Show or Tell your 'TOP TEN' Hats

[Redfokker]

Oops! Forgot this one. Stetson Excellent Quality

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I've enjoyed this parade of museum quality hats Max. Dream hats all!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I've enjoyed this parade of museum quality hats Max. Dream hats all!

Thank you, Red!

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[Just Daniel]

Great list!!

Thank you, Red!

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[drmaxtejeda]

Great list!!

Thank you, Daniel!

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[steur]

Oops! Forgot this one. Stetson Excellent Quality

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Magnificent hats, Max, all twelve of them. You've acquired a stellar collection. You have me thinking which ones I would select. Haven't made a selection yet, but working on it.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Magnificent hats, Max, all twelve of them. You've acquired a stellar collection. You have me thinking which ones I would select. Haven't made a selection yet, but working on it.

I would really like to see your top 10, Stefan! How many non-European hats would you choose? Which would be the European?
Which would be Steven's, aka @maysergegener?
I asked Alan already. With a collection like theirs, it would be amazing, but probably a lot of work.

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[Paola Caicedo]

majestic collection of hats!!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

majestic collection of hats!!

Gracias, Paola.

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[steur]

I would really like to see your top 10, Stefan! How many non-European hats would you choose? Which would be the European?
Which would be Steven's, aka @maysergegener?
I asked Alan already. With a collection like theirs, it would be amazing, but probably a lot of work.

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There are certainly a few American made hats on the list, Max. I haven't got it down to under 25 hats yet! It's tough and it depends on the criteria too; is it just the felt, the fit, the form or all of it? Hard work that

 

[steur]

Here ya go, Max. This was/is almost impossible to do. In fact I have two lists: one list are the 10 best Borsalinos and the other list is the best of the rest. I'm sure I could do a few more of these top ten lists, but this is already stretching it. Let's do the Borsalinos first.
1. Borsalino Ghiaccio Faunosca
2. Borsalino Film
3. Borsalino Nero Gulaela
4. Borsalino Opale Mula
5. Borsalino Nebbia
6. Borsalino Nembo Lunasca
7. Borsalino Opale Celespo Nutria
8. Borsalino "petrol"
9. Borsalino Sfinge Ta/Ludora
10. Borsalino Palladio Ergosan

Why these? Hard to say really. It runs the whole gamut of superb felt in different finishes (all of them , but especially numbers 1,2,5,7 and 9) to the classic stately lobbia shapes (numbers 3,4,5) to the glorious Borsalino colours (numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8) and the incredible craftsmanship of creating a super lightweight hat (number 10 weighs only 60 grams and can actually be blown into shape).

 

[mayserwegener]

Stefan, They are all fantastic! Great Borsalino Top Ten!

 

[steur]

And the best of the rest.
1. Barbisio Terranova
Superb suede finish felt and incredibly fine finishing work shows Italian hatmaking at its finest. Barbisio did shark-gills that would drop the jaw of a great white.
2. Berteil
The old teacher of Borsalino could make a high end hat himself too. You can see where Borsalino got it from.
3. Cavanagh
Colour, felt, finish and of course the Cavanagh edge. Everything is of the highest standard.
4. Caxton
Not a big brand name, but an American made hat that can hold its own against any of the big names with ease.
5. Dobbs Gamebird
A heather felt velour finish hat that shapes like a dream. What's not to like?
6. GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro
The "other" Borsalino and by no means any less than its high profile competitor. Superb colour and shape on this lobbia.
7. Hückel Chamois
Past its pre-war hayday perhaps, but Hückel could stil produce some awesome special finished felts in the post-war era.
8. Leica
A relatively unknown brand, but a velour felt hat that handles like nothing else.
9. MacLachlan
Homburg in dark blue. Felt and finish are among the very best. This is a keeper.
10. Mayser Spezial
Mayser was and is a prolific German maker. This hat shows why they last as long as they do. This is their best hatmaking on show.

Damn: had to leave out some pretty impressive hats (Knox, Sools, Cervo, Joseph Ward, T&W Lees, Stetson, Brent, Champ, Habig, Lee, Wegener, Tirard, Mossant). O well. Enjoy.

 

[steur]

Stefan, They are all fantastic! Great Borsalino Top Ten!

