Introduction

[randooch]

You guys are older gentlemen .

Hey, I resemble that remark!

 

[clossonrr]

new to the forum

Hi all. Just wanted to stop by and introduce myself! I have been a fedora lover for years but have never taken the plunge to purchase one till recently I finally purchased my first! I picked up a "Belfry Gangster" wool felt hat. I have been wearing it for about 3 weeks now and am officially hooked!I am in a smaller town with no hat shops near so my purchasing must be done online(makes it tough to find the right style/fit of hat. In the near future i plan to purchase a stetson chatham from the village hat shop. I am also looking for some help. I am interested in what reputable/reasonable custom hat shops are out there. I am would like something close to johnny depps "grey" fedora for those of you who know it. But want to my own dimensions no more than 4 1/2'' crown and 2 3/8 inch brim? fur felt? something under $300? Any input on brim size, how much noticeable is a 2 1/2'' brim over a 2 3/8''? I have a skinny face and this online shopping makes it tough! Anyways thank you all! i look forward to become a more active member of the community here! Let me know what you think! Thanks, Ryan

 

[clossonrr]

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[Cicero]

Hat looks good on you.
And welcome here Ryan.
Enjoy.

 

[jlee562]

Ahh yes, Johnny's grey Borsalino. 4 1/2" crown creased is a pretty good size for most. I would go for a 2.5" brim if I were you.

If you have $300 to spend, there are several custom hat makers which fall into this range. John Penman of Penman Hats has a good set of straight sided blocks to capture that kind of look. His rabbit felt hats start at $275. John does every single part of his hats by hand. Mr. Bob Jessee of Black Sheep Hat Works excels at custom hats and his 100% beaver felt hats start at $285. He has a hand dyed ribbon which is very close to the silver/grey ribbon on Johnny's hat:

Falcon Park Hattery starts at $125 for rabbit and $250 for beaver. And Tumwater hats start at $275.

I've only personally purchased hats from Penman and Black Sheep, both of which are top notch, and I would recommend either without hesitation.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Welcome to the Lounge!!!

 

[jbucklin]

Or, save up about $85.00 more and get what many of us here consider the best---a custom-made hat by Art Fawcett!
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/

 

[Ed88]

Hat looks good.

 

[DJH]

Hat looks good.

I think so too, but a slightly higher crown and a bit wider brim would look better. (I think anyway )

 

[clossonrr]

hey all! Thank you so much for the warm welcome this far!
I have done some reading on mr. fawcett and I do believe one of his fine fedoras will be in my future!
Jlee562 thank you for the links in all of my searching I have had trouble finding sites like that. those guys sure do look like they do the type of quality work I am looking for. This has certainly broadened my horizons! So is it a general consensus that all around the 1/2'' increment brim is not much more compared to a 3/8'' increment brim? I know on the ruler it seems miniscule but how bout the big picture? I am only concerned about purchasing a hat that would swallow my skinny head? would it make the hat appear to be even more "formal"; too much? Forgive me for being a newb! thanks all

 

[Blackthorn]

Welcome to the Lounge!

 

[Shohei]

Hi all
I have been lurking/learning a short bit now. Waiting on a couple of new hats and some vintage ones.
I, like lots of folks I suppose, have always wanted to sport a nice fedora but was not so sure of myself or the idea.
I gave that up this fall and decided to go for it. I bought first after some light research (like almost nil ) and then began doing my homework which is where this forum came to light. Its been an amazing wealth of information on hats and much more. I am cue ball bald as genetics was heading me there and being a zen Buddhist priest - it kinda goes with the territory so a hat is more than fashion - its a necessity!

As it stands I ordered a couple of Beaver Brands (a wool felt, c-crown, a grand beaver fur felt - couldn't resist the sale) and a Dobbs before reading up here.
After much reading I hit ebay for some vintage fedoras - some stiff bidding for things in my size it seems - either way I picked up a 1960s Mallory (for 27 big ones ), a 1950s Disney and vintage Knox (not sure of the age for a friend of mine in Sweden - a thank you/xmas gift of sorts. I will share details and pics when all things land.

One question I have is on the Knox, I'm unsure of the age (not very concerned as its nice and picked it up for a very good price), Im sorry for my complete newbness but how could you tell its age? By liner tip? tags, place it was sold?? I have the auction pics saved so I could post them.

Anywho, thanks for the great site, and wealth of information!

Cheers!

 

[Warbuton]

Hello everyone,
I just stopped by to say hi. I come from Sweden originally but as it is, I am right now working the Norwegian tundra.
I found this forum a couple of days ago browsing the internet, as I occasionally do, looking for a nice fedora, never finding anything I liked.
I have always been in love with black and white movies and the wonderful dressing of for example film noirs. Goes back back to an old photography of my grandfather in his twenties, I think.
Anyway,as written above by a member, suddenly heres this forum with people who knows this stuff and like to wear them.
Marvellous.
Very nice place. A lot of learning.

 

[BR Gordon]

Warbuton, welcome to the lounge!!

 

[zetwal]

Warbuton, welcome to the lounge!!

+1 :yo:

 

[Warbuton]

Thanks for the welcome . Already delved into some of the advices I read before even registering. Might check out Bates at St James next time Im free from work and have my ways around London.

 

[ecp]

I have been reading this forum for about 2 years. I want to thank all here for the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence that you all have given me. Because of you I have acquired 2 Acubras, 4 Stetsons, 2 straws by Panama Bob and I am having Gary White make me my first custom fedora. I want to wish you all a happy holiday season, and I am looking forward to a great hat year in 2012.

Ed

 

[BR Gordon]

ecp, welcome to the FL. It looks as though you've got a severe case of fedoraitis, you'll fit right in here. Have a merry Christmas and a good safe new year.

 

[Lt.Tom]

Hello, all. I've been lurking around here for a week or so, looking for information, as I wanted to buy a fedora. Of course by now, I've picked out my first 3 or 4! Lately I've come to the realization that my generation has dropped the ball as far as proper dress goes. My father never left the house without a collared shirt on. He mowed the lawn in them for crying out loud. I'm a few days from my 52nd birthday, and if I'm not at work, I live in baggy jeans and t-shirts. It's time to grow up. As far as hats, other than a few old Pendleton flatcaps from college that are too snug, my only real hats are a Kangol flatcap in their tropical mesh, a couple of old cowboy hats, and my uniform cap. But I feel a new addiction coming on. I've enjoyed every moment I've spent lurking around here, and expect to spend way too much time here in the future..........

 

[Art Fawcett]

Welcome aboard Lt.Tom, hope you enjoy your stay.