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Need hat advice

G

GGlep

New in Town
Messages
27
Why are the DM prices so much higher than EverythingAustralian and HatsDirect? The Stylemaster is just one example--it's twice the price at DM compared to EA. What am I missing?
 
T

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
GGlep said:
Why are the DM prices so much higher than EverythingAustralian and HatsDirect? The Stylemaster is just one example--it's twice the price at DM compared to EA. What am I missing?
Click to expand...
That's a good question, but you'll get a hat from EA or HD just as fast and for a whole lot less. I'm with all the guys above: it's a funny thing that happens when you get into hats - the smaller-brimmed, smaller crowns just don't feel adequate after a very short time. I found that the Fed IV seems a bit more "normal" than the Campdraft, but I promise you that you'll want them both in no time.
 
G

GGlep

New in Town
Messages
27
William G. said:
Another option, if you're interested in shaping the hat yourself, may be the Akubra Sydney aka Akubra Fedora (I believe the Sydney is the same hat listed as Fedora on Everything Australian).

http://everythingaustralian.com.au/shop-by-brands/akubra/fedora.html

Unless I'm badly mistaken, it comes as an open crown, but otherwise the proportions are similar to what you're looking for.
Click to expand...

belfastboy said:
I have a Sydney in Fawn and it is my favourite hat. It came open crowned. It differs from the Stylemaster in that it a raw edge brim (my preference). It is a great hat for the money.
Click to expand...

So, the Sydney/Fedora is the same as the Stylemaster EXCEPT that it comes open crown and doesn't have the ribbon around the edge of the brim? If I go the conservative approach (Stylemaster) the Sydney/Fedora would be a good option if I wanted to do the bash myself--but is this a big benefit in a first hat? I've read in some posts that the Sydney is quite soft and doesn't hold a bash well--true, not true? The color options would be different as well.
 
Frunobulax

Frunobulax

Messages
19,128
Location
Funkytown, USA
GGlep said:
So, the Sydney/Fedora is the same as the Stylemaster EXCEPT that it comes open crown and doesn't have the ribbon around the edge of the brim? If I go the conservative approach (Stylemaster) the Sydney/Fedora would be a good option if I wanted to do the bash myself--but is this a big benefit in a first hat? I've read in some posts that the Sydney is quite soft and doesn't hold a bash well--true, not true? The color options would be different as well.
Click to expand...

I can only speak to your comments on the Fedora. It is a very soft hat, one of the softest modern hats I own. But it took the bash I put in it right away and I don't think it's ever been changed. It holds the crease very well. As far as the benefit of having open crown that and the wind trolley are what convinced me to buy it. I wanted to be able to put my mark on the hat.
 
belfastboy

belfastboy

Messages
10,392
Location
vancouver, canada
GGlep said:
So, the Sydney/Fedora is the same as the Stylemaster EXCEPT that it comes open crown and doesn't have the ribbon around the edge of the brim? If I go the conservative approach (Stylemaster) the Sydney/Fedora would be a good option if I wanted to do the bash myself--but is this a big benefit in a first hat? I've read in some posts that the Sydney is quite soft and doesn't hold a bash well--true, not true? The color options would be different as well.
Click to expand...
My bash in the Sydney holds well. It is a moderate soft hat. Do not own a Fed as yet so have no comparison but I have many other hats and the Sydney holds it as well as any. It is softer than my Akubra Campdraft but holds the bash as well as it. It was easy and fun to do and the bash is moderate so I can easily change if I get the impulse.
 
T

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I don't know if one hat is designed to be softer than another. In a recent discussion on this subject, Zombie suggested that it probably depends on how much starch went into a particular production run at a given time. From the variety of answers coming from Akubra wearers concerning styles and differences in stiffness, I guessed his answer was as good as anyone's. My Imperial-grade CD is much softer than my Heritage one, but my Fed IV, also Heritage-grade, is very soft.
 