Steve, thank you! It was great fun rummaging through the hats to see which ones would qualitfy!

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Here ya go, Max. This was/is almost impossible to do. In fact I have two lists: one list are the 10 best Borsalinos and the other list is the best of the rest. I'm sure I could do a few more of these top ten lists, but this is already stretching it. Let's do the Borsalinos first.
1. Borsalino Ghiaccio Faunosca
2. Borsalino Film
3. Borsalino Nero Gulaela
4. Borsalino Opale Mula
5. Borsalino Nebbia
6. Borsalino Nembo Lunasca
7. Borsalino Opale Celespo Nutria
8. Borsalino "petrol"
9. Borsalino Sfinge Ta/Ludora
10. Borsalino Palladio Ergosan

Why these? Hard to say really. It runs the whole gamut of superb felt in different finishes (all of them , but especially numbers 1,2,5,7 and 9) to the classic stately lobbia shapes (numbers 3,4,5) to the glorious Borsalino colours (numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8) and the incredible craftsmanship of creating a super lightweight hat (number 10 weighs only 60 grams and can actually be blown into shape).

Interesting and enjoyable work put together the ten hats of greatest impact of your collection. For this I thank Stefan. Two considerations on the ten Borsalino put in order and beautiful view. First, they are almost all hats difficult to see in the endless tide of the production of the house of Alexandria. Many are particular hats in the colors and in the shape, in short, the Borsalino that do not remain in the classic icon. Secondly, they show the eclectic nature of the hatters of Giuseppe Borsalino, capable of producing any shape, type and color of a hat. A special mention to the colors that Stefan has already highlighted. A special selection of great impact. Bravo Stefano!

And the best of the rest.
1. Barbisio Terranova
Superb suede finish felt and incredibly fine finishing work shows Italian hatmaking at its finest. Barbisio did shark-gills that would drop the jaw of a great white.
2. Berteil
The old teacher of Borsalino could make a high end hat himself too. You can see where Borsalino got it from.
3. Cavanagh
Colour, felt, finish and of course the Cavanagh edge. Everything is of the highest standard.
4. Caxton
Not a big brand name, but an American made hat that can hold its own against any of the big names with ease.
5. Dobbs Gamebird
A heather felt velour finish hat that shapes like a dream. What's not to like?
6. GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro
The "other" Borsalino and by no means any less than its high profile competitor. Superb colour and shape on this lobbia.
7. Hückel Chamois
Past its pre-war hayday perhaps, but Hückel could stil produce some awesome special finished felts in the post-war era.
8. Leica
A relatively unknown brand, but a velour felt hat that handles like nothing else.
9. MacLachlan
Homburg in dark blue. Felt and finish are among the very best. This is a keeper.
10. Mayser Spezial
Mayser was and is a prolific German maker. This hat shows why they last as long as they do. This is their best hatmaking on show.

Damn: had to leave out some pretty impressive hats (Knox, Sools, Cervo, Joseph Ward, T&W Lees, Stetson, Brent, Champ, Habig, Lee, Wegener, Tirard, Mossant). O well. Enjoy.

The best of the rest is a good selection, but I would have expected something more "flamboyant" to put it in French. Stefan chose the best for his tastes, but I know he has other hats worthy of being in the standings, however, a magnificent parade of the "rest of the world" that challenges "Borsalino"

 

[Redfokker]

Here ya go, Max. This was/is almost impossible to do. In fact I have two lists: one list are the 10 best Borsalinos and the other list is the best of the rest. I'm sure I could do a few more of these top ten lists, but this is already stretching it. Let's do the Borsalinos first.
1. Borsalino Ghiaccio Faunosca
2. Borsalino Film
3. Borsalino Nero Gulaela
4. Borsalino Opale Mula
5. Borsalino Nebbia
6. Borsalino Nembo Lunasca
7. Borsalino Opale Celespo Nutria
8. Borsalino "petrol"
9. Borsalino Sfinge Ta/Ludora
10. Borsalino Palladio Ergosan

Why these? Hard to say really. It runs the whole gamut of superb felt in different finishes (all of them , but especially numbers 1,2,5,7 and 9) to the classic stately lobbia shapes (numbers 3,4,5) to the glorious Borsalino colours (numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8) and the incredible craftsmanship of creating a super lightweight hat (number 10 weighs only 60 grams and can actually be blown into shape).
View attachment 151758 View attachment 151759 View attachment 151760 View attachment 151761 View attachment 151762 View attachment 151763 View attachment 151764 View attachment 151765 View attachment 151766 View attachment 151767

