Hatless, but hopeful.

[donf]

I am one of the newbies here and am enjoying the sidelines per se. I dont own a Fedora but would like to one day. So.....for my first, and maybe only hat, what would you kind people reccomend? I do like the shorter brims I think...

 

[BigSho]

If it is going to be a first and only I personally would go for the gusto and get myself an Art Fawcett custom. Great guy and he will make sure you get what you want, and in a fine quality hat to boot.

Jeremy
Hats Plus Ltd.

 

[deanglen]

One name: Art Fawcett. Says it all.

dean

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Yea....but you all might want to give a range of suggestions for every budget....so that he can still be hatted regardless of financial situation...

 

[Matt Deckard]

Akubra is a good starting range fur felt with hats under 100 dollars.

I'd check out what David Morgan has to offer. You can move onto custom after a while... unless you know exactly what you want and want to dive right in.

 

[epic610]

Amen, Matt Deckard...

it can sometime take a few hats before you really know what you want and how comfortable you feel wearing it. 25 hats down and i still haven't decided. best advice is to buy something you think you may like for a reasonable price and live with it for awhile.

 

[Dinerman]

donf- what's your hat size?

 

[Not-Bogart13]

It's all about budget. I'd say Akubra or a second hand Dobbs to stay in the $100 area. If you have the money, then I say talk to Art.
NB

 

[Aaron Hats]

Since you don't own a hat yet I think style is more important than who to buy from. You'll need to consider color, crown height and brim width. Each of these things can make or break your future love of hats.

Welcome aboard.

Aaron

 

[RBH]

Here are a few good places to check out

http://www.thefedorastore.com/

http://www.millerhats.com/menu/mens_hats.htm

http://www.getahaton.com/

http://www.petersbros.com/index.htm

http://www.bencrafthats.com/

http://www.adventurebilthats.com/

http://www.hats-plus.com/

and when summer rolls back around you cant beat a panama.

http://www.panamas.biz/

 

[G MAN]

For an Akubra hat I would also add www.hatsdirect.com

 

[donf]

Thanks

I do appreciate all the great advice. To answer a few of your questions...I am looking to spend about 150.00-200.00 My hat size is 71/4 I think. I saw some Bailey hats????? Pretty overwhelming for a guy fresh off the turnip truck. Thanks for the internet sites, I will check those out as well. Im thinking short brim, tan color....yada, yada, yada.... I will keep you all posted on my progress. Again, Thank you all.

 

[Baggers]

Welcome to the Lounge, Donf. You've tapped into the Mother Lode of information.

The others have made some excellent suggestions, but judging from the range of actors, celebrities and other "glitterati" that seem to be wearing hats these days, it ought to be fairly easy to find a store nearby where you can actually go in and try several on to see how they look and to get the correct fit.

Even so, if you've never worn a full brimmed hat before it may take a bit of getting used to. But that's okay. Not everyone can slap a lid on their head and immediately feel comfortable when they look in the mirror for the first time. Go ahead and try several styles to see what works best for you before dropping the big coin.

It might take a little trial and error before you find the style that suits you, but don't worry. This can be an evolution, an adventure with which you can have some fun. Just don't forget to come back here to the Lounge to ask more questions and to share your eventual purchase with us.

Cheers!

 

[GoneSolo]

donf- what's your hat size?

HAHA! That stingy is still around?