Looking for hat information?

[Tukwila]

Reading the Ebay listing for this hat it struck me that it has the same tone as the many bogus email solicitations I use to receive from Nigerian princes or lovely widows seeking help with their fortunes. I sent pics of my 1980's Borsa with almost identical liner, sweat, markings etc and never heard another peep.

watch for those pics in a future ebay listing....

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^ya me thinks things are amissssss!

 

[LevendiPaul]

Many manufacturers will put a date on a product to indicate the year they started business
It’s common and also traditional
The seller - probably mistakenly seen the date and thought it was the year of manufacture

Then used this same information to defraud the unwitting and gullible

 

[SirPandaEsq]

Hello all, Still new here. I am on a limited budget but am still trying to up my style. I currently wear a Scala Homburg and a Stacy Adam's Bowler to my bank job and between, and a few flat caps that I got in Ireland on my more casual days. However I don't have an actual Fedora, this forum's namesake! I have a Trilby, not sure where I got it, however I am not too fond of the small brim. I love the look of the Stetson Chatham Fedora, however it is out of my $25-$45 price range. Can anyone suggest a quality hat at an affordable price? Or would it be worth saving up for the name brand? Are Stetsons worth the asking price? Thanks in advance all!

 

[jlee562]

Hello all, Still new here. I am on a limited budget but am still trying to up my style. I currently wear a Scala Homburg and a Stacy Adam's Bowler to my bank job and between, and a few flat caps that I got in Ireland on my more casual days. However I don't have an actual Fedora, this forum's namesake! I have a Trilby, not sure where I got it, however I am not too fond of the small brim. I love the look of the Stetson Chatham Fedora, however it is out of my $25-$45 price range. Can anyone suggest a quality hat at an affordable price? Or would it be worth saving up for the name brand? Are Stetsons worth the asking price? Thanks in advance all!

The majority of us here have a preference for fur felt hats. Not just because of our vintage focus and orientation, but also because it's just a superior material over wool felt

That having been said, unless you're looking at the used market, $45 isn't going to get you there. The cheapest off the rack hat recommendation we usually give is for Akubra. They're an Australian brand, long established for having good quality at low price and particularly known for resilience to inclement weather. Relative to other brands, they compromise on quality leather sweatbands as well a less intensive finishing process to keep the low price point. Check out Hats Direct or Everything Australian.

Modern Stetsons can be hit or miss with quality. My suggestion would be to buy from one of the larger outfits (JJ Hat center, Delmonico, etc) with a good return policy just in case. If you're feeling lucky, try giving the Stetson outlet in Garland a call. Many of us have gotten some good deals on outlet hats. Give them your hat size and tell them what you're looking for and they're happy to search the racks for you. Do be advised that they are outlet hats for a reason, but most of the time the issues with these hats are mostly negligible. JJ Hat Center is currently having a black Friday sale, fyi. I do happen to like my modern Stetsons though. The Chatham has very friendly proportions.

 

[belfastboy]

What size do you wear? I owned a Chatham at one point and thought it a decent hat. Bought it used (like new condition) for under a hundred and sold it for $75. Are you in the US? East, West or Middle?

 

[SirPandaEsq]

What size do you wear? I owned a Chatham at one point and thought it a decent hat. Bought it used (like new condition) for under a hundred and sold it for $75. Are you in the US? East, West or Middle?

My big ol head is a 7 5/8 but most of my cheap hats now I get in "XL" since cheap manufacturers dont deal in actual sizes. I am not opposed to going to the used market, just wanted to get some info before I dive into ebay. I have never heard of Akubra until today and I rather like their look and the reviews are great. $75 would be easier to swallow too. I may pick up another cheap Scala in fedora form to try out, then turn it into my rainy day beater when I get a real hat. I just feel that my Homburg and Bowler, though I like them, are too formal for my simple suit at the bank unless I come in with an overcoat. Thank you all for your help!

