gear-guy
Practically Family
- Messages
- 962
- Location
- southern indiana
Look for a fur felt. It will last longer and hold it's shape better. Thrift stores, antique stores ect. if on a budget.
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Need hat advice
- Thread starter JohnLClark
- Start date
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Alden 403 Moc Toe Boot - Brown Chromexcel - $680 The classic "Indy" style Alden Boot in the classic Horween brown Chromexcel. -
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Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket.
Sebastien Basset
New in Town
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
I found this one on Amazon. It is Rabbit Fur Felt. I read that Grey is probably one of the best colors to get a fedora in as it matches a plethora of clothing colors/patterns/styles.
http://www.amazon.com/Sterkowski-Ra...id=1404507859&sr=8-6&keywords=fur+felt+fedora
http://www.amazon.com/Sterkowski-Ra...id=1404507859&sr=8-6&keywords=fur+felt+fedora
fedoracentric
Banned
- Messages
- 1,362
- Location
- Streamwood, IL
We have talked about Sterkowski on another thread and the verdict seems to be that it is a nice hat for the price. You can't go wrong with a Sterkowski as a first fedora.
Rick Blaine
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,958
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK CANADA
STAY AWAY FROM WOOL!
What size are you looking for?
What size are you looking for?
Sebastien Basset
New in Town
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
I measured 23 inches, so I believe the size in US is 7 3/8.
Rogera
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,365
- Location
- West Texas
+1. You will be much happier with fur felt.
Rick Blaine
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,958
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Sebastien Basset
New in Town
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
That is quite nice (price and look), but I am not sure about the color. Seems a little light for my taste. *Plus the auction has ended.
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Rick Blaine
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,958
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Yeah, I know. Just posted by way of example on what's available out there.
Most here seem to prefer vintage to contemporary & fur to wool. For reasons we will expound upon at great length, making you wish you'd never asked! :eusa_doh:
I am afraid if you begin with wool, you will be let down &, perhaps incorrectly, feel you are not a "hat man".
When in fact you are just not a crappy, inferior, costume grade Chinese factory wool hat man.
I started with a wool Scala. Nice hat for the price, but wool tends to have a coarser finish than fur, and I always worry about it getting wet. I want a hat to protect me from the elements, not the other way around. Mine has the sweatband sewn in too high, so the reed leaves a mark in my forehead. Don't know if that's true for all of Scala's hats. The big problem with inexpensive hats, is that medium will never fit as well as a proper size.
Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.
Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.
Sebastien Basset
New in Town
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
From what everyone seems to be saying, the Sterkowski Rabbit Fur Felt one I found on Amazon seems to be a pretty good choice for a "first" fedora.
Landman
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,751
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Definitely stay away from wool hats!
Here is the thread about Sterkowski hats. I have never owned one but from the comments in the thread it appears to be a nice hat for the price.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...owski-hats-opinions-experiences-wanted-please
Akubra makes a great hat. They are more expensive but still very reasonable. Here is a link to the Fed IV. It comes open crown so you can crease it anyway you want.
http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0
Here is the thread about Sterkowski hats. I have never owned one but from the comments in the thread it appears to be a nice hat for the price.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...owski-hats-opinions-experiences-wanted-please
Akubra makes a great hat. They are more expensive but still very reasonable. Here is a link to the Fed IV. It comes open crown so you can crease it anyway you want.
http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0
-30-
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 443
- Location
- TORONTO, CANADA
So whatever you do, don't let them pull the wool over your eyes!
(Seems Consensus Favoured.)
Regards,
J T
(Seems Consensus Favoured.)
Regards,
J T
Sebastien Basset
New in Town
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
I just placed my order for the Sterkowski Rabbit Fur Felt Fedora. I will try and post pictures/review when I get it.
tuco1963
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 198
- Location
- new castle indiana
sebastien
I CHARLIE AM THE KING AND PROTECTOR OF PLANET WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if its your first fedora wool is fine on a budget BUT stay away from scala its like wearing a hard hat.
go out and try some fedoras at places like steinmart and some others from ebay are country gentleman , ll bean so on so on.
but i sincerly admit fur felt rules my first was a ragged out dobbs which i wear to work from oct - may .
look on ebay every now andagain you get lucky with a royal stetson or a dobbs right now im akubras biggest fan i own 3 and bought each for $50 and under dont be afraid to try at least one homburg ( look it up )
no matter here at the lounge were all good people and family
plus i share my home with two bassets:eeek:
I CHARLIE AM THE KING AND PROTECTOR OF PLANET WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if its your first fedora wool is fine on a budget BUT stay away from scala its like wearing a hard hat.
go out and try some fedoras at places like steinmart and some others from ebay are country gentleman , ll bean so on so on.
but i sincerly admit fur felt rules my first was a ragged out dobbs which i wear to work from oct - may .
look on ebay every now andagain you get lucky with a royal stetson or a dobbs right now im akubras biggest fan i own 3 and bought each for $50 and under dont be afraid to try at least one homburg ( look it up )
no matter here at the lounge were all good people and family
plus i share my home with two bassets:eeek:
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Foxer55
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 413
- Location
- Washington, DC
Edumacate Me
OK guys, edumacate me. I'm going to buy a Fedora, something along the lines of Indiana Jones or Bogart. I don't intend to spend a lot on one but I need to know things like what is the best material and are there specific nuances I should look for? Thanks.
OK guys, edumacate me. I'm going to buy a Fedora, something along the lines of Indiana Jones or Bogart. I don't intend to spend a lot on one but I need to know things like what is the best material and are there specific nuances I should look for? Thanks.
Hothir
New in Town
- Messages
- 13
- Location
- United States
Fur Felt is the best material. Wool just doesn't make a very durable soft hat. If you want an Indy hat the Akubra federation is a good mid level option. Better than the cheap ones but not as nice as custom. Akubra also offers other fedora styles and I am sure others will chime in with other good options.
http://hatsdirect.com/federation/index.html
http://hatsdirect.com/federation/index.html
- Messages
- 15,259
- Location
- Arlington, Virginia
+1 on the Akubra.
GregNYC
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,352
- Location
- New York City
+1 more. I've been buying a ton of retail hats in the last several months as I began my hat hobby. Akubra is a very solid choice! I have the Akubra Stylemaster, but the Federation is more like an American movie hat. If my retailer had the Fed, I would have picked it up instead. You get a lot of bang for the buck with Akubra! Plus a great color with the Fed!
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