Vintage Silhouettes Custom Hats - Official Affiliate Thread

[Wyldkarma]

I can’t recall seeing a VS western, but lots of the fedora hatters are also capable of making you a western. They can be made with softer hat bodies, but most of the bodies made big enough for westerns have a lot of “shellac” so proceed with caution if you want a softer western. This is the VS thread so I’m not mentioning other hatters but if you look around here you’ll find them. You might also ask Art if he’d make you one or if he can recommend another shop.


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Sorry if my rambling on that thread caused confusion, what I was just trying to say was I love my VS fedora and I don't understand why western weight hats are so much more expensive and why would anyone want to pay $900 plus for a western hat when they can get a great VS for alot less cash. I knew Art could make pretty much any hat needed and wasn't shopping for western hat makers. I know several excellent local ones here, just can't justify that type of money. Is the price difference between a western weight blank and dress weight blank really that different?

 

[Art Fawcett]

I don't do many Gents but I do do them. Most of the westerns that come in the door go to my associate David ( used to be my apprentice) who is darned good at them. I WILL do one on request of the client but frankly, dress hats are my true passion. When I first started making hats for the public there were only about a dozen dress hatters in the US but hundreds of western hatters so the choice was obvious for me.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Art, how do we contact David? Thanks.


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[Bill Hughes]

Art, how do we contact David? Thanks.


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Just call the shop. David answers the phone more times than not.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Just call the shop. David answers the phone more times than not.

Maybe it wasn’t David I was thinking of (I
Know that was who Art was referencing). Art has had a couple of apprentices who have moved off on their own.


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[Art Fawcett]

David is/was my only official apprentice DH but I do mentor several hatters across the country. I DO have an intern here this summer but he is destined for a much greater future than hatting, he is downright brilliant so I see a scientist in him. David and I are the only ones that answer the phone so please, just call. If I answer and David is here, he'll take the call, no worries. It all goes through VS so talking to one is talking to both.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

David is/was my only official apprentice DH but I do mentor several hatters across the country. I DO have an intern here this summer but he is destined for a much greater future than hatting, he is downright brilliant so I see a scientist in him. David and I are the only ones that answer the phone so please, just call. If I answer and David is here, he'll take the call, no worries. It all goes through VS so talking to one is talking to both.

Thanks Art. I guess my recollection was a bit muddled. David has done work for me and I can attest to his quality; just what we’ve all come to expect from VS.

Now get your scientist intern to get modern felts up to the quality of what we had pre-war


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[Art Fawcett]

Ahh, now I understand. David also apprenticed with Cowboy Corral so you might have reached him through Kathy.

 

[psklenar]

VS Customers,

Guidance please ... this will be my first custom hat, considering I dress casual/business casual (golf/polos & Hawaiian style shirts) and almost never wear a tie or suit, I’m thinking a medium dark grey would be a good base color ... I’d think it would go well with all shades of reds, tans/browns, greens, and blues alike.

I’ve looked through the VS gallery on multiple monitors and was not really sure which that medium dark grey would be ... Charcoal or Steel. I thought Granite would be too light. But upon receiving the felt samples I see that both Charcoal and Steel seem awfully dark compared to the online photos. So now I'm leaning towards Granite, Blue Smoke or Confederate as more the medium/medium dark gray I'm thinking of.

Should I be thinking of a lighter or darker ribbon?

So, is anyone willing to make any suggestions, recommendations or merely offer guidance?

Thank you all!
pat----

 

[RJR]

VS Customers,

Guidance please ... this will be my first custom hat, considering I dress casual/business casual (golf/polos & Hawaiian style shirts) and almost never wear a tie or suit, I’m thinking a medium dark grey would be a good base color ... I’d think it would go well with all shades of reds, tans/browns, greens, and blues alike.

I’ve looked through the VS gallery on multiple monitors and was not really sure which that medium dark grey would be ... Charcoal or Steel. I thought Granite would be too light. But upon receiving the felt samples I see that both Charcoal and Steel seem awfully dark compared to the online photos. So now I'm leaning towards Granite, Blue Smoke or Confederate as more the medium/medium dark gray I'm thinking of.

