The Bowler or Derby Hat

[facade]

Just haven't found one to fit me, Facadie, but when I do... I'll meet you at the Hanover Street Chophouse! I hear their gedempte flanken is to die for!

Richard you were born to wear bowlers!

Alan, you can run, but not hide, sir. Great look!

I have a near mint 1920's Dobbs that just is a wee bit too tight for me. I figure once I lose a few more pounds or some more brain cells it will be just right.

 

[hatsRme]

If you come across something of a generous 7-3/4 XLO, or a slight 7-7/8 LO vintage bowler... THAT's what I'M talking about. We'll probably never meet.

 

[alanfgag]

...I was wondering if there was a style that fit these hats other than the well-dressed Englishman one tends to see exclusively these days.

This one originated from your neck of the woods.

 

[facade]

This one originated from your neck of the woods.

And I lived in Buffalo for many years. The dude in the other escalator is checking out your hat.

 

[alanfgag]

Yes, photobombed on this one... another fan of chutzpah.

 

[Picard1138]

I've been sourcing vintage bowlers for my groomsmen for my upcoming wedding. Although I'm wearing a top hat, I couldn't help but pick one up for myself. A nice vintage hat all the way from eBay UK, which just needed a little sweatband resewing:





-Max

 

[ManofKent]

Nice brim on that. It looks like an old Christys

 

[Picard1138]

That's what I'm thinking as well, but it's not marked at all except for "Superior Quality" within the crest in the liner. The crest looks similar to Christys' but with a different shield.

-Max

 

[Picard1138]

Oh, and so far I have sourced five bowlers, and one for myself. I don't have photos of all of them, but will soon. They were all different makes, including one modern-ish (probably 1980s) Christys, a local brand from a town in PA, an old Stetson, an old Knox, and mine which is a British mystery.

-Max

 

[mayserwegener]

Alan, Again that is a real beauty!

Max, Great Bowler!

 

[itsbruce]

I'm generally a hat fanatic but I love bowlers because I'm also a keen cyclist and they are the original riding safety helmet. It's the only kind of safety helmet I would ever consider wearing on a bike - otherwise I stick to flat caps. And the bowler stays on my head much more reliably in a high wind.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I like it, itsbruce! I do the same thing for biking, but I made sure to use an equestrian Derby that has the cork and padding, and is also much thicker and harder felt than normal dress Derbies. Mine's a Cavanagh women's equestrian Derby from the 1940s, but few people today could tell the difference between and man's and woman's.

Welcome to the Lounge!

Brad

 

[alanfgag]

Welcome to the Lounge!

Brad

+1... great photos. Be careful out there. I know too many people who are walking around today thanks to a cycling helmet.

 

[ManofKent]

Very dashing Welcome.

 

[gear-guy]

itsbruce, welcome to the lounge and that is one way to make a grand entrance. Dashing hats and clothes, looking fine young man!!!!!

 

[Greyryder]

Is that a tweed ride? SWEET!

Having researched bicycle helmets, you're probably safer with the bowler.

 

[mayserwegener]

The first 5 (all Melone) are new since my last update on 06/22/2013.

 

[1mach1]

Wow! Very impressive, Steve! :eusa_clap

 

[ManofKent]

Not a bad small start to a collection Steve

 

[alanfgag]

Bowls me over. Fabulous!