Hello! and request for a jump start ...

[tm3]

great forum! i was referred here by a fellow member of badger and blade.

i've always been quite fond of hats, and want to expand my very modest collection. i sure would appreciate some advice on where to start shopping, with the following basic criteria in mind:

1) one of the biggest (literally) problems i've had in the past is finding the correct size. i don't have an exact measurement, but i have a large head. my tilley hat is an 8 (but kind of loose, which is more comfortable). my "true" size might be 7 7/8 or thereabouts. most L and XL that i find in stores don't fit, but sometimes i find an adjustable cap that fits if opened up all the way.

2) i'm interested in hats that go with casual wear. i almost never wear a suit, sportcoat, or tie.

3) fortunately i'm at a point in my life that i can afford to buy some nice things, but i'm also a big fan of best bang for the buck!

thanks! i really appreciate any suggestions!

 

[deanglen]

Welcome to the Lounge! Always happy to meet new members! Have you been to Burlington Coat Factory? You can get fur felt hats there for a reasonable price. I've purchased several. Nice every day beaters.


dean

 

[tm3]

thanks for the tip about burlington. do they have extra large sizing?

 

[deanglen]

thanks for the tip about burlington. do they have extra large sizing?

Yes. Hope you have a store nearby. If you don't, let me know, I've acted as purchasing agent for a few Loungers at a few near me. It's hit or miss at BCF, but some of the hits are great, some about average, but good for increasing ones range on a budget, to save up for the big vintage score at auction. The Huckel hats BCF offers are generous in their sizing, are nice, and might be good to look for. Feel free to PM me with questions.

dean

 

[tm3]

dean my PM feature is not enabled. ??

the nearest BCF is about 60-70 miles away. i don't think i'll make a trip to look, as they may not have anything.

i appreciate your generous offer. i wouldn't want you to make a special trip, either. if you are there anyway and they have something in my size (just measured it at 62cm, which does not sound right based on a chart i saw), please let me know.

i might ought to go with mail order, initially, but i don't think i want a custom until i know more about what styles, colors, etc. i prefer.

thanks again!

 

[ideaguy]

Dean: he doesn't have enough posts to PM-maybe email him? and about that
stetson- did you see the moth holes...Grrrr maybe fixable, hope so. thanks for the message

TM3 keep in touch with Dean- he's the go to guy on hats from BCF. Also try
The Fedora Store-Duane, the owner, is a heckuva guy who'll help you all
the way- highly recommended!! wait and listen to us mugs before you go
out chasing a hat that might be right here...experience talking, believe me
(and many others)
Welcome to the Lounge!!

 

[ideaguy]

PS Dean- moth holes in Stetson- look carefully. maybe repairable, thanks for
the message-M

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Your two best Routes

In my humble opinion, you have two good choices. Both are mail-order. My first suggestion is to go to Hatsdirect.com and find the Federation or Federation Deluxe. Even with shipping, they cost less than most hats sold in the US, and both of those hats come in sizes up to 64cm! You would have to shape the crown yourself, though. It's not difficult at all, and it allows you to really personalize it. I find they go well with casual or dress clothes.

My second suggestion is to go custom, which you said you wanted to wait a little on. But when you do, you won't be disappointed. Art Fawcett is good, and "Fedora" has the Indy hat nailed.

Welcome to the Lounge,
NB

 

[deanglen]

dean my PM feature is not enabled. ??

the nearest BCF is about 60-70 miles away. i don't think i'll make a trip to look, as they may not have anything.

i appreciate your generous offer. i wouldn't want you to make a special trip, either. if you are there anyway and they have something in my size (just measured it at 62cm, which does not sound right based on a chart i saw), please let me know.

i might ought to go with mail order, initially, but i don't think i want a custom until i know more about what styles, colors, etc. i prefer.

thanks again!

Will do. I'll post any finds in the "Classifieds" here at the Lounge. Do you have any absolute color rejections, such as "black", and any absolute brim width rejections? Most are 2 1/2 " or so.

dean

 

[tm3]

thanks -- that sounds great, and/or you could email me.

no absolutes that i know of, other than i'd probably lean more towards black/gray/navy than brown.

NB i checked out hats direct. i might decide to go that route, but am a little concerned about something requiring a return since the shipping is so expensive.

 

[deanglen]

thanks -- that sounds great, and/or you could email me.

no absolutes that i know of, other than i'd probably lean more towards black/gray/navy than brown.

