Vintage Silhouettes Custom Hats - Official Affiliate Thread

[Bill Hughes]

I am not sure I ever posted this hat. I have had it for some time. It was my first VS hat and one of my favorites. It’s always a pleasure working with Art.
The “Broadway” in dark moss green.

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Outstanding

 

[Dlaniger]

What is the ribbon colour? I love the profile on this hat.

Thanks! I believe it is called French Brown, 16 linge.

 

[Dlaniger]

Outstanding

Thanks, Bill.

 

[Raybuntu]

Incredible Ribbon work!

 

[Dlaniger]

Most excellent @Dlaniger !

Thanks, Tuk!

 

[konadog]

While I've owned this VS beauty for almost a year, this is the first time I've photographed it.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

While I've owned this VS beauty for almost a year, this is the first time I've photographed it.

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Wow, that’s a good looking hat!

We’ve missed seeing you around here too.


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[Art Fawcett]

Thanks for posting Konadog, the beard also looks good!!! Wish I could grow one that full. Color me jealous!!

 

[Bill Hughes]

Another hat saved by Art. I had sent this Peters Bros to VS Custom Hats for a complete restoration. Art was able to save the sweatband and liner. Here are before and after pics.

 

[Woodtroll]

Another hat saved by Art. I had sent this Peters Bros to VS Custom Hats for a complete restoration. Art was able to save the sweatband and liner. Here are before and after pics.

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Wow! Nice find and nice save. It was pretty hard to see the potential in that one, but I'm glad you did.

 

[Lefty W.]

In praise of a well-fitting hat

I have a few custom fedoras, a custom western from a local well-known hatter, a stock modern Stetson Stratoliner, a stock modern Stetson Open Road, and some vintage pieces, all (allegedly) in my size. Of all, those made by Art Fawcett utilizing his conformateur are by far the most comfortable, well-fitting hats in my collection. Just wanted to say "great work, Art!"

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thank you Lefty, I have always believed the conformer makes the difference

 

[hatophile]

Another hat saved by Art. I had sent this Peters Bros to VS Custom Hats for a complete restoration. Art was able to save the sweatband and liner. Here are before and after pics.

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My goodness, that's a gorgeous hat.

 

[The Good]

Hello Art! If my tightest head measurement is 22.5" inches circumference around the middle of the forehead, and more comfortable is 23", with one finger able to fit into the flexible tape measurer, and two fingers for 23.5", which size would you recommend for me if I plan to order an off the rack hat? I could not find it on the site, but how many inches comprise the 7 3/8 and 7 1/2 sizes for Vintage Silhouettes hats, and how much do the hats possibly shrink through frequent wear, if at all in the sweatband and felt? With the Akubra brand, I wear hats in 60cm comfortably without padding, with also a 59cm Federation IV hat in my collection, but it is too tight for me now, and Fed IVs seem to be regarded as running a bit smaller than other Akubra hats in size; my 60cm Fed IV fits well, bit noticeably closer than the other Akubras. I wear a modern Stetson Open Road in 7 1/2 with a bit of padding under the sweatband, and a newer milan straw Stratoliner by the same company, if it helps, also. Thank you!

 

[tropicalbob]

Hello Art! If my tightest head measurement is 22.5" inches circumference around the middle of the forehead, and more comfortable is 23", with one finger able to fit into the flexible tape measurer, and two fingers for 23.5", which size would you recommend for me if I plan to order an off the rack hat? I could not find it on the site, but how many inches comprise the 7 3/8 and 7 1/2 sizes for Vintage Silhouettes hats, and how much do the hats possibly shrink through frequent wear, if at all in the sweatband and felt? With the Akubra brand, I wear hats in 60cm comfortably without padding, with also a 59cm Federation IV hat in my collection, but it is too tight for me now, and Fed IVs seem to be regarded as running a bit smaller than other Akubra hats in size; my 60cm Fed IV fits well, bit noticeably closer than the other Akubras. I wear a modern Stetson Open Road in 7 1/2 with a bit of padding under the sweatband, and a newer milan straw Stratoliner by the same company, if it helps, also. Thank you!

