Need hat advice

[PATT]

Hi TFL,

I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to being a part of the community!

Over the past several weeks I have been shopping around for my first fedora. Being in NYC, I stopped by JJ Hat Center and tried on several hats and found two that suited me very well:

1. Stetson Runabout Pro in Graphite - $150

2. Selentino Hudson in Brown (Grey ones are being restocked in a few weeks) - $185

For my first hat, I'm looking for versatility. Something I could wear with suits during the work week (I wear either navy or grey suits with black shoes mostly. Sometimes I would wear brown, burgundy or chestnut shoes). But also, something I could wear casually on the weekends with jeans, a button down, and a clean pair of sneakers.

Questions:
1. In trying both hats, the brown color seemed to suit me the best. But It may not be as versatile as charcoal. What're your thoughts?
2. Which hat is better in terms of quality - Stetson vs Selentino. I understand that the Stetson is crushable.
3. Which hat do you think I should go with?
4. Are there any other hats that are in a similar style, around the $200 price range that would be a better buy in terms of quality?

Thanks guys!!

 

[ingineer]

PATT;
without a head shot it is impossible to tell
i like the second one though
go with your gut.
smart move trying different hats on
Welcome

 

[mayserwegener]

By the way Selentino = TONAK (Czech Repulic)

 

[ingineer]

You may not understand but Steve just told you that is the better felt
nice to have the experts here

 

[javadave61]

Hi TFL,

I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to being a part of the community!

Over the past several weeks I have been shopping around for my first fedora. Being in NYC, I stopped by JJ Hat Center and tried on several hats and found two that suited me very well:

1. Stetson Runabout Pro in Graphite - $150

2. Selentino Hudson in Brown (Grey ones are being restocked in a few weeks) - $185

For my first hat, I'm looking for versatility. Something I could wear with suits during the work week (I wear either navy or grey suits with black shoes mostly. Sometimes I would wear brown, burgundy or chestnut shoes). But also, something I could wear casually on the weekends with jeans, a button down, and a clean pair of sneakers.

Questions:
1. In trying both hats, the brown color seemed to suit me the best. But It may not be as versatile as charcoal. What're your thoughts?
2. Which hat is better in terms of quality - Stetson vs Selentino. I understand that the Stetson is crushable.
3. Which hat do you think I should go with?
4. Are there any other hats that are in a similar style, around the $200 price range that would be a better buy in terms of quality?

Thanks guys!!

If you want a new Stetson, it might be worth a call to the Stetson Outlet in Garland, TX and ask them if they have the particular hat you're looking for. Usually you can pick up a hat from the outlet for half price or less and they'll ship it to you. A number of Loungers have struck some gold there. I'm hoping to next weekend when I'm there visiting family.

 

[moehawk]

Get both. If you spend any time at all on this forum you will realize that just caving in to the inevitable addiction is the best path to hat happiness.

 

[jlee562]

Get both. If you spend any time at all on this forum you will realize that just caving in to the inevitable addiction is the best path to hat happiness.

We're enablers, in case you hadn't noticed PATT

 

[mayserwegener]

PATT;
without a head shot it is impossible to tell
i like the second one though
go with your gut.
smart move trying different hats on
Welcome

If you are going to buy TONAK / Selentino I would get a Velour or Melusine (Hare fur) finish. TONAK is known for such finishes (in the day they were JHS) which Stetson doesn't make. My focus is on vintage but I would say that TONAK has better ribbon / bow finishing. Stetson has higher quality sweatbands. The liners are about the same assuming price point. By the way there is a very sizable mark up on Selentino vs what a similar branded TONAK would go for in the Czech Republic.

Here are some sample hats TONAK put together for me a while ago. I decided not to go through with the project. I have shown this before but some might not have seen them.

 

[PATT]

By the way Selentino = TONAK (Czech Repulic)

You may not understand but Steve just told you that is the better felt
nice to have the experts here

Thanks! I guess that means Selentino (made by Tonak) have better quality felt. I'm a guy who's always focused on quality, so I may have to go with the Selentino.

I'll see if I could get some photos taken the next time I'm in the shop.

If you want a new Stetson, it might be worth a call to the Stetson Outlet in Garland, TX and ask them if they have the particular hat you're looking for. Usually you can pick up a hat from the outlet for half price or less and they'll ship it to you. A number of Loungers have struck some gold there. I'm hoping to next weekend when I'm there visiting family.

Thanks for the tip! I may just do that (this way I can get a second hat!).


Do you guys recommend brown or grey for my first hat? Versatility is what I'm going for (I mostly wear navy/grey suits with black shoes on the weekdays. On the weekends I dress casually, but I would like the option to wear a hat with a button down shirt and jeans.

