New Member, New Hat

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Hallo Ladies and Gents!
I've been lurking around for a few days reading up on hats and other things "vintage" and i'm intrigued. I've always been interested in the old suit and hat style of the 30's and 40's. I think it all got started when I used to watch old episodes of The Twilight Zone, and i'd wonder if everyone used to really wear suits like that all the time. A more civilized age? Was it possible? Apparently so. I'm 23, so, i'm a little young to be dressing "distinguished", but I assume some people on this forum will disagree. When shopping, I used to look at clothes and think, "OK, is this something I could wear to Wal Mart and not get laughed at." Well, I live in the armpit of the Midwest, where everyone wears sweats and rayon jackets displaying various cigarette company's logos. But I digress. I have only two suits at the moment, one is a tailored single breasted black pinstripe, not vintage, I got it at Men's Wearhouse, but it has a classy look. I also have a vintage gray three piece suit, but I have no idea of the brand or anything, I got it off eBay. And finally, just yesterday, I purchased my first fedora. Please check it out and tell me what you all think!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8265413738&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

I plan on losing the little feather thing, I don't think i'll like it. But, who knows, when the hat comes in the mail, I may look at it and change my mind. Well I guess i've rambled on long enough, I just wanted to introduce myself and show off the new headgear.

- Mr. Misanthropy :fedora:

 

[Pilgrim]

Nice buy!

For $15 plus shipping, you CAN'T BEAT that deal!! Super value! That's a nice color and will be good for all-occasion wear. It's also a moderate width brim, so people won't think you're trying to be Indiana Jones. From the black sweatband and width of the brim (looks like a little less than 2"), I'm thinking it's a 70's model - I could be wrong.

I personally add a feather to each of my hats, as I think it makes a nice accent.

Welcome, and nice to see you're off to such a nice start!:cheers1:

 

[Magus]

Welcome to the site! I looked at that hat myself, (but passed quickly due to my big head) Style is personal and important and passing...everything comes around eventually. Wear what you wish and combine what you want. (my feeling anyway)

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Yes, a lot of the nicer hats I saw on eBay were going for like $20-40, so, i'm glad I jumped on this one when I did. I figure it'll be great with either of my suits, or even just a pair of jeans and a nice shirt.

 

[yachtsilverswan]

Welcome to the Lounge Mr. Misanthrope. You'll find that the shared experience offered here will help crystalize your wish list and will help save you from disappointing purchases.

The Lounge is ideal for a misanthrope - no personal interaction required (ain't the internet cool?). I guess from your chosen appellation that we have little chance of actually meeting you at a Fedora Lounge event. Too bad. On the other hand - without misanthropes, finding a parking place at restaurants and theaters would be even more difficult (so thanks).

 

[John in Covina]

Nice hat!

I had looked at this one in my searches thru the EBAY zone. Hope you'll get to post some pix when it comes in. For my face I need a wide brim and a fairly high crown I think.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Oh who knows, I get around a bit. I may try to make it to an event one of these days, but let me get my hat first. I don't want to jump the gun too much, now.

OK, so what kind of hat styles suit different types of faces and appearances? I'm very thin and I guess I have kind of a narrow face and small head. Did I pick the correct hat? Ah, I like it anyway.

And yes, the internet is perfect for misanthropes. I get to kind of pick and choose my human interaction. I read a lot of forums, but participate in VERY few, but it seems like a good group here so i'm glad to throw in my two cents once in awhile.
:cheers1:

 

[John in Covina]

The Guiding chart

Here is a chart from the Miller site that is pretty good to follow:
http://www.millerhats.com/hatcare_index/hatfaces.html

 

[Matt Deckard]

Suits were more common back then yes... they also fit better and were more comfortable.

I've been suiting up since I was 18 and sometimes before... don't feel out of place because you're 23. It's all in the mind.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Well thank you Matt, that does make me feel better. And thanks John for the link, that site helped. I guess i'm the "long slender" face type, and apparentyly i've selected the appropriate hat. Thanks for making me feel so welcome, everyone!

 

[Zach R.]

I've been suiting up since I was 18 and sometimes before... don't feel out of place because you're 23. It's all in the mind.

I agree. It is never too early to start(I'm just turning 18 this month).

 

[John in Covina]

Welcome and don't be afraid to ask a question or keep us updated, it's the sharing here of information that makes it a great community!

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Well it's very good to hear there are other people around my age into this. I'm sure i'll get some looks and comments, even just wearing the hat, and i'll just smile and think about how unstylish and crass they are.

 

[tonyb]

OK, so what kind of hat styles suit different types of faces and appearances? I'm very thin and I guess I have kind of a narrow face and small head. Did I pick the correct hat? Ah, I like it anyway.