 

[Doctor Strange]

I know it's a push, but get yourself an Akubra, you won't regret it. Unlike wool felt hats that eventually fall to pieces in the rain - this is what will happen to your wool Scala beater fedora - Akbura's fur felt just laughs it off. I've got Akbura hats that look virtually new after 10 years regular wear in rain and snow. And while not everyone here agrees, I think they are considerably better buys than current Stetson hats in terms of value-for-cost.

A bunch of their fedoras - Stylemaster, Bogart, Federation IV, Squatter, etc. - are just $115 at the moment at HatsDirect… plus free shipping until Tuesday. And that's NOT trivial, their normal international shipping charges aren't cheap. Pounce if you can. ​

 

[belfastboy]

My big ol head is a 7 5/8 but most of my cheap hats now I get in "XL" since cheap manufacturers dont deal in actual sizes. I am not opposed to going to the used market, just wanted to get some info before I dive into ebay. I have never heard of Akubra until today and I rather like their look and the reviews are great. $75 would be easier to swallow too. I may pick up another cheap Scala in fedora form to try out, then turn it into my rainy day beater when I get a real hat. I just feel that my Homburg and Bowler, though I like them, are too formal for my simple suit at the bank unless I come in with an overcoat. Thank you all for your help!

I am a big fan of Akubra. To me they represent incredibly great value. They look good and can take the rain and keep their shape. I live in rainy Vancouver and my Akubras are the go to hat when it pours with rain.
If you have a hat shop in your town or nearby go there and try on as many hats as they have to get a sense of what you like. That step will save you from expensive missteps buying hats you end up not liking due to too much brim and crown (or not enough). In discerning my likes/dislikes I have taken many wrong and expensive turns. If you have time buy the Akubra direct from one of the Australian suppliers rather than David Morgan. Everything Australian, Hats Direct are two very good ones and much cheaper than D Morgan.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My big ol head is a 7 5/8 but most of my cheap hats now I get in "XL" since cheap manufacturers dont deal in actual sizes. I am not opposed to going to the used market, just wanted to get some info before I dive into ebay. I have never heard of Akubra until today and I rather like their look and the reviews are great. $75 would be easier to swallow too. I may pick up another cheap Scala in fedora form to try out, then turn it into my rainy day beater when I get a real hat. I just feel that my Homburg and Bowler, though I like them, are too formal for my simple suit at the bank unless I come in with an overcoat. Thank you all for your help!

Welcome! This is a great place for hat wearers.

I’m m also a 7 5/8 and the vintage market can be tough on us with larger heads. If you put in the hours you can find them, but it ain’t easy.

I’m a bargain hunter by nature and I can tell you that I’ve regretted every cheap (not to say inexpensive) hat purchase I’ve made.

What type of fedora are you looking for? Color, ribbon width, brim width, etc.? I might have some for you to consider.

FYI: “cheap Scala” hats are usually wool and don’t work well as rainy day hats.

Send me a PM if you’re interested in seeing what I might have in your size.

Brent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Kinsho]

Hi, new here.
Had hats for ages and in recent times, Tilley's. My favourite being the LTM6 but...

I'd wanted to take the plunge for a long time into a real felt hat. Came here and did research online, looked at various types for a first time buy, saw the Akubra and thought, yes, one of those 5 hats is for me... LOL

After deliberation and not buying more than the one I actually need, I looked around and saw that UK pricing and EU pricing was indeed, silly. So, unto the breach...

Ordered from Australia.

I was concerned re: sizing but after reading info on here about heritage vs imperial quality, went for the 61 I usually wear.

Watched the tracking..., 9.5 thousand miles covered in 36 hours.

Leg 2 :: stuck in UK for 2 weeks for no apparent reason but now only 200 miles from home.

Leg 3 :: Local PO literally 1 mile away, parcel stuck for 3 days and was even told it was indeed (LOST)... arghhh. Now I was getting angry. A quick call made with a red face and promise of a complaint saw said package arrive magically 30 minutes later with zero tampering etc.

