Garrett
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wonderful, Dinerman! What was the occasion?
avedwards said:I recall seeing a lot of photos of men in bowler and homburg type hats in the 1860s in my text book last year when we studied the American West.
If I went to say, Texas in the 1930s and decided to wear a Stetson Whippet I'm sure I wouldn't get the strange looks I might get these days. That was my point about fedoras being normal enough in the West in the past. Perhaps someone even has pictures of fedoras being worn alongside Westerns?
rlk said:The "Western" title can be a bit misleading. (1) The distinction between an in-town worker-Banker, storekeeper, etc. and an outdoor worker such as a farmer or "Cowboy" would lead to different hats historically, even in a frontier area. (2) Nowadays the modern version of the cowboy hat is more common in many parts of the country regardless of its original function and you wouldn't see anyone in the town wearing a Fedora.
ScottF said:So, guys - where are pics of the 1" frayed-ribbon westerns? I see pics of actual hats, but they don't seem to be in the catalogs or ads.
As for looking ridiculous in Europe, I mean that a fedora worn with a suit will attract far less attention than a Western with a cattleman crease. Possibly because the fedora was once worn here, but the Western never was. Not that I say it shouldn't be worn, however I would personally draw the line for what I'm comfortable with. I can live with a certain amount of stupid comments and insults, but there comes a point when it would get too much.
ScottF said:My guess is that in the '20s, '30s, these hats weren't considered 'western' - rather, probably will be found in early catalogs for Stetson dress hats.
Dinerman said:Difficult to say. But remember, the fraying is rather subtle and can be easily lost in the illustrations.
I would like to see a pre '40s Stetson thread.
PabloElFlamenco said:Upon starting to read this thread, the thought came up that I should perhaps insert my big Nutria western Stetson. Not that I have any guarantee that it is "pre-1940": it might only come close; definitely most of the other hats I see in this thread are older (the "square with diagonal Stetson" logo on the sweatband attesting to that).
Great was my surprise at Dinerman having done the work for me. Tkuvm Diner, that's fine.
Whilst this hat is no my most "wearable" hat - it is galumptuous, especially in our oh so civilized European setting, where the mere word "cowboy" elicits Pavlovian associations with Texan politicians, yet it is -no doubt about it- one of my favorite hats: no other hat I in my collection is so malleable, meaning (I borrow this from another Lounge Member) meaning the shape, the bash of the crown is like something as if of soft clay, putty... Immensely bashable... I love that hat.
Nigel; David at D bar J is my hatter and a friend of long standing. He sends his best wishes, and thanks for the kind words.Nigel said:I'm sure I'm one of only a handful of western wearers over this side of the pond, to hell with the stupid comments. OK I'm not a fully fledged cowboy but I ain't playing at it either, I work with cattle and I now own a horse which I proudly ride out "western" style. Each to their own
DbarJ Custom western, possibly my favourite. I changed out the hatband though for a simple leather with concho type.
ScottF said:Pablo, I just got mine in the mail - same exact sweatband stamp, but no liner. Measurements are 6.5" crown, 4" brim and 22 7/8" around the sweatband (my size exactly ).
It is without a doubt my new favorite hat - with a telescope crease it looks REALLY nice, and definitely one that can be worn in public. Also, the Nutria felt on this one puts the other nutria I had to shame. As you say, it's soft as putty. On this one, the brim felt is almost equally as malleable and actually snaps. Off to take 'before' pics, then I'll start the restoration process.