My first fedora - and a question about fit

[Pduck]

My first real hat came in the mail today. It's a Pallone by Tesi of Italy that I got from John Helmer Haberdasher in Portland OR. It has a nice grayish taupe color and very soft felt. I think it's great looking, though I don't know about the finer points of a quality hat.

It came with an open crown so I did my imperfect bash (very imperfect), but I have a question about how it sits on my head. It has a somewhat low crown, so the top of my head touches the top of the hat. My head also tends to push out the bash. I have preferred the look of lower crowned hats, but should I be looking for a higher crown? I know most of you here like tall crowns, but I really like this hat.

Oh, and how can I get the bash to keep its shape?

Thanks!

 

[RBH]

That looks very good on you!
The imperfect creases are the ones I like best!
As to getting it to stay, after you get your shape in spritz the crease with a little water. Let dry and see how it holds.
Good luck!

 

[handlebar bart]

Looks great on you and I really like the color. In my opinion you could go with a taller, fuller crown with a wider brim but that being said I still like that one on you and it is sure a keeper:eusa_clap

 

[Sargon]

Love the hat Pduck! I've never heard of Tesi before. Is this the color listed as khaki on their web site?

 

[Daoud]

Indeed, it's a beauty! I'm not sure there's any rule about your head touching the crown of your hat, and clearly in some instances it's unavoidable. The hat looks very natural on you, but if you can't get used to the feeling of the hat touching the top of your head, go for a taller crown next time you buy a hat- and there WILL be a next time, I'm sure.

 

[MCrider]

Getting it to stay

I had the same problem with my Akubra Sydney when I first got it. I dry bashed it and wasn't sure exactly what I wanted. When I wore it, the side dents would work themselves out. So like RBH already stated, spray some distilled water on it to the edge of where you're going to shape it, and then shape it the way you want. After you've attained the look (checking how it looks on you of course), set it aside and let it dry naturally. After that you shouldn't have any problems. As for the top, maybe you're going for too deep of a crease.
By the way that hat looks good on you. I think the lower crown fits your face well.

 

[bendingoak]

Go very light with water on those hats, they will shrink up on you.

 

[Pduck]

Love the hat Pduck! I've never heard of Tesi before. Is this the color listed as khaki on their web site?

Yes, khaki it is. I'm not sure why they call it that. It looks a lot more gray than tan. It's a great color whatever it is. The photo on their web page is a pretty accurate rendition.

BTW, I've heard of Tesi making straw hats, but not felt.

 

[Goose.]

Go very light with water on those hats, they will shrink up on you.

Too cool for school :eusa_clap
How fortunate to have such for a first.

As others have stated...lightly spray it with water and let it air dry on your head.

 

[Sargon]

I wonder if Borsalino makes their felts as they make Borsalinos straws? Does this hat have a liner and leather sweatband? The site says no. Was it designed as a crushable hat?

 

[Mr. Paladin]

Very nice, Pduck. It looks fine on you as is, particularly the profile shot. Wear it how you like it, but you might be able to raise the crease a bit to keep it off your head.

 

[CRH]

...
It came with an open crown so I did my imperfect bash ...

Your crease may lack perfection but it has character and that's what is most important.

That hat looks like it should be good for business.

 

[Pduck]

I wonder if Borsalino makes their felts as they make Borsalinos straws? Does this hat have a liner and leather sweatband? The site says no. Was it designed as a crushable hat?

No, it does not have a liner or a leather sweatband (just fabric). But then, it was only $58.

I'm not sure if it was designed as a crushable hat or not. This is my first fedora, so I'm not sure right now about the difference in feel between a crushable and a non-crushable. The felt is very soft and flexible. I think I could sit on it and still be able to push it back to an open crown and start over.

 

[CRH]

...I think I could sit on it and still be able to push it back to an open crown and start over.

So you have proven that you are brave enough to tackle an open crown. You've crossed the line right there. Now it's just a matter of degree.

So how's it gonna be, PUNK? Are you gonna sit on your hat or not lol.

Actually don't worry about the "sitting on it" stuff. Just sleep on it... next to a river.... on sand and rocks.... and stuff.

or.... and this one's my favorite: Just plop it on your wife's shoulder and go to sleep during the sermon on Sunday .

 

[jazzncocktails]

Looks fantastic, Pduck! That lid looks great on you--somewhat formal with the shorter brim, but not stuffy. Nice choice.

 

[Pduck]

Go very light with water on those hats, they will shrink up on you.

I thought fur felt was supposed to stand up to water. What about all those old movies where the star is standing out in the rain getting drenched?

or.... and this one's my favorite: Just plop it on your wife's shoulder and go to sleep during the sermon on Sunday .

Actually, I sing in the choir. I'm not sure I want to put my head on the shoulder of the 6'4" bass that I stand next to.

 

[carldelo]

Pduck, I think the hat looks good as well - I am a medium crown medium brim kind of guy too. As far as getting the top of the crown off your head, that was just mentioned in the Akubra Campdraft thread - the discussion starts at post 383 on page 15:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=34439&page=15

Sounds pretty simple to do - enjoy.

 

[jpbales]

nice!

that's a really nice looking hat you've got there, I love the dimensions. The crown is not too tall, the brim not too wide, and it doesn't have much taper like a lot of medium-size and smaller-size hats have. I like it! We'd you get it from?
-ps: it suits you perfectly I think, by the way

 

[yoonie]

The hat looks very good on you. The proportions vs. your face are very timeless. I don't think it's a problem that your head touches the crown- many hats have a dome that was clearly to allow space for the head underneath (like a teardrop with a bump in the middle, for example). As long as your head doesn't immediately destroy the look from the front/back/sides when you put it on, I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

The hat looks good on you, good proportions and great color. Did you give the crown a center dent bash? I think a center dent works better on a lower crown than a diamond or a tear drop bash. The latter bashes do make the crown sit lower and cause it to touch the haed.