Homburg advice

[Cordite Blues]

I am a new member of the forum tho I've lurked for awhile. I am in the market for a Homburg (black or dove gray) and have seen many on-line. I've read the 'Homburg' thread.

I have a 7 3/4" noggin and find many of the choices don't go that large. I also much prefer a wider-brimmed style and lower crown (as opposed to the taller-crowned, tighter-curled brim of the Edwardian version).

Can the brim on these hats be steamed and relaxed a little? Any other xxl Homburg owners have one for sale, vintage or modern?

To my eye, the Homburg is everything a hat should be and is my favorite style (along with the Optimo panama -- you can see where I'm headed).

Thanks to all. This is a great site.

CB.

 

[Mr E Train]

Biltmore?

Biltmore has at least one homburg in 7 3/4. I can testify as to the quality of Biltmore's products.

http://www.hats-plus.com/p-81-biltmore-royal-homburg-hat.aspx

 

[donnc]

You might look at the Miller Hats online catalogue - they have a handful of different styles in the $130 range, one of them might suit you and every one lists a 7 3/4, even the couple of $15 off discontinued models. (E.g., wide brim Prince Albert.) Just repeating what I read here somewhere, they may be actually made by Biltmore and good quality for the price but somewhat vulnerable to rain.

I'm unable to find any models right away that don't come in 7 3/4, but another one you might have missed with little if any curl to the brim is Lagomarsino.

 

[Mr E Train]

You might look at the Miller Hats online catalogue - they have a handful of different styles in the $130 range, one of them might suit you and every one lists a 7 3/4, even the couple of $15 off discontinued models. (E.g., wide brim Prince Albert.) Just repeating what I read here somewhere, they may be actually made by Biltmore and good quality for the price but somewhat vulnerable to rain.

I'm unable to find any models right away that don't come in 7 3/4, but another one you might have missed with little if any curl to the brim is Lagomarsino.

If it says Miller Hats on the label, it's pretty much guaranteed to be a Biltmore. I haven't worn mine in the rain yet since I just got my first one the other day. Some people say they take the rain just fine, some say not. I would imagine the stiffer, curled brim of a homburg might be less vulnerable to rain than a 3" brimmed fedora. Either way, I'm going to make judicious use of some Scout water repellant to help with the waterproofing in case I get caught in a shower. In any case, the felt on mine sure feels nice!

 

[Cordite Blues]

missed it in my hunt

I'm unable to find any models right away that don't come in 7 3/4, but another one you might have missed with little if any curl to the brim is Lagomarsino.

No doubt reflecting my search skills more than availability of choices. Thanks for the tip on the Lagomarsino.

CB

 

[frussell]

Same link as above, but Beaver Brand

Hats Plus also has a Beaver Brand fur felt Homburg in three colors available up to 7 3/4. I've got a charbrown one on the way, we'll see if it's a winner. Good price compared to the Biltmore. Good Luck. Frank

 

[Mr E Train]

Hats Plus also has a Beaver Brand fur felt Homburg in three colors available up to 7 3/4. I've got a charbrown one on the way, we'll see if it's a winner. Good price compared to the Biltmore. Good Luck. Frank

Ooh, I didn't notice that one. I'd go with the Beaver Brand at that price. 85 bucks for a fur felt homburg, that's surprising. I mean, it's probably rabbit fur, but still.

 

[Cordite Blues]

Hats Plus also has a Beaver Brand fur felt Homburg in three colors available up to 7 3/4. I've got a charbrown one on the way, we'll see if it's a winner. Good price compared to the Biltmore. Good Luck. Frank

I would be interested in your impressions once it arrives. I'm pretty well decided on either black or grey, but I'd like to see it on someone's head for overall shape.

Can a modern hat be steamed and the brim relaxed a little? As I mentioned, the tight curl brim doesn't do much for me except on a bowler....

CB

 

[donnc]

Can a modern hat be steamed and the brim relaxed a little? As I mentioned, the tight curl brim doesn't do much for me except on a bowler....

Just checking for semantics - when you say curl, you mean where the whole brim tilts up on the side? Not the "pencil roll" that these hats have all the way around - that's probably going to be permanent.

My guess is: depends, it's a question of geometry determined by how they built the curl in. If the sides just tilt up because the front and back tilt down, might be in luck.

 

[Cordite Blues]

likely candidates

Just checking for semantics - when you say curl, you mean where the whole brim tilts up on the side? Not the "pencil roll" that these hats have all the way around - that's probably going to be permanent.

My guess is: depends, it's a question of geometry determined by how they built the curl in. If the sides just tilt up because the front and back tilt down, might be in luck.

The curl of which I speak is the entire brim, not the edge roll. Further research has turned up a couple of possibilities: the Winston and the Banker at Millers. The Hesse and the Deans are more upswept than I like.

http://www.millerhats.com/homburg_index/homburgindex.html


CB.