'tophat' turned fedora

[thunderw21]

So I got this cheap vintage wool tophat-looking thing from a friend. I estimate it from the 1940s or '50s and they're plentiful/not too rare. I found several on the Bay.

Well, I had no use for a novelty tophat other than to let it languish in a hat box and take up room. The wool isn't too stiff so I started playing with it. In the end I gave it a bash and dents. Now it sort of looks like a fedora from the early 1920s.

Waddaya think?

5" bashed crown
2 1/2" bound brim

Before

After

It looks blue in the photos but is really black.

 

[handlebar bart]

:eusa_clap That is one heck of a transformation. Are you gonna put that one in the rotation?

 

[thunderw21]

:eusa_clap That is one heck of a transformation. Are you gonna put that one in the rotation?

Thanks!

Already have.

 

[carter]

Interesting

It's reminiscent of the C&K Lincoln with a narrower ribbon and a bound edge.

 

[thunderw21]

Carter, the resemblance is amazing. Thanks! :eusa_clap

 

[carter]

Hmmm...

Wearing a topcoat with the collar turned up and and carrying submachine gun, you'd look like a hitman from the 30's.

 

[Max Flash]

Just my view, but I think it was an ugly hat before and still is now (despite your best efforts!). It might be good for a fancy dress party but it just looks like a charicature mobster hat.

 

[metropd]

I think you did a great job on it.

 

[carter]

Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint. I'm sure there were men in the 30's who would not have worn this hat as well.

Let's not forget that law-abiding people as well as the lawless wore fashionable fedoras in the 30's and other decades. No style was ever co-opted by the seamier side of society to the exclusion of all others.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

T-21, I like it, especially with that coat!

 

[Matt Deckard]

What can I say... It looks great!

 

[RobFedoraField]

The center dents are a little too deep for my personal taste, but it looks great on you, nice job recreating the old style.

 

[Stoney]

It looks very nice now.

Great job Thunder!

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Colby Jack]

I think that looks pretty cool!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[randooch]

Something a bit odd about the overall look, but somehow compelling. I give it a thumb up.

 

[thunderw21]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

It's growing on me and I love the 1920s look. The side profile does look a bit odd but I don't have to see it from the side. Love the extreme reverse taper, though.

As for the long front dents, the wool wouldn't take more subtle dents even with steam. That's alright, I prefer extreme dents.

Cheers

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

Congratulations on the good work: it's one thing to buy an "impeccable" hat from a posh store, it's another to transform a "useless" item into a wearable hat.
I believe people who "do things" (...to their hats, for instance...) should be encouraged in the excercise of creativity :eusa_clap
Paul

 

[metropd]

I don't know why the dents extending pass the sides is causing some negative comments. It was quite common in the 30's and 40's.
But I do think people should be able to give their honest opinion on the FL if it is not to their liking.
I do like it especially with the Burberry scarf.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I've always been quite horrified by those wool top hats. Rotten, rotten things. I think you've made it about as good as it can be. It doesn't look bad at all. Much better than any Homburg to "fedora" "conversion" i've seen. I really like the front view of it on your hand.

bk