I would maybe try gonig up a size as they are neat, but a Winter's good wear and they stretch out a bit and fit nicely. Really good for wet weather wear.

Edward, are you positive the brown Stetson flat cap is the Burney model? It looks darker than the ones I have been seeing on the Internet.