Should I be thinking of a lighter or darker ribbon?

So, is anyone willing to make any suggestions, recommendations or merely offer guidance?

Thank you all!
pat----

Put yourself in Art's hands and ask for his suggestions.He's been at it for a long time.

 

[Tukwila]

Grey with a black ribbon is classic and goes with almost anything.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

VS Customers,

Guidance please ... this will be my first custom hat, considering I dress casual/business casual (golf/polos & Hawaiian style shirts) and almost never wear a tie or suit, I’m thinking a medium dark grey would be a good base color ... I’d think it would go well with all shades of reds, tans/browns, greens, and blues alike.

I’ve looked through the VS gallery on multiple monitors and was not really sure which that medium dark grey would be ... Charcoal or Steel. I thought Granite would be too light. But upon receiving the felt samples I see that both Charcoal and Steel seem awfully dark compared to the online photos. So now I'm leaning towards Granite, Blue Smoke or Confederate as more the medium/medium dark gray I'm thinking of.

Should I be thinking of a lighter or darker ribbon?

So, is anyone willing to make any suggestions, recommendations or merely offer guidance?

Thank you all!
pat----

I think the dark grays will not be as versatile as you would like. The medium grays will be a much better choice. Have a conversation with Art and and he’ll steer you right. One of the great things about going custom and dealing with such a great hatter is the ability to tap into a huge knowledge base. Tell Art what you want and he’ll design the hat with you.


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[Tukwila]

Granite is really a versatile felt for me.

 

[psklenar]

I'm looking forward to my discussion(s) with Art once my order reaches the top of the queue. Until then ... I'll try my hardest to not annoy you all and also not chew my nails down past the quick.

pat----

 

[Redfokker]

I'm looking forward to my discussion(s) with Art once my order reaches the top of the queue. Until then ... I'll try my hardest to not annoy you all and also not chew my nails down past the quick.

pat----

Patience is a bitch... One of the worst parts of custom work, but the anticipation is equally exquisite.

 

[belfastboy]

VS Customers,

Guidance please ... this will be my first custom hat, considering I dress casual/business casual (golf/polos & Hawaiian style shirts) and almost never wear a tie or suit, I’m thinking a medium dark grey would be a good base color ... I’d think it would go well with all shades of reds, tans/browns, greens, and blues alike.

I’ve looked through the VS gallery on multiple monitors and was not really sure which that medium dark grey would be ... Charcoal or Steel. I thought Granite would be too light. But upon receiving the felt samples I see that both Charcoal and Steel seem awfully dark compared to the online photos. So now I'm leaning towards Granite, Blue Smoke or Confederate as more the medium/medium dark gray I'm thinking of.

Should I be thinking of a lighter or darker ribbon?

So, is anyone willing to make any suggestions, recommendations or merely offer guidance?

Thank you all!
pat----

This likely opens a can of worms but my Granite is decidedly brown tone to it. Blue smoke is on the lighter side of grey. Steel is really dark. I don't own one but Arts Confederate grey is to my eye a really nice mid tone grey.

 

[NewJack]

Thanks Art!! I was torn between another dark color or to go with something lighter. I'm happy I chose the 'Blue Smoke with these proportions. Because of my skin tone, I have learned that all shades don't necessarily make for a good looking piece upon this darker noggin' This shade gray/blue is just right as it doesn't take the eye away from the total me. If you know what I mean! Anyhoo, thanks...Already thinking about my next one!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Enjoy it Sir!!! Thank you for posting it. You put a nice soft crease in it

 

[Tukwila]

Thanks Art!! I was torn between another dark color or to go with something lighter. I'm happy I chose the 'Blue Smoke with these proportions. Because of my skin tone, I have learned that all shades don't necessarily make for a good looking piece upon this darker noggin' This shade gray/blue is just right as it doesn't take the eye away from the total me. If you know what I mean! Anyhoo, thanks...Already thinking about my next one!

Oh, my! We need more pictures of the ribbon, side profile, etc!!!

 

[NewJack]

Oh, my! We need more pictures of the ribbon, side profile, etc!!!

Thanks so much! I posted more pics in New Hats Thread! This was simply for the builder of dreams in hats!