WTB: Borsalino 7.5

[alhartman]

I am a newbie to hats and to this BB.

My daily drivers are a 1973 Alfa GTV; a 1974 BMW CSi, and an 1967 Jaguar 420. I am perpetually finishing my 1922 Portland bungalow--and try to keep it in the proper Arts and Crafts style. I also collect Boy Scout Stamps and Postal History pre-1960 and have an extensive accumulation of David Lance Goines posters and Wes Humpston Bulldogskates skateboards. So my feet seem to be firmly planted in the past.

My logic on getting into hats is: My grandfathers both wore hats. I am now a grandfather. Therefore I must wear hats.

My logic on Borsalino is: I drive and Alfa and my roadbike is a Guerciotti, so what choice do I have?

My head circumfrence is 23.5 which converts to a 60. And my limited research says Borso run tight to maybe a 7 5/8?

TIA......................al

 

[gtdean48]

To help your quest & get your post count up so you can Private Message....what are you looking to spend?

Welcome to the Lounge, BTW

 

[alhartman]

From watching evilBay, definitely north of $200. From budget perspective (still need ongoing Alfa parts which aint cheap) south of $350

 

[gtdean48]

What about hat preferences? Brim width, ribbon treatment, colors, etc....

 

[alhartman]

Preferences are still developing.
I look best in the wider brims. I have a $30 Scala with a 2.5 that I wear often. And a non fitting black Como with a 2 7/8 (I think) that looks pretty good. What draws me most is soft texture;the Stetsons and Akubra I have tried are a little too stiff to my liking. The 'soft' look is what I like. I still dont have a brim edge treatment preference--raw, stitched, Cavanaugh all seem fine. I have tried a few hats with brims toward the stingy and they take as many points off my IQ as a baseball cap!!

Ribbon--no real preference yet. On the Scala I took off the grossgrain and replace with a snakeskin and squirrel tail tip instead of a feather; looks a bit to pimpish-- but I like the 1 inch width and contrast with the hat color.

Color--probably black as that seems to be available and standard--but suppose any dark color is a good start.

So, probably the greatest preference is for wider brims and soft feel/look..........................al

 

[gtdean48]

All of mine are Alessandria's (Open Road/Stratoliner style) thin ribbons of lighter colors.
Best of luck with your search...

 

[alhartman]

Thank you for getting me to clarify my needs. Maybe some lighter colors later, but want to start with dark I think.
I gather by open road/stratoliner styles you mean thinner ribbons--if so, that is what I seek in addition to a fairly wide brim and very soft feel.........................al

 

[gtdean48]

Thank you for getting me to clarify my needs. Maybe some lighter colors later, but want to start with dark I think.
I gather by open road/stratoliner styles you mean thinner ribbons--if so, that is what I seek in addition to a fairly wide brim and very soft feel.........................al

Your statement below, "I like the 1 inch width and contrast with the hat color", had me thinking you were not looking for thin ribbons.
OR/Strat/Alessandria ribbons are about 3/8"(4 ligne).
1" is more mid-ribbon size....IMHO

 

[Jedwbpm]

The Alessandria in Charcoal grey is a nice hat.
http://www.delmonicohatter.com/Borsalino-Fedora-Hats/IT452.htm
the Bellagio in Black and Charcoal Grey is nice we also have it in Navy.
http://www.delmonicohatter.com/Borsalino-Fedora-Hats/IT183.htm
Weclcome to the lounge

Jeff
living the dream at
DelMonicohatter.com

 

[alhartman]

Thank you jedwbpm for the link to pictures; gives me a little better idea since I dont have hat in hand. But I will hold out for older Borsalinos; a personal quirk since my newest car is a 1974.......................al