Looking to get into better head gear.

[Worf]

I've been in the Lounge for about a year now, mostly in movies and jackets. I've got the jacket end "almost" covered but I'm looking to get some nice head gear now as well. My problems are thus:

1. Big head! 7 3/4 big to 7 5/8. That doesn't leave a lot of stock out there for me.

2. I like some caps, I've a Kangol (Chinese) and some good Berets

3. Fedoras and other brimmed hats are what I'd liked to get into BUT I don't want to look like some poor man's Black Indiana Jones or a refugee from Boardwalk Empire.

4. There are NO custom hat shops in my area (Troy/Albany/Schnectady New York) that I know of.

Any direction help would be much appreciated. I've a 50's Halfbelt, a custom Indy in black HH. An Aero LHB on it's way (supposedly) and another used Aero in the bin. I've a great Gloverall Toggle Coat and a couple of wool Mackinaws as well as various A2's of various stripes. Suggestions most welcome

Thanks in advance...

Worf

 

[Doctor Strange]

Hard to go wrong with an Akbura - the best factory-made hats for the price out there nowadays. Most of their models go up to the metric size 62 or 63 you need.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?group=Fedora+Hats

You may recall that I was wearing my dark gray Stylemaster when I visited you last year!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Someone here from the Lounge makes some super nice and high quality caps, I think you can find his posts and the people that have purchased from him, run through the hats postings here and you should find the thread for him. I am most certain you would have a hard time beating what he could custom make for you.

You have a larger size head....join the club! Not as big as you, but larger sizes are harder to find.

Custom hats fedoras, thin ribbons, regular fedora style hats you know if you cruise eBay you may find them, but to have one made Custom should be something you consider? Look at what Art Fawcett has on his website, check out the Tumwater hats website also, and Major Moore (buckaroo hatters), Black Sheep hats and there are a few loungers that are making hats now...you have such a wide variety of resources here. Most of it will more than not depend on what you can decide on spending.

Sounds to me you have some decent wardrobe already. One thing I personally always think about when it comes to my own personal appearance, I never try to "out think" what anyone else will have to say about what I wear. I dress as to what I like. And I can tell you for me, at least, I think I sort of have "evolved" a bit regarding hat styles and even some what how I dress. I like all hats now, don't take this in a spirit not intended here, but when I first started to wear a fedora, it was a 2 inch brim, nice hats, but that "style" was all I knew. As time came along and I was able to see wider brim hats, and wore one...I was bitten by the fedora bug big time. From wanting a fat ribbon hat, to now leaning more towards thin ribbons. For me a thin ribbon hat may not have the bells and whistles a fat ribbon hat may have, but it is simpler cleaner look to it, (just my opinion) and I like the neat clean sharp edge look...even as to what I wear. I hope I may have given you some help, but please know you can cruise eBay, the classifieds here, and ETSY!

 

[hatophile]

With a larger head, it will be hard to find a lot on Ebay, but the larger sizes do exist and have some nice styles. The other option which is more expensive is a custom from one of the hat makers here. One thing you may find, if you're wearing a fedora you're likely to be called anything from a gangster to Indy to a cowboy. On the other hand, I've gotten usually compliments on mine. If there are some stores with hats in your area, you could at least try some in different styles to see how they look, even if less expensive wool felt.

 

[John in Covina]

There are several threads that fall into Looking for my first hat theme. If you'd like the get a fedora of some sort, I'd suggest visiting some hats shops if there are any within your driving limit. Nothing beats trying on a hat, you see and feel the fit and quality, and you get to see what it looks like on your head.

I'd suggest looking to get a furfelt fedora as they will usually out last a wool felt one. For NEW hats check out the Akubra line up in the web site for David Morgan, he is here in the states. They will have larger sizes and they carry a wide variety of styles. Akubra is a relatively inexpensive furfelt hat that is well made and usually long lived. Many Loungers will agree that they represent a great mix of quality & value for price.

There are a number of factory hats such as Stetson and Borsalino that end to be more expensive, however if the style suits you it may be worth paying more. We do have custom hatters featured on the lounge but before investing som big bucks in what will be a really fine hat, you'll want to be sure you are getting a style that suits you. I know I would not want to be jazzed about a certain style hat pay the big (but worth it) bucks for custom and then over time realize the style just isn't 'you'.

