How many hats is enough?

[NDW76]

I've had a black statesman hat that I bought new, ten years ago. I never wore this hat until recently when I realised I didn't have enough hair on top to keep the sun off my head. As soon as I started wearing this hat, a Dobbs hat appeared on my door step, courtesy of ebaY.

So I wanted to know, how many hat are enough? Do you gentlemen have just one or two, or do you have one for each day of the week?
How many should I buy?

 

[Brent Hutto]

I have a hat that I wear 'most every day. Although it's a bit heavy for summer time. So I bought a second one that's lighter/cooler and can also be rolled for travel. That makes two. Plus a Tilley hat for playing golf.

I really do think that's enough. Can't say for sure I wouldn't see a hat I was just dying to own somewhere down the line but I'm happy with my status quo. About the only thing on my to-buy list would be one flat cap (Newsboy, Ivy, etc.) just for the rare occasions I want to wear something totally different. But every one of those I've tried has looked bad on me.

So think two is enough and three would be more than plenty for actual wearing. Then again I just want something to keep the glare off my from blinding passing motorist and maybe keep the cool breeze off my noggin in winter.

 

[fluteplayer07]

1000. After that, you're kind of obsessed. [huh]

I started serious collecting in January, and am now at about 16, and still growing.

 

[fluteplayer07]

See here.

 

[daizawaguy]

5 felts and 3 straws.

How did I decide those numbers? No idea! I went past those numbers some time back, but if I started all over, that would be my ideal.

As for now, I`ll just have to live with my many hats lol

 

[Spats McGee]

I've got maybe a half dozen felts and a couple of straws. Even though there are lots of hats on my wish list, I've got almost all I need.

 

[rlk]

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

 

[Dave E]

Don't know, I'll tell you when I get there

I've got 8 felts, a straw and I think 5 wool lying around at the moment (and a leather Barmah). In all honesty, the straw and half a dozen of the felts are the ones that get worn most, and I suspect that there are only one or two additional hats I'm after at the moment. Having said that, I'm a bit of a collector/hoarder, so I don't doubt the number will continue to grow.

 

[Blackthorn]

How many hats are enough?

One more....always....

 

[jwalls]

Enough

Gentleman, I regret to inform you that the upper limit is a progressively larger number, not a static one. After 40+ years of wearing hats I can affirm that the number gets further out of reach. :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

 

[kaosharper1]

I think in the Golden Age it was probably 3: one grey (or black), one brown and one straw. Practically speaking that's probably enough, so why do I have 15 felts and 3 straws (with one more coming from Art)? We don't need to be practical anymore.

 

[Lloyd]

each word makes sense individually but I cannot comprehend your question when taken as wholelol

I'm at about 20 or so felts and the acquisition rate is beginning to slow, mostly as I get more picky in what I buy, and as storage space gets to be more or a premium

 

[suitedcboy]

If you have to call 911 to come get you out of your house after that last one arrived, then you have one too many.
Or you move to a bigger place.

 

[grundie]

∞ is a good number.

Actually, I don't really know the answer. You probably need a few (say 4-5) of different types to allow a rotation and some variety.

I have far too many and it causes my wife to despair.

10 felts.
10 tweedy structured types.
A boater.
4 panamas
A tilley
3 toppers
A bowler
About 30 flat types.
And a few other such as baseball caps and floppy sun hats.

Even though I know I own far too many, I still want more. I have enough to last me a few lifetimes, but if I walk past a hat shop I hope to have forgotten my wallet or else I'm out yet more cash.

Hats are the vintage dressers version of a highly addictive narcotic.

 

[Aureliano]

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

No kidding! Keep em' coming! Robert!

 

[fluteplayer07]

In all seriousness, I think the minimum amount that one could work comfortably with is:

6 felt hats in four colors; black, grey, brown, and a versatile shade of green or blue. Each one in a wider brim size, and also stingies in grey and brown.

2 panamas; one dressier, and one casual.

1 dress hat (homburg or the like).

1 beater/sunhat; a cloth Tilley or a vented felt.

Not sayin' I'm the end-all authority when it comes to hat collecting, but to me the numbers make sense.

Cheers,

 

[ScionPI2005]

I have somewhere in the vicinity of twenty hats, which include approximately nine felts, five straws, and several linen and wool flat caps.

I try to keep this about my limit, although it is hard sometimes. Right now, space is more the determining factor!

 

[gtdean48]

The only limit is the lower one. You should have at least one. The upper bound on enough is unknown & not worth contemplating....

 

[Lefty]

I don't want more than four - 2 straws and 2 felts. It's just hard to get rid of some of them.

 

[Mario]

I don't want more than four - 2 straws and 2 felts. It's just hard to get rid of some of them.

Aw, poor you!