I returned my new Stetson Temple today after being positive that it just wasn't the hat for me. I'm looking to spend approximately $100, and I just feel that I"ll get more for my money from an Akubra Casual.
So anyway, as I'm returning the hat (apologetically), my gaze wanders over to the sale section, comprised mostly of Kangol "Jeff" caps and assorted lite-felts, and then I see an oddity sticking out from the back. It turns out to be a Bailey Jackson fur-felt in exactly my size -- a 7 5/8. (This is a sized Bailey, not a S/M/L/XL/etc. style). I tried it on in the mirror and it didn't look bad at all -- at 3 inches, a much wider brim than I had ever considered before, but not bad. Then I looked at the pricetag - $20! New!
So, yeah, now I own it. You can't beat that price. The only mention I found of the hat on The Fedora Lounge is here, and it's a positive one. I'm still going to get an Akubra Casual, but this is still a neat hat. Never saw anything quite like it. Fully lined, diamond-bash/front pinch, leather sweatband, an interesting feather-overlaid leather band with a small leather tassle, from Bailey's "Wind River" collection. Here are some links to the hat:
http://www.hartfordyork.com/product/391/bailey-hats [$175.00]
http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/page/H/PROD/4060 [$129.99]
http://www.jhhatco.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=BAIL4060 [$124.95]
http://www.thefedorastore.com/Jackson-Fur-Felt-Pinch-Front-Outback-Ha-p/489.htm [$113.05]
http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=23&subcname=Bailey [$105.00]
The color in the last Bencraft Hats link is what mine is.
There's definitely a western flavor to the fedora, but it's not at all a cowboy hat -- it reminds me more of a safari/bush hat. I don't know what anyone here would call it. It's also a bit Native American.
Anyway, twenty bucks!
My digital camera is loaned out right now or I'd take more detailed pictures for everyone.
So anyway, as I'm returning the hat (apologetically), my gaze wanders over to the sale section, comprised mostly of Kangol "Jeff" caps and assorted lite-felts, and then I see an oddity sticking out from the back. It turns out to be a Bailey Jackson fur-felt in exactly my size -- a 7 5/8. (This is a sized Bailey, not a S/M/L/XL/etc. style). I tried it on in the mirror and it didn't look bad at all -- at 3 inches, a much wider brim than I had ever considered before, but not bad. Then I looked at the pricetag - $20! New!
So, yeah, now I own it. You can't beat that price. The only mention I found of the hat on The Fedora Lounge is here, and it's a positive one. I'm still going to get an Akubra Casual, but this is still a neat hat. Never saw anything quite like it. Fully lined, diamond-bash/front pinch, leather sweatband, an interesting feather-overlaid leather band with a small leather tassle, from Bailey's "Wind River" collection. Here are some links to the hat:
http://www.hartfordyork.com/product/391/bailey-hats [$175.00]
http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/page/H/PROD/4060 [$129.99]
http://www.jhhatco.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=BAIL4060 [$124.95]
http://www.thefedorastore.com/Jackson-Fur-Felt-Pinch-Front-Outback-Ha-p/489.htm [$113.05]
http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=23&subcname=Bailey [$105.00]
The color in the last Bencraft Hats link is what mine is.
There's definitely a western flavor to the fedora, but it's not at all a cowboy hat -- it reminds me more of a safari/bush hat. I don't know what anyone here would call it. It's also a bit Native American.
Anyway, twenty bucks!
My digital camera is loaned out right now or I'd take more detailed pictures for everyone.