You're kinda lucky in that thin, narrow-faced guys can pull off narrower brims much better than us larger guys can (y'all also tend to live longer, but maybe that's a mixed blessing), and yet a moderately wide brim doesn't necessarily overpower you.
But you got the right attitude anyway. Wear what you like. If you like the way you present yourself, chances are most other people will too. (That applies only to people who truly like who they are, and not to posers, who are so full of fundamental self-loathing that they try to be something other than their better selves. Let us pray for those poor souls.)

 

[John in Covina]

In times gone by.

I think it all got started when I used to watch old episodes of The Twilight Zone, and i'd wonder if everyone used to really wear suits like that all the time. A more civilized age? Was it possible?
- Mr. Misanthropy :fedora:

*********
At 18, that means you were born around 1988. There is a pretty good chance you never used a rotary telephone or played an actual phonograph. The concept of everyone having a home computer is an everyday thing, whereas I still remember them showing a computer that was an entire room of blinking lights and you had to use punched cards to get it to do any computing for you. Microwave popcorn versus Jiffy pop on the stove. A time before jumbo jets, man walking on the moon and portable phones were the size of a suitcase.

It was also in many ways a polite society then, with more "Please" and "Thank yous" with men being a bit more chivalrous and women being a bit more demur. More respect for parents and teachers and our elders.Men wore suits, men doing service type jobs worn ties or uniforms a lot more. And if you go back a ways all men wore hats. Watch a movie made in the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's and you see suits and hats.

Profanity was still there but it was held back and subdued. In the 60's a comedian named "Lenny Bruce" used profanity in his act and in several cities was arrested for using in public words that pale in comparison to what passes as comedy today, especially on cable tv stations.

Polite is fading and common courtesy is no longer common, neither is common sense. It was lost somewheres gradually over time. So you may wish to help regain some of these things that were lost by living your life in some ways so that these things still matter thereby be a better person and help make a better world.

Sincerely,

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

:eusa_clap
Well put, John.
Actually, i'm 23, another guy a few replies up is 18. I was born in 1983, and i've used a rotary phone and a record player, but, imagining Times Square littered with wool suits and fedoras is foreign to me. But yes, the politeness and general etiquette needs to be brought back, and i'm more than willing to do my part.

 

[RedPop4]

It seems that the 1960's and 1970's saw a real backlash against "authority" and other conventions Simply "being the right thing to do" or being "polite" was considered repressive.....

I work at a university, and the president has decided that the men need to remove their hats indoors. And we've instituted the policy. Try explaining to an 18 year old that removing his backward ball cap with the stickers still on it is "polite" or "good manners" or even "respectful." "RESPECTFUL TO WHO????" is what we usually get. :rage: :rage:

Sometime we have to say, "well, you know what? Dr. Francis and Dean Byrd have instituted this, and want it, so you just have to do it. They don't like that very much, either.

On the bright side, I get lots of compliments on my fedoras, though.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

So, my auction for this hat ended on Satuirday night, at which time I promptly made my PayPal payment. I have my eBay win notification and my reciept, and other than that, i've heard nothing from the buyer. I sent her an e-mail yesterday morning asking if she got the payment OK, and when my hat would ship, and I still have heard nothing. Is it unorthodox to expect a notification of shipment, or even a reply to my message? Is it too early to start freaking out? This seller has good feedback, so, i'm probably getting worked up for nothing. The reciept e-mail has her address and phone number.. how long should I wait before calling? I was planning on recieving the hat tommorow or the next day.. but i'm not sure. Any advice?

 

[John in Covina]

Now! Now! Now!

Is it unorthodox to expect a notification of shipment, or even a reply to my message? Is it too early to start freaking out? This seller has good feedback, so, i'm probably getting worked up for nothing. The reciept e-mail has her address and phone number.. how long should I wait before calling? I was planning on recieving the hat tommorow or the next day.. but i'm not sure. Any advice?

*******
Some people have jobs, families and lead ordinary lives that can take precedant over their Ebay auction(s). Often people are working on a weekly schedule so they may not be able to check on or respond to your email until they have time cleared for ebay business. If they do enough ebay stuff sometimes they'll publish their schedule in the shipping or notices section of the ad. I would not get upset until 5 days to a week goes by with out a reply. So, don't hold your breath without a confirmation of their schedule to respond and ship, you'll get blue in the face needlessly.

Also, if you needed immediate shipping you could have sent an inquiry prior to the auction ending, fore warned is fore armed.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Yes, thanks John, I understand what you mean. I've never sold anything on eBay, only purchased. So I guess it's just a matter of being in someone elses shoes. I suppose I just kind of got paranoid, which I tend to do. :fing28:
Thanks