Question on "Indy" type pinch

[matei]

Greetings all!

As my research into all things Fedora eventually led me here, it also brought me to the Club Obi Wan forum. Now there are some dedicated folks. I was amazed by their attention to detail.

Anyway, my question concerns the "pinch" applied to the Indy fedoras - was that a common look back in that era? I have seen pictures and even some period films, but I don't recall ever seeing any hats pinched so high and tight up front. But I could be wrong - that is why I've asked here!

I am a big Raiders fan, I have no real desire to emulate the Indy fedora. It looks cool and it works for Harrison Ford, but methinks my noggin is too large to pull it off. It is great to use that whole Raiders vibe to push me in a new direction.

However, I have to admit that he has some cool threads in those films! Whoever the costume director was had some good taste.

 

[binkmeisterRick]

Actually, some folks did have a tight pinch in their hats. It doesn't seem to be quite as common as the softer pinches you usually see, but I think Dick Tracy had a tight pinch in the old film serials, if I recall....

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[fedoralover]

It wasn't common, the Last Crusade style was more the norm. However occasionally I have seen pics from that era that did show some people wearing it like that, so it's not like it's totally inaccurate.

fedoralover

 

[gandydancer]

The movies seems to like that vertical crease (it is too sharp to just be called a pinch) in the front of the crown. You see it from Bogie in Casablanca to Bridges in Seabiscuit. The Raider style is different in that it looks blocked in while the two I mention and others all have that hand creased look with an irregular tighty rolled crown. So it probably never was a factory crease. I have no idea how common it was outside of the movies, but considering the cinemas affect on styles probably very.

 

[Matt Deckard]

The "Michael Jackson Nose" crease was not very common.

If it was on a hat in the golden era, from what I have seen, it wasn't intentional. Usually it was from someone just grabbing the front of the crown rather than the brim.

I have rarely seen it in the past.

 

[Havana]

I believe the tight pinch was usually put in by the owner or at the owner's request. I doubt it was much of a factory standard. In most films, the pinched front hats do tend to have a hand worked look. I am a devoted fan of this look and have hand creased it into numerous hats over the years. Curiously enough, you will find this tight crease in a number of mid-twentieth century western hats. Roy Rogers trademark hat is probably the best known. Clint wore one on Rawhide. I've got a big fat head and have found the tight pinch with a moderate crown height works well for me.

http://public.fotki.com/templr/havana/oaisisbw.html

 

[ginobarracuda]

Ohhhh.... I just choked on my coffee, laughing way too hard reading Matt's 'Michael Jackson's nose' comment...
Does that meant the hat looks a little different every time it was out in public?

 

[Michaelson]

I highly recommend the watching of the Byrd 'Dick Tracy' movie serial series from 1938. Most of the hats worn in that 'movie' had the 'Raiders' front pinch. Regards. Michaelson

 

[matei]

Thanks guys... As always, lots of good information!

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Gino -- not only does the hat look a little different everytime it is out in public, but it gets bleached at some point to a ghastly white.....

karol

 

[jamespowers]

Gino -- not only does the hat look a little different everytime it is out in public, but it gets bleached at some point to a ghastly white.....

You should also keep it away from children and daughters of deceased Rock n' Roll icons.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Mycroft]

Be careful it also doesn't fall off at random moments in public.

 

[The Wingnut]

Good point on the pinch, Matt, and others...looks as if the pronounced creases in the crown are a result of the hat's owner not having it cleaned or blocked regularly...sort of the 'shabby gentleman' look...which works well on Indy, Bogie, and many others.

 

[binkmeisterRick]

I highly recommend the watching of the Byrd 'Dick Tracy' movie serial series from 1938. Most of the hats worn in that 'movie' had the 'Raiders' front pinch. Regards. Michaelson

Yep. That's what I was thinking. Thanks, Michaelson!

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