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Messages
17,549
Location
Maryland
Nice curl on the CW Derby! Looks sharp! Regarding the softness, I am not aware of anyone today being able to produce the felt of vintage Derbies (Bowlers, Melones).
 

bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
Nice curl on the CW Derby! Looks sharp! Regarding the softness, I am not aware of anyone today being able to produce the felt of vintage Derbies (Bowlers, Melones).
Thanks! I think it's very wearable. My western weight wool Knutsen bowler is rather stiff, and I have one in dark moss fur felt from Baron Hats, which they made very stiff after I requested it. But in general I think you're right-- it's hard to reproduce vintage!
 

rlk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,100
Location
Evanston, IL
Dobbs

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Eggplant/Violet...etc. Ribbon is ribbed for your pleasure. Perhaps a "bold look" hat. 5-3/4" x 2-3/4".
 
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fmw

One Too Many
Messages
1,017
Location
USA
it's hard to reproduce vintage!

My understanding is that it is easy but time consuming. You just have to let the felt age for a half century or so. The Clearwater web site is deplorable but your new hat looks very elegant. I'm glad it worked out for you.
 

jimmy the lid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,647
Location
USA
Eggplant/Violet...etc. Ribbon is ribbed for your pleasure. Perhaps a "bold look" hat. 5-3/4" x 2-3/4".

Perhaps it's just my monitor, but it seems that the ribbon on that lid has a very subtle lavender undertone...:eeek: :eeek: :eeek:

All kidding aside -- that is just stupendous. I love everything about that hat.
 
Messages
17,549
Location
Maryland
My understanding is that it is easy but time consuming. You just have to let the felt age for a half century or so. The Clearwater web site is deplorable but your new hat looks very elegant. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I am not aware of anyone being able to replicate the old Derby / Bowler / Melone construction (felt, brim curling, binding). The ability to make them correctly went away some time in 1960s. As demand went way down the process must have been too labor intensive and costly to survive.
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
Bowlerman: I am not a big fan of bowlers but that sure looks good on you.

Josh::couch2: You look very comfortable in it. Have fun.
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
Size 59cm with very nice + unique gun metal gray Velour. This one was made in the GDR probably early 1960s.

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Steve that is going in my top 20, looks like I have to clean out some room in that top 20 directory for this hat! The ribbon is the icing on the cake.
 

casechopper

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,783
Location
Northern NJ
Miller Boltaron Derby

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Size 7 1/2 so really between 1 and 2 sizes too small but it seems bowlers/derbies were used this way and I haven't been able to find a larger size vintage.

I have a whole bunch of hats that I've never posted and I'll be posting them a
little at a time.


Sam
 
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monbla256

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,239
Location
DFW Metroplex, Texas
Nice Equestrian Derby. I used to buy boots from Millers Harness Co. in New York. Looks brand new :) In Saddleseat riding or Hunt classes men haven't worn Derby's in over 50years so I'm betting it is a large womens Derby. :)
 

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