NB i checked out hats direct. i might decide to go that route, but am a little concerned about something requiring a return since the shipping is so expensive.

E-mail would be fine. Mine is hatman1958@hotmail.com

dean

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Just in case....

PS Dean- moth holes in Stetson- look carefully. maybe repairable, thanks for
the message-M

I hope I'm not too rude nosing into a conversation that's not mine, but in the event that it's my Stetson you're talking about, I have a reputation to protect. I can assure you that those are not moth holes. They are either dirt, or a trick of the camera. I even double checked just now in case I forgot about them. If it's not about me, well then... "I was never here."
NB

 

[John in Covina]

O versus 0 the Long Oval

My PM feature is not enabled. ??

If you are there anyway and they have something in my size (just measured it at 62cm, which does not sound right based on a chart i saw), please let me know.

You won't be able to PM or get any Pm's until you have done a requisit number of posts. This is done to weed out the wankers and spammers.

A 62 Metric is a US size 7-3/4, certainly a big hat by most standards, however if you are going bigger for fit, you may have an OVAL shaped head.

If you look at vintage mens hats you may note sizes listed as "LONG OVAL" which are designed to accomodate the long, oval shape of the head.

If you have a long oval head, I believe only a few manufacturers these days make them, so you may have to consider vintage or custom made.
Here is the letter O which is fairly round while the number zero 0 is longer and more oval than the O.
O versus 0 and that means a different fit and probably why you need a larger hat than your measurement indicates.

 

[tm3]

i'll bet oval shape is the problem, as front to back always seems to be where hats are overly tight as opposed to side to side.

i'll do a search, but are you aware of any non-custom manufacturers that do the long oval?

i guess i should at least be happy that i'm not a pointy-head. or a cone head. although i definitely can consume mass quantities.

thanks!

 

[DocBob345]

Hello!

Hello tm3,

I am also a newcomer here, so welcome from me, too. After reading many of the threads here, and some of the suggestions from dean, I am going to try my luck at BCF. I'll also be on the lookout for long ovals, and will be sure to let you know if and where I come across any.

Thanks to dean also for pointing out the Classifieds here. I had failed to check those first.

Hope you enjoy the forum, tm3, I've found it to be a wealth of information from kind and knowledgable patrons.

Best,
Robert

 

[deanglen]

Welcome DocBob345! BCF is just a place to find some everyday "beaters" that will take abuse. They're also guilt free subjects for modifyin; ribbon switches, brim trimming and so on. After you've been around a while longer and see what other Loungers have scored on e-bay, you'll feel the pull toward "vintage", and as a recovering e-bayaholic once you ride the auction tiger it's hard to match the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. The Art Fawcett route appeals because it's a sure thing, at a premium, to get what you like, but by every account, it's worth it. I plan on being a customer of his one day. Not just yet. Great to get to know you!

dean

 

[John in Covina]

Do your detective work!

Greta to get to know you! dean

*******
Please introduce us to Greta!

Don't forget, Ebay is not the only source for vintage, you can ask around the neighborhood, friends and relatives too! Just say you want to give that fedora a good home. 2nd hand, Thrift and antiques stores should be scoured, and the big hint is go where the senior population is greatest, more likely to find turned in clothes there.

 

[DocBob345]

****

Thanks Dean!

Indeed I have noticed that the folks here have found extraordinary hats (and bargains) at ebay. I haven't yet followed that route just yet, although I have heard the sirens' song. I fear my addictivie personality will hold me hostage on ebay if I don't tread lightly at first. But thank you for the suggestion - I very certainly due plan to pursue that avenue.

I'll be taking your suggestions into account regarding BCF as well - I'm looking for just what you've mentioned - a decent daily "beater".

Best,
Robert

 

[DocBob345]

****

Does everyone get a Great for joining the lounge? Or am I the 7th caller?

John, I'm glad you brought up the 2nd hand shops. Living on the outskirts of Chicago as I do, there is no shortage of these shops, but I've been hesitant to try them. If other "Loungers" have had success I will definitely give them a try.

I really would love a nice vintage hat - those styles are timeless.

Best,
Robert

 

[deanglen]

*******
Please introduce us to Greta!

Greta? oh, she's the wife of Mr. It, you know, Ed It. He's a fixer. I just employed him in the post you quoted.

dean