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Joao Encarnado

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,776
Location
Portugal
Glad I'm not the only one thinking that. I don't think a hat would come to that. I imagine that in the western North America the hat wearer would also wash his hat if it were too dirty. It can take a beating several times.
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,056
Location
San Francisco, CA
Yah, Gunner and Fouquet go WAY overboard with the distressing treatments.

I get the appeal of having a "worn-in" hat. Heck, I even own a 'relic' guitar that was built new to look old. But nothing about those hats looks realistic. Too much dirt and not applied with finesse.

If you look at the distressed hats that Baron does, for example, they look like an actual lived in hat. John Penman's Cairo Indy hat is another example
 
Messages
11,913
Location
Southern California
Different strokes for different folks. I agree with you gents that the distressing is heavy-handed (more "work of art" than "practical headwear") and they don't suit my tastes, but someone out there must like them or Gunner Foxx and Nick Fouquet surely wouldn't keep making them.
 

Joao Encarnado

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,776
Location
Portugal
someone out there must like them or Gunner Foxx and Nick Fouquet surely wouldn't keep making them.
Someone like Johnny Deep with large pockets that doesn't mind looking out of place just because.
If I could afford one, I would want one clean.
If I wanted a distressed hat, I would work for it. My first Stetson is almost there.
 

Lotsahats

One Too Many
Messages
1,370
Yah, Gunner and Fouquet go WAY overboard with the distressing treatments.

I get the appeal of having a "worn-in" hat. Heck, I even own a 'relic' guitar that was built new to look old. But nothing about those hats looks realistic. Too much dirt and not applied with finesse.

If you look at the distressed hats that Baron does, for example, they look like an actual lived in hat. John Penman's Cairo Indy hat is another example
Yup.

Patina or the lived-in look that comes after years of use is one thing, but speaking for me alone, I just don't find these sorts of pre-distressed hats at all appealing.
 
Messages
11,913
Location
Southern California
Someone like Johnny Deep with large pockets that doesn't mind looking out of place just because...
I've read, and I have no idea whether or not it's true, that Depp has obtained many of his hats by buying them from people he's encountered on the streets all over the world. He clearly likes well-used hats, and when he sees someone wearing one he'll stop them to have a conversation about the hat and, if it fits, he'll make them an offer.

...If I wanted a distressed hat, I would work for it...
...Patina or the lived-in look that comes after years of use is one thing...
This is the way I feel about it as well. I like the look of a well-used "beater" hat, but I'm willing to wait until my hats develop that "character" on their own.
 

Lean'n'mean

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,077
Location
Cloud-cuckoo-land
It's logical I suppose that these 'artificial personalities' have turned to artifical hats to give themselves some kind of cool credibility.
I can remember in the 80's when the urban middle classes used to spray fake mud onto their 4X4's to give themselves bush cred..:rolleyes:
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,056
Location
San Francisco, CA
Well, if I wanted an aged hat, I wouldn't buy one from Fouquet or Foxx.

I can't decide what's more ridiculous, the stains that look like engine grease, or the fact that neither seems to understand that the razor sharp creases they put in completely kill any illusion of looking "old."
 

Hektor

New in Town
Messages
10
I am brand new to this forum, but I am not brand new - I am 70. I have returned to wearing hats and since I do not like ball caps I decided to do it in style with a fedora. I started by buying a bailey Blixen which I like, but this thing can get addictive. Our budget is going to rule out a nice Borsalino, but I know there are many others. How would you describe the hat worn by Paul Burke in the 1960s series "Naked City"? Thanks for reading.
Hat.png
 
Messages
19,137
Location
Funkytown, USA
Probably 5.5" crown, 2" Ribbon, 2" brim. That describes a pretty popular style at the time. If you're looking for something like this, they show up all the time on eBay for not too princely a sum.
 
Messages
10,403
Location
vancouver, canada
Luckily I like a 2" brim as they are not that popular and have picked up a few beauties on Ebay for great prices. You get into a 2.25" or bigger brim and the prices start to rise. Just got a 2" Rittenhouse from the late 40's or 50's that looks unworn for only $50. The felt is really nice. Don't give up hope on a Borsalino as I have two really nice ones that have sewn in liners and they were in the $50 range. Also, check out the sellers on Etsy as I have picked up some great hats there for not a lot more.
My learning is don't trust the sellers measurements. I only buy now if the size tag is still present and verified by the seller.
 
Messages
19,137
Location
Funkytown, USA
Luckily I like a 2" brim as they are not that popular and have picked up a few beauties on Ebay for great prices. You get into a 2.25" or bigger brim and the prices start to rise. Just got a 2" Rittenhouse from the late 40's or 50's that looks unworn for only $50. The felt is really nice. Don't give up hope on a Borsalino as I have two really nice ones that have sewn in liners and they were in the $50 range. Also, check out the sellers on Etsy as I have picked up some great hats there for not a lot more.
My learning is don't trust the sellers measurements. I only buy now if the size tag is still present and verified by the seller.

Yeah, I'm OCD about the size. I'm always directing sellers to look behind the sweat for re-order tags. :rolleyes:

2 1/8" seems to be my bottom limit. Though I have one stingy I wear around the house for fun sometimes.
 

Hektor

New in Town
Messages
10
There is a mountain of information here. I know so little but I find it interesting. I don't a Rittenhouse from a Maxwell House :=)
 
Messages
10,403
Location
vancouver, canada
For me the attraction is in both the hunt for great hats and educating myself about all things fedoras. I now have a stable of 25 fedoras of various shapes, crown heights, brim width, and colours and am pretty much maxxed out. Now what the hell do I do other than selling some off and creating space to buy some more?
 

Hektor

New in Town
Messages
10
Well, Belfast, I can only say that my ex wife had more shoes than you...other than that I am most impressed with your collection
 

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