Questions about a Borsalino homburg

[drownman]

Greetings all, I trust you all are well!

I've found a black Borsalino homburg in a store in my city. It looks brand new to me, it has a plastic...spatula placed between the hat band and the...hat itself, in the front. It looks unworn, and in very good shape. I don't know when it's made, I have the serial no written down at home and will post it later, if that can help with the dating.
It's priced at $65, is that a good price? It fits me nicely, and I want to expand my collection (since I've just begun and only have one so far ), but I'm not sure it's up my alley. Are black homburgs considered formal? Are black hats in general considered more formal?

I'm sorry for the lack of pics, but I'll go there on monday and film it, unless I get a hail storm of replies that says "buy it you damn fool!" Then I'll do just that instead

 

[moustache]

Not bad!!

Greetings all, I trust you all are well!

I've found a black Borsalino homburg in a store in my city. It looks brand new to me, it has a plastic...spatula placed between the hat band and the...hat itself, in the front. It looks unworn, and in very good shape. I don't know when it's made, I have the serial no written down at home and will post it later, if that can help with the dating.
It's priced at $65, is that a good price? It fits me nicely, and I want to expand my collection (since I've just begun and only have one so far ), but I'm not sure it's up my alley. Are black homburgs considered formal? Are black hats in general considered more formal?

I'm sorry for the lack of pics, but I'll go there on monday and film it, unless I get a hail storm of replies that says "buy it you damn fool!" Then I'll do just that instead

I purchased my black Borsalino Homburg on ebay three years ago and it is in the same shape. New with the same plastic sleeve.Beautiful hat that is embossed with the owners first name (would you believe it is my same first name!!What a stroke of fortune)and where it was originally bought(Beligium).
I don't wear it often but during the wwinter with my black wool long coat it looks nice.

I say go for it!!!

JD Ross
Vancouver,Washington

 

[Frederick Chook]

The homburg, to me, is the most versatile hat - just formal enough to be worn with, perhaps, outdoor white tie (if black), but, unlike a top hat, casual enough to be worn with even a two-piece suit. Plus they just plain look smart. I say go for it too!

offtopic: would people agree that a top hat is too much with black tie? Thus making black tie less formal than a formal morning suit or a semi-formal frock suit, both top hat suits... is black tie semi-semi- or quatro-formal?)

 

[Dinerman]

does it fit you?

if so- buy it you dman fool!

 

[DOUGLAS]

I would say fiddle around with the hat a bit and check out the underside of the sweat to see if there are any other tags or markings, then I would buy it.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I love my black Borsalino Homburg. Yes, for a time they were the standard hat for bankers and tycoons, but they were also worn by everyday Joes. I wear mine with a suit, but also with a casual shirt and chinos.

Does the felt feel nice and soft to the touch? Not floppy, Homburgs aren't supposed to be, but nice feeling. If it is, and it fits, I'd say snap it up!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I love my black Borsalino Homburg.

And I also love your tie in that photo.

.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Thanks! That was part of my 24 ties for $24 deal from the 'Bay a few months back. 12 were useable, so I guess I made out.

 

[moustache]

Good question:When was this made???

This thread brings up a good question:Can one tell by the label when the hat was made?? I have a Borsalino Homburg and am curious when it was manufactured.Here are some shots i took:

Here is the inside.It is in immaculate shape.I have only worn it a few times.

And the sides:

I tracked down this infomation down and from what i can gather,the hat came from a haberdasher in Antwerp.Belgium.
The owner had "James" embossed on the side.Thats all i know.
Only wish it looked good on me.Maybe i will try to remedy that.
I might have to find someone who wants to trade for a Borsalino fedora size 6-7/8 or 7.



JD Ross