Modern Dobbs vs. Vintage Dobbs

[newturnofphrase]

Do new Dobbs hats measure up to the old ones in terms of quality materials, construction, and style? I know that a lot of hat manufacturers have turned to cheaper materials and styles, but how do the contemporary Dobbs fedoras stack up next to Dobbs hats from the 40s through 60s? I'm thinking of getting a new Dobbs Jet in saber grey.

 

[Brad Bowers]

NTOP (don't know what else to call you, sir!),

I've not held a modern Dobbs, but it's made by Hatco in Garland, TX, who also make Stetsons and Resistols (and revived Cavanagh briefly a few years ago), and those I have seen. The higher-priced models seem to use better quality materials, but I don't think that the Dobbs line has any high-end models. Nothing today can beat the hats that came out of the Norwalk, CT, factory. I'd choose a vintage Dobbs over a modern one any day of the week, but that's just me. The felt on the older hats is of a finer quality and pounced to a better finish, and even the low-end vintage sweatbands are better than most factory leather today. Construction today is cheaper, with visible nylon monofilament stitching to secure the ribbons.

As for styles, I'll leave that to you to decide what you like. Modern Dobbs styles are too modern for my tastes.

Brad

 

[randooch]

We can call him Newt for now . . . unless that's impolitic?

 

[newturnofphrase]

NTOP (don't know what else to call you, sir!)...

We can call him Newt for now . . . unless that's impolitic?

Oh god no

You can call me Andy!

I like the look of the Jet as a hat i can wear sometimes when going to and from the office. But if I can get a better vintage hat in my size, I'll try. More opinions?

 

[VetPsychWars]

I have a Dobbs Broadstreet I picked up cheap somewhere. It's actually a pretty nice hat if it meets your needs otherwise. I don't wear it any more because it got a little dirty (it's the ivory color) but otherwise it's decent quality.

Tom

 

[zetwal]

Do new Dobbs hats measure up to the old ones in terms of quality materials, construction, and style?

Not each and every vintage Dobbs is something great. But I'm with Brad when he says,

I'd choose a vintage Dobbs over a modern one any day of the week, but that's just me.

 

[bowlerman]

Any of you modern Dobbs owners have some photos? I would also "choose a vintage over a modern" Dobbs, but on impulse bought a modern "burgundy" Dobbs on Ebay that looks downright purple from the auction photos. I have no idea what I've gotten myself into, but would love to see and hear more about these from any of you modern Dobbs owners.