OMG, what a beautiful hat. A snug glove fit too. Win win. Saved at least the same money again opposed to if I'd have bought outside of Australia so well pleased.

So, based on this, I think, hope ? It's safe to order a fed4 deluxe and have it fit the same ?

On a downer, I ordered the new akubra chin strap... what a pile of ...
OMG, I hated it. Functional yes, easy to fit, yes, looked awful though (and cheap)both on and with the pop connections left on but strap removed. So, off that came and I ordered a braided leather stampede string to replace it.

 

[Zombie_61]

...So, based on this, I think, hope ? It's safe to order a fed4 deluxe and have it fit the same ?

Hi Kinsho, and welcome to The Lounge! Based on my meager experience with Akubra hats, I think the best answer to your question is "maybe".

I own six Akubras; three Fed IVs (two standard/Imperial Grade, one deluxe/Heritage Grade) and three Campdrafts (standard/Imperial Grade), all size 60. After the expected "shrink to fit" period the Fed IVs all fit me the same and the Campdrafts all fit me the same, but the Campdrafts were a bit more snug, maybe as much as half a size smaller. The funny thing is that I had ordered all of the Fed IVs separately, and each time I was asked, "Are you sure about the size? The Fed IV usually runs about half a size small."

If you're a true size 61, when/if you order your Fed IV let the good folks at Hats Direct know and they'll check their stock for a hat that's closest to that size.

 

[Kinsho]

Many thanks and yes, I will be careful. I already emailed hats direct as I had a hat transaction go bad locally and am still awaiting a refund. When that arrives, I'll be ordering an F4. It's interesting that in many of the posters detail on this forum, they talk about oval, regular, wide etc...

How did you ever figure that out? I'm just a 61cm, was lucky that outside of Tilley, a 61cm just dropped lovely onto my head. I have no idea of shape. Do you look at older hats that have conformed to your head over the years like people do with training shoes and wear ?

 

[Zombie_61]

...It's interesting that in many of the posters detail on this forum, they talk about oval, regular, wide etc...

How did you ever figure that out? I'm just a 61cm, was lucky that outside of Tilley, a 61cm just dropped lovely onto my head. I have no idea of shape. Do you look at older hats that have conformed to your head over the years like people do with training shoes and wear ?

In the days when hats were regular attire I'm sure most people figured it out by trying on hats at their local haberdasher and receiving some professional guidance. For most of us, that's not an option these days. I've only been wearing hats regularly for the last 10 years and learned about "hat ovality" while doing the research for my first fur felt hat; before that I hadn't even considered it. I had no older hats to measure so I just measured my head as best I could, ordered a Dark Brown Fed IV in the corresponding size, and hoped for the best. I'm convinced it's mostly dumb luck that Akubra's hats fit me as well as they do. My head is slightly wider than the blocks they use to form their size 60 hats, but they still fit me very comfortably. And after 10 years of use I think that hat looks as good now as it did the day I got it, maybe better.

 

[Perry Underwood]

It's interesting that in many of the posters detail on this forum, they talk about oval, regular, wide etc...

How did you ever figure that out?

Welcome to the Lounge. If you put on a hat and the front and back fit fine but there's a gap on the sides, chances are good you're a long oval. You can add foam under the sweat band on the sides to help the hat fit better.

 

[Kinsho]

I seem to be a pretty even fit then. Not tight nor loose anywhere. I might finally be lucky in some respect.
I'm guessing this info would help people help me finding a good fit though so thanks for the tips.

 

[Kinsho]

In addition to this ...

Why people are helping.

I have measured my head multiple times, made paper hats etc and am never outside 60.9 <> 61.1 allowing for error and haircut etc. Why a head changes is beyond me but I read that it does, so measured it many many times to get a fair average.

