What is the proper headwear in the for this?

[GWD]

This Christmas day I'm taking the family to see "White Christmas" on stage. I plan on wearing a Vintage Pendleton dinner jacket which is red with black velvet shaw lapels and cuffs with tuxedo pants and black bow tie, and patent leather shoes.

A fedora seems too casual. I don't own a homburg or a top-hat. Any suggestions?

 

[scottyrocks]

I guess either buy a homburg for top hat, or go with a black fedora if you have one. A black fedora should look quite dashing with what you have described.

 

[thunderw21]

Black or gray fedora. Or get yourself a black or gray homburg.

 

[MikeBravo]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to get a Homburg to me

Black fedora would be fine though

 

[Yeps]

red with black velvet shaw lapels and cuffs

This makes me think the proper headwear would be something along these lines:

 

[Shangas]

A black fedora or trilby would be best. Of course, the best-best is naturally a black or grey Homburg or a black topper (grey toppers are usually for weddings).

If you don't have a black homburg or topper or even a grey homburg, then a black fedora should do.

Or you could just buy a black homburg like what the others have said...

 

[GWD]

Thanks guys, I'm looking for a black homburg as we speak.

 

[dhermann1]

What's your size? I have a surplus one. I'm only a 7, so it migt be too small.

 

[ormosporter]

A black fedora

 

[Lefty W.]

According to this thread, the shawL lapel is a bit less formal than a peaked lapel. In any case, I'd vote for a black homburg as well.

 

[GWD]

What's your size? I have a surplus one. I'm only a 7, so it migt be too small.

I'm between 7 1/8 and 7 1/4 I can make either work.

 

[GWD]

I got an offer out on the Black Stetson "Special" Homburg but if the seller doesn't accept I'll probably wear this snappy little Mallory.

 

[Nick D]

Of course, the best-best is naturally a black or grey Homburg or a black topper (grey toppers are usually for weddings).

A top hat of any colour would not be worn with the clothes described. Gray toppers are traditionally for the races, though they're worn more frequently now.

 

[Edward]

Yes, I qouldn't go near a top hat with black tie. Toppers look all out of proportion, to my eye, without being paired with the length of tails. Also, witha red jacket you would run the risk of looking like a ringmaster. Blak homberg if you can find one (usually much easier and much cheaper than a fedora of equivalent vintage). Hat posted above would do just fine.

 

[Rathdown]

This makes me think the proper headwear would be something along these lines:

Hahahahahahahaha!

 

[Edward]

If it was a velvet smoking jacket, that would work, though if it *was* a smoking jacket it would be inappropriate to wear to the theatre.

When travelling with limitedspace, I have worn a black basque beret with black tie, which had an unorthodox elan to it.

 

[Yeps]

If it was a velvet smoking jacket, that would work, though if it *was* a smoking jacket it would be inappropriate to wear to the theatre.

I have never heard of a red dinner jacket with velvet lapels, so my first thought was of a smoking jacket, hence the smoking cap.

 

[Edward]

I have never heard of a red dinner jacket with velvet lapels, so my first thought was of a smoking jacket, hence the smoking cap.

Yeah, I saw where you were going with that. It certainly is unorthodox. From the description given it sounds like it would fall into the "creative back tie" camp, i.e. a deviation from the norm as a deliberate design intent. Be interesting to see photos.

 

[GWD]

Yeah, I saw where you were going with that. It certainly is unorthodox. From the description given it sounds like it would fall into the "creative back tie" camp, i.e. a deviation from the norm as a deliberate design intent. Be interesting to see photos.

I guess it could be a very subtle Smoking Jacket, it's not flashy or luxurious like most I've seen. Just a very cheery red wool jacket with black velvet lapels and cuffs.

 

[Undertow]

Interesting jacket, I must say! I wonder if that was formerly a uniform of sorts; or perhaps a jacket intended for some religious or fraternal organization. Do you know when it was cut?

I'd concur on the toppers - avoid at all costs; they're not appropriate with semi-formal attire. Find a black homburg, and I'm not sure there are many alternatives otherwise. Personally, I would not substitute a soft felt hat for a semi-formal occasion, nor would I don a bowler. In other words, you can wear whatever hat you want as long as it's a black homburg!

If you're having difficulty finding homburgs, check with your local Burlington Coat Factory. I purchased a decent fur felt homburg there for roughly $30 new back in 2007. Can't say if they even still carry hats but it's always worth a look.