I love the Fed IV!!

[tomb1013]

Zombie they are I kind of like it that way.

 

[BlackMaskPulp]

Hi All,

Received my Dark Brown Fed IV on Friday and have been wearing it ever since. The leather has conformed to my head nicely (with some cut felt strips tucked in the sides). This is my first hat that came open crowned and these pictures are of bash attempt #3 with steam applied. Not really interested in a tight pinch and it seems like I have a tall dome because my head just slightly dimples the crease on top (not a problem for me as it's not really noticeable visually but from what I've read that could be a hat-wearing etiquette faux pas? I'm new to this so I'm not sure about the ins and outs). What do you think? I am open to any constructive aesthetic suggestions. Thanks!

 

[xbeatles4x]

Maybe it is just me but the pictures are upside down and the hat looks black.

 

[Zombie_61]

Zombie they are I kind of like it that way.

There's no reason you shouldn't; I like it as well. I only ask because I'm familiar with (and often fascinated by) the way lighting can "play tricks" in photographs and make colors and shapes appear different from how they really are. For example, in the top photo I posted in post #1211 the side dents appear slightly deeper than they actually are. I don't think I have a particularly tall cranium, but if I tried to duplicate your crease my head would push the side dents out from the inside. lol

Hi All,

Received my Dark Brown Fed IV on Friday and have been wearing it ever since. The leather has conformed to my head nicely (with some cut felt strips tucked in the sides). This is my first hat that came open crowned and these pictures are of bash attempt #3 with steam applied. Not really interested in a tight pinch and it seems like I have a tall dome because my head just slightly dimples the crease on top (not a problem for me as it's not really noticeable visually but from what I've read that could be a hat-wearing etiquette faux pas? I'm new to this so I'm not sure about the ins and outs). What do you think? I am open to any constructive aesthetic suggestions. Thanks!

It looks great to me, but I prefer a not-too-tight pinch as well. I think the hat really suits you! I have the same problem with my head pushing the "center dent" crease up from the inside; I don't know if it's a faux pas, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Welcome to The Lounge! :yo:

 

[blazerbud]

I think that the Fed IV was made for you. Or better yet, your head shape and profile, are complimented by this hat. I always try to wear a button down shirt if I'm in a hat, and I think that would suit this well.
I know the T shirt is just impromptu because we are here looking at the hat.
Good Job.

 

[BlackMaskPulp]

Yeah, it's weird. Looks fine on my laptop but upside down on my iPod touch. (Hat looks black due to the fact that the sunlight is coming through a tinted window.) Thanks for letting me know.

 

[ManofKent]

Bash looks good to me - if the head touching the dent bothers you, you can always lower the front and rear more than the centre, or go for a slimmish teardrop.

 

[BlackMaskPulp]

It looks great to me, but I prefer a not-too-tight pinch as well. I think the hat really suits you! I have the same problem with my head pushing the "center dent" crease up from the inside; I don't know if it's a faux pas, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Welcome to The Lounge! :yo:

Thanks for the welcome and the encouraging words.

I think that the Fed IV was made for you. Or better yet, your head shape and profile, are complimented by this hat. I always try to wear a button down shirt if I'm in a hat, and I think that would suit this well.
I know the T shirt is just impromptu because we are here looking at the hat.
Good Job.

I usually wear collared shirts when wearing fedoras - just excited to get some pics in my pjs up here for suggestions. Thanks for the confidence boost in my new hat!

Bash looks good to me - if the head touching the dent bothers you, you can always lower the front and rear more than the centre, or go for a slimmish teardrop.

I may try that if it starts to really bother me. Thanks for the tip.

 

[DesertDan]

Looks great on you BMP, congrats!

 

[Zombie_61]

As I mentioned back in post # whateveritwas, I'm seriously considering the purchase of another Fed IV, this time in Tawny Fawn. Since I live nowhere near Katoomba, I thought I'd use a little quick and dirty Photoshop sleight of hand to "try one on":

The color is nothing more than a best guess based on the few photos I've seen of the Tawny Fawn in direct sunlight. I think I made it a bit more yellow than the actual color, and I know in more subdued/indoor lighting the Tawny Fawn is definitely more tan, but this was just for kicks and grins to get a rough idea of how the hat might look once perched upon my coconut.

So...judges?

 

[xbeatles4x]

Well I can't wait for my hat to arrive tomorrow. Honestly I wanted tawny fawn but I found a gently used/new hat for sale that was heritage fawn and figured it would be close enough. After some more research it looks like heritage fawn is more green and less tan. I really wanted tan but we will see tomorrow. You guys will be the first to see what it looks like in direct out of direct sunlight and on me.

 

[Rogera]

Some good lookin' Feds guys!

 

[xbeatles4x]

Quick question. My first hat arrive today an I am looking for the foam strips. Is this it? Or is this something used in the packaging of the hat? The hat is a just a tinge loose at the front.

Also here is the hat.

 

[xbeatles4x]

Also I feel the top is a tinge too tall so I might re bash it.

