Hat renovators in UK?

[Anthony Jordan]

I was very impressed with the service Dumbjaw received from Optimo regarding the renovation of his stingy-brim (as shown in the recent thread) and wondered if members were aware of any hatters here in the UK who offered a similar service, and could give an indication of cost? I think Patey hats may offer a renovation service for riding bowlers and toppers, but further that that I don't know.

Anthony.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I tried to contact some of the london hatters but none would reply. At some point i'm going to do the rounds. Lock and Co. have a FAQ section where they claim they can reshape inherited top hats. Maybe they'll also do so for fedora-type hats. Who knows. I'll keep you updated about what i find out from them. I'm going to try to get someone to attach a sweatband and benerally clean a couple of hats.

bk

 

[Anthony Jordan]

I tried to contact some of the london hatters but none would reply. At some point i'm going to do the rounds. Lock and Co. have a FAQ section where they claim they can reshape inherited top hats. Maybe they'll also do so for fedora-type hats. Who knows. I'll keep you updated about what i find out from them. I'm going to try to get someone to attach a sweatband and generally clean a couple of hats.

bk

Thanks - please do. For my part, a friend of a friend works at Lock's, so I will see what I can find out from that angle. The man from Patey was very helpful when I spoke to him some years ago, but that was just about riding bowlers. I recently took one of my cheaper hats (an old wool fedora) to a local seamstress for her to replace the torn card-type sweatband. The way she did it was interesting, using four pieces of suede leather to go around the circumference. This was workable except she put the sueded side outermost, rather than the smooth side, so it is rather hot in wear!