NEWBIE: I need help finding a fedora

[gilgongo]

Hi,
I'm a newbie here, and I'm looking for a brown fedora for my husband. This is what he has now, but we both don't like it very much. We're not sure why. Is the crown too big/tall?:
<img src="http://www.gilgongo.com/lj/j_fedora.jpg">

He's looking for a sort of 40s down-on-his-luck private-eye kind of fedora. Like this:
<img src="http://www.meredy.com/vinbw/laura.jpg">

Also, he has a pretty big head. 7 3/4, and a lot only go up to 7 5/8.

Can anyone help please? Suggestions? Pictures? Links?

I like the bashed-in look. Oh, and I don't want to spend more than $120 or so.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[aliados]

Try bashing the crown in more -- I like 'em a tad lower than that, myslef. Whatever he's got on, it's high enough that it'll take a really deep, 1930's diamond bash!

 

[besdor]

You might want to look at our website . We carry hats by Stetson at sizes until an 8 with a nice sized crown that would look good on your husband .





Steven
Bencraft Hats

 

[Dinerman]

it's hard to tell much about his hat from that pic. what kind of hat is it?

 

[Art Fawcett]

It may be just the picture, but the hat seems to be sitting too low on his head, making me think it's too big for him. Aliados is right, it can be lowered in the crown pretty easily by using a different crease. If you do a search on "bashes" or "creases" you should be able to come up with alot of info on them. Failing that, you can call me directly & I'd be happy to walk you or your husband through it.

Art

 

[MKL]

It may be just the picture, but the hat seems to be sitting too low on his head, making me think it's too big for him. Aliados is right, it can be lowered in the crown pretty easily by using a different crease. If you do a search on "bashes" or "creases" you should be able to come up with alot of info on them. Failing that, you can call me directly & I'd be happy to walk you or your husband through it.

Art

Hi Art,

You mentioned that you thought D.A.'s hat was too low on his head, just where on the head should a well-fitted hat sit? Perhaps it is more of a personal taste but since you brought it up...

Thanks.

 

[Dinerman]

a finger and a half or so on mine.

 

[Art Fawcett]

The rule of thumb MKL ( no pun intended) is one finger width above the ear. Everyone wears them where it's comfortable to them, but never on the ears.

 

[MKL]

The rule of thumb MKL ( no pun intended) is one finger width above the ear. Everyone wears them where it's comfortable to them, but never on the ears.

Thanks Art,

I suppose you would mean at least one of the ears. What if you cock it to the side? And now, just how tight should be on a head? Is that a personal thing too? I hate messin' up my curls with a hat too tight (well, if I had curls anyway).

Thanks.

Mark

 

[Dinerman]

it shouldn't be so tight that you can't close your jaw comfortably. It shouldn't be so loose that it's just resting upon your head.

 

[gilgongo]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all your input. The hat is a "Scala Classico" in XL. I don't think it was very expensive. Like, $40 or so. I wanted to get him a nicer one for XMas.

I looked at the Stetson "Temple". Has anyone had any experience with that one? It has a center crease, which I'm not as happy about. That can be modified, however, correct? It doesn't say ANYWHERE how high the crown is, though, and that worries me.

Thanks Art! Perhaps it IS too big. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to measure his head without him catching on, heh. I think it's a little over 24". You're so kind to offer your help. I'll do my best to bash it myself (with some online help), but I'll definitely keep you in mind.

I, too, wondered how low a hat a hat is supposed to sit.

 

[Art Fawcett]

MKL, I used to tell people to imagine themselves in the rumble seat of a model "A" doing 25 mph..if it might stay on, it's just right!!

 

[MKL]

MKL, I used to tell people to imagine themselves in the rumble seat of a model "A" doing 25 mph..if it might stay on, it's just right!!

Hmmm! Can't say I have done that lately. But that would seem like it should be rather tight. We have winds here in Kansas and I am continually having to keep my hand on my hat so I don't loose it. So would a 25 mph ride in a model A put a crease in the hair line?

Thanks Art for the info.

Mark

 

[Jack of Clubs]

How to find his size

Why not just tease him about having such a big head, get into joking and then just lead into a measurement by teasing him it is bigger than he says

Just an idea
gary

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Since the question comes up a lot from newbies or their signficant others at gift-giving times, the best answer/suggestion always seems to be - buy him a gift certificate from a local hat shop if you just have to give him something physical on the date in question, or a card stating the date and time of an appointment you both have at the local hat shop.

The hat in the picture DOES appear to be too large and riding low. Art had a great suggestion - if you wouldn't trust it to stay on your head zipping down the road in a convertible, it's too big.

The fit, style and overall look are the most important factors. Personal preference is a big part of the ultimate happiness with the hat. If you don't already know his exact size, exactly what style suits him, what exact style he prefers, you're almost always heading for disappointment. Better you take him in, spend an hour or two and try on different style, sizes and makers until you find just the right hat.

In terms that might hammer it home to you - would you trust him to trot down to the local swanky department store and come back with an expensive dress for you for an important occasion? The same holds true for hats.

 

[BigSho]

The Stetson Temple is a decent hat to start with I myself have a few (mostly because I could make them fit my huge head). If he likes that kind of private eye kinfd of style you might want to also look at a stetson downs or Biltmore C-crowns. I think a c-crown (tear drop shape on the top of the hat) would look nice on him and give him the kind of look you say he desires.

Jeremy
Hats Plus Ltd.

 

[jpdesign]

have a look at this over at indygear. It is not just indy styles.

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=19766

 

[gilgongo]

Heh, there's really no way I could joke my way into measuring his head without him knowing exactly what I'm doing. I tried measuring the inside of the hat that he already has, but it came out to 23". And I know his is 24"+.

We've actually already gone to a hat shop together. That's where he got the one in the picture. It was the only one in the place that fit!

Thanks BigSho, I'll check out those hats. And thanks jpdesign, I'll check out that site in more depth.

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge gilgongo !

I like the look of the pic you posted..
<img src="http://www.gilgongo.com/lj/j_fedora.jpg">
all I think you should try is to give the hat a really tight pinch on the front, I think you will be surprised at the different look you will have when you do that.
Good Luck and thanks for posting, I sure hope we have helped you out!

 

[gilgongo]

Thanks. Everyone HAS helped. I'm now thinking maybe we can work with the hat he has and sort of re-shape it. Pinch the front more and bash in the top. I guess it was a bit naive to try to order a hat online when I'm not even 100% sure of his size.

Unfortunately, now I have to find something ELSE to get my husband for XMas. Sigh.