The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[KarlCrow]

neither is mine in that daniele described it as borsalino deep blue. 6cm brim but about a cm higher than yours at the crease. I think it's early 80s.

 

[belfastboy]

Here's one I want to share with you for a number of reasons. First of all because it is a great colour. I don't have that many blue hats and this one has been away from the collection for a while. The reason for that is that it is in fact a women's hat. It has a cloth sweatband and the bow was on right hand side. I sent the hat to Fleur de Huu of Penumbra Hats in Holland to fit it with a new ribbon and bow treatment and she came through with this wonderful two-tone bow arrangement you see below. I have a few other hats she renovated for me (I'll be posting these soon) and I think her work is top notch. Highly recommended. Another reason is that this hat is wonderfully lightweight, coming in at only 80 grams. Borsalino in blue, size 56 with raw edge brim at 6,5 cm and crown at 10 at the pinch. Unlined and with cloth sweatband. Even if it is a modern Borsalino (1994) it's still a top-quality hat.

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I love the ribbon work on this.

 

[steur]

Belfastboy, thanks. The two-tone does give it that extra bit.

 

[Samuel]

My new Borsalino Alessandria in Charcoal Grey


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[moontheloon]

My new Borsalino Alessandria in Charcoal Grey


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Alessandria is where they were made ... most all Borsalino hats say that somewhere on the hat ... but what has become known as the "Alessandria" is a thin ribbon hat reminiscent of a Stratoliner or Open Road

here is one of mine

 

[Samuel]

What's it called? Any ideas...

My new Borsalino Alessandria in Charcoal Grey


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[moontheloon]

What's it called? Any ideas...

No idea
Sometimes it says on the manufacturer tag ... not in this case
Very nice hat and looks great on you


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[Samuel]

Yea,
I love the way the hat feels. I bought it vintage and it was crushed and the ribbon was
messed up. I put some TLC into it and it has evolved into a favorite hat. I was able to
steam it back into shape. I love the rich dark color of the
felt because it goes with just about everything.

 

[moontheloon]

View attachment 81069
Yea,
I love the way the hat feels. I bought it vintage and it was crushed and the ribbon was
messed up. I put some TLC into it and it has evolved into a favorite hat. I was able to
steam it back into shape. I love the rich dark color of the
felt because it goes with just about everything.

looks great ... nice work

 

[Samuel]

looks great ... nice work

Thanks!

 

[Windsock8e]

Alessandria is where they were made ... most all Borsalino hats say that somewhere on the hat ... but what has become known as the "Alessandria" is a thin ribbon hat reminiscent of a Stratoliner or Open Road

here is one of mine

I have been wondering if the thin ribbon, wider brim Borsalino's were purely for the US market or if they also existed in Europe - I have not seen any. Perhaps @steur and @Daniele Tanto (or anyone else) knows from their experience/research.

I know that yours Moon, is vintage, and that Bencraft has a modern thin ribbon, but have not seen an equivalent on the Borsalino website in Europe.

It is possible, I guess, that there is just a ribbon change between an existing Euro model to US, but the closest I could find on the Borsalino website was double the price of the Bencraft version.

Just curious, any info welcome.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

but what has become known as the "Alessandria" is a thin ribbon hat reminiscent of a Stratoliner or Open Road

What Anthony said is the right answer.

I have been wondering if the thin ribbon, wider brim Borsalino's were purely for the US market or if they also existed in Europe - I have not seen any. Perhaps @steur and @Daniele Tanto (or anyone else) knows from their experience/research.

No, in Italy the thin ribbon Borsalino you can find is the "Icaro" that is different from the "Alessandria" for less brims, more rounded crown. The felt is very thin on the Icaro and the shape is less massive. Alessandria is a model for the US market
Take note that here the "Alessandria" model is stated as a crossover between a cowboy and country hat.
It is not the synonym of elegance, just to understand us, but de gustibus non est disputandum

 

[Windsock8e]

What Anthony said is the right answer.


No, in Italy the thin ribbon Borsalino you can find is the "Icaro" that is different from the "Alessandria" for less brims, more rounded crown. The felt is very thin on the Icaro and the shape is less massive. Alessandria is a model for the US market
Take note that here the "Alessandria" model is stated as a crossover between a cowboy and country hat.
It is not the synonym of elegance, just to understand us, but de gustibus non est disputandum

Grazie Mille, Thank you, that perfectly answers my question and whilst my Latin is quite rusty (I tend to only know and not use some legal terms), I fully agree with what you say!

I will need to be on the lookout for a vintage one then (unless someone is willing to part with a 7-1/8 vintage!) or decide between the modern US Alessandria from Bencraft or go custom for a similar price.


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[Daniele Tanto]

I will need to be on the lookout for a vintage one then (unless someone is willing to part with a 7-1/8 vintage!) or decide between the modern US Alessandria from Bencraft or go custom for a similar price.

Do you mean a Borsalino or a "Alessandria" vintage in 7 1/8?

 

[Windsock8e]

I mean the American style thin ribbon. I have a 1960's Borsalino and a linea Augusta sub. Always interested in Borsa's of course though!


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[Windsock8e]

Sorry, more clearly, the "Alessandria" vintage in 7-1/8.

 

[moontheloon]

Sorry, more clearly, the "Alessandria" vintage in 7-1/8.

They pop up now and then ... the ones in good condition can get pricey.
There were a few up recently


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[Windsock8e]

Thanks, will keep an eye out. Main thing which is now clarified is that I have less chance of finding one in that style in Europe than in America (although many other fine Borsalino styles in Europe).


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[moontheloon]

Thanks, will keep an eye out. Main thing which is now clarified is that I have less chance of finding one in that style in Europe than in America (although many other fine Borsalino styles in Europe).


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I may actually have a light grey 1/8 ... I'll have to take a look to see if I have sold it or not

tough to keep track sometimes

 

[Windsock8e]

I may actually have a light grey 1/8 ... I'll have to take a look to see if I have sold it or not

tough to keep track sometimes

Thank you, that's very kind. I can imagine that it his hard to keep track given your impressive collection.