Young hatter in need of guidance.

[2manyhats]

So, I purchased my first fedora about 3 years ago in a store called "New Yorker" when I was living in Germany. It was a cheap black cotton one, cost €15 (and still one of my favorites), but then I just started getting more! They suit me, I sing jazz music (Sinatra all the way!). Now just a couple of months I bought two "nice" fedoras, over $40, at www.villagehatshop.com
My problem, I have 17 fedoras! And I've got a taste of good fedoras and i want more, but I want to start getting into some antique/vintage. Anything I should be cautious about? Any experiences anyone can share? Are there guide lines i should follow before I just go spend money.

BTW I'm about to be a freshmen in college. I think I have an addiction. lol

 

[jlee562]

Any fur felt hats yet?

 

[2manyhats]

Sadly no.
Mostly wool.
It sucks, fur felts look beautiful.

 

[jlee562]

Save up and invest in a nice fur felt hat, I would recommend an Akubra, a brand with which I have personal experience with, others may be able to chime in about other brands.

 

[St.Ignatz]

size?

 

[2manyhats]

Save up and invest in a nice fur felt hat, I would recommend an Akubra, a brand with which I have personal experience with, others may be able to chime in about other brands.

Nice looking hats, just a little bit too western/outback for my taste. Of course, I was just looking at their current styles. I'll do some more research. Thanks!

lol, never mind found them in my style!

 

[2manyhats]

size?

I'm a Medium. 7-7 1/8

 

[Mav]

I would recommend an Akubra

Seconded.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Welcome, 2many'.

I say follow your instincts about getting into vintage fedoras. As a size 7-7-1/8 you should be able to do well price-wise on Ebay.

I believe others when they relate the virtues of modern makes, but I wouldn't trade one of my '40s Stetsons for all of the Akubras in the world.

 

[St.Ignatz]

Gene is right on the money. 7 to 7 1/8 quality hats are abundant on the bay. I suggest you go 7 1/8 as you can always pad a bit. A nice Champ, Portis, Stetson, Mallory, Dobbs and even the coveted Borsalino can be had for much less $ with better quality. Check out the ebay win threads and look at the descriptions when they post the ebay page. You won't go in to the process unarmed. Enjoy the ride and happy hunting.
Tom D.

 

[jlee562]

lol, never mind found them in my style!

The Hampton and Fedora models are really nice hats...

Check out Hatsdirect.com: http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?group=Fedora+Hats

 

[Mav]

I wouldn't trade one of my '40s Stetsons for all of the Akubras in the world.

Blasphemer.

 

[fluteplayer07]

In retrospect, I would now probably caution people to stay away from the 1960's short brimmed and heavily tapered fur felts on eBay. Although it is exciting to fish that first one out of the bay for cheap, I find that as my personal tastes have matured in hat collecting; that I wear those ones less and less. And they seem to have a lower resale value on this forum than other styles. Looking back, I wish I would have held back from the three or four stingy tapers I hastily bid on, and saved up for a good 30', 40's, or even 50's high crowned, and slightly wider brimmed hats. Of course, your tastes may vary from mine, but if you intend on sticking around in the Lounge, your preferences will most likely eventually shift towards the 'Golden Era' proportions. [huh]

EDIT: 800th post! I'm here way too much!

And welcome, by the way!

 

[jwalls]

Welcome aboard

Glad to have you with us. As far as fur felt hats I recommend custom or vintage.

 

[Spats McGee]

Welcome to the Lounge!

I'm going to just echo what some of the others have said. Wool felts make decent starters, but they're just not the same as fur felts. At 7 or 7 1/8, you ought to do OK on ebay.

Happy Hunting!

 

[cptjeff]

In retrospect, I would now probably caution people to stay away from the 1960's short brimmed and heavily tapered fur felts on eBay. Although it is exciting to fish that first one out of the bay for cheap, I find that as my personal tastes have matured in hat collecting; that I wear those ones less and less. And they seem to have a lower resale value on this forum than other styles. Looking back, I wish I would have held back from the three or four stingy tapers I hastily bid on, and saved up for a good 30', 40's, or even 50's high crowned, and slightly wider brimmed hats. Of course, your tastes may vary from mine, but if you intend on sticking around in the Lounge, your preferences will most likely eventually shift towards the 'Golden Era' proportions. [huh]

EDIT: 800th post! I'm here way too much!

And welcome, by the way!

Fair enough for some, but there are some of us for whom those simply look like too much hat. I would look very, very stupid in a high, straight crown. I'm short, needing a shorter crown, and have a somewhat narrow face, meaning I need taper. Those 60's hats are more or less perfect for my face and build, though I can still appreciate the 40's era proportions.

To the OP: look around for a piece called "The art of fitting faces". It can be found in a few places around the web, and it gives you an idea of the proportions that will suit your face best.

 

[fluteplayer07]

Assuming that it fits your face shape, yes.

 

[scottyrocks]

If youre gonna go new, I'll add to the Akubra chorus. The Fed IV is a wonderful hat, either in Imperial or Heritage felt.

 

[jdbenson]

Follow

Follow this link to all the vintage fedoras your heart could ever desire...

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/hats/mens-hats

 

[Mocheman]

Gene is right on the money. 7 to 7 1/8 quality hats are abundant on the bay. I suggest you go 7 1/8 as you can always pad a bit. A nice Champ, Portis, Stetson, Mallory, Dobbs and even the coveted Borsalino can be had for much less $ with better quality. Check out the ebay win threads and look at the descriptions when they post the ebay page. You won't go in to the process unarmed. Enjoy the ride and happy hunting.
Tom D.

A 7 5/8" hat wearer cries alone in shame.

As the guys have stated there are tons of vintage hats in your size on ebay. If you want a nice light hat for the warmer months look for a Royal Stetson Playboy. I've seen a few in your size.

If you go new Akubra is the way to go. They are tough as nails and a few styles are as close to vintage as you will find new outside of a custom job. They are a hat you can keep for the long haul.