What’s your favorite decade for hats, and why?

[David Conwill]

Each decade has something to like, certainly, except for the dark ages from the late 1960s to the dawn of the Internet era. Now, however, the world wide web allows us access to talented hatters worldwide who can craft us a reproduction of a hat from any era, so this may be the new golden age of hats.

I’m going to say I like the 1940s, personally, with an emphasis on the second half of that decade. Crowns were still tall, with wide hat bands to match, and the bound edge seems to have been in its heyday.

-Dave

 

[Garrett]

30's

Untapered high crowns with nice wide bows and raw edge brims - Mercury still used in the process too

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

'40s, to me, were the epitome of style in every way. Not as ornate as previous times, yet not as minimalist as the decades to follow.

 

[shortbow]

Fifties. High crowns, wide brims, thin ribbons, bound edges.

 

[Lokar]

The Twenties. Soft felt hats had truly entered the mainstream, but toppers and bowlers were still regularly worn, not just for the most formal events. Such a wide range to choose from!

 

[gtdean48]

Fifties. High crowns, wide brims, thin ribbons, bound edges.

:arated: What he said so well!

 

[Jauntyone]

19th century: there is nothing cooler than a top hat!
1930s: soft hats (fedoras) were made with perfect proportions.
1960s: there is just something about stingy-brims that I like, even if I can't quite put my finger on it!
2000s: Art Fawcett!

 

[daizawaguy]

2000s: Art Fawcett!

:eusa_clap Standing ovation :eusa_clap

 

[thunderw21]

Mid-'20s to early-'30s. Gotta love the uber tall crowns, narrower brims and wonderful felt. They had attitude.

 

[J.J. Gittes]

For me, I'd say the 30's and 40's. I love both the high untapered crowns with smaller brims as well as large bound brim types of the 40's going into the 50's a bit.

 

[Dewhurst]

I vote for TODAY. The possibilities are immediate and exciting. Not a single hat I wear on a daily basis is over three years old (as of right now).

 

[ScionPI2005]

I voted for the 40's, although there are features of hats I like from all the decades listed. I love the high crowns of the 30's just as much as I like some 60's style stingies from time to time.

 

[suitedcboy]

50's because Whippets, and Whippet clones by other hatters, peaked then and they get my vote for THE ideal fedora.

 

[scottyrocks]

1930s for all the reasons listed above.

 

[handlebar bart]

Neat topic. I voted 40's but I like the styles of the 30's also.

 

[BobC]

30's here, and 40's. Tall straight crowns, narrower brims.

 

[Michaelshane]

My favorite decade is now,wearing hats from the 30s,40s,and 50s.

 

[mingoslim]

Classic 1940s . . .

I’m giving my vote to the 1940s . . . High quality felt, crowns were still tall, wide brims, bound edges, and three of the greatest hats of all time were born . . . The Stratoliner, the Open Road, and the Allesandria.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

For fedoras? Not simply the 1930s, but 1937 to '40 or so. High crowns, 2 1/2" brims, soft felt.


For homburgs? The 1920s. Lower crowns and terrific brim curl.


.

 

[billyspew]

I voted for 40's but anything from the 20's to the 50's really.