Hatband do's and don'ts

[cpd670]

So what are the do's and don'ts of hatbands? Specifically contrasting color or complementary color for your hats. What materials (feather, ribbon, leather, horsehair or something else) works for what style and material of hat?
Do people even worry about these things?

I have several western style hats with mostly leather bands. With a recent acquisition of a natural beaver felt hat I'm looking for a quality band that will look nice.

Let's see some pictures of what you have and maybe tell us where you got it.

 

[belfastboy]

My preference is little or no contrast in the band except for my Westerns with leather. With Westerns I prefer thinner small profile bands as I don't want that to be the focal point but it is harder to get a leather band to blend in than a ribbon. I have a few Crossover or Town&Country style hats and with those I have both leather bands and thin ribbon. Both look good. If I use it as a hiker/bush hat the leather works best as it does not take on my sweat and hides the sweat on the felt a bit better than ribbon.
But again, whatever the material of the band my preference is for it to be present but not dominant. I don't want the band to be the focal point and draw the eye to it and away from the hat itself.

 

[alanfgag]

So what are the do's and don'ts of hatbands? Specifically contrasting color or complementary color for your hats.

Perhaps spend some time on the What Hat Are You Wearing Today thread. Many thousands of hat pictures there that might show you a look you'd like to replicate in your hat.

 

[1967Cougar390]

I like the thin bands myself. Do what you like after looking at pictures of other hats. There are so many ideas out there so you’re bound to find something that will make you and your hat happy.

Steven

 

[scottyrocks]

Perhaps spend some time on the What Hat Are You Wearing Today thread. Many thousands of hat pictures there that might show you a look you'd like to replicate in your hat.

This.^ End of story.

 

[Mustang Mike's Hats]

In my experience, hat bands are what gives a hat it's unique "personality" . I have changed one hat band out for another and totally changed the hat's look. I have had hats that have drawn zero attention become the center of a conversation just by changing out the hat band. Hat bands options are nearly endless. I really don't believe there is a "right" answer.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

In my experience, hat bands are what gives a hat it's unique "personality" . I have changed one hat band out for another and totally changed the hat's look. I have had hats that have drawn zero attention become the center of a conversation just by changing out the hat band. Hat bands options are nearly endless. I really don't believe there is a "right" answer.

Well said!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Working with the lines of the hat a hatband can turn a hat into a work of art.

Native Americans certainly thought so.

 

[Winston Carter]

The band (w/or without feather) is part of a person's personality. It's just something you have to decide. Agree with all above.^^^^

 

[Winston Carter]

I have a few that I have added a thin (different color) ribbon over a wider ribbon. The possibilities are endless.

 

[cpd670]

Working with the lines of the hat a hatband can turn a hat into a work of art.

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I really like the look of the first hat.
Not sure I could pull off the look in the mid-west though.

I ordered a leather and horsehair band from a seller on Etsy.
Can't wait for it to get here to post some pictures.

 

[BobHufford]

I really like the look of the first hat.
Not sure I could pull off the look in the mid-west though.

I’d “mid-west” the heck out of that!

Looking forward to seeing your new hatband.

 

[Just Jim]

Native Americans certainly thought so.

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Surely I'm not the only one looking at these pictures, then looking at an unwanted top hat on the shelf and wondering if they backed the beads on the body of the hat?

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Surely I'm not the only one looking at these pictures, then looking at an unwanted top hat on the shelf and wondering if they backed the beads on the body of the hat?

Just to be perfectly clear the top hats pictured do not belong to me, so I have no dog in your fight. These are auction pictures represented to be authentic. But if you knew anything about beads & beading it is easy to tell these hats are not fakes or reproductions & have age to them.

It was common in the late 19th century for various Chiefs & medicine men of the great tribes to wear such beaded top hats during ceremonies. When the 12 Great War Chiefs & the Ponca delegation visited Washington DC in 1877 at President Grant's invitation & accepted Peace Medals from him, some Chiefs were wearing just such hats. There are original pictures taken that day, in the Smithsonian.

Besides the books below such pictures have also been published in books on numenistic coin collecting that I am not familiar with to know their names. I would refer you to the following:

Indian Peace Medals Issued in the United States, 1789-1889, (N. Flayderman & Co, 1966) by Bauman L. Belden

Indian Peace Medals in American History, (University of Oklahoma Press, 1995) by Francis Paul Prucha

 

[Rmccamey]

So, here's a question, leather or fabric? I like both but leather bands seem to be relegated mostly to western style hats and most leather hat bands seem thick and bulky. Any know of leather bands that are wide (1, 1 1/2 inches) but that are also very thin like typical cloth or fabric ribbons seen on many fedoras?

 

[Winston Carter]

So, here's a question, leather or fabric? I like both but leather bands seem to be relegated mostly to western style hats and most leather hat bands seem thick and bulky. Any know of leather bands that are wide (1, 1 1/2 inches) but that are also very thin like typical cloth or fabric ribbons seen on many fedoras?

I'm different. I wore all the popular concho, leather, etc. bands in the 70's-90's now I like the 1"-1.25" ribbon on my western hats. To me the ribbon looks the best. JMO

 

[Winston Carter]

Gives it that vintage old school look.

 

[Rmccamey]

I agree Winston, I like the cloth ribbon much better too. My cowboy days are about over! BUT, I have this one idea and I'm really looking for a wide but very thin leather for a ribbon.

Gives it that vintage old school look.

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[Winston Carter]

I agree Winston, I like the cloth ribbon much better too. My cowboy days are about over! BUT, I have this one idea and I'm really looking for a wide but very thin leather for a ribbon.

I ditch all of these buckle bands that are on almost all the western hats these days. I will go with the old style thin ribbon too. Looks better IMO.

 

[Rmccamey]

Agreed. I'll have to keep my one old black Resistol with the horsehair band, otherwise I'm trending toward the Open Roads with the thin band...or the wide ribbons as you mentioned.