My Tilleys are all 7 5/8 and again, near perfect fit. My lawson just drops onto my head at 61cm and needs little adjustment to snug down. I was as indicated in my first post, wary of 'shrinkage' but after reading a number of accounts concerning the heritage felt not really moving opposed to the standard grade, I felt safe with a 61.

This said, if this hat did shrink a half size, it would be TIGHT.
If a fed 4 standard from a 62 was to shrink thus, or more as people have said and, even come half size small, I'd be more inclined to opt for a 62, let it shrink a bit and pad out the remaining.

When ordering stuff online and away from any real hatter, it's best guess unless forearmed.

 

[Zombie_61]

...I have measured my head multiple times, made paper hats etc and am never outside 60.9 <> 61.1 allowing for error and haircut etc. Why a head changes is beyond me but I read that it does, so measured it many many times to get a fair average...

Between your head measurements, experience with your Tilleys, and the fit of your new Lawson, it sounds to me like you already know your size so I wouldn't worry too much about it. When I started wearing hats 10 years ago my head measured almost exactly 60 cm, so that's the size I ordered. As you can see in the photo I posted above I'm wearing my hair much shorter these days so I'm now between sizes and my hats all fit just a little looser.

...My Tilleys are all 7 5/8 and again, near perfect fit. My lawson just drops onto my head at 61cm and needs little adjustment to snug down. I was as indicated in my first post, wary of 'shrinkage' but after reading a number of accounts concerning the heritage felt not really moving opposed to the standard grade, I felt safe with a 61...

With Akubras there is a difference between the standard/Imperial Grade and deluxe/Heritage Grade felts, but it's the leathers they use for their sweatbands that determines how much a hat will initially shrink. The leather they use for their Heritage Grade hats shrinks less, so they take that into account when sizing their hats. If you ever buy a standard/Imperial Grade Akubra it will be quite loose at first, but after wearing it for a few days to a week it should shrink down to a good fit.

 

[belfastboy]

Many thanks and yes, I will be careful. I already emailed hats direct as I had a hat transaction go bad locally and am still awaiting a refund. When that arrives, I'll be ordering an F4. It's interesting that in many of the posters detail on this forum, they talk about oval, regular, wide etc...

How did you ever figure that out? I'm just a 61cm, was lucky that outside of Tilley, a 61cm just dropped lovely onto my head. I have no idea of shape. Do you look at older hats that have conformed to your head over the years like people do with training shoes and wear ?

You could use my home made conformateur! I joined 2 long pipe cleaners together (just crudely twist them together to join) then added a third leaving an end open. Form around head where the hat would sit and join together tight around your head by twisting them to close the loop. Gently removed from head and you will see the shape of your head. It was quite shocking to see the weird shape of mine......rather ovoid with the skinny part at the front. As my wife observed..."it may be weirdly shaped but at least it is aerodynamic!"

 

[sila]

Dear hatters. I am new here and to begin with: my English is very bad! My excuses for that.
Okay. I live in The Netherlands and here we have no shops who sells Akubra. My number nine hat will be an Akubra Stylemaster Acorn Fawn and sadly I have to order it via websites from Australia. In search for this hat, I noticed that sites like The Hatstore, Hatsbythe100 and Australiangear are de same: exact the same price, shipment and also their websites!
Only the site of Everythingaustralian differs: cheaper in price and shipment, also the website. So, some help of you hat lovers would be very helpfull. My hat size is 56, but is an 55 fits me also, like my Stetson Penn. I am little bit confused which size my Stylemaster should be; the wheather here in Holland is not like Australia. As for the mentioned colour, I am light brown skinned (from India) with short grey hair and slightly bearded. So I do not know for sure: perhaps the loden is also an option. The other coulors I do not like for this model and my other hats are already navy, greenisch and grey. As a birthday present my mrs. will give me a Stetson Whippet in mink or cognac with Sage Trim. But I cannot decide which colour!
Please give me some advise! Tal