If you grow in knowledge and savy youc can go with buying vintage hats, Larger sizes are tougher to find but with a little luck you can stumble into some great hats and get some good deals. Check with relatives and friends to see if they have Grandpa's hat or uncle so and so's tucked away some wheres. Furfelts can be cleaned and restored, it is a little pricy but you may find it is still less than a new hat. Also many of the Loungers feel that some of the felts can't be duplicated, the quality levels are really good, and some of the styles are not being produced.

One thing is to know if you are a regular in your size or a long oval. This affects the fit. Going to a good hat store can help you understand how it should fit.


Good luck in your search.

 

[nice hat dude!]

I've been in the Lounge for about a year now, mostly in movies and jackets. I've got the jacket end "almost" covered but I'm looking to get some nice head gear now as well. My problems are thus:

1. Big head! 7 3/4 big to 7 5/8. That doesn't leave a lot of stock out there for me.

2. I like some caps, I've a Kangol (Chinese) and some good Berets

3. Fedoras and other brimmed hats are what I'd liked to get into BUT I don't want to look like some poor man's Black Indiana Jones or a refugee from Boardwalk Empire.

4. There are NO custom hat shops in my area (Troy/Albany/Schnectady New York) that I know of.

Any direction help would be much appreciated. I've a 50's Halfbelt, a custom Indy in black HH. An Aero LHB on it's way (supposedly) and another used Aero in the bin. I've a great Gloverall Toggle Coat and a couple of wool Mackinaws as well as various A2's of various stripes. Suggestions most welcome

Thanks in advance...

Worf

Hey Worf just my two bits but why not either hit your local shops and try on a slew of lids and see what you like,option #2 take the Mrs. into the big city for the weekend and do the same there,at least that way you would get an idea of what you like or what looks good on you before wasting any coin.The more you try on the better just my opinion?

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Worf

I second the idea of going to a hat shop. There's a few web pages on fitting a hat to your face, but I have trouble working out what sized face I have. Gary White is in Buffalo NY and he's well regarded. I also suggest buying a sun body grass (straw) hat this summer in a fedora size. They're less than $100.00 and if you don't like that size then you're not out a bunch. Even the Stetson Outlet shop hats are $150.00 now.

http://www.custom-hatter.com/

Later

 

[nice hat dude!]

Hi Worf

I second the idea of going to a hat shop. There's a few web pages on fitting a hat to your face, but I have trouble working out what sized face I have. Gary White is in Buffalo NY and he's well regarded. I also suggest buying a sun body grass (straw) hat this summer in a fedora size. They're less than $100.00 and if you don't like that size then you're not out a bunch. Even the Stetson Outlet shop hats are $150.00 now.

http://www.custom-hatter.com/

Later

Hey MJS how are you?Worf is about 300 miles from Buffalo and only 160 from the big city so it's probably better to go there no?

 

[Worf]

Just did a quick search... as I suspected, NOTHING dedicated to hats in my area. It's either NY City, Buffalo or Montreal. I'll try the "gentlemans" stores, custom tailors, in my area but hats of course are a sideline. Thanks for the advice however. I'll keep you apprised.

Worf

 

[-30-]

"I'll try the "gentlemans" stores, custom tailors, in my area "
QUOTE: Worf.

Never discount the antique/flea market/used clothing stores; there are bargains to be had. Although I have bought Custom Made,

and will again, I am certainly not above being on the lookout for a fine, Lightly Used/NOS/"If the hat fits, wear it" type of head cover.

Prices for the above will allow you to buy muliple rather than a single brand new, with the possible quality that would surpass anything

made today as a factory production lid.


Regards,
-30-

 

[tonyb]

I fear that on account of his hat size, our friend Worf will be needing more than a bit of luck to find nice vintage lids. Hell, a 7 3/4 is relatively rare even now, in this age of supersized humans.

But, you know, the hats are out there. And people do get lucky. The more they look, the luckier they get, typically.

I don't like your chances of finding a good hat at even a "better" menswear store. They just don't sell enough hats to devote much shop space (or operating capital) to them. Not yet, anyway.