 

[PATT]

If you are going to buy TONAK / Selentino I would get a Velour or Melusine (Hare fur) finish. TONAK is known for such finishes (in the day they were JHS) which Stetson doesn't make. My focus is on vintage but I would say that TONAK has better ribbon / bow finishing. Stetson has higher quality sweatbands. The liners are about the same assuming price point. By the way there is a very sizable mark up on Selentino vs what a similar branded TONAK would go for in the Czech Republic.

Here are some sample hats TONAK put together for me a while ago. I decided not to go through with the project. I have shown this before but some might not have seen them.

Thank you for the knowledge and expertise! I will absolutely check out the Velour or Melusine finishes. I will also see if Tonak sells similar styles for a cheaper price. The Selentino that I saw today was $150 (I mixed up the prices in my original post — the roundabout pro was $185).

 

[PATT]

Do you gentlemen have any recommendations for hats that are similar in style (brim length, etc.) directly from Tonak?
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/from-12/

Since I am new to hats, I don't believe my eyes are trained well enough, which is why I shopped in stores to find a style that suited my face. I believe the following hat from the link above is similar in style:
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/felt-hat-102563-s412003438
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/felt-hat-103044-s412004068

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! I guess that means Selentino (made by Tonak) have better quality felt. I'm a guy who's always focused on quality, so I may have to go with the Selentino.

I can't say the TONAK felt is better in this case. As I mentioned TONAK is known for Velour and Melusine finishes (Hare Fur).

 

[mayserwegener]

Thank you for the knowledge and expertise! I will absolutely check out the Velour or Melusine finishes. I will also see if Tonak sells similar styles for a cheaper price. The Selentino that I saw today was $150 (I mixed up the prices in my original post — the roundabout pro was $185).

Tonak has an agreement with Selentino (SELCO) for America. TONAK has an E-Shop but you need to check if they will ship to America (if so for a reasonable price). You will see similar hats are in the 60 to 120 Euro range. The Czech word for hats is Klobouky.

http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/

 

[mayserwegener]

Do you gentlemen have any recommendations for hats that are similar in style (brim length, etc.) directly from Tonak?
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/from-12/

Since I am new to hats, I don't believe my eyes are trained well enough, which is why I shopped in stores to find a style that suited my face. I believe the following hat from the link above is similar in style:
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/felt-hat-102563-s412003438
http://www.tonak.cz/en/e-shop/felt-hats/men-s/felt-hat-103044-s412004068

You need to check under the Luxury Hat section. Also as I mentioned you need to check if they will ship to America (if so at reasonable price).

I checked and it appears they only ship to Europe.

 

[T Jones]

For around the $200 range you could buy a nice vintage hat of various makers off eBay, etsy etc....or you could get one custom made for a little more. These hats would be far better in quality materials and workmanship than anything you would buy off the shelf today.

 

[Frunobulax]

My only comment is that my first good fedora was a Selentino Sterling. It's a very high quality hat and a very nice felt. I have followed that purchase up with a couple of other Selentinos that don't get worn much (one's a little tight, the other is a color that doesn't get worn much). I also own a Tonak Columbo, which I like very much. In fact, I haven't worn that in a while - I'll have to give it some head time.

 

[PATT]

For around the $200 range you could buy a nice vintage hat of various makers off eBay, etsy etc....or you could get one custom made for a little more. These hats would be far better in quality materials and workmanship than anything you would buy off the shelf today.

Thanks!

T Jones and All: What are some really good hat makers I should check out for hats a little over $200?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Northwest Hats.

 

[T Jones]

Thanks!

T Jones and All: What are some really good hat makers I should check out for hats a little over $200?

My two top picks would be Bob at Blacksheep and John Penman.

Bob at Blacksheep's a real artist and in my opinion, probably the most creative. His quality is top notch and his prices are reasonable.

Penman's another top notch hatter who's better known for his Indy hats. But he offers a wider range of other styles too. He's going to be hard to beat as well when it comes to quality and creativity.

I've seen Northwest hats here on the Lounge that look really nice. Buckaroo hatters makes some real nice looking Westerns and he was also contracted to make the hats for the new Hank Williams movie coming out. Quite an honor. Garrison hatters is another one who's overlooked. His hats look pretty nice too.

There's a few hatters to choose from here on the Lounge.

But, for around the $200 range you could find a real nice vintage on ebay in nice enough shape. If I had the money I'd be bidding there all the time. Hard to beat the quality of a vintage hat.

 

[RJR]

I'd suggest Northwest Hatters in that price range.