self-concious in my fedora

[Emer]

For Christmas my husband and I treated ourselves to Fedoras when we were in Memphis. I bought a bright red one, and he bought a gorgeous grey felt/wool one (his was designed by Elvis). We've always had compliments on them, and many times people will ask us where we got them from! They're quite the conversation starter! (I even had a older gentleman once approach me and say it was wonderful to see a woman in a Fedora.)

 

[trailrunner]

Wearing your hats around the house is the best suggestion. Look at yourself in the mirror. You have to build up some mental images of you in hats so you know how you look. Build up a collection of different hats so you have options for different outfits, different occasions, etc.

Once you start wearing hats, you start noticing other people wearing hats. It seems to me that more men around Nashville are wearing them. Does anyone else think the same of their area?

As you say, I have definitely noticed them more since I started wearing them. It is kind of an unspoken club. It is very like owning a motorcycle actually. Riders almost always acknowledge each other by raising a hand. Whenever I come across someone also wearing a hat there is almost always eye contact, and a nod or a hand to the brim.

 

[Gilgamark]

Emer, where in Memphis did you buy those fedoras?

 

[Emer]

Emer, where in Memphis did you buy those fedoras?

We bought his inside The Peabody Hotel. I keep wanting to say Lancaster Brothers...but I don't think that's the right name. The store has shirts, jackets, hats, etc. that Elvis designed and named after things he liked (like his favorite roller coaster--that one sticks out in my head). The window has this story about how Elvis came to start shopping there.

Mine we bought at a store semi-attached to the hotel, Coco & Lilly's. The hat itself came from the display case in the Peabody as it was the last red fedora they had!

 

[billyspew]

We bought his inside The Peabody Hotel. I keep wanting to say Lancaster Brothers...but I don't think that's the right name. The store has shirts, jackets, hats, etc. that Elvis designed and named after things he liked (like his favorite roller coaster--that one sticks out in my head). The window has this story about how Elvis came to start shopping there.

That sounds like Lansky's place. He was Elvis' tailor. Bought a shirt there a few years ago on a visit.

 

[FATS88]

Fight the good fight

Aldocello,

If you're 50 something and look it (distinguished)
then while wearing your fed you're already going to look like you know
what you're doing.
I'm sure you know that you can't hardly go anywhere nowadays,
without somebody having something to say.
Used to be you might expect catty remarks from a female,
or from teenagers just being silly trying to amuse each other....
not anymore;
"full grown men" can't keep their mouths in control.
So, consider their state of mind, and like the Clayton Bros. song says
"JUST KEEP WALKING"

I was self concious debuting all my brimmed hats,
and as I've metioned in other posts;
watching the old movies helped me get over a great deal of it,
the rest was just my own obstinance, and stubbornness.
EXAMPLE:
After receiving a derisive comment or two, from one or two ALWAYS
contemptuous Church members, I bought bigger hats!
They got the message.
Now with the encouragement of my fellow loungers;
I wear some of the tallest crowns out there.


I have not worn a fedora with anything but suits or sportcoat/slacks...not yet anyway,
so if you are of the "My fedora goes with everything" group;
I can't chip in there.
I see the fedora as an accessory and not meant to overpower you,
or the rest of your clothes.
I wear my newsboys with t-shirts, pendletons, cardigans, workcoats etc.
(And they look great with my sportcoats!)

If the individuals I've metioned above have somthing else to say
about my hats;
I'm going to wear a Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" hat to Church with the feathers

 

[jazzncocktails]

I feel self-consious if I leave the house without my hat.

I agree with Nick. I only started wearing hats last summer, and then straw/woven stingy brims. I'm working my way into regular fedora wearing with my two Stetsons (the 50s style Saxon getting the greatest wear, and gradually breaking in the Chatham). But now I find that when I go out in the California sun without a hat, I feel totally naked. And the stingy brims are doing less and less for me...I find I want a broader brim. Next stop will likely be a gray Federation...unless JohnnyPhi's vintage hats go on sale again soon!

 

[bolthead]

While I agree with everyone who may say wear a hat with confidence, it can definitely be difficult until you get used to it. I have also felt self conscious with my federation, but a lot of it had to do with my slim figure and the wide brim. I trimmed the brim, now it's fine. Another BIG factor is clothing. I try to dress casual with my hat. I wear jeans, wool blazer, leather jacket, sometimes dressier pants. If I'm going to wear a hoodie on some days I won't wear a fedora, at least a wide brimmed fedora. I do think anything 2 inches or under is fine with a hoodie, even if it's not the best look. A t shirt of course, is fine. So really find a hat that suits you proportionately, and try to wear clothes that look good with it.

This Resistol's brim is over 2". I don't see a problem with it.......[huh]

Wear your Lids as you see fit........

 

[StylinLA]

I'm new enough FL and wearing hats to weigh in here. I found that it takes a couple of weeks of consistent wearing to get your "hat legs."

Like a couple of other posts here, I only wear my fedoras when fully dressed up. It IS going to call extra attention to you so it's important you're not tentative about your hat- everybody will pounce on you if you're not comfortable and confident.

