Indicators of a low quality hat:

[tropicalbob]

“Real Leather”....if i have to be told i think i’ll pass. YMMV
B

Even better is "genuine leather," a really misleading term. According to the Horween tannery home page under their list of leather types, it technically refers to a process whereby the under-scrapings of a hide are put into a pot and melted into a kind of sludge, then treated with various bonding agents, dried, and finally stamped to look like it has a grain (kind of like particle-board). Of course, nobody knows this. The term is often used on mall jackets, straps on bags, shoe soles, etc., and it's just vague enough that it can also be used for any cheap or second-rate hide. Look at how many dodgy-looking jackets n Ebay use the term. Ah, modern advertising!

 

[scottyrocks]

Like Brent, my low(er) quality hats have a place in my wardrobe, usually reserved for more 'roughtime' situations.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Even better is "genuine leather," a really misleading term. According to the Horween tannery home page under their list of leather types, it technically refers to a process whereby the under-scrapings of a hide are put into a pot and melted into a kind of sludge, then treated with various bonding agents, dried, and finally stamped to look like it has a grain (kind of like particle-board). Of course, nobody knows this. The term is often used on mall jackets, straps on bags, shoe soles, etc., and it's just vague enough that it can also be used for any cheap or second-rate hide. Look at how many dodgy-looking jackets n Ebay use the term. Ah, modern advertising!

Ah yes, “bonded leather.”

 

[belfastboy]

Even better is "genuine leather," a really misleading term. According to the Horween tannery home page under their list of leather types, it technically refers to a process whereby the under-scrapings of a hide are put into a pot and melted into a kind of sludge, then treated with various bonding agents, dried, and finally stamped to look like it has a grain (kind of like particle-board). Of course, nobody knows this. The term is often used on mall jackets, straps on bags, shoe soles, etc., and it's just vague enough that it can also be used for any cheap or second-rate hide. Look at how many dodgy-looking jackets n Ebay use the term. Ah, modern advertising!

My new favourite on Facebook spam adverts.....wait for it...…"Vegan Leather"....mostly from Chinese sources. I gotta give them props for creativity.

 

[Frunobulax]

Ah yes, “bonded leather.”

"Pleather."

I just caught up on this thread. I remember when it started, but got away from it for two pages (!!). Good thread.

 

[scottyrocks]

My new favourite on Facebook spam adverts.....wait for it...…"Vegan Leather"....mostly from Chinese sources. I gotta give them props for creativity.

Doesn't everyone love dried cucumber strips wrapped around their heads?

 

[tropicalbob]

Doesn't everyone love dried cucumber strips wrapped around their heads?

I thought I'd given that up with my last keg party.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I was just thinking, this really is the companion thread to the Hat You Like All Out of Proportion to Their Quality thread.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/hats-you-like-all-out-of-proportion-to-their-quality.100141/

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Ah yes, “bonded leather.”

Argh, “bonded leather” or anything with “bond” in it gives me pause and keeps me looking over my shoulder.
B

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My new favourite on Facebook spam adverts.....wait for it...…"Vegan Leather"....mostly from Chinese sources. I gotta give them props for creativity.

I see that Stetson is making use of vegan sweatbands on lots of its hats in 2020. Too bad, but not surprising.

 

[steur]

I see that Stetson is making use of vegan sweatbands on lots of its hats in 2020. Too bad, but not surprising.

View attachment 236683

Makes you wonder if there really wasn't anyone at Stetson who didn't think this to be an exercise in pointlessness. A vegan sweatband on a real furfelt hat; really?

 

[belfastboy]

I see that Stetson is making use of vegan sweatbands on lots of its hats in 2020. Too bad, but not surprising.

View attachment 236683

Whenever I get an unsolicited ad in my FB feed that states "Vegan Leather"....I always reply.....It is plastic FFS!. Vegan Leather is not a legit thing....it is plastic!...tell the truth!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Whenever I get an unsolicited ad in my FB feed that states "Vegan Leather"....I always reply.....It is plastic FFS!. Vegan Leather is not a legit thing....it is plastic!...tell the truth!

Talking out of both sides of their mouths; it’s like saying “genuine“ and “artificial“ to describe the same item.

To each their own, but I’m an unreformed omnivore who has not problem with leather made from leather.

 

[Frunobulax]

Whenever I get an unsolicited ad in my FB feed that states "Vegan Leather"....I always reply.....It is plastic FFS!. Vegan Leather is not a legit thing....it is plastic!...tell the truth!

From the Department of Oxymorons.

Don't get me started on turkey pastrami.

 

[dkstott]

I find it amusing that out of all my good caps & hats. My Bailey litefelt Curtis never fails to get a compliment.

 

[belfastboy]

From the Department of Oxymorons.

Don't get me started on turkey pastrami.

I bought real pastrami this morning......Reubens for dinner tonight!!!

 

[Frunobulax]

I bought real pastrami this morning......Reubens for dinner tonight!!!

Oh, God. Now I'm getting all twitchy. Reubens are made with corned beef, not pastrami.

Next, you're going to tell me you're putting mayonnaise on it!

 

[belfastboy]

Oh, God. Now I'm getting all twitchy. Reubens are made with corned beef, not pastrami.

Next, you're going to tell me you're putting mayonnaise on it!

Yes, but the deli only had pastrami today and I didn't feel like taking on a search....I maybe could have found vegan corned beef though. Nope, a mustard buffet for selection.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I find it amusing that out of all my good caps & hats. My Bailey litefelt Curtis never fails to get a compliment.

In the end, all that matters is that you like your hat(s). However, the The Fedora Lounge is focused on the “Golden Era,” so don’t expect many here to share your opinion on a wool fedora.

I too have a Lite Felt fedora...I haven’t worn it in years as it definitely isn’t what I want in a fedora. It also isn’t what people who are looking for vintage Felt hats are usually after. This thread was to help those new to the hunt steer clear of hats that don’t have the qualities and attributes that most of us are looking for.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I like and post hats that are of lower quality and that the majority of the regulars to the hat forum have zero interest in. I hope you continue sharing your hats with us. A couple years ago, I started a thread in defense of wool fedoras. I mostly still agree with what I wrote then. I also believe that an accessible and affordable “foot in the door” serves as a gateway to better hats, both vintage and contemporary.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Oh, God. Now I'm getting all twitchy. Reubens are made with corned beef, not pastrami.

Next, you're going to tell me you're putting mayonnaise on it!

I can give you my Philly Cheese Steak recipe that uses pulled pork and BBQ sauce.