My first hat - an old Broner

[David Conwill]

The one on top...

I just found this picture of my very first fedora (though I had plenty of newsboy caps prior to this - I never was much for baseball caps until high school). As you can see, she had a hard life. No one ever taught me the care and feeding of a felt hat. I'm learning now, though.

My dad brought her back from Toronto, I think, from his honeymoon in 1978. I'm possibly remembering that incorrectly, however. She might have come from Traverse City sometime in the 1980s.

Do you think she could be restored? The lining is missing, but the sweat band is still intact. There's a bite mark in the brim which I'm sure isn't going away, but I could probably live with it.

Come to think of it, I'm not 100% certain this hat even fits me anymore, but I'd like to spruce her up just for nostalgia. Or possibly to give back to my father.

-Dave

 

[thunderw21]

From what I can see of her, she's definitely restorable. The felt looks strong if not a bit worn and bent, but that's easily fixed.

Someone like Art could do wonders with that hat. What brand is it? Is it vintage (30s-50s) or from the time it was first purchased?

She's definitely worth saving.

 

[David Conwill]

I'm pretty sure the hat was new when purchased. She was quite nice when I got ahold of her. My love for golden era objects predates my fine motor skills and attention to detail, I'm afraid.

The felt is still nice and strong not worn or stained to my recollection. Definitely no holes! I'll have to pick her up next time I'm at my parents and see what markings may be left on the sweatband.

-Dave

 

[D.W. Suratt]

Bite Mark?

 

[David Conwill]

Bite Mark?

It's a long story.

Brand name is "Broner" according to the sweat band. Also, according to the band, it's "The Best."

-Dave

 

[David Conwill]

A few vanity shots:

-Dave

 

[Dinerman]

Okay- your hat is a '70s or '80s vintage wool felt. Probably not all that much that can be done for it, because it's wool.

A little steam might bring it back into shape, but it also might shrink it. A hat sponge, and /or some hat cleaner spray could probably get the stains out.

 

[David Conwill]

Okay- your hat is a '70s or '80s vintage wool felt. Probably not all that much that can be done for it, because it's wool.

That's a shame. Thanks for the information, though. Guess I'll have to keep looking for that perfect brown/tan hat and write off my nostalgia for this one.

-Dave

 

[Dinerman]

Might want to give it a shot, though- I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

 

[David Conwill]

True, it's just junk as it sits. I'll have to put a kettle on after dinner. I'll let you know how things work out. I've never messed about with fixing a hat before.

-Dave

 

[thunderw21]

It does have a nice 1940s-esqe profile.

Like Dinerman said, give it a good steam.

 

[ScottyBlues]

I've got one of those!

I've got a Broner up in the closet. I bought it in Chapaign, Illinois in 1988 or thereabouts. It was my first "real" fedora. Of course, with the hats I own now this one never comes out. But I still can't bring myself to part with it.

The store I bought it in was a classic, old hat store run by a guy who pushing retirement. He did cleaning, blocking, etc. He showed me how to snap the brim and taught me about proper handling. I wish I could find a store like that near me now.

I sometimes think about opening a store like that, but I can't imagine there'd be enough business in this area to be profitable. Most days, I never see another person wearing a hat (of course baseball caps do not qualify as hats). It's sad.