Starius
Practically Family
- Messages
- 698
- Location
- Neverwhere, Iowa
Hello everyone.
First, I'd like to thank "Undertow" for showing me this discussion board. I knew him back in my college days and I never would have guessed him for a vintage fashion connoisseur back then - I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have expected the interest in me either. Funny how that sort of thing works out.
I'd like to share a bit of family background here, for my introduction. I'm lucky enough to have known my Great Grandfather, Conrad. I'm lucky in that I have a few but very fond memories of him. Whether the memory is of him puttering about the farm with my grandfather and father, planting a tree with me, or bouncing me on his knee, or even brushing his teeth (which blew my fragile young mind - why, he took his teeth out of his head to clean! I'm told my eyes almost popped out of my head.); just about every memory I have of him includes this old straw fedora.
He passed away when I was seven years old. It was the first time I was really exposed to death and mortality. At some point later, things of his were being thrown out. Maybe it was years later when his wife, my great grandmother, died. I don't remember exactly. That was not a fun time either way. Family members each trying to get items and heirlooms they wanted.... left a bitter taste in my mouth. It felt like vultures to me. But what I do remember is finding my Great Grandfather's straw "work hat" in the trash. I rescued it. I couldn't fathom why it was being thrown away.... that hat represented him more than anything in the world, in my mind. It meant so much to me and I couldn't understand why it wouldn't to the rest of the family either. But all the better I suppose. It meant it would be mine, all to myself. A little piece of my great grandfather, a memory just for me.
In middle school, I remember wearing the hat for "hat day." I remember my head almost swiming in it. It hasn't fit me for years now. Its hard for me to believe that I am taller than him... that I must have a far bigger head too. I remember him being such a tall man.
Here are two pictures of my Great Grandfather, when he was a much younger man and wearing far more snazzy hats.
I think its fitting that my own first fedora is a straw hat - a Stetson Panama hat to be precise.
I also just purchased this linen Gatsby hat (perched on top of my great grandfather's hat):
I am a bit unsure about the quality of this gatsby but it doesn't matter to me too much. I purchased it just for fun to wear at a upcoming jazz event.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to adding to my collection of hats over time and reading more of the subject on this board. I must say, however, that no matter how many hats I get, and even though its in rough shape and I'll never wear it again, my most prized hat will always be my Great Grandfather's hat. It is priceless as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks for having me here, I'm looking forward to my continued reading of this board. I've seen many wonderful discussions so far. And thanks again to Undertow for showing it to me.
-Starius
First, I'd like to thank "Undertow" for showing me this discussion board. I knew him back in my college days and I never would have guessed him for a vintage fashion connoisseur back then - I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have expected the interest in me either. Funny how that sort of thing works out.
I'd like to share a bit of family background here, for my introduction. I'm lucky enough to have known my Great Grandfather, Conrad. I'm lucky in that I have a few but very fond memories of him. Whether the memory is of him puttering about the farm with my grandfather and father, planting a tree with me, or bouncing me on his knee, or even brushing his teeth (which blew my fragile young mind - why, he took his teeth out of his head to clean! I'm told my eyes almost popped out of my head.); just about every memory I have of him includes this old straw fedora.
He passed away when I was seven years old. It was the first time I was really exposed to death and mortality. At some point later, things of his were being thrown out. Maybe it was years later when his wife, my great grandmother, died. I don't remember exactly. That was not a fun time either way. Family members each trying to get items and heirlooms they wanted.... left a bitter taste in my mouth. It felt like vultures to me. But what I do remember is finding my Great Grandfather's straw "work hat" in the trash. I rescued it. I couldn't fathom why it was being thrown away.... that hat represented him more than anything in the world, in my mind. It meant so much to me and I couldn't understand why it wouldn't to the rest of the family either. But all the better I suppose. It meant it would be mine, all to myself. A little piece of my great grandfather, a memory just for me.
In middle school, I remember wearing the hat for "hat day." I remember my head almost swiming in it. It hasn't fit me for years now. Its hard for me to believe that I am taller than him... that I must have a far bigger head too. I remember him being such a tall man.
Here are two pictures of my Great Grandfather, when he was a much younger man and wearing far more snazzy hats.
I think its fitting that my own first fedora is a straw hat - a Stetson Panama hat to be precise.
I also just purchased this linen Gatsby hat (perched on top of my great grandfather's hat):
I am a bit unsure about the quality of this gatsby but it doesn't matter to me too much. I purchased it just for fun to wear at a upcoming jazz event.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to adding to my collection of hats over time and reading more of the subject on this board. I must say, however, that no matter how many hats I get, and even though its in rough shape and I'll never wear it again, my most prized hat will always be my Great Grandfather's hat. It is priceless as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks for having me here, I'm looking forward to my continued reading of this board. I've seen many wonderful discussions so far. And thanks again to Undertow for showing it to me.
-Starius