J

johnsull

New in Town
Messages
2
hi all,
first post: So I'm new to hats, but discovering a new pleasure.
I'm searching for a hat that is fairly casual, but also fits the wear-to-work-into-town style.
I have an akubra Banjo Paterson, which I love when in the woods, but in the city, I find the brim on the side is too wide for me (I have a narrow face & slender build (think 6ft but skinny)), and I live in a non-hat wearing European culture.
So I am asking for your advice; can I,
i) trim the brim by 1/4'' without damaging the overall shape/balance of the hat?
Or, even try to trim the sides down to 2 1/2'' on and leave the front/back 2 3/4?
do any of you have experience doing this?

ii) should I buy an alternative hat?
If so, I would wanna stay casual- leather band, brim max 2 1/2'' on the side (or all round); probably no bound brim.
Definitely fur felt too- I tried a wool felt stetson crushable and didn't like the floppy feel...

thanks for your help.
john
 
belfastboy

belfastboy

Messages
10,392
Location
vancouver, canada
Do you live in Europe? If so, I would keep my eyes open for a Tonak from Czech Republic. I just picked up NOS and for $60 it is a great hat. The quality of the felt is outstanding. It has a 2.5" brim and a 5" high crown. The Tonak is even more of a bargain that the Akubra hats. If in the US have a look at the David Morgan Akubra Sydney. It is a 2.5" unbound brim, comes in a Fawn colour which is a versatile colour and a good city/country hat. You could even get away with a 2.25 brim and still wear it as a fedora. There are some bargains to be had in those narrower brim widths. I just picked up a great Borsalino with the 2.25" brim for $100.
 
Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
johnsull said:
hi all,
first post: So I'm new to hats, but discovering a new pleasure.
I'm searching for a hat that is fairly casual, but also fits the wear-to-work-into-town style.
I have an akubra Banjo Paterson, which I love when in the woods, but in the city, I find the brim on the side is too wide for me (I have a narrow face & slender build (think 6ft but skinny)), and I live in a non-hat wearing European culture.
So I am asking for your advice; can I,
i) trim the brim by 1/4'' without damaging the overall shape/balance of the hat?
Or, even try to trim the sides down to 2 1/2'' on and leave the front/back 2 3/4?
do any of you have experience doing this?

ii) should I buy an alternative hat?
If so, I would wanna stay casual- leather band, brim max 2 1/2'' on the side (or all round); probably no bound brim.
Definitely fur felt too- I tried a wool felt stetson crushable and didn't like the floppy feel...

thanks for your help.
john
Click to expand...
You should always buy an "alternative" hat. Always.
 
jkingrph

jkingrph

Practically Family
Messages
848
Location
Jacksonville, Tx, West Monroe, La.
Welcome. Personally I like a wider brim, but that's just me. I have a couple of the Banjo Patterson hats, and recently got a Lawson. I generally search for the wider brim models.

You might get on the internet and search for what they call dimensional cut brims, that would be a hat with the brim generally wider on the front and back than the sides. The Indiana Jones type, aka the Akrubra Adventurer is dimensional cut, 3 1/8 front and back, and 2 3/4" on the sides per the David Morgan websidt.

I wear mine dress or casual, it fits any occasion as far as I am concerned.

http://www.akubra-usa.com/adventurer.html

Here it is shown open crown, shape it like you wish and have fun.
 
Short Balding Guy

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,605
Location
Minnesota, USA
Stetson advertisements from the 40's, "How to Go to Town in the Country" suggests a mid ribbon fedora with 2.5" brim:

i-cgrgdvM-M.jpg


The above advertisement is a starting place. IMO, a thin or medium ribboned fedora, bound or not bound, felt color of choice with a 2.5" brim easily fits the bill of country/city. This gives a BEHEMOTH variety of hat brands, models and colors to fit the definition you have asked for. Check out the thread What Hat Hat Are You Wearing on this forum for forum members contributions. Many wear the city/country hats everyday. Search Stetson vintage advertisements on the web. When your interests get piqued query the forum for real life examples.

Trim brim? I say check out the options on the threads. Select one and try it. We can not have just one in our wardrobe. We need a few. (Some need many.) Follow your likes and find out where they go. The enjoyment is in the search, acquisition and "making it happen "when it comes to style. Lots of options are available at just the use of your fingers on the keyboard.

Just my opinion. Best wishes in your hat search and wearing, Eric -
 
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