If you had $250 budget. What hat would you buy the same day and why.

[Aureliano]

The Alessandria in light grey is high on my list. Also a Borsalino Film in grey from Bencraft at $240. I also have been looking at a Benchley 100% beaver in caribou at the fedora store at $249.

I saw both earlier this week at Bencraft in Bklyn when I stopped by to say hi and chat a bit with Stanley, the owner, a good friend of mine. The proportions of the Film are awesome.

 

[m0nk]

I'd go for the Bosalino Film in brown. What I lack patience in is seeking out vintage hats. Btw, I have two VS hats and they were both well worth the wait. Maybe you you could find a Stetson Nostalgia at a good price since Hatco recently dropped them from production. That would satisfy your urge to get a vintage-style fedora quickly. Then put some money down on a VS by Art Fawcett.

I looked extensively for a Caribou Nostalgia and couldn't find any anywhere, but the Hat Guys site has the black and mink in numerous sizes, if that helps. The only way to get one in Caribou now, it seems, is to find one used.

 

[scottyrocks]

I've always wanted a Penman. He has a $250 hat called the Electric Speakeasy, named for the Fedora Chronicles Electric Speakeasy. You'd have to sign up there and be a member to get it, though. It is rabbit and looks very reminiscent of the types of hats I see in various Shorpy's photos.

 

[Rodkins]

I bet I know the hat you are talking about rodkins, does it by chance have a BIN of $225?

You know it

 

[m0nk]

So my Moonstone color Fed IV came today and I like the color so much more than I expected! So perhaps you'd like a Fed IV? With the amount you have to spend you might be able to pick up a Fed and one other hat as well.

 

[gtdean48]

Borso Travler from Peter Bros. just to see how it compares to Christy's Foldaway & use it for my motorcycle saddlebag lid....
Or a Miller Hats Open Door to see if it is as bad as Frank experienced with his....

Truthfully, I spend it on a Falcon Park Custom because it is a great deal for $250 pure beaver custom....

 

[jlee562]

Borso Alessandria because it's such a classic looking hat. That, and if there's a brand that I really felt I needed to add to my collection, it would be Borso.

 

[Rabbit]

My 2 cents: Patience is the name of the game (easier said than done).
A well-made hat that you really enjoy wearing may accompany you for a long time. Hint for custom

Re your query:
With 250 bucks to spend and no particular desire to wait, I would consistently search the bay for a vintage hat or two, and I would expect to find something VERY nice within about a week. Maybe a couple of days if I were lucky, or two weeks if less lucky. AND I would be very picky.

 

[masiaka]

I'd wait, contact a custom hatter once I had about $550, and see what they had in stock in my size. I know Optimo in Chicago has a few hats on the floor that they use for demonstration purposes that they occasionally sell.

If I weren't trying to break the rules of the thread: Sliverbelly or white-ish Open Road or an off brand copy. I like a tall, untapered crown in a light color.

 

[Bad Co]

Just a novice here but you couldn't go wrong with
Two Akubras.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I saw both earlier this week at Bencraft in Bklyn when I stopped by to say hi and chat a bit with Stanley, the owner, a good friend of mine. The proportions of the Film are awesome.

I like the pics on Bencraft's site. How light is the light grey?

 

[Yeps]

I would probably pick up a moonstone fed, send it to a hatter to be trimmed to 2.5" even and bound, and then go out and buy a round for my friends with the excess.
*If I had the money to do this, I would do it in a heartbeat. As much as I love vintage hats, I would really like to have an Akubra that I could beat the bajeebers out of and it would still look good. However, definitely would like the bound brim.

 

[job]

I guess I should not of added any comments after starting this thread. I think it just confused things. I did not want advice for me. I just wanted to know what you would buy for a new hat. It seems to me most around here buy vintage and customs. I am a 7 5/8 and ebay is not overflowing with hats my size. I have customs and I have Akubras. I was looking for a grey with black ribbon hat. Today I bought a Borsalino Film in grey. I'd love to hear from the people here that have awesome collections. With $250 what would you order online today.

Borsalino Film grey

 

[bowlerman]

Wow. neat thread. The only hat I've ever spent over $200 on is my Gus from Montana Peaks, and though it is a beautiful nice hat, I'm not sure I'd do that again. Most of my collection came in at [well] under $100 each.

However, reading this thread made me look at these Borsalinos, and though I have zero personal experience with them, the photos of the Alessandria, Como II, and Film look kind of wonderful. Personally, I wish there was a wider color selection (I get excited over greens, purple/browns, olive tones, Alan's spruce), but they do all seem to fit right into your budget and immediate shipping category.

 

[monbla256]

I guess I should not of added any comments after starting this thread. I think it just confused things. I did not want advice for me. I just wanted to know what you would buy for a new hat. It seems to me most around here buy vintage and customs. I am a 7 5/8 and ebay is not overflowing with hats my size. I have customs and I have Akubras. I was looking for a grey with black ribbon hat. Today I bought a Borsalino Film in grey. I'd love to hear from the people here that have awesome collections. With $250 what would you order online today.

If I had $250.00 (+ 8% sales tax here) free today I'd hop in the car for a 20 minute drive to Peters Bros. and put in my order for a 6x Shady Oaks in the Amon Carter style with a 2/3/4" bound brim and 3/8" ribbon with bow in Silverbelly. You can do the same online .

 

[Lefty]

I'd email Marc Kitter and ask if he was having a sale.
We'd share a laugh.
I'd save my money for something I really wanted.

 

[DJH]

I guess I should not of added any comments after starting this thread. I think it just confused things. I did not want advice for me. I just wanted to know what you would buy for a new hat. It seems to me most around here buy vintage and customs. I am a 7 5/8 and ebay is not overflowing with hats my size. I have customs and I have Akubras. I was looking for a grey with black ribbon hat. Today I bought a Borsalino Film in grey. I'd love to hear from the people here that have awesome collections. With $250 what would you order online today.

Borsalino Film grey

Job, I don't recall checking out the Film before, but that is a very nice looking hat - it reminds me of some of the Worth & Worth hats that Aureliano wears so well.

I think you are going to be very happy with it!

 

[Jedwbpm]

I too am a 7 5/8. Two weeks ago while at Delmonico's in New Haven I tried on a Stetson Tehachapi Loop.
http://www.delmonicohatter.com/Stetson/TF53104820TCHP.htm. I really liked it. So if I had the money I would take the 15 min to drive over and bring it home. As it is I will have to wait for Christmas I think.

Jeff

 

[jbucklin]

I guess I should not of added any comments after starting this thread. I think it just confused things. I did not want advice for me. I just wanted to know what you would buy for a new hat. It seems to me most around here buy vintage and customs. I am a 7 5/8 and ebay is not overflowing with hats my size. I have customs and I have Akubras. I was looking for a grey with black ribbon hat. Today I bought a Borsalino Film in grey. I'd love to hear from the people here that have awesome collections. With $250 what would you order online today.

I'll honor your request to answer the question then: I'd get the Borsalino Film in grey. ;0)