Vintage Black Fedoras

[mayserwegener]

1930s Borsalino

 

[carouselvic]

Paint It Black

Borsalino

Alexander

Borsalino


Derbies, Westerns and Homburgs are often found in black.

 

[Lefty]

It looks like at least a few of these are black.

1898

 

[hatted]

What I generally see is either black homburgs, or hats with really wide ribbons and tiny brims. I don't want those. I've always seen those as 'old men's' hats -- it takes less effort to care for them, or whatever (and I always seem to see them on senior citizens). Wide ribbon+tiny brim+black is just a bad combination to my eye. I'm sure some of you out there will disagree, but that's my take.

 

[ScottF]

It looks like at least a few of these are black.

1898

Lefty, that isn't an 1898 bicycle over on the left.

 

[besdor]

From what I've seen over the years is that 99% of the vintage black hats that are available are derbies and top hats. Very few people wore black "soft" hats. The popular colors back then were light gray , beige and similar colors. Even the religious hat market did not start to wear black until 30 years ago. I have two or three black vintage hats from the 1930's . Thats it.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[hatted]

Hey Steven, since you're at Bencraft, I have a question: How the heck did the brims get so wide on "religious" Borsalino fedoras? I've never measured, but the brims seem to be running 4 or 5 inches (more?). They're just too wide -- fedoras masquerading as cowboy hats.

 

[Lefty]

Lefty, that isn't an 1898 bicycle over on the left.

I'm just going by the caption posted by the Omaha Public Library.

 

[besdor]

Hatted, the brims started to get wider during the late 1980's. At that point , the average brim was 2 3/4 " . Today, it is 3 3/4" !!! BUt it seems to be getting smaller lately. However , black is still the number one color in Brooklyn.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[jamespowers]

There were a few produced over time :

1950 Knox

I tried to find a picture of my Black Playboy that I frequently wear when out with a tuxedo to no avail. I love that hat.

 

[carouselvic]

Here is a black Playboy now owned by Carter(he only made the initial payment) TLH

 

[DOUGLAS]

Stetson#1

Turgis

Stetson "the royal stetson"

Knox

 

[hatted]

There's a vintage black Trimbles fedora on ebay right now that I would bid on, but the brim is 2 inches. I need more brim!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Mens-Felt-Fedora-Sz-7-1-8-NICE_W0QQitemZ140324914923QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Men_s_Women_s_Accessories?hash=item20ac0446eb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A4|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200

 

[feltfan]

Lefty, that isn't an 1898 bicycle over on the left.

That was my first thought, too. The drop handle bars seem
particularly anachronistic. But who knows.

hatted, please do not post "live" auctions.

 

[Garrett]

James, can you post a liner shot of this one?

 

[hatted]

Sorry!

 

[jamespowers]

James, can you post a liner shot of this one?

I'll have to see if I can get a picture. It is a Stetson with a Red seal label on a cream colored background. Likely 1930s from what I can surmise.
I suppose the plush finishes were more common then. I have a green plush one around here somewhere from Capper and Capper---without a liner.

 

[handlebar bart]

Royal Stetson

 

[gtdean48]

My vintage Black Open Road

The original ribbon is gone so I went to Major Moore for a 2 ply ribbon. I also have 2 red thin ribbons to use when football season gets here & I go to the UGA games = Go Dawgs!

(the red is deeper red than photos are showing)