I love how this hat looks.

[blue6249]

I've been lurking here for a couple weeks now and I've been thinking about this as my first hat. It's a custom from texas hatters, and, well, I've had no luck finding a hat in my size (8 1/8+). I would probably get it in brown with a darker brown bow. Speaking of the bow, I <3 it.

Does anyone have an opinion on that particular hatter, and moreover, isn't that an awesome crease?

 

[CRH]

...

Does anyone have an opinion on that particular hatter, and moreover, isn't that an awesome crease?

Yup...

The ribbon's got me singing the theme song from the Bat Man (Adam West), TV series.

Da nananananana... Da nananananana thumpity smash...

Welcome to the lounge, b6.

 

[Fingerstyle]

The Dark Hat

Holy haberdashery, Batman! That's a cool one, indeed.

 

[besdor]

Hi Blue,
I had a similar problem with a customer of mine. He is a 8 1/8 to a 8 1/4 long oval. He wants a hat with a 3 1/4" minumum. There is no production made hat in that size anywhere . I called Optimo in chicago. No problem for them to make the hat. The only problem was the price. they want at least 600.00 for the hat. While i think the hat would be a great hat because they use only the best fur, I dont think my client would pay that much. But it is a good option for a customer with a big size.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[tonyb]

Hi Blue,
I had a similar problem with a customer of mine. He is a 8 1/8 to a 8 1/4 long oval. He wants a hat with a 3 1/4" minumum. There is no production made hat in that size anywhere .


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

Yup. Tall crown + wide brim + anything larger than about a size 7 5/8 = a whole lotta hat body. And there ain't much of a market for them, apparently.

I've up-sized old wide-brimmed Western bodies. It's no picnic convincing a hat that had been a size 7 1/2 with a 5 1/2-inch crown to be a size 7 7/8 with a 6-inch crown, but if there's enough brim material, a liberal application of elbow grease (along with a lot of water and a heavy iron) usually gets the job done.

By the way, blue6249, I, too, like that hat. It's good to see some variations on the old themes. These days, almost any "proper" hat is at least somewhat distinctive, but those more flamboyant (there's a better word, I suppose) bows get my attention.

 

[blue6249]

Well, I went ahead and ordered one with a 3" brim. I'll post up some pics when it comes in =)

 

[tonyb]

Well, I went ahead and ordered one with a 3" brim. I'll post up some pics when it comes in =)

Glad to hear it. If you're gonna wear a hat, may as well make it a hat, you know? No half-way statement, right?

I look forward to seeing pictures of it.

EDIT: I took a look at that hat on the Texas Hatters' website. It's priced "starting at" $225. I think it's safe to assume that price is for one made from what is commonly called a "staple" body, meaning rabbit fur. Nothing wrong with that at all. A very good hat can be made from a staple body. But I'd bet they can make it in 100 percent beaver, which is, oh, about 100 percent better (depending on who's scoring). Provided the added cost to you for an all-beaver body isn't too darned much, I'd advise spending the additional dough. If you already know all of this, well, please forgive me.

 

[blue6249]

Glad to hear it. If you're gonna wear a hat, may as well make it a hat, you know? No half-way statement, right?

I look forward to seeing pictures of it.

EDIT: I took a look at that hat on the Texas Hatters' website. It's priced "starting at" $225. I think it's safe to assume that price is for one made from what is commonly called a "staple" body, meaning rabbit fur. Nothing wrong with that at all. A very good hat can be made from a staple body. But I'd bet they can make it in 100 percent beaver, which is, oh, about 100 percent better (depending on who's scoring). Provided the added cost to you for an all-beaver body isn't too darned much, I'd advise spending the additional dough. If you already know all of this, well, please forgive me.

Their website isn't terribly clear, but how it works is that rabbit felt is 225 and the beaver is 450 or something like that. They don't charge extra for anything that I'm aware of except for hat bands made out of random animals. I went for just the $225 rabbit because I couldn't really justify close to 500 bucks with shipping when I've never even really seen myself in a fedora before. Supposing it looks as awesome as I'm hoping I might spring for a beaver felt one when my tax return comes in.
From a couple searches on this site I've seen some mixed reviews of that particular hattery, but from what I've heard they've been around for quite a while and really love the hats they make. I guess I'll see how it turns out, eh?

 

[tonyb]

Hmmm ...

I'm thinkin' it's an at least reasonably good value for the money, relative to what you'd likely get in a factory-made hat for a comparable price, or even a custom made form a staple body. And, considering you're so taken with the style, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be quite happy with it.

I'd share a couple of opinions with you via private message, but I think you have to get your post count up a bit before your PM account is activated. Wouldn't wanna talk out of school, as the kids say these days.