The bowler and casual dress, yes?

Crane's · 09-05-2008, 08:07 PM

How's everyone tonight? It's been a while since I've been around but anyway this is what I wore today to go to the store. This is my version of work casual. I posted it on another forum and figured why not here too. I know AlanC wants to see pics of my hats so here's one for ya AC.

Anyway it's been said that a bowler is a formal hat, one to be worn when dressed to the gills. I disagree and think along the lines that it is a hat that's good for just about anything from formal to casual and everywhere in between. After all the hat was made for hunting and in the US it was known in it's day as the every man's hat and just about every man wore one.

Thoughts?

Lefty · 09-05-2008, 08:12 PM

I don't know how, but you seem to make it work.
Now, what the heck are you standing on?

Crane's · 09-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty

I don't know how, but you seem to make it work.
Now, what the heck are you standing on?

It's what's left of an old hydro racer. Put a 30 horse motor on it and it goes about 80 miles an hour. The rocket is in the old shed, it gets a 50 horse motor and goes 110 plus. I DON'T drive these psychotic things, I have my own forms of insanity when I need a good adrenaline rush. I would rather hang on the side of a cliff with no ropes, it's safer. Anyway the store sponsors a race team and the boats get stored here sometimes.

Lefty · 09-05-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crane's

I have my own forms of insanity when I need a good adrenaline rush. I would rather hang on the side of a cliff with no ropes, it's safer.

I'm willing to give you your bowler-casual pass, but I'm not sure that you can wear it free-climbing.

kabuto · 09-05-2008, 08:39 PM

Interesting. It works. For casual I think it would work better in a color other than black, but I'm not sure what color would be best.

Crane's · 09-05-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty

I'm willing to give you your bowler-casual pass, but I'm not sure that you can wear it free-climbing.

They do make 'em with chin straps! LOL. It's best to wear a climbing helmet or maybe an original Lock Coke would work. Hmmmmm.

Crane's · 09-05-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabuto

Interesting. It works. For casual I think it would work better in a color other than black, but I'm not sure what color would be best.

That's something I've thought about and about the only thing I can think of that might work better is a brown.

kabuto · 09-05-2008, 08:48 PM

I went with "The Brown Derby."

Crane's · 09-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Brown looks pretty good. Seems to add balance to the outfit and gets rid of the top heaviness.

Slim Portly · 09-05-2008, 11:44 PM

You've inspired me! I'll give Derby Casual a shot and see if I can make it work, too.

Torpedo · 09-06-2008, 12:17 AM

Hi Crane,

We were discussing a few days ago bowler possibilities here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=33790

I am under the impression that a bowler may work better in colours other than black, black being possibly too stereotyped; I think black would still work with dark plain or pinstripe suits, but maybe brown, grey or green would be more versatile.

Of course this is just my opinion.

I like your brown bowler. Is it vintage or new? I have seen brown new bowler hats, but they are dark brown - yours looks like a medium shade.

Regards,

Daniel

Drew B · 09-06-2008, 12:31 AM

I think the brown one is a photoshop edit job
top job too kabuto

and i like the brown better also, so there's my two cents.

Either way, mr. crane, its a good look, you pull it off well.

Torpedo · 09-06-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew B

I think the brown one is a photoshop edit job
top job too kabuto

and i like the brown better also, so there's my two cents.

Either way, mr. crane, its a good look, you pull it off well.

Hi Drew,

You are right! Kabuto fooled me...

Anyway, the question stands... anyone know of sources for bowlers in mid tones of brown? Even better if they have a slightly wider brim?

Regards,

Daniel

troy · 09-06-2008, 04:17 AM

Hi Crane,

I've been toying with the idea of the bowler as casual dress for a while now, but so far I don't have a bowler. I've read all the bowler posts, talking about the bowler of old being a type of everyman's hat, at when I think back on old photos it all makes sense.

You have proved out the theory well here. That hat looks great. Downside is, now I guess I need to save my pennies for a bowler or two!!

Crane's · 09-06-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torpedo

Hi Drew,

You are right! Kabuto fooled me...

Anyway, the question stands... anyone know of sources for bowlers in mid tones of brown? Even better if they have a slightly wider brim?

Regards,

Daniel

Beaver hats has 8 shades of brown. Fenway Brown, Camel or Kangaroo looks like the color candidates for another bowler. I guess I need to go to St. Louis and visit them since I don't trust color charts.

Akubra Man · 09-06-2008, 06:45 AM

Where I live in Winnipeg, Canada (6 hours drive north of Minneapolis) all I see are people wearing ball caps and Tillys. Good for you on setting your own style. The bowler casual and your pose reminds me of men in photos from 100 + years ago. It is a hat that will draw attention but it does work well for you in casual dress.

Slim Portly · 09-06-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torpedo

Hi Drew,

You are right! Kabuto fooled me...

Anyway, the question stands... anyone know of sources for bowlers in mid tones of brown? Even better if they have a slightly wider brim?

Regards,

Daniel

Forgive me for posting the same picture in two thread, but here is my new brown bowler. It is by Bailey of Hollywood, and while it is not the highest quality hat per se, it is comfortable and affordable. Not medium brown though, more of a chocolate.

