Scala hats?

[fmw]

A couple of points. The first is that you can buy a nice, new fur felt hats for under $100 if you work at it a little. Last week I ordered a Stetson Whippet from the Hatco outlet store for $99. Last month I bought a very pretty Dobbs Beechwood for $97 on an inventory closeout at Levine's Hats. Not $60, of course, but 100% fur felt. I would bet the Hatco store has Stetson fur felt hats for as little as $75. Some here don't think much of Stetsons or modern hats, but that's another issue altogether. Personally, I prefer them to vintage hats. I own 11 Stetsons and I like every one of them.

Another point is that people have no idea what you paid for a hat. While a $400 custom is thing of beauty and wonderful feel that instills pride of ownship, the man on the street won't know the difference. So those that buy $400 customs do so for themselves. Nothing wrong with it. I support it completely. I think it's great that people buy Jaguars and Rolex watches also.

Finally, a hobby shouldn't be a financial drain on the hobbyist. Most of us on this board can't afford to collect rare and exotic automobiles. So we collect hats. Another leisure time interest that can bring pleasure. And, it is one that is much easier to afford for most of us than collecting rare automobiles. What you spend on a leisure time hobby is a personal thing. Spend what can without having it affect the rest of your life. After all, what really matters in life are family and health. The rest of it can be replaced.

 

[Historyteach24]

By far the best post on this thread great job FMW.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

I just feel that you are in a way, short changing your hat experience in haveing such a narrow area of interest.

You are absolutely right. My narrowness sort of serves a financial purpose, though. Staying narrow helps me keep the spending to a point I can handle. If I started going wider afield I'd soon get past being able to afford it all. Heck, I'm already to that point now!! LOL

 

[monbla256]

Mobile and fmw,
You both put forward VERY good reasons for your views. I would have to concur with just about all you both have said. For myself, I'm really not a "collector" as I've said before, really more of what I would call a "wearing connoisseur" and my true love, hat wise is Panamas, especially Montecristi's Which is why I only have 6 felts I'm wearing, with a few more of my fathers which are in the process of recesitation so to speak

Onward thru the Fog

 

[fmw]

Then we'll use the term hat enthusiast. That would certainly fit all of us.

 

[bowlerman]

Well, I can't speak about the fedoras, but I picked up a Scala derby for around forty bucks last June, because I didn't have a black one and it seemed to fit the crown and brim dimensions I was looking for. The question that came to mind for me was "How long am I willing to wait?" and the Scala was right there in front of me and affordable, not mention a reasonable fit once I put some foam under the sweatband. My first hat was a Knudsen (Golden Gate Western Wear) Bat Masterson in chocolate brown heavy wool, and I didn't want to have to wait another six months for my next fix. In retrospect it was well worth the wait in comparison, though I'm sure there are other affordable "custom" hatters that wouldn't have such a breadline to stand in.

I liked the Scala, but the symmetry was poor and the brim was off center. Then I realized even the crown tapered more on one side than the other and it turned into an experimental hat for me. The brim was stiff enough, but the top of the crown was so soft that now it harbors a full time center crease and assimilates a homburg that I have to wear too high on my head.

That said, I wouldn't waste another 40 on a Scala after discovering I could get a nice vintage Dobbs that seems to be of infinitely greater quality and fits better, for that matter, on ebay for less money.

A coworker of mine wears a handful of Akubras, and they've all sounded affordable and look great on his head. I've never been envious of fedora-wearers until his most recent acquisition arrived a few weeks ago-- I think it was a camel or pecan- colored C-crown with a bound edge. Very sharp!

 

[Blackjack]

I have a Scala fur felt hat and I like it very much. It's heavier than my Biltmore, Stetson, or customs but it's a great comfortable beat around hat thats held up really well.

 

[Redfokker]

I have two from my beginning days of wearing fine men's headwear. I have graduated.

 

[Bob Roberts]

My vented panama by Scala. Cheap and fun.

 

[Blackjack]

After reading this today I just bought myself another one on ebay...$39.00 a Venice in dk brown. Like I said before, I have no problem with their fur felt hats, I have one I actually prefer over two custom hats ( I won't say by who ) I have. Hell, they've been making em since 1925 or something, I think they know what their doing.

 

[RJR]

After reading this today I just bought myself another one on ebay...$39.00 a Venice in dk brown. Like I said before, I have no problem with their fur felt hats, I have one I actually prefer over two custom hats ( I won't say by who ) I have. Hell, they've been making em since 1925 or something, I think they know what their doing.

If you're happy that's all that matters.

 

[1967Cougar390]

I just wanted to share my experience with my first Scala hat. It’s a navy toyo straw with a 2 1/2” brim, 4 1/2” crown and an inline braid/weave band. I spent $25 on it and I’m well pleased with the hat. The quality is great and it looks well made (much better than I was expecting) and the fit was spot on. The only issue I had was a little shaping needed to be done to the brim as it was a bit to floppy for my liking. I used a light spray of starch (because my wife had it in the laundry room) and shaped the brim to my liking then let it dry overnight.

I am more pleased with this Scala straw than I was with either of my two Milan Stetson Stratoliners that I ended up returning. The Stetsons were a lighter hat but also more expensive. So if you’re looking for a good hat at a decent price Scala might just fit your budget.

Steven

 

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 121220 View attachment 121219 View attachment 121218 View attachment 121217 I just wanted to share my experience with my first Scala hat. It’s a navy toyo straw with a 2 1/2” brim, 4 1/2” crown and an inline braid/weave band. I spent $25 on it and I’m well pleased with the hat. The quality is great and it looks well made (much better than I was expecting) and the fit was spot on. The only issue I had was a little shaping needed to be done to the brim as it was a bit to floppy for my liking. I used a light spray of starch (because my wife had it in the laundry room) and shaped the brim to my liking then let it dry overnight.

I am more pleased with this Scala straw than I was with either of my two Milan Stetson Stratoliners that I ended up returning. The Stetsons were a lighter hat but also more expensive. So if you’re looking for a good hat at a decent price Scala might just fit your budget.

Steven

Those Stetson “Milan” Stratoliners are pretty nasty hats and not worth the price...in my humble opinion. The hemp Stratoliners are another story; with a little steam and shaping you can find a good hat hiding in them.

I have a couple Fino Fino Panama hats, but to me a straw summer hat should be relatively cheap since they are more delicate than felt and not likely to last long with how I wear them. If you can find a Scala that you like the looks and fit and save $$$ then you have a winner. I like the use of starch on the brim too.

 

[sharpe15]

I bought a Scala Panama Safari from a local store prior to a cruise last year. I really like it, but I see10th Street Hats describes it as Teflon Coated and Water Repellent (https://tenthstreethats.com/products/scala-panama-safari-roswell). Thoughts? I know a genuine Panama shouldn't be worn in the rain.