And the best of the rest.
1. Barbisio Terranova
Superb suede finish felt and incredibly fine finishing work shows Italian hatmaking at its finest. Barbisio did shark-gills that would drop the jaw of a great white.
2. Berteil
The old teacher of Borsalino could make a high end hat himself too. You can see where Borsalino got it from.
3. Cavanagh
Colour, felt, finish and of course the Cavanagh edge. Everything is of the highest standard.
4. Caxton
Not a big brand name, but an American made hat that can hold its own against any of the big names with ease.
5. Dobbs Gamebird
A heather felt velour finish hat that shapes like a dream. What's not to like?
6. GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro
The "other" Borsalino and by no means any less than its high profile competitor. Superb colour and shape on this lobbia.
7. Hückel Chamois
Past its pre-war hayday perhaps, but Hückel could stil produce some awesome special finished felts in the post-war era.
8. Leica
A relatively unknown brand, but a velour felt hat that handles like nothing else.
9. MacLachlan
Homburg in dark blue. Felt and finish are among the very best. This is a keeper.
10. Mayser Spezial
Mayser was and is a prolific German maker. This hat shows why they last as long as they do. This is their best hatmaking on show.

Damn: had to leave out some pretty impressive hats (Knox, Sools, Cervo, Joseph Ward, T&W Lees, Stetson, Brent, Champ, Habig, Lee, Wegener, Tirard, Mossant). O well. Enjoy.

View attachment 151768 View attachment 151769 View attachment 151770 View attachment 151771 View attachment 151772 View attachment 151773 View attachment 151774 View attachment 151776 View attachment 151777
View attachment 151780

What a wonderful parade of beautiful hats. I am in awe of your Borsalino-ness! My small part in some of the other favorites makes me smile. This was such a treat this morning over coffee. Thank you.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

And the best of the rest.
1. Barbisio Terranova
Superb suede finish felt and incredibly fine finishing work shows Italian hatmaking at its finest. Barbisio did shark-gills that would drop the jaw of a great white.
2. Berteil
The old teacher of Borsalino could make a high end hat himself too. You can see where Borsalino got it from.
3. Cavanagh
Colour, felt, finish and of course the Cavanagh edge. Everything is of the highest standard.
4. Caxton
Not a big brand name, but an American made hat that can hold its own against any of the big names with ease.
5. Dobbs Gamebird
A heather felt velour finish hat that shapes like a dream. What's not to like?
6. GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro
The "other" Borsalino and by no means any less than its high profile competitor. Superb colour and shape on this lobbia.
7. Hückel Chamois
Past its pre-war hayday perhaps, but Hückel could stil produce some awesome special finished felts in the post-war era.
8. Leica
A relatively unknown brand, but a velour felt hat that handles like nothing else.
9. MacLachlan
Homburg in dark blue. Felt and finish are among the very best. This is a keeper.
10. Mayser Spezial
Mayser was and is a prolific German maker. This hat shows why they last as long as they do. This is their best hatmaking on show.

Damn: had to leave out some pretty impressive hats (Knox, Sools, Cervo, Joseph Ward, T&W Lees, Stetson, Brent, Champ, Habig, Lee, Wegener, Tirard, Mossant). O well. Enjoy.

View attachment 151768 View attachment 151769 View attachment 151770 View attachment 151771 View attachment 151772 View attachment 151773 View attachment 151774 View attachment 151776 View attachment 151777
View attachment 151780

Stefan:
I like the way you did that. Top 10 Borsa’s and 10 of the others.
I am glad the Berteil is in at #2 others.
I’d almost put it Top of the Borsa’s for all reasons Berteil. Ha
Daunting task no doubt.
I’m thinking Top 10....”if there was a fire in my house, what 10 would i grab”. Idk
Daunting task!! You blew it away, twice!
Thanks for the dream team.
Bowen

 

[T Jones]

