Help me choose a fedora....

[Legal Concepts]

I don't want a expensive "dressy" fedora, I want somthing that looks nice for everyday use, what price range am I looking at for a good new hat?

Are Black hats harder to keep clean? and What type of materials am I looking at in a hat? Also is it important that the hat is "crushable"?

Sorry for the fuss, but this guy only knew ball caps.:cry:

 

[Solid Citizen]

Welcome Legal Concepts

Welcome to the Lounge Legal , suggest you surf the posts here in the hat section since your question is a constant discussion point. Sorry but this sites hat interest is really about vintage 1930/s/1940's fedoras (non-crushable) & a small very limited number of current day hatters that custom make hats to the quality standards of the "Golden Era" mentioned.

Crushables are easily found thru sources such as LL Bean, Cabellas, Orvis & Bass Pro to name a few. Peter

 

[Legal Concepts]

Okay, what's the difference between a crushable and a noncrushable?

I though the "crushable" was incase somone sat a heavy box on the hat, it's still okay, but if crushable means one of those hats you can just 'roll up' then I don't want a crushable.

But I want somthing that I'm not worried about getting wet and being stained.

BTW did you see the new Cablela's hat, the "mountian man" hat. I would NEVER wear such a thing!

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ...tid=127544&_requestid=33216&_requestid=9680"]
:rage: :rage: :rage: :rage:

I thought you might find that interesting!
Is there a FAQ or a site somone can recomend for a newbie at hats, I don't want to buy junk.

 

[Solid Citizen]

This is THE Site Legal

Thanks for the clarification Legal my area of interest is original vintage hats from the 1940's, BUT there are many Lounge members that will probablly be better able to respond to the kind of hat you are seeking. Again I strongly suggest in the meantime you surf thru the existing hat postings here in the Lounge as a tutorial. Peter

 

[Not-Bogart13]

No Neat Answer, but...

I used to think what I wanted was a crushable, but I found out that what I wanted was a soft (or lightly stiffened) fur felt hat, which can be difficult to find among modern hats, but possible. If you want to put the hat through it's paces, avoid wool felt of any kind. Some sort of fur felt is a must (rabbit, nutria, beaver, blends). I don't have a preference at the moment, but many here love to debate fur type.

Now, most well-made fur felt fedoras can survive the occassional crush, and would need re-blocking from time to time (there are guys here who do that sort of thing). There are a few fur felt crushables available (but most are wool), which aren't meant to be stuffed in a pocket like the wool ones. They are supposed to hold their shape better if sat on by accident or put in a box that's too small for transport (like on a bus or plane). Fur Felt hats will generally handle the weather, but you might not want to get some completely soaked. There are also sprays you can buy to help protect a hat from water and stains. As a rule, anything black is hard to keep clean. Lighter browns hide dust better, but it's up to you.

Stray away from western styles because they are usually very stiff. Shop around for one you like the look of and then ask questions here. Some www's that are good;
noggintops.com, getahaton.com, millerhats.com, and hatsdirect.com. Hats Direct mainly sells Akubra hats, and many of them are stiff... but not all. If you see one you like, start a thread here and you're bound to find somebody in the know. I can tell you from experience, the Federation is a bit stiff, but it can take a beating!
Also, try searching for Optimo in chicago. I hear they make nice stuff. Prices range all over, but if it's under $90 new, it's probably wool. A good custom-made hat will cost you $200+. A lucky find on eBay... who knows. You should be able to stay under $150, depending on what you like best.

Good Luck, and I hope I was helpful.

 

[Bebop]

Try davidmorgan.com and check out the Traveler by Akubra. It is crushable and quite nice and priced right compared to other crushable hats I have seen.

 

[Legal Concepts]

Thanks for the responses, I think I'll go with a Stetson Temple style, non crushable from http://www.hats-plus.com/detail.aspx?ID=142 I'm getting the caribou that should match anything I wear, stay clean easier, and the fedora should be flexible so I can turn down the brim:cry:

Stray away from western styles because they are usually very stiff.

