Tough to find vintage in my size

[JerseyJones]

Hello all,

As I cruise eBay and other sites, I seldom if ever find a lid in my size 61. I feel like a mutant or something ! Any clues ? Suggestions ?

Thanks
Ken

 

[Nathan Flowers]

I'm the same size as you, and I'm in the same boat. The hats I have seen in our size on ebay (7 5/8) have gotten too expensive for me to continue bidding on. My recommendation to you is to keep looking, or eventually break down and get some Optimos. Their felt and styles are the closest to vintage you can get.

Good luck!

 

[fedoralover]

check out vintagesihouettes.com Art has a wide selection of sizes and styles. The price will probably be a little more than ebay but a lot cheaper than Optimo.

fedoralover

 

[Art Fawcett]

Gentlemen, please visit the new site. I have not yet transitioned it over, so you will be getting a private look at the new Vintage Silhouettes site.
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/vs2/
I have a few 5/8s on hand, but remember, Oh, maybe you don't know, I also hand make hats from some pretty terrific felts.
In vintage, as you know, the larger the size, the tougher to find.
Enjoy

 

[Fedora]

Art, do you get in the Stetson Imperial felt often? I am interested in that line. I only own one, a broad brim fedora, made by Stetson, but carried as a store brand in England. It is the best Stetson felt wise, that I own. I would love to own a few more. Fedora

 

[Art Fawcett]

Not very often Fedora, as they were the top of the line so that limited their sales. Most would not pay the premium for them. As for just felts, I need to be clear, I have bodies that I have purchased from a friend back east, but not the "brand" name types. I find older hats, then completely renovate them replacing everthing except the liner ( when I can save them) so that I can honestly tell what the felt is. At the moment I don't believe I have any "Imperials" on hand. When I finish a renovation and the liner is trash, I just call it a renovation without attatching a felt name to it. ( Stetson, Dobbs, etc.)

 

[fedoralover]

I have an Open Road in the Imperial line of felt and I can say it is indeed a quality hat.

fedoralover

 

[Fedora]

Regarding that Imperial line. I saw one, a stingy brimmed hat on ebay awhile back, and the felt sure did not look like the one that I own. Of course, it may have been the picture itself. It is hard for me to tell the difference between the Royal felt and the Royal Deluxe felt, but the difference between the Royal and its brother and the Imperial is noticeable. It is the same thickness as the Royal felt, and the hats are the same size, but the Imperial weighs more. It just feels too heavy for the hat, if you know what I mean. And the felt has a different "feel" to it. I know, some of you guys may think I am nuts slobbering over fur felt. LOL Yeah, I am weird, I guess. Fedora

 

[Art Fawcett]

LOL...don't worry fedora, felt is my life!!! I tend to use terms like "creamy" or "sumptuous". and I AM talking about hats.