What should a well dressed man have

[Jedwbpm]

What hats should a well dressed man: styles, colors, etc have? I would like to see some of our hat makers here reply to this. I know they are probably working like crazy with holiday orders to fill. Maybe after they can chime in.

Jeff

 

[The Good]

I'm not a hat maker, and I'm probably not a great reference for a well dressed man either (yet, I look more like a vagabond than a gentleman), but here's my take. I think it's possible to be well-dressed without being a regular hat-wearer (think of James Bond for example), but for those that appreciate them, they should own at least the following:

-Two fedoras or trilbys, a shade of grey (or black) and brown/tan
-One homburg for when formality is desired (in my opinion grey or black)
-One straw hat of any style
-One or two flat caps or newsboys

This is my ideal minimum, at least. I have yet to fulfill every category myself though. Still working on it, especially my choice of caps.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

... a well dressed woman at his side!


As to my idea of what to have at a minimum...

First off, no brim under 2-1/4 (but that's because I think stingys look horrible on me)

-One light gray felt with a black band
-One darker gray felt with a brown band
-One brown felt
-One silverbelly Open Road
-One blue felt
-One black felt

I think with that you're set for about any way you dress.

 

[Pompidou]

You only really need one matching outfit that looks good to be well dressed - hat included. Anything after that is a discussion between you and your bank account. One suit. One hat. After all, three suits in the closet and two hats (or twenty) on the rack don't help you look better on the town. One hat will do. Might as well make the hat and suit black so that you don't draw attention to the lack of options in your closet.

 

[Brad Bowers]

For an historical perspective...

One source from 1923 recommends the well-dressed gentleman have the following hats. Obviously, we don't need quite the variety today.

For Evening and Dress:
Silk hat
Opera hat

For Informal Evening:
Tuxedo soft hat
Derby

For Business:
Turned edge soft hat
Cavanagh Edge soft hat
Bound edge soft hat
Derby

For Sports, etc.:
Cross Country lightweight soft hat
Cloth stitched hat
Cap for golf
Cap for travel
Cap for motoring (camel’s hair)
Hunting silk hat
Hunting Derby

For Occasional Wear:
Triple ring brush
100 percent beaver soft hat
Velour

For Summer – For Business Wear:
Sennit Straw
Fancy Straw

For Informal Evening Wear:
Bangkok or Ballybuntal
Panama

Interestingly, another source from 1940 narrowed it down to twelve hats: silk hat, an opera hat, five hats for business including a Homburg and a Derby, a Tyrolean, a semi-sport straw, a Panama, and a Sennit straw.
Brad

 

[VitaminG]

You only really need one matching outfit that looks good to be well dressed - hat included. Anything after that is a discussion between you and your bank account. One suit. One hat. After all, three suits in the closet and two hats (or twenty) on the rack don't help you look better on the town. One hat will do. Might as well make the hat and suit black so that you don't draw attention to the lack of options in your closet.

+1
When pointing back to a bygone era as we bemoan the Fall of the Well-Dressed Gent, keep in mind that many couldn't afford more than a couple of suits and a hat or two.

 

[Jedwbpm]

You only really need one matching outfit that looks good to be well dressed - hat included. Anything after that is a discussion between you and your bank account. One suit. One hat. After all, three suits in the closet and two hats (or twenty) on the rack don't help you look better on the town. One hat will do. Might as well make the hat and suit black so that you don't draw attention to the lack of options in your closet.

Now now pompidou you are going to make Connecticut look bad. Before a became a stay at home dad Had about 8 suits and 6 jackets and as many trousers, and the shoes to go with them.

When I say well dressed man I mean today's well dressed man. What do the members of this board feel are need to be properly dressed for all occasions. Here is Connecticut one can get by without a Cowboy hat (while I don't see what fun that would be). I bet our Texas members would see that as a necessity.

Jeff

 

[Art Fawcett]

HI Jeff,
Before I could answer your question I would have to ask a few more of my own. You just stated you are now a stay at home Dad ( good for you) so your definition of "well dressed" tells me you would most likely only "need" a few fedora's of different colors ( gray, brown, black) to fill the need. How much do you & the Mrs go out on biz occasions? Many formal events? All of these & more would be helpful. If you have an unlimited budget and storage space then heck, go with the 1923 ideas that Brad submitted
It's an interesting question though. I'll follow the thread to see what others consider essential

 

[Jedwbpm]

Wow Art thanks for joining in. The question is not for me but a general question. If you love hats as we do what should one have in there hat boxes. What kind and how should they be used. I have hats that I think most here don't. I am a Bagpiper so I have 2 Belomorals 3 Glenngarrys and a Feather Bonnet and I use them. I don't have a Homburg but I do have a quality pop up silk Top Hat to go with my Tux.
I used to be in the Liquor Biz and people would ask if I am setting up a bar what do I need. I would give them 3 answers min, med and max.

So here is what I have
5 Fedora's
2 Black
2 Brown
1 Gray
3 Stingy Brims
1 Plaid
1 Brown
1 Light Brown suede
1 Top Hat
5 Military
3 Glenngary's
1 Aussie Slouch
1 Campaign
2 Cowboy
1 Black wool felt
1 80's Straw
2 Summer Straw
1 Fedora
1 Gambler
3 Canvas Slouch
2 with Mickey Mouse
1 Plain
1 Tweed Newboy
2 Tricorns
1 Set Mouse Ears
So any holes in what I have at what point am I small, med, large?
OK so I guess this is about me.

If a person just started wearing good hats what should they look to acquire so that they have a diverse and balanced collection of hats to cover most occasions.

Jeff

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

Never heard of these...

For Informal Evening Wear:
Bangkok or Ballybuntal

I take it they are straws?

 

[Art Fawcett]

Never heard of these...

I take it they are straws?

Yup..

 

[scottyrocks]

Might as well make the hat and suit black so that you don't draw attention to the lack of options in your closet.

If you want to be mistaken for a Chasid.

 

[scottyrocks]

Or a Blues Brother.

Or a funeral director.

j/k.

 

[hatophile]

Interesting thoughts, of course, hardly anyone wears tuxes on a regular basis out at night, even to classy events, so toppers are not really necessary.

Realistically, a few nice fedoras in black, gray, brown would be reasonable. Plus a couple of "western" or more casual thin ribbons for play time, and a few beaters for farm/ranch work.

A few flat caps/newsboys, again for more casual wear, and of course a straw or two for warm weather.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stop there, but that's the fun of collecting.

 

[Neophyte]

Another possible source for an answer to this question is a website called The Art of Manliness.
They have a series of articles on the website called "How to Build Your Wardrobe." I will provide for you the link to Part 1. Part 1 is rather helpful, as it provides lists similar to the ones other Loungers have posted so far on this thread. It even provides slightly different lists for certain professions/personality types. Hope it helps!

 

[gtdean48]

This was the reference material for business attire = http://www.grandpappy.info/bdress.htm

 

[danofarlington]

Or a Blues Brother.

Or a funeral director.

j/k.

Or the bad guy in a Western.

 

[hatophile]

Or the bad guy in a Western.

Or, here in Ohio, Amish.

 

[HeyMoe]

Or a Blues Brother.

Nothin' wrong with Jake and Elwood.....

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

... or Jake and Elwood impersonators, even.