Who's Homburgs are good?

[MrRahLo]

2 Votes for Optimo.

Thanks alot for the fast responses. I've seen alot about the custom-fedoras in this forum nothing about the Homburgs. Great, info guys. Keep it coming...

 

[The Wingnut]

Go vintage, you can't go wrong. You'll probably pay less for a vintage homburg than you will for a decent modern fur felt iteration.

I've got a '47 Royal Stetson St. Regis that was given to me...I wouldn't sell it for any price! It's the only homburg I've ever had on my head that actually did my facial structure justice. It's not the easiest look to pull off, it's commonly known as the banker's hat of choice. Definitely classier than a fedora, not to say that a fedora can't be classy.

 

[MrRahLo]

Hard to find vintage hats in a size 8. It's an emotional rollercoaster looking for hats. You see that well preserved hat sitting in a display case. You ask the
lady behind the counter too look at it. She pulls it out and hands it to you. You search the outside for tears, discoloration, imperfections. Nothing! Looks like it came hot off the press. Turn it over. Size 7 1/2. :rage: I give up I mean I go custom...

 

[The Wingnut]

SIZE EIGHT!?

We've got a record!

Wow. You have my sympathy.

 

[Harry Lime]

Size 8? No problem.

Graham, Art and the custom makers can make an eight, no problem. You're not a freak, you're just a member of the modern age. Average hat sizes have crept up consistently over the years. 50 years ago the average size was somehwere around a 7; today it's closer to a 7 3/8. A 7 1/2, 7 5/8 are pretty common sizes now. 8's are not that rare.

Some off the "vintage only" statements here are overstated, to be blunt. There are many vintage hats that are excellent - there are many more that are junk. Granted, you will have to pay for a quality modern custom but from the top makers they hold a candle (at least) to the best of the vintage. And they fit (and they're clean - some of these vintage numbers can get pretty disgusting). Exspensive - yes. But adjust the price of the good old hats for inflation and they're no worse. Pretty good, considering the lengths these men are going to to provide quality hats in an age when there just isn't the demand there used to be.

Harry Lime

 

[Uncle Vern]

Has anyone tried the homburgs sold by Miller Hats? I guess that would make them Biltmores. The Biltmores look good in the web photos. I've been eyeing the Prince Albert model with the 3-inch brim. Prince Albert must have been a good-sizes fella.
By the way, I have a wool felt Homburg, midnight blue, no great hat, but I have also gotten lots of compliments on it, even though I'm usually dressed in my standard raggedy cloths--to me, I look like some bum who rolled a guy for his hat.

 

[Russ]

Homburg at Hats Direct

I see Hats Direct has a Homburg

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi/products.cgi?view=66&returncat=Straw+Hats&returnpage=0

Anyone have any experience with these? The only reason I ask is that I've had a positive experience ordering Federations from them in the past, especially in shipping to Tokyo.

 

[Michael Mallory]

I also vote for Dobbs, but I don't have one of their felts. I have a Milan straw homburg from them, and it's beautiful! I got it for $47 dollars from Mike the Hatter, who gave me an exceptional deal (he does that sometimes for regular customers). I had ordered an Ozark brand, and he sent the Dobbs instead with a note saying it much better quality, but charged the Ozark price. Mike the Hatter is a terrific online store.

 

[TCMfan25]

Borsalino on Ben Craft Hats

 

[danofarlington]

I've always been partial to Wendy's.