Here ya go, Max. This was/is almost impossible to do. In fact I have two lists: one list are the 10 best Borsalinos and the other list is the best of the rest. I'm sure I could do a few more of these top ten lists, but this is already stretching it. Let's do the Borsalinos first.
1. Borsalino Ghiaccio Faunosca
2. Borsalino Film
3. Borsalino Nero Gulaela
4. Borsalino Opale Mula
5. Borsalino Nebbia
6. Borsalino Nembo Lunasca
7. Borsalino Opale Celespo Nutria
8. Borsalino "petrol"
9. Borsalino Sfinge Ta/Ludora
10. Borsalino Palladio Ergosan

Why these? Hard to say really. It runs the whole gamut of superb felt in different finishes (all of them , but especially numbers 1,2,5,7 and 9) to the classic stately lobbia shapes (numbers 3,4,5) to the glorious Borsalino colours (numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8) and the incredible craftsmanship of creating a super lightweight hat (number 10 weighs only 60 grams and can actually be blown into shape).
View attachment 151758 View attachment 151759 View attachment 151760 View attachment 151761 View attachment 151762 View attachment 151763 View attachment 151764 View attachment 151765 View attachment 151766 View attachment 151767

I gotta get a thin ribbon Borsa! I've been wanting one of those forever! I only have two Borsas and both are black. I refurbished one and I'm still trying to figure out how to proceed with the second one. While black hats can be made to look nice, there's just not too many options for variety with them.

Here's the one I refurbished. I have another black one that I'm still trying to figure out what to do with. This one sports a tall straight crown with a wide three inch snap brim. It has a nice intimidating look to it.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Here ya go, Max. This was/is almost impossible to do. In fact I have two lists: one list are the 10 best Borsalinos and the other list is the best of the rest. I'm sure I could do a few more of these top ten lists, but this is already stretching it. Let's do the Borsalinos first.
1. Borsalino Ghiaccio Faunosca
2. Borsalino Film
3. Borsalino Nero Gulaela
4. Borsalino Opale Mula
5. Borsalino Nebbia
6. Borsalino Nembo Lunasca
7. Borsalino Opale Celespo Nutria
8. Borsalino "petrol"
9. Borsalino Sfinge Ta/Ludora
10. Borsalino Palladio Ergosan

Why these? Hard to say really. It runs the whole gamut of superb felt in different finishes (all of them , but especially numbers 1,2,5,7 and 9) to the classic stately lobbia shapes (numbers 3,4,5) to the glorious Borsalino colours (numbers 4,5,6,7 and 8) and the incredible craftsmanship of creating a super lightweight hat (number 10 weighs only 60 grams and can actually be blown into shape).
View attachment 151758 View attachment 151759 View attachment 151760 View attachment 151761 View attachment 151762 View attachment 151763 View attachment 151764 View attachment 151765 View attachment 151766 View attachment 151767

And the best of the rest.
1. Barbisio Terranova
Superb suede finish felt and incredibly fine finishing work shows Italian hatmaking at its finest. Barbisio did shark-gills that would drop the jaw of a great white.
2. Berteil
The old teacher of Borsalino could make a high end hat himself too. You can see where Borsalino got it from.
3. Cavanagh
Colour, felt, finish and of course the Cavanagh edge. Everything is of the highest standard.
4. Caxton
Not a big brand name, but an American made hat that can hold its own against any of the big names with ease.
5. Dobbs Gamebird
A heather felt velour finish hat that shapes like a dream. What's not to like?
6. GB Borsalino fu Lazzaro
The "other" Borsalino and by no means any less than its high profile competitor. Superb colour and shape on this lobbia.
7. Hückel Chamois
Past its pre-war hayday perhaps, but Hückel could stil produce some awesome special finished felts in the post-war era.
8. Leica
A relatively unknown brand, but a velour felt hat that handles like nothing else.
9. MacLachlan
Homburg in dark blue. Felt and finish are among the very best. This is a keeper.
10. Mayser Spezial
Mayser was and is a prolific German maker. This hat shows why they last as long as they do. This is their best hatmaking on show.

Damn: had to leave out some pretty impressive hats (Knox, Sools, Cervo, Joseph Ward, T&W Lees, Stetson, Brent, Champ, Habig, Lee, Wegener, Tirard, Mossant). O well. Enjoy.

