Campaign Fedora Project: Phase One Prototype

[deanglen]

Been working on this throughout winter. Took BCF budget hat, a bit too small for me, to experiment with brim width, Span-Am War crimp and thin ribbon replacemnt. Not satisfied with the result, but as soon as I get some shots of my re-bashed Open Road will post them. Would like to change out the robbon for a 5/8" grosgrain. Brim was reduced a bit too much for my taste. I do like the lines, the taper is not prominent in the side view, for those who cannot stomach any taper. Given the source of the style, taper is integral to the look. Certainly not a dress formal or metropolitan fedora, but there's plenty of those around. Work will continue.

dean

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Dean, I think you should really look into getting a good condition cowboy hat from eBay, and then conducting your experiments on that. You're simply not going to get that campaign hat look with anything less than a 6" straight-sided crown. That's near impossible to find in a modern factory made fedora - but easy to find in cowboy hats.

Joel

 

[deanglen]

Dean, I think you should really look into getting a good condition cowboy hat from eBay, and then conducting your experiments on that. You're simply not going to get that campaign hat look with anything less than a 6" straight-sided crown. That's near impossible to find in a modern factory made fedora - but easy to find in cowboy hats.

Joel

Exactly, Joel. I was trying out the style with dimensions as they were on this particular hat. I posted the shots simply because I had them. They're about two months old. I have since concluded the style doesn't work without more brim and crown.

dean

 

[Dinerman]

Yeah. Those cheap old cowboy hats can really take a lot of abuse when it comes to redoing them. They way I reshape mine whenever I feel like it is by dunking the crown into a pot of boiling water (though I wouldn't suggest this on anyone's hat other than my own) . Plus, you can go with any brim width you want.

 

[RBH]

Great job Dean!!!

You are closer to having it down than you know.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Mark G]

I think RBH is right. It looks right on in terms of shape, the problem is the body itself and I think the western hat idea is the best way to go. I have a Stetson that has a 5 3/4" open crown and a 3 1/2" brim. If you could find something like that, (in the right color) you'll have the right base to make your hat.:eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

Thanks for the nice words! But my Open Road, re-bashed, is far better! GOT TO GET PICTURES! But when...I'm not sure.

dean