The Black Hat Brigade

[mayserwegener]

I have many black hats. I think they go with just about anything. Here is a nice one.

 

[bowlerman]

I like it, Rick. A horsehair would look great on it too, IMO.

Che, not surprisingly, that is a doozie of a black beauty! striking.

I like yours too, Blackthorn. Come to think of it, I really like black.

Oooh, Steve, that's one of your best.

 

[Blackthorn]

Blackthorn,
I can see why you love that hat...
Its real nice ! A winner

Thank you, Seabass!

 

[Blackthorn]

I like it, Rick. A horsehair would look great on it too, IMO.

Che, not surprisingly, that is a doozie of a black beauty! striking.

I like yours too, Blackthorn. Come to think of it, I really like black.

Oooh, Steve, that's one of your best.

Thank you, Bowlerman.

 

[Blackthorn]

I have many black hats. I think they go with just about anything. Here is a nice one.

That IS a nice one. Is it vintage?

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! Yes it's a 1930s J. Hückel´s Söhne Sigma Foulard. It's actually a light weight Velour. Jeff, Thanks too!

 

[Bitzelbook]

...taking a leap of faith that in a thin ribbon western fedora I will no longer be mistaken for a Rabbi. :kev:

Man, you guys really can give a guy a complex! I admit: I've a tendency for big black hats, but that's the yeshiva bocher in me. I started coming here when it occurred to me that I don't have to wear *only* big black hats, and I've been grateful for the education. I've thought about posting this "confession" in the pimp thread--people assuming about hats--and in the wide-brim thread--my everyday hat has a big big brim.

Thanks for helping me with this hat transition, all!

 

[mayserwegener]

Most of the Orthodox black soft felt hats have around 4 inch brims. Also I rarely wear my black hats with suits (don't even own a black suit).

 

[Bitzelbook]

Right--this is a 3 3/4" black hat. The Royal Stetson I picked up--a light brown fedora with a 2" brim--was a huge change for me!

 

[seabass]

Rick ! thats a nice black champ TAR....OR style
any one ever see a black Stratoliner?
Mayser,,,Now he has some of the best & oldest black hats....those black seal finish, Man pure luxory

 

[alanfgag]

Man, you guys really can give a guy a complex! I admit: I've a tendency for big black hats, but that's the yeshiva bocher in me.

You can also go wide, wide west. As with model Ts, it helps if you like black. Like Steve, I am a big fan. Here is one of my favorites:

 

[memphislawyer]

Ok, so is grey the universal go-with-everything color? If you dont wear black hats all that much often, then when do you wear a black hat? Would you pick a black hat as your second hat? Or would you go with say a cooler/darker grey for #2, and then black, or would you go with a medium brown?

I wore a pair of corduroys today, british tan, with a checked shirt and a chocolate brown sweater. My Akubra Stylemaster in fawn/brown would have been too monochormatic. Black is severe and my Stetson Saxon in Caribou looked great. Tried a red and blue sweater. I am thinking maybe a darker grey would be more universal for me, but then again, I tend to overthink things

 

[alanfgag]

My .02,

Choose a gray for number 1, a brown for number 2, black for numbers 3-10... after that, go with your intuition. Remember to have fun with it. Nobody is paying as much attention as you.

 

[Bitzelbook]

You can also go wide, wide west. As with model Ts, it helps if you like black.

Thanks, Alan. I might have to try westerns. That might be another really big step, though!

 

[Benzadmiral]

To me a black hat is a very strong statement. The color also doesn't suit me, I'm told, as well as browns and greens. But I do have one nice Manhattan-brand fedora w/ a 2 3/8" brim, one I call my "Roy Earle" hat, after Bogart's character in High Sierra. I'd like to wear it more often -- but it shows dust and hairs easily.

ETA: This is THE one. I'm not sure it's really black, but somehow any other color on James Cagney's Cody Jarrett just doesn't seem right:

 

[Benzadmiral]

I can't resist posting a couple more:

and

 

[fedoralover]

Wow, I can't believe I started this thread almost 9 years ago! In the mean time I've bought 3 black fedora's. A vintage Borsalino, a Stetson Open Road and a custom one from Adventurebilt. I do wear them but not as much as my other ones. But I definitely would not want to be without them.

fedoralover

 

[memphislawyer]

Mr fedoralover, that is my issue. I am not going to have more than 2, 3 hats. My dilemna is keep the black to go with the Caribou/midgrey stetson, or return it and use the money (it was $65) to put down on the Bailey Madison in darker grey, in fur felt ($135). the black hat is wool felt and is shorter in back going to a 2 1/8th inch brim in front. I am thinking I might wear the darker grey more and keep the Stetson for suits only?

 

[fedoralover]

I found it's hard to limit myself to only having a few options to choose from. It's easier to have a few of every basic color then no matter what you wear you will have a hat that matches. Trying to keep your hat stable to only 2 or 3 may end up being a bit limiting. I'd suggest getting what first of all matches the majority of your clothes. Then over a period of time pick up a few in other colors to match some of the other items in your wardrobe. You don't have to get them all at once. If you keep your eyes out for bargains you can over time, get enough hats to suit every need.

fedoralover

 

[danofarlington]

I am not going to have more than 2, 3 hats.

Let me pose one question--how many peanuts do you usually have at a time?