It would take more than just the lid to have a guy looking like "a refugee from Boardwalk Empire." Although, alas, you could be wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a waist-length leather jacket and some wit (in his own mind, of course) just might make the Boardwalk Empire association, based on nothing more than the fedora.

Me, I very, very rarely hear such things. Indeed, it's been so long that I can't even recall when it last happened. And I rarely step outside the house without a hat atop my shiny head. Part of that might be because "proper" hats are gradually becoming more common. It's been fueled by something of a convergence of hats in pop culture -- "Mad Men," "Boardwalk Empire," the whole stingy brim hipster thing, rap stars sporting homburgs, et cetera. It's still relatively few of us wearing them (something in the single digit percentages, I'd guess), but hats are now a frequent enough sight that a person doesn't stand out solely on account of his wearing one.

As others have suggested, hit a hat retailer in NYC, should you get down that way. And seriously consider going the custom route. Judging by what you've said about your jackets, you're the sort of person who's willing to shell out the extra shekels to get what he really wants. A custom hat fits that sensibility. For the first-time custom hat buyer, I can recommend Mike Moore at Buckaroo Hatters and Art Fawcett at Vintage Silhouettes. And really, something less than $400 for an all-beaver, made to order, long-lasting custom hat that's just what you wanted is, to my way of thinking, a much better expenditure than half that on a "meh" hat.

 

[JonnyO]

Worf, nice to see you over on this end of things. I was in Rodino's a few days ago and he had a rack of NOS fedoras in the shop, that may be a good start. Also, I got my first two fedoras at Metropolis Vintage which is at 32 Fuller Rd. in Albany. When I went, she had a good stock of fedoras and other types of hats. I had a large headed friend with me when I went and there were a few that fit him. She probably has about 20 or so hats hanging, that could have changed though. On top of hats she has a great offering of vintage clothing as well.

 

[nice hat dude!]

I fear that on account of his hat size, our friend Worf will be needing more than a bit of luck to find nice vintage lids. Hell, a 7 3/4 is relatively rare even now, in this age of supersized humans.

But, you know, the hats are out there. And people do get lucky. The more they look, the luckier they get, typically.

I don't like your chances of finding a good hat at even a "better" menswear store. They just don't sell enough hats to devote much shop space (or operating capital) to them. Not yet, anyway.

It would take more than just the lid to have a guy looking like "a refugee from Boardwalk Empire." Although, alas, you could be wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a waist-length leather jacket and some wit (in his own mind, of course) just might make the Boardwalk Empire association, based on nothing more than the fedora.

Me, I very, very rarely hear such things. Indeed, it's been so long that I can't even recall when it last happened. And I rarely step outside the house without a hat atop my shiny head. Part of that might be because "proper" hats are gradually becoming more common. It's been fueled by something of a convergence of hats in pop culture -- "Mad Men," "Boardwalk Empire," the whole stingy brim hipster thing, rap stars sporting homburgs, et cetera. It's still relatively few of us wearing them (something in the single digit percentages, I'd guess), but hats are now a frequent enough sight that a person doesn't stand out solely on account of his wearing one.

As others have suggested, hit a hat retailer in NYC, should you get down that way. And seriously consider going the custom route. Judging by what you've said about your jackets, you're the sort of person who's willing to shell out the extra shekels to get what he really wants. A custom hat fits that sensibility. For the first-time custom hat buyer, I can recommend Mike Moore at Buckaroo Hatters and Art Fawcett at Vintage Silhouettes. And really, something less than $400 for an all-beaver, made to order, long-lasting custom hat that's just what you wanted is, to my way of thinking, a much better expenditure than half that on a "meh" hat.

Hey Tony you're 100% correct on buying a custom hat,but Worf still needs to find some to check out and see what style he likes or what works for him,as you know there are a lot of nice hats available but this doesn't mean they're all going to look good on us.I just think this'll give you half an idea of what you want before getting one built?Nothing worse than waiting with anticipation for something you purchased to show up and then not getting the look you thought you were going to get.Just my two bits.

 

[Worf]

Armed with a couple of vintage sources in the area (THANKS JonnyO) I'll start the safari tomorrow. This is gonna be interesting and mayhaps... fun. Thanks all, I'll keep you apprised (with pics) as to what I find.

Worf