I can't help but butt in here and ask if you've got a hat stretcher. I ignored the concept for a few years and then saw a discussion on this forum, and when I realized one could be gotten on Ebay for about $20 I went ahead and ordered one. What a great invention! Suddenly those hats that I loved but wasn't wearing fit like a dream. All the best.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Hello Art! If my tightest head measurement is 22.5" inches circumference around the middle of the forehead, and more comfortable is 23", with one finger able to fit into the flexible tape measurer, and two fingers for 23.5", which size would you recommend for me if I plan to order an off the rack hat? I could not find it on the site, but how many inches comprise the 7 3/8 and 7 1/2 sizes for Vintage Silhouettes hats, and how much do the hats possibly shrink through frequent wear, if at all in the sweatband and felt? With the Akubra brand, I wear hats in 60cm comfortably without padding, with also a 59cm Federation IV hat in my collection, but it is too tight for me now, and Fed IVs seem to be regarded as running a bit smaller than other Akubra hats in size; my 60cm Fed IV fits well, bit noticeably closer than the other Akubras. I wear a modern Stetson Open Road in 7 1/2 with a bit of padding under the sweatband, and a newer milan straw Stratoliner by the same company, if it helps, also. Thank you!

wow, confusing to say the least "The good". What you are describing are 4 sizes, way too much . I size my hats at 22 3/8= 7 1/8, 22 3/4 = 7 1/4, 23 1/8= 7 3/8, and 23 1/2 at 7 1/2. Without having benefit of measuring you myself, I think that's the best I can do.

 

[Raybuntu]

I don't understand why you would like to put fingers in between the tape. I'd say you are a 23" if that's your comfortable fit.

What I did was cut the tailors tape and scotch tape it together at the 'measured' size to create a fake sweatband. Then wear it a bit to see if that's comfortable after 30min. Still if your oval is wrong the hat will be tight! Try to measure length on width of your head if possible (outside calipers).

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Gorgeous hats of late! Reading this thread reminded me to share that I have the good fortune to be able to pick a VS off my "hat tree" and wear it frequently each week.

This evening I am wearing a VS fedora. I have shared this one recently, but here it is again. The sage Stratoliner inspired fedora is a fav of the hats on my hat rack.

Best, Eric -

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello Art! If my tightest head measurement is 22.5" inches circumference around the middle of the forehead, and more comfortable is 23", with one finger able to fit into the flexible tape measurer, and two fingers for 23.5", which size would you recommend for me if I plan to order an off the rack hat? I could not find it on the site, but how many inches comprise the 7 3/8 and 7 1/2 sizes for Vintage Silhouettes hats, and how much do the hats possibly shrink through frequent wear, if at all in the sweatband and felt? With the Akubra brand, I wear hats in 60cm comfortably without padding, with also a 59cm Federation IV hat in my collection, but it is too tight for me now, and Fed IVs seem to be regarded as running a bit smaller than other Akubra hats in size; my 60cm Fed IV fits well, bit noticeably closer than the other Akubras. I wear a modern Stetson Open Road in 7 1/2 with a bit of padding under the sweatband, and a newer milan straw Stratoliner by the same company, if it helps, also. Thank you!

One of the best parts about getting a VS is they will send you out a conformer and get not only the right size but the right shape too.


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[The Good]

I can't help but butt in here and ask if you've got a hat stretcher. I ignored the concept for a few years and then saw a discussion on this forum, and when I realized one could be gotten on Ebay for about $20 I went ahead and ordered one. What a great invention! Suddenly those hats that I loved but wasn't wearing fit like a dream. All the best.

wow, confusing to say the least "The good". What you are describing are 4 sizes, way too much . I size my hats at 22 3/8= 7 1/8, 22 3/4 = 7 1/4, 23 1/8= 7 3/8, and 23 1/2 at 7 1/2. Without having benefit of measuring you myself, I think that's the best I can do.

I don't understand why you would like to put fingers in between the tape. I'd say you are a 23" if that's your comfortable fit.

What I did was cut the tailors tape and scotch tape it together at the 'measured' size to create a fake sweatband. Then wear it a bit to see if that's comfortable after 30min. Still if your oval is wrong the hat will be tight! Try to measure length on width of your head if possible (outside calipers).

One of the best parts about getting a VS is they will send you out a conformer and get not only the right size but the right shape too.


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Thank you for the advice, everyone! Also, Eric, very nice hat! I am sorry for the confusion of my previous post. I have been overthinking the idea of hat shrinkage, in large part due to my experience with one Federation IV 59cm/7 3/8 hat, and this thread below from eight years ago about the subject of shrinking hat sweatbands and felt:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/how-long-do-hats-continue-to-shrink.50131/

It seems that based on your advice, that I should just consider the size 7 3/8 for an Off the Rack Dove or Chocolate. My modern Stetson milan Stratoliner is that size, and has not shrunk in the sweatband as noticeably as my Akubras, the latter of which are designed to do, and the company and its vendors tend to instruct ordering a size up, which I have become accustomed to doing. My vintage 7 3/8 hats also fit about the same as when I've bought them, my Knox homburg is the same as a couple of years ago, and my Stetson St. Regis has only acquired slight shrinkage since eight years ago. I like to wear my hats in the rain, whenever that comes in my area, and I have wet them before in getting them shaped from the open crown, as well.

I think I will also look for a hat jack, as it sounds like a good investment. I am surprised that I do not already have one, with my interest in hats spanning nine years, now.