Just Ordered...My First Fedora!

[Mustang]

After researching it way beyond the norm (I'm a very obsessive person ), I finally made up my mind and ordered my very first fedora this morning...the Akubra Sydney in "regency fawn" from David Morgan.

I figured I'd better ease into the world of fedoras. I was going to have Art make my first one, but I figured I wouldn't be able to wear it anyway. My wife would have killed me! I suppose I could have worn it at the showing, but that wouldn't be up to me! lol

So, a VS will have to be my second fedora..."Baby Steps"

As soon as I get it, and have a chance, I'll be sure to post some photos.

I feel I've made an educated purchase and didn't waste my money...thanks to all of you :eusa_clap :cheers1:

 

[MrFusion]

Congrats!
Make sure you post some pictures once you get it!

 

[animator]

I'm sure you will enjoy it for many years.

 

[RockBottom]

Congrats!
Make sure you post some pictures once you get it!

That's what I'm wearing today. Will post later this evening when I can get to my camera.

I love it, by the way.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

The Sydney's a great hat - there've been a couple other posts on the Lounge recently with other Loungers who've just bought one. I've had mine almost a year now...I think... <grin> April, I think. Buzzed up to David Morgan after teaching a class and before a show one windy, drizzly Saturday. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[RockBottom]

Here ya go!

 

[Razzman]

That's a nice looking lid!

 

[pgoat]

nice indeed! Congrats, and by all means let us see how your first purchase turned out!

 

[MrFusion]

Great hat!

 

[Marty M.]

Congrats. That's a great hat from a great company. Can't wait to hear how you like it.
Marty Mathis

 

[RBH]

I have said many times... Akubra makes a mighty fine hat.

 

[Mustang]

I can't wait to get it! I'm really nervous over the fit. I ordered it in 7 5/8. My head measures 23 3/4" exactly, so I'm right dead center between 7 1/2 & 7 5/8. I called David Morgan's customer service before ordering it, and the lady I spoke with, said the Sydney runs pretty true, size wise...maybe a tad small. My fingers are crossed!

Oh, by the way, RBH:
You seem to have aged tremendously since the last time I saw your avatar!

 

[KY Gentleman]

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new lid, I just learned about Akubras from the FL and now have two of 'em. They're really great hats.

 

[NonEntity]

Excellent choice, Mustang.

I remember your fedora inquiries on another post. I said it there, and I'll say it again here: My month-old Sydney (charcoal black) is already my favorite fedora. Since this is your first fedora, you will probably not realize just how soft and comfortable right out of the box this gem is compared to other hats.

The softness will help you easily bash/dent this open-crown model, but don't expect it to readily hold. Actually, that's a good thing in your case: If you don't get it right the first time or just want to change the bash, no prob.

Mine came from David Morgan also, and, despite what the lady there told you, my Sydney fits perfectly true to size, even after wearing it several times in the rain. The felt pads that will be in the box with it can be inserted beneath the headband to cinch it up if your Sydney is a bit large.

 

[toobacat]

My Sidney fits true to size. David Morgan told me that not all the Akubras fit the same though. I've haven't worn mine in the rain (afraid that the crown would taper), but maybe I'll give it a try.

 

[Mustang]

My Sidney fits true to size. David Morgan told me that not all the Akubras fit the same though. I've haven't worn mine in the rain (afraid that the crown would taper), but maybe I'll give it a try.

You know, I've heard many refer to a fear of the crown tapering after the hat gets wet...but I'm not sure I really understand what that means [huh] .

 

[NonEntity]

Taper is an insloping slant to the crown. The Sydney is designed with a bit of taper to the crown. In contrast, Bogart-style fedoras, like the Indiana Jones hat, have sides that go straight up from the brim, making the crown a perfect cylinder.

When some hats get wet with sweat or precipitation, then dry, the crown may become more tapered than it was beforehand. This is because the felt near the top of the crown is stretched by the pouncing in the manufacturing process and so may be more prone to shrinking in that location. This is NOT the kind of taper you want.

But relax. The felt in all Akubras is 100% rabbit under fur, much of it wild rabbit, which makes for a very dense felt that is consistent throughout. Akubra has excellent quality control, as well.

So you need not worry about your Sydney or any other Akubra tapering more than that with which it was designed. They are durable and rugged hats. Even the soft Sydney need not be babied. I've worn mine in several rains, one a driving storm when I was walking far from home when it got soaking wet, and it is still just as soft and pliable as the day it came out of the box new.

If and when yours does get wet, sling out the excess water so that it's no longer dripping, re-bash/dent it as you like, then hang it by the back of the sweatband on a broad knob so that the hat swings freely and the brim does not touch the wall or anything. Or you can get a little metal hat stand made just for this purpose, or for storage, if you want to go all out. Be it knob or stand, let the hat dry naturally there; don't put it near a heat source like a radiator, gas forced air vent, or--GASP--use a blow dryer. That's what will cause them to shrink dramatically.

A little bit of shrinkage in the leather hatband, however, is to be expected, but upon wearing, it will stretch back out to its original size. Letting a fur felt hat dry very slowly and in a cool ambient temperature environment will avoid any shrinkage. I find that my chilly, relatively humid bathroom is perfect, and my Sydney has not shrunk one iota.

Sometimes, such conditons are simply not available and you must dry the hat in a warm, dry environment. In that case, get a hat stretcher and insert it before drying.

Some advice you will hear from "authoritative" sources that are bad:

Turn the hat upside down on its crown and let it dry. Fine, if you want flat places there.

Turn the leather sweatband out all the way around the inside of the crown, so that it stands away from it to dry more readily. Perfect, if you want the sweatband to develop uncomfortable wrinkles and crack and tear prematurely.

 

[Jfala]

Mustang,

Thank you for posting this thread, as the Akubra Sydney is what I am also considering for my first Fedora. I would love to hear your impressions once you receive the hat...

Jeff

 

[J.T.Marcus]

If and when yours does get wet, sling out the excess water so that it's no longer dripping, re-bash/dent it as you like, then hang it by the back of the sweatband on a broad knob so that the hat swings freely and the brim does not touch the wall or anything. Or you can get a little metal hat stand made just for this purpose, or for storage, if you want to go all out. Be it knob or stand, let the hat dry naturally there.

Hanging it on the faucet in the kitchen sink works quite well, too.

 

[Mustang]

Mustang,

Thank you for posting this thread, as the Akubra Sydney is what I am also considering for my first Fedora. I would love to hear your impressions once you receive the hat...

Jeff

According to UPS, it should arrive tomorrow :cool2: . I'll definitely let ya know what I think. I'll probably do so this coming weekend. That will give me some time to put some mileage on it.

BTW...Thanks for the taper explanation NonEntity.