I just wanted to say...

[Rai]

Earlier this month, I had finally decided to buy a fedora. Of course, I had no clue where to start, and let's be frank. Haberdasheries aren't exactly common in northern Michigan.

So, I looked on the internet, and just when I was about to buy a hat, I found this place. In this forum, as you all undoubtedly known, is some incredibly useful advice and suggestions. Using this site, I finally settled on a Federation Deluxe, and I've gotta say, it's just about perfect.

Sure, it's a bit tighter than I would have liked, and the ribbon seems cheap, to say the least. But for a first hat? I think I've done well. The bashing even went fairly easily, again thanks to the forums.

So really, I joined to say this: Thanks for existing and being so incredibly helpful. I probably shouldn't be thanking you, since it would seem that I've picked up another expensive hobby, but I suppose that's half the fun of life.

 

[tonyb]

It doesn't HAVE to be expensive, Rai. But yeah, even at relatively low prices, a collection can run into a considerable amount of dough. But at least it isn't bad for your health, like so many other vices are. (As best I can tell, anyway.)

 

[KY Gentleman]

Rai- welcome to the world of "there can never be too many hats".
I myself just got a "regular old" Federation yesterday and I really like it, but truth be told I'm thinking about ordering another hat right now!
I hope you enjoy the Fedora Lounge, I do. There is plenty of stuff in here to keep a "hat guy" happy! Enjoy that Federation Deluxe!!!

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge!

 

[Tango Yankee]

It doesn't HAVE to be expensive, Rai. But yeah, even at relatively low prices, a collection can run into a considerable amount of dough. But at least it isn't bad for your health, like so many other vices are. (As best I can tell, anyway.)

Yeah, that's what I tell my wife--I could be addicted to crack instead!lol

Welcome to the Lounge and the addiction of hats, Rai. Don't venture out of the Hats room if you don't want to risk other, related and potentially even more expensive habits, though, like I did. :eusa_doh:

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Mustang]

Haberdasheries aren't exactly common in northern Michigan.

Unfortunately, I know all too well of what you speak . From a fellow, Northern Michigander (although, not near as North)...

Welcome!

Congrats on the new hat. Thanks to this forum, I also just bought my first fedora...an Akubra Sydney.

 

[Nick D]

Welcome, Rai, from another Yooper (lived in Marquette, in the UK for school).

 

[SamMarlowPI]

hows about a look-see, Rai? and welcome to the Lounge

 

[NonEntity]

Rai,

Welcome to the Fedora Lounge and your new addiction.

The Federation Deluxe is a superb first fedora, or last fedora, or somewhere in between fedora. All Akubras are quality hats and great values.

If I were you, I'd be concerned about the tight fit. Fur felt hats, with sweat and rain, tend to shrink, not expand. Depending on where you purchased it and how obvious it is that it's been bashed and worn, you might be able to exchange it for the next size up. If it's a bit large, a felt pad or two inserted behind the sweatband easily adjust it down.

You say "the ribbon seems cheap, to say the very least." Hmmm. Though I do not have that hat, I've never found an Akubra to have a cheap ribbon. How 'bout the rest of you?

 

[dhermann1]

Pretty soon you'll be picking up a couple of vintage ties, then a pair of spectators, then you'll be ranting and raving about armholes!
It's all good! Welcome!

 

[Rai]

Rai,

Welcome to the Fedora Lounge and your new addiction.

The Federation Deluxe is a superb first fedora, or last fedora, or somewhere in between fedora. All Akubras are quality hats and great values.

If I were you, I'd be concerned about the tight fit. Fur felt hats, with sweat and rain, tend to shrink, not expand. Depending on where you purchased it and how obvious it is that it's been bashed and worn, you might be able to exchange it for the next size up. If it's a bit large, a felt pad or two inserted behind the sweatband easily adjust it down.

You say "the ribbon seems cheap, to say the very least." Hmmm. Though I do not have that hat, I've never found an Akubra to have a cheap ribbon. How 'bout the rest of you?

Yeah, I've read about the shrinkage. But the fit is good for now, and I don't especially have the money to send it back to Austrailia. I also think a part of it comes from the fact that I haven't really worn hats until this point, so anything on top of my head will feel a bit odd.

As far as the ribbon, it's not necessarily that it's cheap, it's just not what I expected. It seems to me that it's some kind of cheap polyester rather than something nicer. Or maybe that's just me.

As far as pictures go, well, ask and you shall receive!

This would be me in my fedora, taken with my webcam seeing as my digital camera is about 8 hours away. The quality of the picture isn't the best, but it gives a fairly good image.

For better pictures of the hat though, go here. These are a few pictures I took after I got the hat in, to showcase what they looked like before the bashing, then after. The pictures themselves are fairly large, so modems beware.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

i like

 

[SinatraStyle]

Rai,

Welcome to the Lounge from another Michigander. I also have a Fed Deluxe. It is a very nice hat and you will find that it holds up very well in the snow and rain (especially the snow, given your location ).

 

[KY Gentleman]

Nice hat and I like the bash.

 

[citRon]

Ypsilanti born here...man it's cold there.