Consider the hat

I own a few hats but seldom wear them for fear of them being stolen off my head! A very nice cowboy hat, snowy river I believe. It can be rolled up and used as a pillow and still keep its shape.
 
nick_s said:
I have been wanting to buy a hat for quite some time now as my dearly beloved will tell you. The trouble is, I have absolutely ZERO clue as to which hat to buy.

I suggested before our honeymoon in 2012 that I should buy 2 hats for Egypt, a pith helmet and a Fez (the Fez works on two levels, I am a Saracens supporter, and as such, a Fez boy). I was told in no uncertain terms that the marriage would not happen if I bought either :D

I feel like I'd like a Gambler, but am not sure, as there are no places that I am aware of that I could go and try various hats to see what suits.

Do any of the fine TSR members don a hat on a regular basis?
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Besides liking Egypt(been twice)yeah I often wear a black flat cap:)
 
Count of Undolpho said:
Christy's: Felt Fedora & Nubuck Fedora
Tilley Outback
Barbour: Flat cap, Baseball type and Stanhope Trapper
Stormy Kromer Original
Wool GI issue Jeep Cap
Old and battered Panama

There are very few days in the year I don't wear a hat of some sort. The most disappointing is the Tilley which is great in fit and style BUT is made out of Fashion "Wax Cotton" that you can wash. Which means it looks like plain cotton and is as weather proof as plain cotton...BAH!
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I have resolved my disappointment with the Tilley by the hat lovers expedient of buying a new hat! Failsworth Wax Cotton Fisherman's. Very similar fit and shape to the Tilley but made out of real live proper British wax cotton, so far it has withstood all that has been poured on, excellent! Mine's Olive.

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Count of Undolpho said:
I have resolved my disappointment with the Tilley by the hat lovers expedient of buying a new hat! Failsworth Wax Cotton Fisherman's. Very similar fit and shape to the Tilley but made out of real live proper British wax cotton, so far it has withstood all that has been poured on, excellent! Mine's Olive.

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Almost Count, you make a believer out of me.

JohnnyO. o/
 
JohnnyO said:
Almost Count, you make a believer out of me.

JohnnyO. o/
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It's become one of my favourite hats, for proper outdoors in the rain stuff any way, though it'll do as a sun hat. Goes in the bag flat or rolled up, reshapes when you put it on and the rear of the brim is perfectly angled to chuck water down your back (which is great unless your pack isn't waterproof or you forget to put your collar up. Fit is like a Tilley so is loose enough to wear a buff under it for extra warmth.
 
The truth being, there are as you say, very few Hatters around. It is imperative that you try various styles and shapes that suit your face.

I have been wearing hat's for over 20 years, but mainly Fedoras, Trilby's,"titfer" Panama's & Homburg's ............. all in various colours, styles & material's used.

Have a look at Lock's & Co, Lairs Hatters & Hats & Caps all have Websites.

Some pointers may help:Crown Height, Brim width Wide or Narrow. Also ask with regards to the materials used Fur, Wool or Beaver or with Panama's ask how it was constructed using Toquilla palm "Brisa hats " bear in mind the finer the weave the more expensive it will be.

Other things to bear in mind is the weight of the material used, also is it lined, leather sweat band, grosgrain ribbon around the crown. This can make or break the hat.

Should you take the step, my advise would be a hat for each season's minimum of four (4) my rule of thumb is that you are paying for quality,(pay as much as you can afford) poor quality is money wasted and take your time. Have a look at one of the forums i.e. The Fedora Lounge of which I am a member, useful hints and tips.

There are some Hatters around that offer a service ...... Whereby you send them a selfie and they make a suggestion as to your face profile, their is also a piece of software being developed by Hatters that can super impose a style of hat to your face profile (keep watching)

Hope all this helps.

Charles U.K
 
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Hats, you say? I have one or two:

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In there are a couple of Akubras, a black Christy's trilby, a navy Christie's stingy brim trilby, a Panama and two of my favourites - a Lock's racing felt and an Orvis crushable felt trilby. Under the Lock is a rather nice trilby from Laird Hatters that I wear quite often. It has a narrow brim and high crown; Laird changed the ribbon to a narrow one which suits it. I also have several flat caps, including a ratting cap I bought in 1977 and still wear regularly, and a couple of Lock's velvet smoking caps.

I've always thought that Nigel Patrick wore trilbys particularly well; a slight angle makes all the difference.

I recommend a visit to Lock's, especially in the sale. My racing felt was picked up for less than half price.
 
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