Will the new Indy movie...

[thunderw21]

...drive up the demand and price of vintage hats?

As a militaria collector I watched Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers drive up the prices of original militaria. Ebay sellers began calling common pieces of militaria "paratrooper", "Ranger" and "rare" and people spent more money. More collectors jumped into the hobby as well, driving up the prices even more.

Will the same thing happen to vintage fedoras? Will sellers start calling every fedora an Indiana Jones hat (more than they already do)? Will even more people get into wearing brimmed hats (not a bad thing)? I'm interested in what you think. Will there be a craze, a feeding frenzy?

Billy

Edit: spelling

 

[RBH]

In a word.... YES.

 

[Mike K.]

Well, the first three triggered an interest in hats and safari-type clothing.
I suppose this one might do the same.
On the brighter side - perhaps there'll be more hat stores opening.

 

[warbird]

I think there may be a few new hat lovers created by it all. But it will be a while before they are interested in our hats. Initially it will spawn a huge increase in Indy style cheap knock offs which will be able available at all the discount places. Some people will wear these things to death and then move to the next fad and some will decide to wear hats more and buy some nicer ones. Several of our members now got their start that way I believe.

Akubra style hats became big after Croc Dundee, but most people only had those crappy knock off hats, but some decided to get something better, same with Man from Snowy River.

In may respects Tombstone did the same thing for cowboy and old western style hats as did Lonesome Dove.

 

[akaBruno]

who or what is Indy?

I thought it was all about Danica Patrick.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I think it will drive up the price of hats. But, it could also have a positive hat effect, in that it might drive up the interest and desire in men to put on fedoras again. But then again, what would I know

 

[Matt Deckard]

It will drive up the price of fur.
It will drive up the production of hats
It will cause me to wear less brown and more grey hats.

 

[Edward]

Although I didn't actually start wearing one seriously until long after I'd seen the films (though I do recall a brown felt fedora that I rescued from a jumble sale pile and wore when playing Indy when I was about 10), it was definitely the IJ films that got me into the idea of fedoras. And (although, yes, his jacket was distinctly different in certain respects) ultimately sparked an appreciation of both A2s and brown leather in general. Those films were also largely responsible for me traking a semester of archaeology at Uni (and damn near donig a degree in it), but that's another story!

Back on topic.... I suspect that there will be an upswing in the availability to the mainstream of fedoras and that sort of accoutrement, a rise in interest, and then as is the way of all fashion it'll slip away and remain as it ever was. A fair few folks might get more into the retro thang as a result of gaining a new interest via the film, so maybe they'll come on to the vintage market. I'm no expert at all so this is pure speculation, but I'd have thought that if prices were gonig to go up, it'd be more likely to be with quality repro stuff rather than vintage originals as such..... unless stuff that simply can't be remanufactured today. It'll be interestring to see whether it has an effect on fashion within the existing retro community, i.e. will folks already into thirties wear be influenced to dress more like Indy when the film comes out.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I think a few of you have already said it for me: there will be an upswing in Indy hat sales, mostly the kind you buy at Disneyland.

Our society today is largely a throwaway society -- we use, discard and go on to the next big craze: we do it with clothes, cars, furniture, and, sadly, even pets, e.g., family sees 101 Dalmations, kiddies want a dalmation, family buys one, when it gets bigger, kiddies lose interest, dog ends up in the pound.

It will be the same with the hats, but a few will adventure beyond the knock-off Indy and seek to find good hats.

karol

 

[deanglen]

I'd guess that "Hey, Indy!" will become the predominant shouted response to being seen in anything from a campaign hat to a stingy.

dean

 

[Feraud]

In today's market I would expect a boom in Indiana Jones ringtones, Ipod accessories, and possibly a limited edition Range Rover.

It is all about the 21st Century marketing people.

 

[Edward]

I'd guess that "Hey, Indy!" will become the predominant shouted response to being seen in anything from a campaign hat to a stingy.

dean

True. I have had a fair few things shouted at me when I've been out in various out of the ordinary garb over the years.... I once got "Oi, Captain Scarlett!" for one of my Yachtsman's caps, which was funny. I took offence at "Oi, Stalin!" though. I mean, had it been Trotsky, fine, but the gravedigger of the revolution??? The indignity!

 

[RedPop4]

I think there may be a few new hat lovers created by it all. But it will be a while before they are interested in our hats. Initially it will spawn a huge increase in Indy style cheap knock offs which will be able available at all the discount places. Some people will wear these things to death and then move to the next fad and some will decide to wear hats more and buy some nicer ones. Several of our members now got their start that way I believe.

Akubra style hats became big after Croc Dundee, but most people only had those crappy knock off hats, but some decided to get something better, same with Man from Snowy River.

In may respects Tombstone did the same thing for cowboy and old western style hats as did Lonesome Dove.

I agree with this. I'd also say that we already have capitalism at its finest already in practice here, not that it's necessarily a bad thing, mind. But Loungers are already driving up the costs of vintage hats as it is. For members here to be leery of new people driving up prices is rather humorous, to me.

And considering the number of young people posting in the Observation Bar, I'd say fedoras and vintage are, already, something of a fad. I've read more than enough threads in there to know that many came to vintage from punk, and other "subcultures" and this will only be a waystation to the next fad that's non-conformist in nature.

But, then, hell, I could be dead wrong, too. I've been wrong before, and I'll be wrong again.

 

[RedPop4]

 

[The Wingnut]

For the record, I've never wanted to be 'cool'. I just wanted to be left alone. 'Cool' tries too hard.

Pop culture annoys me, I hate to think that the things I like are coming back into focus in pop culture again. So goes the ebb and flow, I suppose. Like Matt, I'll be sidelining the brown MacLachlan for a while, although the 'Indy' knuckledragger comments will probably rear their heads regardless.

 

[RBH]

fftopic:
Feraud, this is off topic... but I love this avatar of you. Is the hat your PB\Art panama ?

 

[Anders]

originally posted by Deanglen
I'd guess that "Hey, Indy!" will become the predominant shouted response to being seen in anything from a campaign hat to a stingy.

If I'm going to be called Indy no matter what hat I wear, I'll just go back to wearing my Indy hat and leather jacket everyday.

 

[RBH]

Not that there is anything wrong with Brother Hardy,



But I guess 'hey Indy' works a little better for me than 'whats up Ollie"

 

[Feraud]

fftopic:
Feraud, this is off topic... but I love this avatar of you. Is the hat your PB\Art panama ?

Yes it is and thanks for the compliment. I did not have an opportunity to send it off to Art. The hat is straight from PB.

 

[RBH]

Yes it is and thanks for the compliment. I did not have an opportunity to send it off to Art. The hat is straight from PB.

And I stand corrected.. that is one great looking panama, and you carry the look very well.