New Member to the Hat Forum

LuvMyMan said:

You are so very welcome to this new world of hat fanatics. Firemen have a special place in our family in my home, my Husband's grandpa was one of the original Fire Chiefs that started up the old Waterford, Michigan, Fire Station way back in the late 1930's. Imagine for being just a small kid, getting a ride to school with Grandpa taking you on the Fire Engine! Lot of vintage history there and of course, good stories of how things were done back in the day around the Fire House.

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dad_bod said:

Hi all. I've been lurking around as a guest for a while and would like to introduce myself. I'm a married father of two (2.5 yrs and 3 months), living in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia. I came here for the hats, but might stay for the jackets...

My hat collection is modest and started with an Akubra Hampton a few years ago, quickly followed by an Akubra Trilby and an Akubra Casablanca (anyone see a pattern forming?).

When my daughter hit toddler age, my wife and I started making her wear a hat when ever we went out. Children in Aus are gerenally required to wear a hat to school and they have to use it during recess and lunch times or they're not allowed outside (skin cancer is a major health issue here). But that got me thinking, if I make my kids wear hats for their protection, why am I not wearing one? I quickly purchased a beat up Akubra Snowy River second hand and set about getting comfortable with larger brims.

I've since aquired a Riverina, a Leisure Time and a Byron (I'm not a fan of the straw- but would love to try a real Panama). I try to get them second hand locally, and there are some Akubra bargains around because people in the city don't really wear them (the snowy river coat $15).

The original Snowy River has since been fedora-ized, with its brim chopped, crown popped, and the leather band replaced by Grosgrain ribbon (looks purple in th r image but its most certainly brown in real life). I have done this myself with dressmakers scissors and my tea kettle (and countless hours patience standing still in my kitchen trying to rock my son to sleep with my free hand). It's a bit amateurish, but I like it and I now refer to it a my Showy River.

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dad_bod said:

Hi all. I've been lurking around as a guest for a while and would like to introduce myself. I'm a married father of two (2.5 yrs and 3 months), living in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia. I came here for the hats, but might stay for the jackets...

My hat collection is modest and started with an Akubra Hampton a few years ago, quickly followed by an Akubra Trilby and an Akubra Casablanca (anyone see a pattern forming?).

When my daughter hit toddler age, my wife and I started making her wear a hat when ever we went out. Children in Aus are gerenally required to wear a hat to school and they have to use it during recess and lunch times or they're not allowed outside (skin cancer is a major health issue here). But that got me thinking, if I make my kids wear hats for their protection, why am I not wearing one? I quickly purchased a beat up Akubra Snowy River second hand and set about getting comfortable with larger brims.

I've since aquired a Riverina, a Leisure Time and a Byron (I'm not a fan of the straw- but would love to try a real Panama). I try to get them second hand locally, and there are some Akubra bargains around because people in the city don't really wear them (the snowy river coat $15).

The original Snowy River has since been fedora-ized, with its brim chopped, crown popped, and the leather band replaced by Grosgrain ribbon (looks purple in th r image but its most certainly brown in real life). I have done this myself with dressmakers scissors and my tea kettle (and countless hours patience standing still in my kitchen trying to rock my son to sleep with my free hand). It's a bit amateurish, but I like it and I now refer to it a my Showy River.

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Yahoody said:

Lurked the last couple of years looking for info. Found it a fun place with mutual interests. Been messing with nice western felt hats since I was in the 3rd grade.....60 some years ago now. Refurbished old and new hats and finally built a hat or two for myself and then my wife the last few years. I enjoy working with a nice 100% beaver blank when I have some time and in the mood.

Lots of sun here so a hat 365 is common, felt most of the year, straw when it gets hot.

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Yahoody said:

It is, thanks much. Was mimicking a old Colt advertising poster for this photo. Kinda fun.

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Yahoody said:

Lurked the last couple of years looking for info. Found it a fun place with mutual interests. Been messing with nice western felt hats since I was in the 3rd grade.....60 some years ago now. Refurbished old and new hats and finally built a hat or two for myself and then my wife the last few years. I enjoy working with a nice 100% beaver blank when I have some time and in the mood.

Lots of sun here so a hat 365 is common, felt most of the year, straw when it gets hot.

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dad_bod said:

Hi all. I've been lurking around as a guest for a while and would like to introduce myself. I'm a married father of two (2.5 yrs and 3 months), living in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia. I came here for the hats, but might stay for the jackets...

My hat collection is modest and started with an Akubra Hampton a few years ago, quickly followed by an Akubra Trilby and an Akubra Casablanca (anyone see a pattern forming?).

When my daughter hit toddler age, my wife and I started making her wear a hat when ever we went out. Children in Aus are gerenally required to wear a hat to school and they have to use it during recess and lunch times or they're not allowed outside (skin cancer is a major health issue here). But that got me thinking, if I make my kids wear hats for their protection, why am I not wearing one? I quickly purchased a beat up Akubra Snowy River second hand and set about getting comfortable with larger brims.

I've since aquired a Riverina, a Leisure Time and a Byron (I'm not a fan of the straw- but would love to try a real Panama). I try to get them second hand locally, and there are some Akubra bargains around because people in the city don't really wear them (the snowy river coat $15).

The original Snowy River has since been fedora-ized, with its brim chopped, crown popped, and the leather band replaced by Grosgrain ribbon (looks purple in th r image but its most certainly brown in real life). I have done this myself with dressmakers scissors and my tea kettle (and countless hours patience standing still in my kitchen trying to rock my son to sleep with my free hand). It's a bit amateurish, but I like it and I now refer to it a my Showy River.

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Yahoody said:

The original from 1925 I was trying to duplicate...

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Yahoody said:

The original from 1925 I was trying to duplicate...

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Hurricane Jack said:

You forgot to turn up the front of your brim.

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Fjn356 said:

Hello from a newbie. Always have had a few hats arround, but saved my enthusiasm for cars until I no longer felt like spending all that time laying under and bending over them. So I'm beginning with a couple of Panama's, a couple of fedoras, a Homburg and, when it arrives, an open crown Akubra Bushman. Thought I would jump in the deep end and try bashing one. Maybe a telescope.

The styles of the German fedoras from the 30s and 40s appeal most to me, but I'll have to continue my research on the Internet before I jump in that pool.

I have been really impressed with the original historical research that members bring to this site and the creative energy that the photos demonstrate. All this and the astounding amount of good grace of the members.

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Fjn356 said:

Hello from a newbie. Always have had a few hats arround, but saved my enthusiasm for cars .....

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quikrick said:

I've been hanging around here, learning a ton from this forum. I decided to step out of the shadows! This is an awesome place to be!
The hat is an modernish (mid 1980's) Stetson

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quikrick said:

I've been hanging around here, learning a ton from this forum. I decided to step out of the shadows! This is an awesome place to be!
The hat is an modernish (mid 1980's) Stetson

Click to expand...

quikrick said:

I've been hanging around here, learning a ton from this forum. I decided to step out of the shadows! This is an awesome place to be!
The hat is an modernish (mid 1980's) Stetson

Click to expand...