Pictures of Heritage Hats in AZ

[easportsracer13]

Here are some pictures of one of the coolest hat shops around. The owner has been working with hats for quite awhile now. And you'll never meet a friendlier guy. Here are some pics of his shop, he also does custom work (I just had a Stetson reshaped) as well. Ive been to his place many times and I always come back. In today's world of lousy customer service, he really shines as a man who knows how to treat a customer. Check it out if your every in the Valley of the Sun. Its called Heritage Hats. 13602 N. Cave Creek Rd.

 

[barrowjh]

Everybody needs to visit a store like that, or a hatter's shop, especially early in the decision to wear a hat, gives you a chance to try on several different styles, sizes, colors, brim widths. I think many of us (me, at least) overcollect because the only way we can achieve that 'sampling' is to collect a wide range of hats.

 

[Dave_Lister]

Wow... Hat Heaven!!!!!!!!

 

[randooch]

One of quite a few threads about hat stores:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?37023-Favorite-hat-stores&highlight=Hat+Stores

 

[bowlerman]

Everybody needs to visit a store like that, or a hatter's shop, especially early in the decision to wear a hat, gives you a chance to try on several different styles, sizes, colors, brim widths. I think many of us (me, at least) overcollect because the only way we can achieve that 'sampling' is to collect a wide range of hats.

If you're referring to just not having a good shop in or near the vicinity, then I'm with you 100%! I have definitely overcollected for that precise reason.

I once visited a hat shop in Baltimore, however, and didn't like anything in there. I think it might have been one of the Hats in the Belfry locations??

 

[barrowjh]

I have visited a Belfry store, maybe more than just one, while on business trips to large cities like Philadelphia. Agreed, they are stores selling to people that think a hat couldn't possibly be worth more than $40 or thereabouts.

 

[tonyb]

I have visited a Belfry store, maybe more than just one, while on business trips to large cities like Philadelphia. Agreed, they are stores selling to people that think a hat couldn't possibly be worth more than $40 or thereabouts.

Sadly, the retailers probably have good reason for that. It's been years now since I've been in a retail store that sells "serious" hats that didn't also sell cheap wool felts and paper straws. It's infinitely more lucrative to sell a $40 hat than not sell a $300 hat.

 

[Shohei]

Ditto on the over collect and no stores near by. Would absolutely pleased If there something similar here in my neck of the woods!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

You are right Tony most here would not buy much in a Hat store today. Once exposed to a good vintage Fedora today's wares other than custom just really cut it. Except for Akubra and Borso's I really wouldn't buy a modern Fedora.

 

[1961MJS]

Sadly, the retailers probably have good reason for that. It's been years now since I've been in a retail store that sells "serious" hats that didn't also sell cheap wool felts and paper straws. It's infinitely more lucrative to sell a $40 hat than not sell a $300 hat.

Hi Tony

I kind of feel for Optimo, and the other guys who have storefronts. Big outlay, not much income which translates to less Beaver fur for more money.

One thing that makes the storefront worth going to, is that at least SOME retailers (Hatman Jack is one), will give you an honest opinion about whether or not a hat fits your face. Jack took down the brim of my Beaver Brand a quarter inch at a time until he thought it looked like I was wearing the hat, not the other way around. Tony (for example) can make a 100% beaver hat less expensively, but I couldn't go by for a fitting.

FYI, not all retailers will give you an honest opinion. Others would sell you anything in the store to make you leave and your money stay. My example doesn't post here anyway.

In a way, the whole el-cheapo storefront hats / high quality internet only store combination works best for the high quality hat consumer. I knew what size hat worked for me when I bought my last two custom hats.

Later

 

[easportsracer13]

Just an FyI, he's got several high end hats. His prices are very reasonable vs online. I think I saw a Temple for $165...which is very competative.

 

[Jedwbpm]

I think that if you looked at the sales of hat shops or top end department store men's departments back in the 40's and 50's you would find that they sold more low end hats then the 20's and up that we all covet. When I was a wine and liquor salesman we used to say if I only sold what I liked I would be broke.

Jeff

 

[tonyb]

I wouldn't dispute that for a minute, Jeff. But one difference between then and now is that while wool felt hats were indeed available back then, there were many lower-end fur felts on offer as well. These days, getting the "average" guy (as contrasted with hat aficionados such as us) to part with more than 40 bucks or so for a hat can be a challenge. And at that price, what you get these days is a wool hat.

 

[easportsracer13]

That may be true but a $20 hat in 1950 adjusted for inflation is $177.48. Which is the average price of a Stetson fur today. In 1950 a loaf of bread would have cost about 30 cents. We have to keep things in perspective

 

[easportsracer13]

That same guy today looking for a hat for $40 would have only been able to pay up to $5 in 1950. Not everyone was running around in a Dobbs $20

 

[tonyb]

So working with the data you provide, it would appear that hats were indeed a better value back then, seeing how in adjusted dollars the price of a high-end $20 hat back then would get a guy a $177 Stetson today, a so-so hat at best.