GQ Guide to Buying a Hat

[AlanC]

Apparently the latest issue of GQ has a multipage hat buying guide and layout in the latest issue. The blog A Continuous Lean has full page scans, which will save anyone from buying the issue. Optimo gets quite a bit of play.

 

[Edward]

Interesting to know about this coverage.... I wonder whether this will have a significant influence on whether the readership wear hats? I've definitely been seeing more fedoras in London over the past year or so.... maybe the long-speculated hat revival is beginning?

I especially like the quote (in blue) on the page you include in your post...

 

[Lefty]

For GQ, that's surprisingly decent. They recognized a real hat shop, got real hat advice from an actual hatter, gave pretty practical advice about wearing a hat, and didn't include one mention of a $2500 Gucci bucket hat. Aside from the Sopranos castoff model photos, a rare thumbs up to GQ.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[Feraud]

It is great to see a major publication give space to a cool accessory like a hat.
Do they have to reference Don Draper?? lol :eusa_doh:

Edward, I would guess this will have some impact on men's style. There are enough people who follow trends and will pick up on this one.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Claptrap

... if this fella' has a "round, compact face" I am a monkey's Uncle. Makes the rest of the content somewhat suspect.

 

[Akubra Man]

I think the hat revival has already begun with the young guys and their stingy brims. Eventually, they will move on to something different and perhaps the wider brim fedors will be it.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I have several students that wear those fabric stingies, and have seen quite a few others on campus this semester.

What I found interesting about this article was the hatter describing his blocking process, particularly about the oven. Every hatter has his own methods. The oven speeds up the drying process, but I'd think it would be hard on the blocks. Most hatters steam the bodies, but I prefer to wet block instead, and use the steam created by ironing when I block. I also let it dry for up to a week, and then iron out the shrinkage at the base of the crown. Of course, this isn't practical when you need to turn out many hats. I'll have to try the oven trick to see how that works.

Brad

 

[MK]

.

Wow! A men's magazine featuring hats. GQ is really leading the charge on hats coming back.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Anyone else see the Don Draper reference?

I tell ya, Mad Men is making the scene.

 

[scotrace]

Draper never looks right in his. The actor isn't comfortable with it, and it shows in spades.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Draper never looks right in his. The actor isn't comfortable with it, and it shows in spades.

It's true. He spends more time mauling it than wearing it.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

And Byrnie Utz here in Seattle was one of the stores written up!

 

[Geesie]

Interesting to know about this coverage.... I wonder whether this will have a significant influence on whether the readership wear hats? I've definitely been seeing more fedoras in London over the past year or so.... maybe the long-speculated hat revival is beginning?

Could be! Although I've been waiting 10 years for the bow-tie revival.

 

[jpbales]

tilting the hat

In my opinion, I think a little tilt (or a certain amount of tilt) looks good, but I think the guy in this photo just over does it in both of those shots. It makes him look like he's trying to be hip or following a fad. It sort of makes it hard to take him seriously. The same with Johnny Depp, it makes him look like a goof. Feel free to tilt your hat, but don't go crazy lol

 

[Lefty]

I think you're only allowed to wear a hat like that in certain areas. I've been to one.

 

[Feraud]

I see no exaggerated tilt in the photo noted below.
Not sure where the "overdoing it" is taking place..

In my opinion, I think a little tilt (or a certain amount of tilt) looks good, but I think the guy in this photo just over does it in both of those shots. It makes him look like he's trying to be hip or following a fad. It sort of makes it hard to take him seriously. The same with Johnny Depp, it makes him look like a goof. Feel free to tilt your hat, but don't go crazy lol

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I have a question for the 'naysayers' of this article. It's an honest, real question.

Do you actually want to see this oft-talked about hat resurgence?

Because what I see and read does not exactly sound like you do...or rather it sounds like, "well if they wear hats -our way-....but no one does that so no thanks'

I see that people wearing hats...even -wrongly- ...increases the market for -all- hats..etc.

So I am just curious why there is always a 'judgement clause' when anyone but yourselves appear in print in a hat?

Sincerely,

Me

 

[jpbales]

it's just my opinion

but I think the guy in those two photos on that page just looks a little silly the way he wears his hat- to me it looks like he's trying to stick out and draw attention to himself and it gives him a sort of a "too cocky" look- if I saw him walking down the street like in the photo the first thought to come to mind is "who does this guy think he is?" - but anyone can wear their hat however they want and they can give off any "vibe" or "look" they want. I'm not trying to "judge" anybody I'm just saying my opinion about the tilt and wanted to hear what other people think about it.

 

[Geesie]

In my opinion, I think a little tilt (or a certain amount of tilt) looks good, but I think the guy in this photo just over does it in both of those shots. It makes him look like he's trying to be hip or following a fad. It sort of makes it hard to take him seriously. The same with Johnny Depp, it makes him look like a goof. Feel free to tilt your hat, but don't go crazy lol

Well, yeah. GQ's advocating this as a fad. I'm fairly certain that nobody writing this article nor most of the article's target audience expects this to be a hat resurgence, a return of the fedora to daily wear. They expect it to be this year's fad - like skinny leg jeans or something.

 

[jpbales]

yeah

yeah, surly being in a magazine like that it probably is just sort of a fad. It would be nice for hats to come back, but I think all of us here would feel slightly less special if that were to happen lol.