By all means, observe hat etiquette (other threads in FL deal with that).

 

[suitedcboy]

I am not one who disregards what others think but when wearing a hat you must resolve to NOT be thin-skinned. You know that you will most likely be different from others since hat wearing is little practiced today.
What will make you look odd in the hat is to FEEL ODD IN THE HAT!
Wear it like YOU OWN IT! If you get a derogatory comment give back a genuine smile unless you are thoroughly trained at inflicting respect in one subtle move (think high level ninja training methods here), even then keep the genuine smile.
If you wear the hat well you will be remembered as the gent with the fantastic hat that stood out from the crowd instead of being thought of as that shy guy with the weird head cover.

Remember, you represent all of us at FL when you don your hat and go out to mingle with the masses.

 

[Torpedo]

Remember, you represent all of us at FL when you don your hat and go out to mingle with the masses.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Torpedo]

Hi,

I suppose the greater part of people is at least a little self-conscious for at least some time, once you decide to wear a hat, because the time when this was the customary thing is long past. In those bygone eras wearing a hat would not cause more self-consciousness than now does, say, wearing jeans and trainers.

(Of course I do not mean "fashion" hats; those, being fashionable, do not count )

The way you overcome that phase, and how much time it takes may greatly vary. A lot of different ideas and personal experiences have been given, and there may well be more.

If you are really willing, you will cope.

Regards!

 

[RBH]

That sounds like Lansky's place. He was Elvis' tailor. Bought a shirt there a few years ago on a visit.

Yep, it is Lansky's. On our last Lounge get together Mike Moore and I went in and looked around.

 

[Emer]

Thank you!

That sounds like Lansky's place. He was Elvis' tailor. Bought a shirt there a few years ago on a visit.

Lansky's! Thank you! I don't know why I always call it Lancaster's.

 

[Goose.]

... but I have to admit I'm very self-conscious about wearing a hat. Has anybody else had experiences like this?

Hey Aldocello...

For years, I've worn a ball cap when I'm on my motorcycle under the helmet or packed in my vest if I was riding with a full face helmet. Or, if cold out for a ride, I'd stuff a Kangol under the vest. But, always wore a hat. Recently, when it was a rainy day, I drove my cage to a bar I've been hanging out at for quite sometime. I decided to wear my oil cloth packer hat

First of all, this isn't a "lounge", it's a biker bar...so, it's not like there are a lot of non-ball cap hats being worn there...though one of my brothers frequently wears a stingy Trilby. ANYWAY, I knew it would surprise some and was curious...ok, "self-conscious".

The response was terrific. Jabs at first...like "well obviously you didn't ride today", "where's the safari", and only one "Indiana Jones" crack (I told the guy it is not a fedora...don't think he even knew what I meant).

Point being, most of the comments were very positive. The gals liked it and the gents(?) have commented as well. That started I guess back in Oct when it was raining, and since I go there almost daily and have not been riding my scoot, I wear that packer pretty much every day. Today, it will be my Akubra Sydney I just re-discovered and later this week, a Barmah Trilby I'm getting in the mail.

Once folks that know you or have seen you get over the initial "shock" or comments, they'll get used to it. As for peeps that have never met you before, they'll just think it's "you".

Regret the long post, but I wanted to share the "been there. Done that. Who cares." aspect of how I can relate.

Don't sweat the small sheet and be happy in your skin It will become part of you.

 

[Caity Lynn]

I usually don't care what people think, if If I wear a hat ... but today I got a WEIRD reaction I wore normal clothes (sweater over a tank top with a long jean skirt) and my grey fedora and went into Arby's to get a drink...the two guys who were running the register stared at me like I'd grown a third eye...they had to ask the one guy to get me my cup 4 times...is a girl wearing a hat really that abnormal?! It made me wonder if I looked that odd lol

 

[univibe88]

two guys who were running the register

I think everything is explained right here. Two?

 

[carter]

I usually don't care what people think, if If I wear a hat ... but today I got a WEIRD reaction I wore normal clothes (sweater over a tank top with a long jean skirt) and my grey fedora and went into Arby's to get a drink...the two guys who were running the register stared at me like I'd grown a third eye...they had to ask the one guy to get me my cup 4 times...is a girl wearing a hat really that abnormal?! It made me wonder if I looked that odd lol

This one probably requires a picture of (no, not the two guys at the register) the outfit that had them so flabbergasted/tongue-tied/shocked/etc.

 

[Caity Lynn]

This one probably requires a picture of (no, not the two guys at the register) the outfit that had them so flabbergasted/tongue-tied/shocked/etc.

This is the outfit...(I'm in Little Shop of Horrors so that's what the plant is)

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/Caity_Lynn_Susan/P2220207.jpg

but like i said, it wasn't anything special, I wasn't dressed nice or wearing makeup I think it was just the hat lol I mean, if it was one guy it wouldn't be so odd, but the girl cooking the food and the other register guy all gave me a weird look.[huh]

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Caity, I'm afraid I might just stare at you a little myself. Hope that doesn't make me weird.