Hat repairs London UK

[Edward]

Anyone know somewhere in London that could repair or replace a hatband that has lost its stitching? 40s or maybe early 50s, unlabelled hat (liner long gone, but it feels like it's beaver fur) of mine which has loads of life left in the body, but the band's stitching seems to have gone...

 

[RJR]

Anyone know somewhere in London that could repair or replace a hatband that has lost its stitching? 40s or maybe early 50s, unlabelled hat (liner long gone, but it feels like it's beaver fur) of mine which has loads of life left in the body, but the band's stitching seems to have gone...

Check over on the COW forum.It seems that Herbert Johnson has a newer hatter there who seems really helpful.

 

[jlee562]

Bates advertises such services, but we never hear anything about their work around here...

https://www.bates-hats.com/pages/hat-care

 

[Edward]

Thanks, I'll follow those up.

 

[Zoukatron]

Lock also advertise such services.

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Sorry to revive an old thread but I got my boater hat repaired at Bates. They put on a brand new sweatband on my hat and it was very well done and the leather sweatband was of high quality. Although, communication with the manager was hard and it took a very long time but at the end, I was in no rush and it was well worth it. Tom, the manager is very helpful and he does have his working and non-working days but I arranged it through email and also phoned him on the progress.

It was delivered to me next day via DHL courier and came in a complimentary Bates fabric hat carrier.

 

[Edward]

Thanks, I've not gotten to it yet, so I might price Bates out. Be nice to say hello to Binx again too.

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Yes! Binx is quite the cat! Do email or give them a call. I think Tom comes out on a Thursday and Tuesday. I could be wrong but he is very nice and understanding. Lock & Co. can quote a fortune. I got 60 pound quote from Lock and finished with Bates with a 40 pounds quote.

 

[Edward]

Thanks, as soon as we get through a minor house-move(!) I'll check in on Bates. LOck are lovely, but I've long suspected that you do pay a premium for the name. (Mind you, same for Bates when it comes to buying some hats; I'm convinced I've seen own-brands from both that are identical to certain Christy's models, but at rather a mark-up.)

 

[jlee562]

Thanks, as soon as we get through a minor house-move(!) I'll check in on Bates. LOck are lovely, but I've long suspected that you do pay a premium for the name. (Mind you, same for Bates when it comes to buying some hats; I'm convinced I've seen own-brands from both that are identical to certain Christy's models, but at rather a mark-up.)

I forget where I saw it, but I definitely remember either watching a short video or reading an article on the Christy's factory and seeing a Lock die mark for sweatbands.

 

[Edward]

I forget where I saw it, but I definitely remember either watching a short video or reading an article on the Christy's factory and seeing a Lock die mark for sweatbands.

AFAIK, Christys are the only UK company still making furfelt hats in the UK (though to the best of my knowledge from imported hat bodies).

 

[jlee562]

AFAIK, Christys are the only UK company still making furfelt hats in the UK (though to the best of my knowledge from imported hat bodies).

Well, Herbert Johnson is making a small line of Indy hats and bespoke orders. They're also advertising refurbishment services. They recently moved into their own hat workshop and are taking sales online and out of the Picadilly storefront. Hopefully this facebook link works?
https://www.facebook.com/pg/herbert...service_id=1969276706479422&ref=page_internal

If not, it basically says just to email them about inquiries: workshop@herbert-johnson.co.uk

 

[Bertie.Wooster]

Herbert Johnson Hatters have a military branch, soft hats branch and a formal hats branch. They are very helpful and I have a quick chat with them regarding a possible restoration of my bowler hat. I chatted to them over instagram and very understanding. The Formal Hat branch is now headed by Ian, who works at Patey Hats (seems inactive now??). He restores the stiff felt hats and toppers. Apparently, Harrison Ford got himself the Herbert Johnson Indy Hat as well. Looks very dapper.

 

[Edward]

I wonder when he wears it?

 

[GHT]

Edward, it might be worth finding a milliner locally. My wife is having a hat made by a milliner in Dorchester, Dorset. The lady milliner only makes ladies hats, mainly for Ascot, Henley and all the Hooray-Henry gigs. But weddings also make up much of her business. Whilst there, I explained that I had a black fedora that I had the black hat band replaced with white to parody Peter Sellers when we went to some fancy dress function years ago. The refitting of the black hat band was pathetic, but the move from London just got in the way and the hat forgotten. The milliner explained the correct fitting of a hat band and said that she could do it for me. And what great job she made of it. Good value to at £25.

My missus used to go to a hat shop in Hackney, Well Street I think. I've just asked her and looked them up, it might just be worth asking.
https://www.saharmillinery.co.uk/

 

[BGR]

I just had my 15-year-old Herbert Johnson Poet restored by the workshop at Herbert Johnson. Great workmanship and great customer service! Took about 3 months, but well worth the wait.