looking to buy my first felt hat

[panama jack]

I'm looking to buy my first felt hat and I'm looking for recommendations. Unfortunately I can't buy a custom hat for my first hat. I would love to have an Art Fawcett creation. I was looking to spend $200 max. and it has to be a medium grey color.
From reading the forum it seems not too many off the shelf brands come too highly recommended for one reason or another. Although, it seems like a number of you like the Akubra Stylemaster which I do as well. The only problem is I don't like the three month wait.
I did go to a local hatter and tried on a Borsalino Como that I did like but the price on that was $265. For that price I might as well spent a little more and get an Art Fawcett, but as I said I only want to spend $200 max.

My other question is brim size. I know it's a matter of personal preference but I only have one hat so far and it's a straw with a 2 1/2 inch brim. I think anything larger just doesn't look right on me. I have seen a few hats on the internet with a 2 3/8 inch brim that I liked but haven't actually tried any on. Would a 1/8 inch really make a difference anyway?

Sometimes the more I read the more confused I get.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[indycop]

I can't speak for him but you may be able to get a custom from majormoore in your budget.
www.buckaroohatters.com

I got a Peters Bros custom for right at $200
http://www.hatsdirect.com/

And you can get Akubras for around $100
http://www.hatsdirect.com/

It really depends on what you are looking for also. An indy type, thin ribbon, or dress hat?
Also if you want a Borso then look at bencraft, they have the Allessandria.
http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=249&subcname=Borsalino

 

[MattJH]

So you want a medium gray colored fedora with no more than a 2 1/2" brim for no more than $200. I've no doubt that the Akubra Sydney / Fedora is the best choice for you. It comes open-crowned, there's a wind trolley, the ribbon is slightly thin which gives it a hybrid dress / casual versatility, and it's relatively cheap. Of my modern production fedoras, it's the one I wear the most by FAR.

 

[Delthayre]

Reasonable options abound!

One might also consider James Pierce, who, according to his site, will make hare felt fedoras for $160. You could also order one of the models from Camptown Hats for $175. Both of those options, however, might entail a longer wait then you are willing to suffer presently.

One could also try bidding for hats on eBay or bidding in the JohhnyPhi auctions on the Merchants forum, although you might be unsuccessful in both of those as, unless your profile is inaccurate, you share my challenging hat size of 7 1/2.

I suggest that you consider the Stetson Windham. I have never seen one in person, but it has a lovely shape and its brim treatment is distinctive enough to merit being pointed out.

 

[Spats McGee]

These look like lots of good suggestions. I did a fair amount of research before deciding on the Stylemaster . . . ok, it got to the "enough-with-the-hats-already" level, or so The Dame tells me, but that's a different story. Along the way, I found a few other options (in addition to the ones already mentioned) that might fit the bill. Now, I don't own any of the following hats, so I can't speak to their quality, but they were serious contenders for my first fur felt fedora:

Stetson Downs. (though it does have a 2 3/8" brim)

Stetson Nostalgia. (2.5" brim)

Stetson Ashland. (not sure about the brim on this one)

Clearly, Stetson made a few hats that caught my eye, but I also liked the Akubra Sydney (which has already been mentioned, and the Banjo Patterson for something more casual.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Considering everything you said, start with a Stetson. The models that Spats listed are good, and also the Temple. You can probably find one on that most famous of auction sites. If not, look up Quality Hats in a google search. They have pretty good prices, and fast service. Sometimes the listings are unclear, but a quick phone call will fix that.

As for brim size, an 1/8" will make a difference, but depending on your face, shoulder width, and the height of the hat crown, the effect varies. My advice is to try to get a hat with a similar crown height to the hat you have. If you do that, 1/8" over or under a 2 1/2" brim should look fine on you. If the crowns on the felts you like seem be a little lower than your current hat, aim for brims 2 1/2" or less. That advice should keep you safe until you get a feel for what you like best.

 

[panama jack]

These look like lots of good suggestions. I did a fair amount of research before deciding on the Stylemaster . . . ok, it got to the "enough-with-the-hats-already" level, or so The Dame tells me, but that's a different story. Along the way, I found a few other options (in addition to the ones already mentioned) that might fit the bill. Now, I don't own any of the following hats, so I can't speak to their quality, but they were serious contenders for my first fur felt fedora:

Stetson Downs. (though it does have a 2 3/8" brim)

Stetson Nostalgia. (2.5" brim)

Stetson Ashland. (not sure about the brim on this one)

Clearly, Stetson made a few hats that caught my eye, but I also liked the Akubra Sydney (which has already been mentioned, and the Banjo Patterson for something more casual.

Good luck in your search!

Spats,
What do you think of the Stetson Sutley? That one seems to fit my criteria. I don't know about the quality.

 

[panama jack]

As for brim size, an 1/8" will make a difference, but depending on your face, shoulder width, and the height of the hat crown, the effect varies. My advice is to try to get a hat with a similar crown height to the hat you have. If you do that, 1/8" over or under a 2 1/2" brim should look fine on you. If the crowns on the felts you like seem be a little lower than your current hat, aim for brims 2 1/2" or less. That advice should keep you safe until you get a feel for what you like best.[/QUOTE]

I have a longer shaped face, wear a size 46 suit, 6' 3", and about 210 lbs.

 

[Rick Blaine]

According to this thread Jimmy Pierce is running an Oct. sale on his Curry fedora for $125 USD. Not bad for a custom.

 

[Spats McGee]

Spats,
What do you think of the Stetson Sutley? That one seems to fit my criteria. I don't know about the quality.

