Newbie -- fedoras on short guys (5'7" and shorter)

[PastimeSteve]

Hi everyone -- this is my first post, but I've been lurking for about a month or so now. I've thoroughly enjoyed this forum and reading the expert guidance on classic jackets and hats.

I've never owned a fedora before, but I have a Indiana Jones-type fedora (5 1/2" crown, standard brim dimensions I believe) on order through Jimmy Pierce.

I'm curious what you experts think about fedoras on shorter, smaller guys? I'm 5'6" and 135 pounds. Can I even pull this off without looking stupid?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Diamondback]

I'm 5'4" and used to wear my Indy fedoras semi-regularly. If I can do it (admittedly I got 50 pounds on you), I don't see why you can't...

 

[Chaperon]

Welcome !

I'm 6'3" and abt 200 lbs. I find I look better in a fedora with a wider brim. I have a long face shape so I think the wider brim helps balance that.

Everyone looks good in a fedora! I'd try on several with an honest assitant present - you'll find your "right" look, or probably several things which look good. Happy wearing!!

 

[EricH]

It's all about your head. Here's a link to a handy site maintained by Miller hats (no endorsment pro or con intended) to help you with the choice(s). Eric


http://www.millerhats.com/hatcare_index/hatfaces.html

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Elisha Cook Jr. was a smaller fellow, and he wore fedoras quite well in many Golden Era movies like The Maltese Falcon.

For that matter, Bogart wasn't exactly a giant either.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Steve, IMHO, I think you will find you look better in stingy brim (<2") and lower crown (<4"). A 'big' hat will give your overall profile a 'bobble head' look. Sinatra always wore stingy brims with a low crown. Conversely, big guys can look ridiculous in a 'little' hat. Think Oliver and Hardy.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Elisha Cook Jr. was a smaller fellow, and he wore fedoras quite well in many Golden Era movies like The Maltese Falcon.

For that matter, Bogart wasn't exactly a giant either.

Excellent point. Look to James Cagney a giant in poise, but diminutive in stature. The man looked great in a fedora.

 

[John in Covina]

Lots a smaller in stature actors in a fedora:
Edward G Robinson wasn't very tall either

One more Johnny Rocco more or less!

 

[Rick Blaine]

Good to see you here Steve.
Yeah I think you can find a combo that will look good on ya'.
In the beginning I thought that wider brims were my thing. But over the course of time I have come to the conclusion that my ideal brim width is from 2 3/8- 2 5/8. ( I am 5, 10" 175 with rather a long face, Herman Munster-esque)
Believe me, I was as surprised as anyone.
Go to a bricks & mortar retailer & find what suits you by trying on a variety of crown heights/brim widths. Even still, I'll bet the process of refining what best complements you will take a bit of time... did with me anyway.

 

[Stoney]

Welcome to the lounge Steve. That's pretty good advice from Rick

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge.
Rick said it well.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Steve, did you know The Chairman of the Board was 5'7"?

By the way, I forgot to say, "Welcome to the Lounge."

 

[Davidson]

Welcome Steve! Anyone, male or female, of any size, can look better in a fedora.

EricH's pointer to the Miller Hats site is on target. Better-suited hat dimensions has as much to do with head shape as body size.

And Rick's advice to try on different hats would be an excellent follow-on to reading the Miller page and looking in the mirror. Then you have some ideas to base your opinions on. The only suggestion I would add is, when trying on the hats, wear something you intend to wear when wearing a hat. Bring a change of jackets or styles.

I think someone should write some software to let people put their face on the screen and try on different "virtual" hat shapes and sizes. Wouldn't be hard...

 

[PastimeSteve]

Thanks!

Thanks gentlemen! Great advice; much appreciated.

Steve

 

[mingoslim]

Welcome to the Lounge . . .

My thoughts on your concerns are this . . .

Try on hats you like . . . If you think they look good on you, then wear them. If not, then pass . . . It really is that simple. Forget about any rules. Wear what you like on you!

I have had some great hats that I have cast off because, nice as they were, I didn't like the look on me as far as I was concerned.

 

[Davidson]

I started wearing a hat every day two months ago. The biggest change in my appearance isn't the hat. I wear nicer jeans and boots when I have one of my casual fedoras on. I "dress" more often so I can wear my dressier fedoras. I stand a little straighter, and behave a little better. Like mingoslim said, wear, head to toe, what makes you feel good about how you look and who you are.

And get yourself some cheap sunglasses

 

[Cacklewack]

I'm 5'7" and around 155 lbs and I wear a fedora daily. Most of my hats are 2"-2 1/4" brims, because I've found that anything larger generally makes me look like a 12-year-old. This may have everything to do with my face and nothing to do with my stature, however.

Wear a fedora with pride, my height challenged companion!

Matt

 

[Rick Blaine]

5'8" ... 'nuff said.

 

[Joel Tunnah]

With confidence, you can wear any hat. The whole idea that your size/shape can only fit a certain kind of hat is nonsense.

Joel

 

[Feraud]

Who is going to tell this guy he is too short to wear a fedora?