Peter Bros versus Miller Hats

[JimD]

I will be in Dallas and Houston in 2 weeks. Since I will only have time for one stop, and want to get the most out of a short time; which store would be the best one to visit? Which one has the best service etc. From the web sites it appears they both have a good selections of hats.

Having one of those lovely business trips; Driving from Dallas to Houston for a meeting and then back to Dallas to catch plane back to Orange County CA.

Thanks for the help,

JimD

 

[Matt Deckard]

I've only ordered one hat from Miller in the past and they appear to be much more of a retailer than a custom hatter.

I have been to Peters Bros. in Ft. Worth and met the father and son, it was a trip with my girlfriend at the time.
Peters Bros. is more of a custom hat shop, though I don't think they have been the same since Joe Jr. left the fold. He had an eye for detail and would do anything you wanted, just take in a picture and he'd make you a copy. Only flaw (in my opinion) was the custom dress hats which were cut down cowboy hats... stiff as a board. They do sell soft felt fedoras off the rack like Miller, though as I always recommend... stay away from modern Borsalino.

 

[Dave Keith]

Peters Bro is in Fort Worth

If you have the time, Peters Bros. is a great place to visit. The drawback is that is pretty much right down town in Fort Worth, which is thirty miles west of Dallas. Even if you are flying out of DFW rather than Love Field, it will be a fairly substantial drive. Rush hour traffic could complicate it even more.

I'm guessing you will need 2 hours or so to devote to driving and shopping for a trip to PB.

I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge of the Miller Hat store in Houston

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Miller Hats is on the edge of historic Houston Heights (my neighborhood), right off 45 and very easy to get to and park. It is in the shadow of downtown, about 20 min. from either airport. They are always very friendly and helpful there, and they will always clean the hat I wear into the store (even if it's just to shoot the breeze). They have a lot of hats in stock, but I don't really know about their custom service. I was actually in there yesterday and they were in the process of switching from felt to straw in the showroom. I don't know if that means they move most of the felt into storage or what. Depending on what you are looking for you might want to email them and check.

 

[JeffW]

I enjoyed my trip to Peters Bros. I bought my first 3 hats from them. They have served me well. Now that I know a little more about new vs vintage, I am a little more selective when buying retail.

Matt is 100% right in the fact that their dress hats (their brand) are stiff. I have a very nice silverbelly from them. Great looking hat but really really stiff. I will eventually send it to Art to reblock and have a proper band put on it.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1146&stc=1&d=1140206688
peters bros fedora.jpg

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I like Miller

I've never been to the store, but I've delt with Miller on line a great deal. They always help me with questions, and the actual hats I've bought or seen personally don't disappoint.

 

[Prairie Shade]

Tough Question

WOW I have had both. For the sake of just plain old sentimentality; Peters Bros. Dollars and cents; Miller Hats. Throw up a coin. Are you sure you dont have time for both? A visit to Millers while your in Houston followed by a trip by Peters on your return trip? Might let the rest of us know!!!! Guerrera from Millers, Shady Oak from Peters Bros, I dont know what to say. I have liked both, decisions, decisions!!!!And here we have only one head.

 

[PeeWee]

Nice folks at Miller. I've bought two hats from them by mail. I'd love to walk in both Miller and Peter's Bros. and try on lots of hats. Wish we had a retail hat store here.

 

[gekisai29]

I have had a good experience with Miller as well with helppful phone advice given on sizing.

 

[jpdesign]

If you decide on Peters Bros. I am now working just up the road, At Leddy's Ranch. It is kind of a Funky western clothing store. By that time I may be Selling my own line of custom hats in the store.

Jimmy

 

[JimD]

Peter Bros versus Millers

Thanks for the great insight into the two shops. Starting to lean towards Millers because they look like they are more in line with where I am driving then Peters. May still try and make both time permitting. Will send out a report when I return on how I did in the hat department.::jeep:

 

[J.B.]

I can only speak about Miller Hats...

I have purchased three hats from their online store over the last several years, and have always had a nice experience trading with them!

I would love to visit their brick-and-mortar store in person and check out the "works." :cool2:

 

[Elmonteman]

Joe Jr?

Where did he go? I've bought a few hats from PBros. and the last one, an Indy straw must have been damp when boxed because it arrived with a jaunty slant that I didn't appreciate. That's something Joe Jr. would never do.

 

[ITG]

I may have entered this discussion too late, but I'd say go for PB if you have the time to drive from Dallas to Fort Worth. It's like stepping back in time a bit to step in the store and downtown FW is just a wonderful place. I haven't been in the shop in a while since I haven't made it downtown in ages. To get to the DFW airport, you'd just take I-30 EAst and go North on 360, which will take you right to the airport. I'd say the airport is about 25-30 minutes from downtown FW, maybe a tad longer if you run into traffic.

 

[JimD]

Peter Bros vs Millers; Update

Well I made it to Peter Bros tonight after all. Picked up the rental car at 5, called the store and they were open until 6. So decided to give it a shot. Just barely made it in time, took almost as long to find a parking place as it did to drive there.

I dealt with Joe Sr and his lovely wife; unfortunately I forgot her name as soon as I walked out the store. I had an absolutely great time, the experience of talking to Joe Sr and his wife was the best part of the experience. We discussed what I was looking for and after trying on a couple Joe proceeded to do his thing and fit the hat to fit my head exactly and then match my face style with the brim size. Several people posted comments about his hats being stiff and they are right. However since I had Akubras for years, the stiffness is not a problem for me.

So tomorrow after a couple of business appointments it is off to Houston and Millers Hats.
:cheers1:

 

[JimD]

Peter Bros wins

Made it to Millers today and I must say that Peter Bros wins. Basically what I found was Millers is a good RETAIL shop and Peters Bros was a FULL SERVICE hat shop. Prior to my trip I exchanged several emails with Miller hats about the hats I was interested in and they said the store always stocks all of the hats on the web site. So I went into the store and told the guy the hat I was interested in and he showed me a hat that was not even close. I had to show him the picture printed off the web site to prove it. They did not have the one on the web site. The next hat I was interested in was slightly large, and instead of getting it to fit my head exaclty like Joe Sr did the guy tossed a couple of sponge spacers on the counter.

Elmonteman; Did you call the store about the problems with the hat you received. I bet they will take care of the hat if you give them a chance.

 

[ITG]

I'm so glad Joe Sr. and Nelda took good care of you. They are great folks. I hope you post a pic of the hat you got. I know I'd love to see a pic.

 

[Michaelson]

Nelda and Joe sure make you feel like family, don't they? Really nice folks.

Regards! Michaelson