I was in the local clothing stores, man I could find many, MANY cowboy hats, but a cowboy hat isn't what I wanted anyways. Around here it's either Cowboy hats or a Baseball hats. *sigh*

 

[Michael Mallory]

"Crushable" usually connotes a different kind of felt: a little softer, a lot rougher, sometimes approaching furry (in fact, you can scrub pots with them when not wearing them), and most often weather resistant. Cheap, in other words. If you really want a crushable fedora, the Golden Gate "Chicago" fedora and the Village Hat Shop/Jaxon C-crown fedora are acceptable. Dorfman Pacific also makes crushable fedoras, but their crowns are kind of small, and I would advise avoiding anything with the name "Cappas" (the "r" is silent). They're all in the $35-40 range. But for about the same amount of money, you can get a better quality, smoother wool felt fedora. Check out "Mike the Hatter," a Cincinnati-based store with a big online presence, whose prices and service are excellent.

 

[havershaw]

If you're going to spend that kind of money on a new hat, I heavily recommend you buy something other than a new Stetson. I don't personally own any new Stetsons, but I only ever hear absolutely terrible things about their durability - particularly in the rain. In fact, one member of this board actually had the dye run out of the hat and onto his face during a rainstorm, if I recall correctly!


I'm more of a vintage guy myself, but I would recommend trying Steve Delk of Adventurebilt Hats - his hats are new, and are supposed to be incredibly tough when it comes to the elements. The felt will be undoubtedly softer and the price is fantastic for a hat of that quality. You can find him at www.adventurebilthats.com unless I miss my guess.

You could also spend even less on an Akubra Federation, which would give you a similar style for even less, and they handle the elements pretty well. But I would bet that Steve's felt quality will kill that too.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Instead of Stetson...

If the price is right on the Stetson, I suggest you try going to Miller Hats for one of name-brand Miller fedoras. Several come in different brim widths, just as soft, and better quailty. They are made by Biltmore. I own both a Stetson and Miller, and I can honestly say the Miller is better.

 

[Legal Concepts]

hmm wow, didn't know there is so many options to a hat! Should I get a raw edged brim or a bound edge??????

 

[Matt Deckard]

Ack!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

hmm wow, didn't know there is so many options to a hat! Should I get a raw edged brim or a bound edge??????

Depends what you're going for. The bound edge will give it a classy, dressier look. It's a matter of taste. If I'm going for a practical lid, for rain or heavy handling, what-not... I usually go for a raw edge.

 

[Chief_Izzy]

My 2 Cents

The choice of hat depends on what the primary use will be and what are the basic colors you wear on a daily basis. Crushability can be cheap or expensive depending on your taste and budget.
Most hatmeisters here favor big brim fedoras. If you're a smaller dude then you might go to a medium size brim 2-2 1/2" wide, or even a stingy brim, 1 1/2". If you live in NYC then try some different hats on at J&J Hats (see Herman) or Bencraft (in Brooklyn see Stanley). OK, once you choose the hat then a black or gray hat is a good start. Get a horse hair hat brush and a travel steamer for maintenance and keep the hat in the box.
Good luck!

 

[Colonel]

Stetson Temple

I just found this forum yesterday, so I'm certainly no expert on this. I recently bought a Stetson Temple (mink brown), and I'm quite happy with it. Unlike many (most?) on here, I am not into vintage clothing - I'm quite happy with current things that have quality and a classic look. Are there better choices than the Stetson Temple I bought? Probably. It suits me well though. Also, when you live in the town where John B. Stetson built a university, it's kind of hard to wear a hat that's not a Stetson.

Very nice forum - glad I found it. My interests probably aren't mainstream here, but it has much to offer, and perhaps I can contribute a bit in return.

Good day, gentlemen.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Welcome Colonel

Some of us are fans of modern hats, and some "go both ways".
I'm not saying Stetsons are no good, let me be clear. I just think that there are better fedoras available in that price range. Would I ever buy another modern Stetson. Yeah. But I prefer others, or a vintage Stetson.
At any rate, Stetson could use some enthusiastic support here. Welcome aboard!

 

[Colonel]

...At any rate, Stetson could use some enthusiastic support here. Welcome aboard!

Thank you, sir!

Good day and God Bless.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I'd buy another Stetson...

...but I think for off the shelf hats Biltmore makes a better hat.