Some of my hats

[feltfan]

Hi All,

The single best thing about this site is the opportunity to learn about
vintage hats, IMHO. As individuals we can only own so many hats
(though some are challenging that...) and there are so many styles
and there were so many hatters from so many decades. I have learned
a lot here and thought y'all might find it interesting to see a few of mine.
Maybe at some point I'll post a few more.

The first hat is a Mexican palm hat. Yeah, you see a lot of them
for sale relatively inexpensively. This one has had a rough life but
is, I think, interesting. For one thing, I love the block. But note also
the inside photo- how many of these palm hats have you seen with
satin lining and a leather sweat (albeit not the nicest)? I figure it's
a 1950s hat from those details. The brim is 4" and I hate to think
what the hat weighs (it is strong like a battle helmet),
but it's a lot of fun to wear in the right circumstances.
Five XXXXXs- gotta be good!

The next two are nearly matching felt fedoras from the Andrew
Gross hattery, formerly of San Pablo Avenue here in Oakland, CA.
The felt is very fine, as is every aspect of the construction.
The lighter one has a 2 3/4" brim, the darker 2 1/2". Some of the
roundness and details make me think they are 50s hats made in a
40s style. Too nice for every day, but big favorites of mine.

Another local "benchmade" hat, this pinched homburg is from
the defunct Quality Hat Works of 4th Street, San Francisco.
The brim is stiff, the crown less so, and the pinch is definitely blocked in.
The sweat was half dissolved in the front when I bought it, so I had
a new sweat (inexpertly) installed. Based on the writing in the lining
I am figuring this was a 60s or 70s hat made in an older style by a
hat maker who was reportedly still making excellent hats in the 70s.
I love the felt on this hat. I should note that when I used to wear it
in the rain some color would bleed out. But the color of the felt has
never changed.

Finally, there has been some talk of Cavanaghs and some talk of
Open Road hats. One person (fedoralover?) had an Open Road reblocked
as a fedora. Here's a Cavanagh that seems to have been made in an
Open Road style but originally blocked as a fedora. I love the way they
sewed down the ribbon. It's from the famous Ashe hat store in Texas
(though I certainly didn't get it there).

The picture doesn't quite give the feeling of "big" this hat gives.
It also gives the wrong impression of the color, which is an off-white.
BTW, the Cav has a reverse taper.

These are all hats I have had for years. They came from various
local sources. Enjoy. And of course now that I've shown you mine...

 

[Nathan Flowers]

I especially like that Cavanagh.

If you're in Oakland, you need to talk to some of the other Lounge members in your area. I know of one East Bay resident that has too many hats.

 

[feltfan]

I especially like that Cavanagh.

If you're in Oakland, you need to talk to some of the other Lounge members in your area. I know of one East Bay resident that has too many hats.

Since all of these hats would fit JP, I'll keep a low profile.

Since there has been so much interest I'll post one more hat.

Inside (sorry- dark and blurry)

Outside:

This is a Mallory "Nokabout", which I have knocked about...
I have always assumed this to be a WWII era hat- military green, no
lining (note the stamp on the top- this hat was designed with the idea
that there would be no lining), informal. But the felt is really cool-
holds shape after much abuse, light.

 

[dopey]

Those are really great posts. Thank you very much, feltfan.

 

[scotrace]

Yes!

That's the ticket - more hat pictures. That Cavanagh is the Deacon's Slice.

I just got a Cavanagh straw that seems rather unusual (wearing it today). Optimo block with a concave crown. I'll see if I can get a snap of it this evening.

 

[scotrace]

Cavanagh Straw

This is it. No liner, so-so leather sweat. Zero taper. Is it unusual?

Sorry for the glare - quick after work photo.​

 

[feltfan]

Cav Straw

No idea if it is unusual. I seem to recall seeing a Cav Panama
in a similar style a while back...

Personally, I'm not a big enthusiast about tight weave Panamas.
I appreciate the art, but don't much enjoy wearing them.
They're too hot in hot weather and I hate to worry about an
expensive, labor-intensive hat that could so easily be ruined.
So I'm always pleased to see a casual hot weather
hat with some style. I particularly like the blocked-in ridge at the top.

I am surprised the leather sweat is "so-so". Usually Cavanaghs
have an old fashioned, nice quality sweatband. You say it doesn't
have a liner, which is not surprising in straw hats, but does it have
one of those little cushions at the top to keep you from coming in
contact with the straw? That'd be unusual.

Looks like a hat you'll be able to enjoy for many years. And a good fit
for you. Thanks for showing it.

Okay, let's see some more hats, folks!

 

[scotrace]

Bought it for the box. Box arrived thrashed, kept the surprise nice hat.

I'm always pleased to see a casual hot weather
hat with some style. I particularly like the blocked-in ridge at the top.

Me too, I have not seen any quite like it, though my experience is slight. To me it feels very '50's. Something I expect to see in Rear Window. Or maybe on a sax player.

I am surprised the leather sweat is "so-so". Usually Cavanaghs have an old fashioned, nice quality sweatband. You say it doesn't have a liner, which is not surprising in straw hats, but does it have
one of those little cushions at the top to keep you from coming in
contact with the straw?

No cushion, just a Cavanagh logo decal in brown. The sweat is fine, just not nearly as soft as my Borsalino, or even as fine as my Fed Deluxe. Kinda heavy leather. And yes, it is original as far as I can see. Has the Cav logo on it as well as the buyer's initials in gold: LXJ. But if you were to hold this hat in your hand, you might guess that the sweat is a bit stiff (and wide) to add stiffness to the hat itself. It's a very high-quality, smooth weave, though not at all like a Panama. It is just straw.

It's frankly not my favorite on me as it is so unusual looking witht the flat top/no pinch that it feels ostentatious. You have to wear your hat as naturally as you wear your arms, and it's a little hard to do that (for me) in this one. Yesterday, an older gentleman I know stopped me on the street and said, "Didn't recognize you in that hat. You look nice - like a big time operator." I'm very unsure of his meaning.
It's also musty and smells of basement. Working on that. But it has grown on me big time.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Yesterday, an older gentleman I know stopped me on the street and said, "Didn't recognize you in that hat. You look nice - like a big time operator." I'm very unsure of his meaning.

I guess we'll have to start calling you BTO. Pretty nifty hat!

Brad

 

[Matt Deckard]

Scotrace... that outfit is well put together. The hat is not odd at all, very bing Crosby.

 

[scotrace]

Thanks.

The handkerchief is one of my suddenly large collection.

Brad - I can hear my grandmother using her most devastating criticism: "Ha! Big Shot!"

Her first husband (whom I did not know well), was a gangster. Pistol and all.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Scotrace -- Looks good, hat and the style. I like the BTO comment.

Feltfan -- love those fedoras, especially that lighter Gross hat and the Mallory.

Straw hats scare me, too. I have managed to somehow ruin everyone I had, including one I paid $75 for, so steer clear of them except for the hottest days. I like the look, though; if I trusted myself more, would contact Panama Bob. But I am just plain fearful of ruining another pretty hat.

karol