I took a look at the Sutley at Hats Plus (where you can look at it in different colors) and I like it just fine. It's a good looking hat and it was on my long list of contenders. It just didn't make the cut to the short list as I narrowed down my hat selections. I wanted a finished edge to my brim and the Sutley looks like it has a raw edge.

As to quality, I don't really know. The only Stetson that I own is a Stetson Explorer that I've had for, oh, probably 4-5 years. It's a crushable wool felt, but I've no complaints about its quality. It's held up well. I can't recall seeing many complaints, if any, about Stetson quality on this board, but maybe someone with more Stetson experience can help you out on this.

 

[panama jack]

I took a look at the Sutley at Hats Plus (where you can look at it in different colors) and I like it just fine. It's a good looking hat and it was on my long list of contenders. It just didn't make the cut to the short list as I narrowed down my hat selections. I wanted a finished edge to my brim and the Sutley looks like it has a raw edge.

As to quality, I don't really know. The only Stetson that I own is a Stetson Explorer that I've had for, oh, probably 4-5 years. It's a crushable wool felt, but I've no complaints about its quality. It's held up well. I can't recall seeing many complaints, if any, about Stetson quality on this board, but maybe someone with more Stetson experience can help you out on this.

the Sutley does have a raw edge. I do like the look of a finished edge but the only one I have found so far was the Akubra Stylemaster.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

The only two new/modern Stetsons I own* are a Chatham (in 'Caribou' grey) and a Temple (in black). They are both raw edge brims. I have since removed the feathers from the bands. Quality is probably as good as it can be in modern major manufacture. In fact, I have sort of defended Stetson based on these hats and questioned why some seem to be so disappointed in their new products. I must share though, that while the Chatham has held up well, the Temple went all wonky from being just lightly dampened in a brief Florida 'sun shower' one afternoon. That sort of thing never happens with my vintage hats.

My Chatham:

My Temple:

*I bought these from Village Hat Shop online back in January '08. I do have another (brown) Royal DeLuxe Stetson which is probably from the 80s or 90s but I got it used on EB. It originally came from JJ Hat Center in NY. It is raw edge too and almost a western weight felt. Tough as hell and I like it's proportions and fit. A shower won't upset this thing.

My Royal DeLuxe (no-name):

 

[panama jack]

According to this thread Jimmy Pierce is running an Oct. sale on his Curry fedora for $125 USD. Not bad for a custom.

Rick,
Thanks for the info. I'll have to give him a call today and see what we can come up with.

PJ

 

[Spats McGee]

the Sutley does have a raw edge. I do like the look of a finished edge but the only one I have found so far was the Akubra Stylemaster.

I think the Ashland has a finished edge. It doesn't look like a ribbon-bound edge like the Stylemaster has, but it might be stitched. I suppose you could also order the Sutley and have somebody finish the brim edge for you. I know very little about Jimmy Pierce's hats, but $125 for a custom looks like a good price.

HarpPlayerGene -- Good-lookin' lids you've got there.

 

[animator]

I don't know if Jimmy Pierce has any more of the Stetson Pinnacles he was reworking... but that seemed like an exceptional deal. I ordered one for myself and another for my dad with the edges bound for $175 each plus shipping.

Not a true custom... but I'm sure they will be fine hats. I can't wait to get them!

 

[tonyb]

Interesting thread, guys. Lotsa answers to what the OP asked.

To my eye, it looks like that Stetson Nostalgia would be hard to beat, especially at Aaron's price. If it were my money, I'd be leaning in that direction. But then I see what Jimmy Pierce offers and the decision gets more difficult.

It's good to see classic-looking, reasonably high quality hats being offered at rates that don't chase away the first-time buyer.

 

[carter]

The Stetson Nostalgia is a nice hat because of the style and the fact that it comes with an open crown. The felt is Sovereign quality.
However, the Pinnacle is 100% Beaver, the best felt used by Stetson.
I've posted two larger Pinnacles in the Classifieds with pictures. I'm probably going to post two more. They'll be either Caribou or Black. Probably one of each.

One size 8 Black Pinnacle left. The rest are sold.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Rick,
Thanks for the info. I'll have to give him a call today and see what we can come up with.

PJ

JP makes a nice hat, but it comes with a waiting period. Still, you'll get the same or better quality compared to a Stetson. Better in my opinion.

Also, if you can afford his Winchester rabbit felt, it is better than the one on sale, and comes in many colors. The Curry is brown only. It should still be within your budget, though.

 

[panama jack]

JP makes a nice hat, but it comes with a waiting period. Still, you'll get the same or better quality compared to a Stetson. Better in my opinion.

Also, if you can afford his Winchester rabbit felt, it is better than the one on sale, and comes in many colors. The Curry is brown only. It should still be within your budget, though.

I called Jimmy yesterday and talked. He sent me two pictures of his hats in the colors I am interested in (dark grey & granite). He quoted me a price of $175 for rabbit fur. I just need to make up my mine on all the details now. Delivery is approx. four weeks.

If any of you forum members have a hat from Jimmy I would appreciate it if you would show me some more of his work.

Thank you,
PJ

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Rabbit felt Indy. I did the bashing.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/Fedora_Dog/JPD vs Akubra Fed/1156.jpg

Fresh out of the box;
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/Fedora_Dog/JPD vs Akubra Fed/9dd9.jpg

The liner;
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/Fedora_Dog/JPD vs Akubra Fed/5215.jpg