View attachment 151768 View attachment 151769 View attachment 151770 View attachment 151771 View attachment 151772 View attachment 151773 View attachment 151774 View attachment 151776 View attachment 151777
View attachment 151780

Stefan; Wow. Just plain wow! Those are gorgeous hats. I have saved the pics to a file and will have to spend some quiet time checking out each one's details.

I agreed with your earlier posts sharing the conundrum with picking a selection of "Top Ten." I was silently agreeing and curious as to how you might organize the 'favorites." I imagined organizing by maker, hats to be worn by season, homburg and other, felt finish, ribbon treatments, felt hue, "coolness" factor, weight, manufacturer and countless other options. Your chosen lists are interesting and showcase the breadth of your hat collection.

Thanks for sharing. I am enjoying this thread and the curiosity it provokes within me.

Best, Eric -

 

[T Jones]

I don't have much to show as far as my top ten hats go. Mostly all I have are the conversions I did. (Since I can't afford to buy an actual vintage hat, I have to make my own version of one). Here's a Biltmore Western that started out as a size 6 3/4. I sized it up to a 7 1/4 on a block that fellow Lounger, Rockwater, made for me. I also reworked the finish and gave it a brushed velvet look and feel. As with most of my conversions, it sports a tall straight crown with a 2 3/4 snap brim. I was also able to find a black 1 1/2 ribbon and bow that came off of a vintage hat to put on it.
Before:

After:

Rockwater Block:

 

[steur]

Interesting and enjoyable work put together the ten hats of greatest impact of your collection. For this I thank Stefan. Two considerations on the ten Borsalino put in order and beautiful view. First, they are almost all hats difficult to see in the endless tide of the production of the house of Alexandria. Many are particular hats in the colors and in the shape, in short, the Borsalino that do not remain in the classic icon. Secondly, they show the eclectic nature of the hatters of Giuseppe Borsalino, capable of producing any shape, type and color of a hat. A special mention to the colors that Stefan has already highlighted. A special selection of great impact. Bravo Stefano!



The best of the rest is a good selection, but I would have expected something more "flamboyant" to put it in French. Stefan chose the best for his tastes, but I know he has other hats worthy of being in the standings, however, a magnificent parade of the "rest of the world" that challenges "Borsalino"

What a wonderful parade of beautiful hats. I am in awe of your Borsalino-ness! My small part in some of the other favorites makes me smile. This was such a treat this morning over coffee. Thank you.

Stefan:
I like the way you did that. Top 10 Borsa’s and 10 of the others.
I am glad the Berteil is in at #2 others.
I’d almost put it Top of the Borsa’s for all reasons Berteil. Ha
Daunting task no doubt.
I’m thinking Top 10....”if there was a fire in my house, what 10 would i grab”. Idk
Daunting task!! You blew it away, twice!
Thanks for the dream team.
Bowen

I gotta get a thin ribbon Borsa! I've been wanting one of those forever! I only have two Borsas and both are black. I refurbished one and I'm still trying to figure out how to proceed with the second one. While black hats can be made to look nice, there's just not too many options for variety with them.

Here's the one I refurbished. I have another black one that I'm still trying to figure out what to do with. This one sports a tall straight crown with a wide three inch snap brim. It has a nice intimidating look to it.

Stefan; Wow. Just plain wow! Those are gorgeous hats. I have saved the pics to a file and will have to spend some quiet time checking out each one's details.

I agreed with your earlier posts sharing the conundrum with picking a selection of "Top Ten." I was silently agreeing and curious as to how you might organize the 'favorites." I imagined organizing by maker, hats to be worn by season, homburg and other, felt finish, ribbon treatments, felt hue, "coolness" factor, weight, manufacturer and countless other options. Your chosen lists are interesting and showcase the breadth of your hat collection.

Thanks for sharing. I am enjoying this thread and the curiosity it provokes within me.

Best, Eric -

Thank you, Daniele, Mike, Bowen, Terry and Eric (and all the others for the likes). Your appreciation means a lot and this collection and selection would not have been possible without you, both in acquiring the hats and in learning about them. I am inspired by your collections and the hats you have on show here on the lounge. The hats I selected here are not in an order of preference because that would really be impossible to do. These are some of the hats that still make me go "wow" every time I pick them up, even if they are hats I've owned for years. In a way that's a tribute to the knowledge and craftsmanship of the people who made them.