 

[gtdean48]

Also I feel the top is a tinge too tall so I might re bash it.
...

It doesn't look it from this angle.
You don't want too little of crown above the brim compared to your jaw-line below the brim.

 

[John J]

Akubra fed delux brim treatment and sizing

Good afternoon everyone. I hope all is well.

I pulled the trigger on two bespoke hats , one from Art in Pecan beaver and a Black cherry from Bob at black sheep (hes back).

In the meantime Id like to get a (more suited to me) off the shelf gray hat. I have a Builtmore Forence in steel gray. Im just not crazy about it . Decent quality hat But the brim is 2 1/8 (a tad trilby -ish on me) and the crown had too much taper and is real short , I reshaped into a nice teardrop and that squared it up a bit but still a Very short crown.

once my two customs come in Ill be wearing them most times and will probably get a dove or smoke ,or moss at some point...

I was looking at the Akubra CEO and did not like the taper I see with on -line photos. Im eyeballing the fed in moonstone.

fed looks great though Id like a smaller brim 2 5/8" vs 3" (not end of world) and Im not crazy about plain cut brim either . when I was in TN and a rodeo clown (while in Navy, on my training base , while in tech school) thats another story. my 2 hats had plain brims and they fuzzed up or got nicked all the time.

1) Could a good Tailor (I have one) put a grosgrain ribbon on the brim?? a hat shop could but then lead time is long plus x 2 shipping ... BTW squatter looked ok but crown is a bit short!

2) My head tapes out at 23 5/8" Im in - between a 7 1/2 and a 7 5/8 should I stretch or try and shrink? My other off the rack hats are 7 5/8 and I ended up with foam in all 3 (not the best fit/feel for me , Dont realy like the foam feel,) shrinking didn't do much , wonder if stretching would be a better option since its only a wee bit

I have to say Im not at all impressed with the number of factory mass built fedoras Ive seen at all the hat shops on line!!!

Just about every one was a 4"-4.5" crease height and most were center dents !

Is akubra the only option short of custom for taller crowns without going western??.

Many thanks

"JOHN"

 

[TheDane]

If your tailor is used to do the job, he probably will be able to do it. Being a tailor makes him not necessarily more competent than your dentist, though

A hatter will know how much to stretch the ribbon to secure the snap - and he will flange the brim after binding it. I would let a hatter do it.

The felt strips should only be necessary for while. Over time the hat will usually shrink, and you can take the strips out, one or two at the time. That's a lot better than buying a small hat and stretch it

 

[BlackMaskPulp]

Some good lookin' Feds guys!

Cheers!

Quick question. My first hat arrive today an I am looking for the foam strips. Is this it? Or is this something used in the packaging of the hat? The hat is a just a tinge loose at the front.

I don't think so. It's part of the packaging of the hat. The strip that came with mine was white, 1 cm width by 46 cm long with a sticky back that said "Raven" on it. I used felt strips instead.

Also I feel the top is a tinge too tall so I might re bash it.

It looks good to me. I'd put a little more of a downward bend in the front of the brim but it's personal preference (plus I'm a noob at this). Sharp! Are you pleased with the shade of fawn?

As I mentioned back in post # whateveritwas, I'm seriously considering the purchase of another Fed IV, this time in Tawny Fawn. Since I live nowhere near Katoomba, I thought I'd use a little quick and dirty Photoshop sleight of hand to "try one on":

The color is nothing more than a best guess based on the few photos I've seen of the Tawny Fawn in direct sunlight. I think I made it a bit more yellow than the actual color, and I know in more subdued/indoor lighting the Tawny Fawn is definitely more tan, but this was just for kicks and grins to get a rough idea of how the hat might look once perched upon my coconut.

So...judges?

Looks like to me you've captured it. Suits you.

 

[gtdean48]

Quick question. My first hat arrive today an I am looking for the foam strips. Is this it? Or is this something used in the packaging of the hat? The hat is a just a tinge loose at the front.

...

No, that is for protecting the hat in the box not for shaping it to your head.

 

[carranty]

Quick question. My first hat arrive today an I am looking for the foam strips. Is this it? Or is this something used in the packaging of the hat? The hat is a just a tinge loose at the front.

That's just part of the packaging of the hat, BUT, it's also the same material they make the foam strips out of. The only difference between them is the foam strips have had double sided tape stuck to one side, so that you can stick them in place inside your hat. The foam strips are also cut thinner (width wise), you'd get about 3 or 4 foam strips (1cm wide each) from that one thick strip you have there if you decide to cut it.

Some people receive white foam/felt strips. I think the hatttery sends out different styles to different people, but I've bought 4 hats from them now (2 Feds, 2 campdrafts) and they've all had the foam strips I describe above.

Also I feel the top is a tinge too tall so I might re bash it.

The crown doesn't look too high to me. Its got pretty deep dents, it might feel lower if you pop those out a bit, but personally I think it looks good as it - maybe a touch more curl at the front but that's just me.