Pat_H · 09-06-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty

I don't know how, but you seem to make it work.
Now, what the heck are you standing on?

My opinion also. The bowler is extremely dated, so only a handful of folks could pull that off and not get the wrong kind of looks. But it looks like you've done it.

Torpedo · 09-06-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crane's

Beaver hats has 8 shades of brown. Fenway Brown, Camel or Kangaroo looks like the color candidates for another bowler. I guess I need to go to St. Louis and visit them since I don't trust color charts.

So yours is a Beaver Brand bowler. What finish? Legacy? Heritage? I have taken a look and they make several qualities. Could you make a more complete "report"?

I see they have a lot of colours indeed!

With you and Slim we can see the two options bowlers offer ... casual and dressy!

Regards,

Daniel

Crane's · 09-06-2008, 07:23 AM

It's a heritage finish style 1598 stingy brim bowler 10X (10% beaver). This hat in 100% beaver would run me $449.00 direct from Beaver. I picked this hat up for $140.00 and it was ordered from Beaver by one of my favorite boot stores for me.

/\ Nice look SP, there's a touch of the old West in your suit and the bowler really looks good on you.

09-05-2008, 08:07 PM	#1
Crane's Familar Face Join Date: May 2008 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 56	The bowler and casual dress, yes? How's everyone tonight? It's been a while since I've been around but anyway this is what I wore today to go to the store. This is my version of work casual. I posted it on another forum and figured why not here too. I know AlanC wants to see pics of my hats so here's one for ya AC. Anyway it's been said that a bowler is a formal hat, one to be worn when dressed to the gills. I disagree and think along the lines that it is a hat that's good for just about anything from formal to casual and everywhere in between. After all the hat was made for hunting and in the US it was known in it's day as the every man's hat and just about every man wore one. Thoughts?

09-05-2008, 08:12 PM	#2
Lefty I'll Lock Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: O-HI-O Posts: 5,479	I don't know how, but you seem to make it work. Now, what the heck are you standing on? __________________ Member: Soft-tapered-hat-with-flanged-brim-and-center-dent-based-crease Lounge. :)

09-05-2008, 11:44 PM	#10
Slim Portly One Too Many Join Date: May 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,284	You've inspired me! I'll give Derby Casual a shot and see if I can make it work, too. __________________ Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn. - Gore Vidal

09-06-2008, 12:31 AM	#12
Drew B One of the Regulars Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, Australia Posts: 172	I think the brown one is a photoshop edit job top job too kabuto and i like the brown better also, so there's my two cents. Either way, mr. crane, its a good look, you pull it off well. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A man is his most handsome when he tells the truth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

09-06-2008, 04:17 AM	#14
troy One of the Regulars Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Easthampton Mass Posts: 114	Hi Crane, I've been toying with the idea of the bowler as casual dress for a while now, but so far I don't have a bowler. I've read all the bowler posts, talking about the bowler of old being a type of everyman's hat, at when I think back on old photos it all makes sense. You have proved out the theory well here. That hat looks great. Downside is, now I guess I need to save my pennies for a bowler or two!! __________________ Yes please Cream no sugar Thank you

09-05-2008, 08:39 PM	#5
kabuto Practically Family Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 埼玉県所沢市 Posts: 811	Interesting. It works. For casual I think it would work better in a color other than black, but I'm not sure what color would be best.

09-05-2008, 08:48 PM	#8
kabuto Practically Family Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 埼玉県所沢市 Posts: 811	I went with "The Brown Derby."

09-05-2008, 08:57 PM	#9
Crane's Familar Face Join Date: May 2008 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 56	Brown looks pretty good. Seems to add balance to the outfit and gets rid of the top heaviness.

09-06-2008, 12:17 AM	#11
Torpedo Practically Family Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Barcelona (Spain) Posts: 974	Hi Crane, We were discussing a few days ago bowler possibilities here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=33790 I am under the impression that a bowler may work better in colours other than black, black being possibly too stereotyped; I think black would still work with dark plain or pinstripe suits, but maybe brown, grey or green would be more versatile. Of course this is just my opinion. I like your brown bowler. Is it vintage or new? I have seen brown new bowler hats, but they are dark brown - yours looks like a medium shade. Regards, Daniel

09-06-2008, 06:45 AM	#16
Akubra Man One of the Regulars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada "The Great White North" Posts: 190	Up in Canada mostly ball cap wearers Where I live in Winnipeg, Canada (6 hours drive north of Minneapolis) all I see are people wearing ball caps and Tillys. Good for you on setting your own style. The bowler casual and your pose reminds me of men in photos from 100 + years ago. It is a hat that will draw attention but it does work well for you in casual dress.

09-06-2008, 07:23 AM	#20
Crane's Familar Face Join Date: May 2008 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 56	It's a heritage finish style 1598 stingy brim bowler 10X (10% beaver). This hat in 100% beaver would run me $449.00 direct from Beaver. I picked this hat up for $140.00 and it was ordered from Beaver by one of my favorite boot stores for me. /\ Nice look SP, there's a touch of the old West in your suit and the bowler really looks good on you. Last edited by Crane's : 09-06-2008 at 07:30 AM.

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