Indicators of a low quality hat:

[Frunobulax]

Yes, but the deli only had pastrami today and I didn't feel like taking on a search....I maybe could have found vegan corned beef though. Nope, a mustard buffet for selection.

I prefer pastrami anyway.

I can give you my Philly Cheese Steak recipe that uses pulled pork and BBQ sauce.

Sadist.

 

[dkstott]

I wear my better hats on a daily basis. But during inclimate weather, I'll put on the lite-felt hat.

There's rarely a comment about my other hats, but stranger's will compliment me about the Bailey lite-felt hat.

Makes me wonder if a good hat in a similar style would generate the same responses.

Things that make you go hmmm .

In the end, all that matters is that you like your hat(s). However, the The Fedora Lounge is focused on the “Golden Era,” so don’t expect many here to share your opinion on a wool fedora.

I too have a Lite Felt fedora...I haven’t worn it in years as it definitely isn’t what I want in a fedora. It also isn’t what people who are looking for vintage Felt hats are usually after. This thread was to help those new to the hunt steer clear of hats that don’t have the qualities and attributes that most of us are looking for.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I like and post hats that are of lower quality and that the majority of the regulars to the hat forum have zero interest in. I hope you continue sharing your hats with us. A couple years ago, I started a thread in defense of wool fedoras. I mostly still agree with what I wrote then. I also believe that an accessible and affordable “foot in the door” serves as a gateway to better hats, both vintage and contemporary.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

This will no doubt stir some controversy: hats with overwelt or underwelt brim edge treatments are more commonly found on lower quality hats. If the brim edge is folded down and sewn in that position, or if the edge is folded up/over and sewn in that position, there is a higher likelihood that the hat is of lower quality.
YMMV.

 

[tropicalbob]

I wear my better hats on a daily basis. But during inclimate weather, I'll put on the lite-felt hat.

There's rarely a comment about my other hats, but stranger's will compliment me about the Bailey lite-felt hat.

Makes me wonder if a good hat in a similar style would generate the same responses.

Things that make you go hmmm .

Most people don't notice anything. I think I've mentioned elsewhere that I could walk a downtown street with an arrow through my head and no one would notice. They might possibly notice a hat because they're not used to seeing them (other than baseball caps), but quality vs. crap? Forget it. I'm at the age where I dress for my own satisfaction.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Some indicators of a “quality hat” have so many exceptions that I wonder if it’s even useful to mention them, but I’m going to.
This will no doubt stir some controversy: hats with overwelt or underwelt brim edge treatments are more commonly found on lower quality hats. If the brim edge is folded down and sewn in that position, or if the edge is folded up/over and sewn in that position, there is a higher likelihood that the hat is of lower quality. This is not to be confused with a felted aka Cavanagh brim edge. Of course, the older a hat is the less likely that this quality tendency will hold up. I’m also aware that arguably the nicest pure beaver fedora Stetson has made in years (decades?) had an underwelt.

There are MANY exceptions, but as a generalization this has been my experience. A welted brim edge makes me look at a hat a little closer before passing judgement. Of its self, I don’t mind this brim treatment, but it’s also not m favorite. A welted edge does not mean it is poor quality. It’s not a red flag as an indicator of quality, but it makes me look twice.
YMMV.

Humm....well your welt comments might maybe generate some spirited popcorn sessions Brent.
Not a bad thing and could be interesting how folks view the over and under of it.
As for me, as if it matters, my own bias concerned welts as more ornamental in nature and less structural, thus an extra quality variable. Not always of course, always is never always but sometimes a lot move than never....yeah.
B

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Maybe a more fair way to view welted brims is to say that they are common on low quality hats, but also common on higher quality hats. That means they aren’t so much an indicator of quality as a cue to look closer.

Anecdotally, I see more welted brims on lower grades of vintage hats too. A ten-dollar hat might have a raw edge or a welted edge, but a more expensive hat of the same era is more likely to have a bound edge or a felted edge. Again, just generalizations.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Humm....well your welt comments might maybe generate some spirited popcorn sessions Brent.
Not a bad thing and could be interesting how folks view the over and under of it.
As for me, as if it matters, my own bias concerned welts as more ornamental in nature and less structural, thus an extra quality variable. Not always of course, always is never always but sometimes a lot move than never....yeah.
B

What I needed was a few more disclaimers, provisos, and stipulations.

 

[scottyrocks]

I don't think I've ever seen so many words that said so little.

 

[Rmccamey]

The firm possibility of a definitely "maybe"!

What I needed was a few more disclaimers, provisos, and stipulations.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I don't think I've ever seen so many words that said so little.

I work for the government. I can give lessons on writing pages without saying anything.

 

[M Hatman]

I work for the government. I can give lessons on writing pages without saying anything.

With all your comments on welts and the reactions.....I think you just did!!!!
LOL.....I just cannot stop laughing......and yet reading all this....I agree with everything!!!
Looks like I should work for the government!!!!!!
(Disclaimers, disclaimers, provisos, and stipulations, and even more disclaimers....not withstanding!!!)

 

[Frunobulax]

With all your comments on welts and the reactions.....I think you just did!!!!
LOL.....I just cannot stop laughing......and yet reading all this....I agree with everything!!!
Looks like I should work for the government!!!!!!
(Disclaimers, disclaimers, provisos, and stipulations, and even more disclaimers....not withstanding!!!)

I think politicians call that a "trial balloon." Now that it's popped, Brent needs to resort to the tried-and-true "walk it back."

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I think politicians call that a "trial balloon." Now that it's popped, Brent needs to resort to the tried-and-true "walk it back."

You clearly misunderstood me. I didn’t mean what you think I wrote. I’m just saying there should be peace in our time, a chicken in every pot, 40 acres and a mule for every family, and children should be on the banks of the creek with a cane pole fishing. I can’t believe you want me to walk back these points. I want a better world for my grandchildren and I’m shocked that you don’t!

I’m more of a fan of the “deflect and attack” approach.

 

[Frunobulax]

You clearly misunderstood me. I didn’t mean what you think I wrote. I’m just saying there should be peace in our time, a chicken in every pot, 40 acres and a mule for every family, and children should be on the banks of the creek with a cane pole fishing. I can’t believe you want me to walk back these points. I want a better world for my grandchildren and I’m shocked that you don’t!

I’m more of a fan of the “deflect and attack” approach.

Fedoras now, Fedoras forever!

 

[M Hatman]

You guys.......

 

[alanfgag]

To every rule, there's an exception... under heaven.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

To every rule, there's an exception... under heaven.

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Yay to that!
Disclaimer: As far as i know.
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I think politicians call that a "trial balloon." Now that it's popped, Brent needs to resort to the tried-and-true "walk it back."

Or just...deny..deny..deny
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

To every rule, there's an exception... under heaven.

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On a serious note.
What a very nice hat indeed Alan.
The welt reminds me of a Flagship.
B

 

[scottyrocks]

You clearly misunderstood me. I didn’t mean what you think I wrote. I’m just saying there should be peace in our time, a chicken in every pot, 40 acres and a mule for every family, and children should be on the banks of the creek with a cane pole fishing. I can’t believe you want me to walk back these points. I want a better world for my grandchildren and I’m shocked that you don’t!

I’m more of a fan of the “deflect and attack” approach.

I've been accused of being a stubborn mule, so I'm on my way!