Sears Hats 1938 Fall

[rlk]

Note correct historical use of "Fedora"

[Undertow]

RLK, I can't see the scan very well, but at the bottom right of the second page, is that a sewn hat; i.e. made of cloth, like what we can find today at Wal-Mart? Or is that truly fur felt? It seems like $0.69 for a fur felt hat, even in '38, would be considerably cheap. Compared to the other hats, this is the cheapest of the "fedora" styles. Any info on this?

Also, I find it quite interesting that the hats we Loungers call "fedoras" are labeled as "Snap Brims", while a Fedora is shown as a hat with a rolled edge and stiff brim similar (if not identical) to a Homburg. Great scans!

[m0nk]

Also, I find it quite interesting that the hats we Loungers call "fedoras" are labeled as "Snap Brims", while a Fedora is shown as a hat with a rolled edge and stiff brim similar (if not identical) to a Homburg. Great scans!

Same here, I found that very surprising. It would also be nice to know when the terminology changed for fedora to mean the snap brim styles next to it.

[mayserwegener]

RLK (Robert) did some great research on the exact topic.

[Rabbit]

RLK (Robert) did some great research on the exact topic.

Can you locate the thread? I'd be very interested to read more about it, and it's difficult to find the threads related to such info.

[rlk]

RLK, I can't see the scan very well, but at the bottom right of the second page, is that a sewn hat; i.e. made of cloth, like what we can find today at Wal-Mart? Or is that truly fur felt? It seems like $0.69 for a fur felt hat, even in '38, would be considerably cheap. Compared to the other hats, this is the cheapest of the "fedora" styles. Any info on this?

Also, I find it quite interesting that the hats we Loungers call "fedoras" are labeled as "Snap Brims", while a Fedora is shown as a hat with a rolled edge and stiff brim similar (if not identical) to a Homburg. Great scans!

Not fur, but I suspect somewhat better than Wal-Marts current offerings:

[buler]

Can you locate the thread? I'd be very interested to read more about it, and it's difficult to find the threads related to such info.

Go here: Fedoras19thCentury

Here: Fedorasfirstdecade20thCentury

B

[Joshbru3]

I have to say, this ad is REALLY interesting. It dates from 1938, but I was really surprised to see the dimensions of the hats. On the top row, all the snap brim hats had a 5 5/8 inch crown (fifth ave crown, whatever that means). The "Wide" brim only measured at 2 1/2, the "short" brim measured at 2 1/8 and "America's standard" was the 2 1/4 inch brim. These dimensions seem to nod to the earlier part of the 30's and late 20's. The homburg has a 5 3/4 full crown and a 2 1/2 inch brim. I always thought that by 38/39, the hat styles had already started to look like the hats from the 40's. I thought that by 38/39 the brim were already anywhere from 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 and the crowns were about 5 1/2 inches tall.

[rlk]

I have to say, this ad is REALLY interesting. It dates from 1938, but I was really surprised to see the dimensions of the hats. On the top row, all the snap brim hats had a 5 5/8 inch crown (fifth ave crown, whatever that means). The "Wide" brim only measured at 2 1/2, the "short" brim measured at 2 1/8 and "America's standard" was the 2 1/4 inch brim. These dimensions seem to nod to the earlier part of the 30's and late 20's. The homburg has a 5 3/4 full crown and a 2 1/2 inch brim. I always thought that by 38/39, the hat styles had already started to look like the hats from the 40's. I thought that by 38/39 the brim were already anywhere from 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 and the crowns were about 5 1/2 inches tall.

I wouldn't expect Sears to be cutting edge but rather a more average view of what was being worn. However, I find the dimensions consistent with those in The American Hatter of '38, which in fact featured Alpine Styles. Remember those late 30's Air-Light Whippets and Playboys had narrower brims than the 40's models.

[Rabbit]

Go here: Fedoras19thCentury

Here: Fedorasfirstdecade20thCentury

B

Thanks, man! Great info!