new hat wearer, got one for Xmas

[jamesmgregg]

Hey all!

I'm a relative hat newbie, and I wanted to say hey and ask a few questions.

My girlfriend bought me a hat for Xmas - she chose a Bailey rabbit felt porkpie, but I'm not a huge fan of the porkpie style, so we want back to the haberdasher and let me pick out my own.

I settled on a Stetson felt fur fedora in black - I would swear it said it was a "Skiseton" or something that effect, but I can't find any references on the Web for that model of hat...not on Stetson's site nor my haberdasher's site. Any ideas?

Also - I live in the Pacific Northwest, so we get a lot of rain. Any way for me to wear the hat on wet days (not downpours, of course) without ruining it?

I'm excited to wear my hat - I'm a jazz trumpeter/vocalist and I direct an authentic 1940s-50s era swing band, complete with fedora-wearing crooner http://www.bureauofstandardsbigband.com
The hat will fit perfectly into that group and the 1950s Chet Baker-style quartet I'm forming.


Thanks!!

 

[Matt Deckard]

Vintage I have seen take the rain better than modern felts though the custom hatters are making much better dress hats than a few years back.

As for the rain you may want to watch out for the powder running off the new Stetson. You can check older threads for more information.

 

[SinatraStyle]

Welcome to the Lounge!

Matt is correct. Vintage hats typically do better in the rain than newer hats. When I know that rain is in the forecast I reach for vintage.

However, new hats still can do well in the rain (assuming they are fur felt, like your new Stetson--wool doesn't hold up very well). There are also things that you can do in improve your hat's performance and recovery from the rain...ie water repellants. Different people have different thoughts on what works best, so your best bet would be to search the hat forums for waterproofing topics. There are some good discussions.

Again, Welcome.

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge, James!

You will find this place is full of info and friends.
Here is what I use on all my felt hats, new and vintage.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3301/scouthatprothe1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

Your haberdasher should have it, if not suggest he start carrying it.
Scouts makes some good products and I highly recommend them.

Glad you are here!