Some Advice Needed Please

[TravisW]

Hello All. I am a swing dancer and vintage jazz music enthusiast. I also have a decent vintage clothing collection but have (gasp) no fedoras. There's an event coming up that I am dressing up for and I need recommendations on what hat would look good and where I might find such a hat. The outfit I will be wearing is a late 30s white Palm Beach suit (matching jacket/pants) double-breasted with belted back - a real beauty. I believe Jack Nicholson wears a similar suit in the film Chinatown. I want to top this suit off with a nice and appropriate fedora but what style would be right? I only have a couple weeks until the event so I don't have time to much hunting around for a vintage hat - therefore I suspect that buying a new hat will be the more viable option.

I realize that through some research of my own I could probably come to my own conclusions but I'm afraid spare time is not something I have a lot of right now so I come to the experts here and humbly ask your advice.

Right now I'm thinking a budget of $50-100.

Also, what is the best way to measure head size?

Many thanks,
Travis

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

DEFINITELY not an expert, but...

Take a tailor's cloth-tape measure, or any soft tape measure (don't use the one's in your garage), and a friend. Have them wrap it around your head about an inch above your eyes and the largest part of the back of your head. Measure to 1/8 of an inch.

For example, my head is an even 23 inches. This translates to a size 7 3/8.

Now, as for the fedora, it's largely your choice. If you'd post the suit, we could probably throw out suggestions.

 

[tonyb]

I suggest you head downtown, to Byrnie Utz, at 310 Union St.

I was in there several days ago and was shown the Stetson Nostalgia -- gray, black ribbon, tallish, straight-sided crown, widish brim, very much a "swing era" style of hat. The latest shipment they got in are priced at something like $140 a pop, but the young man showed me a 7 1/4 they've had from quite some time ago that was marked at $90.

 

[Mahagonny Bill]

I suggest you head downtown, to Byrnie Utz, at 310 Union St.

Yep, I second this. I would go so far as to wear the suit in question to Byrnie Utz to find a hat to match. They are very friendly and are willing to help (as long as you don't handle the hats by the crown )

Check out the Byrnie Utz thread here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=34661

 

[TravisW]

Interestingly enough a google search for "palm beach suit" came up with a pic from a thread on this forum. See the first pick from the thread linked below - white linen palm beach suit:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4089

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Since you live in the area of Mr. Utz, I must agree that you head there. Take the jacket of the suit with you, and maybe the tie or ties you're likely to wear. That will allow you to see all the colors together, especially if you put them on while trying hats.

Personally, for that suit, I would recommend a black hat with a light ribbon, or a light brown/tan if you could find it. Maybe silverbelly.

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge Travis!!!
I cant help you but it seems the other guys have some good advice!
Good luck and post us some photos!!!!

 

[tonyb]

For vintage, you might try Yesterdaze (lower lever of the main Pike Place Market arcade building) or Private Screening, out on Fremont Place North. To my way of seeing things, Yesterdaze's prices are a touch on the steep side, but just a touch, and the selection is often quite good. Private Screening often has some great stuff, including hats, at pretty good prices. But beware of that lot of cheap brown wool fedoras I spotted in there the week before last. They aren't vintage, they aren't quality, and they aren't even priced right.

 

[TravisW]

For vintage, you might try Yesterdaze (lower lever of the main Pike Place Market arcade building) or Private Screening, out on Fremont Place North. To my way of seeing things, Yesterdaze's prices are a touch on the steep side, but just a touch, and the selection is often quite good. Private Screening often has some great stuff, including hats, at pretty good prices. But beware of that lot of cheap brown wool fedoras I spotted in there the week before last. They aren't vintage, they aren't quality, and they aren't even priced right.

I don't think I've ever been to Yesterdaze so I'll check that out. I was in Private Screenings a couple weeks ago and saw the brown wool hats you're talking about .

Thanks to all for the suggestions.