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[Blare]

I’d not considered a bowler, I guess because being British it has connotations that’s I don’t automatically gravitate to.

What model Loar is that? I had a 600 until earlier this year, they make a nice instrument.

Easily solved.. just call it a Derby and then it’s suddenly American.

 

[Dan718]

Easily solved.. just call it a Derby and then it’s suddenly American.

I hew weeks ago I was driving to work and saw a Japanese guy in a pastel blue bowler with bronze brown ribbon, he did look pretty good I have to admit, perhaps not a look I could so easily pull off.

 

[RickP]

Is that a grey bowler, Rick? Looks good.

that ones a brown. Ive wanted an older grey too but the only one Ive found I missed out on.... holding out for an old grey one

 

[Dan718]

Leather sweatbands: my Borsalino is about 21 years old, and by the dust and musty smell occupant been worn for a long time. While it’s labeled 57, I thought it was a bit tight and when I measured it today sure enough it’s a touch over 56. Presumably leather shrinkage is common enough to be taken into account?
I’ve been wearing it further down on my head to give it a stretch, steaming has woken it up a bit, and may invest in a hat stretcher anyway. What else can I do to help it stretch out a bit and conform better to my head?

 

[Rmccamey]

Wearing it will help but a hat stretcher is a good bet. Go slow, however, and snug it up a little over several days. Don't tighten the stretcher full force as you start the process, go slowly. And DO NOT put steam on the sweatband. Old leather is not very forgiving and you could easily destroy your sweatband, possibly causing repairs to cost more than the hat is worth.

Leather sweatbands: my Borsalino is about 21 years old, and by the dust and musty smell occupant been worn for a long time. While it’s labeled 57, I thought it was a bit tight and when I measured it today sure enough it’s a touch over 56. Presumably leather shrinkage is common enough to be taken into account?
I’ve been wearing it further down on my head to give it a stretch, steaming has woken it up a bit, and may invest in a hat stretcher anyway. What else can I do to help it stretch out a bit and conform better to my head?

 

[Dan718]

Wearing it will help but a hat stretcher is a good bet. Go slow, however, and snug it up a little over several days. Don't tighten the stretcher full force as you start the process, go slowly. And DO NOT put steam on the sweatband. Old leather is not very forgiving and you could easily destroy your sweatband, possibly causing repairs to cost more than the hat is worth.

Although the leather is actually in really good condition I can imagine it splitting stretched too quickly as it’s quite soft and thin. The most I’ve done so far is put a bit of oil based skin moisturiser on it to help it soften up and worn it a bit lower in my head than I would usually to give it a bit of an extra stretch (and cut off the blood supply to my brain). I’ll probably invest in a stretcher in the near future.

 

[Bamaboots]

Will ***** be censored

 

[Bamaboots]

Yep.

 

[Bamaboots]

Community standards just blocked
d o g g y.

 

[Uncle Bennie]

Should I get a stratoliner or akubra ?

 

[rogueclimber]

Should I get a stratoliner or akubra ?

Model (a Steson) vs Brand

 

[Dan718]

Should I get a stratoliner or akubra ?

What kind of Akubra?

 

[Uncle Bennie]

Sorry I was looking at an adventurer akubra…

 

[Uncle Bennie]

What kind of Akubra?

Sorry I got ahead of myself… Akubra adventurer

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Sorry I was looking at an adventurer akubra…

New Strat or vintage? If vintage, then get the strat. If you're talking about a modern Strat, then are you talking Royal or Royal de Luxe? Royal de Luxe is fantastic, Royal, not as fantastic.

Also, depends on what you want it for. The Akubra is heartier than the modern Strat and can take a beating if you really want to wear the hat hard. The Royal De Lux Strat is pretty hearty as well, but the Akubra will win out every day.

Do you want an Indiana Jones look? If yes, then go for the Adventuerer. If no, go Strat.

Finally, how big is your head? If it is 7-1/8 or smaller, the adventurer might look too big on you - the brim on the adventurer is overwhelming on a small head. I wear a 7 and the modern Strat looks much more balanced on my head than an adventurer.

 

[rogueclimber]

Sorry I got ahead of myself… Akubra adventurer

Or if you are after the Indy look get someone (like Busted Hats @Darrell2688 ) to make you a custom for not too much more

eta:

 

[Uncle Bennie]

I have several open road hats one royal deluxe and one 6x and so on, that’s why I was looking at the strat but i really don’t have the know how (read as patience) to wait on a vintage (although it would be cool) and I like the adventurer old school height on the crown (7 3/8 head, 5’10” 270 pounds) and Indy had a cool hat but… I don’t necessarily wanna be Indy you know?

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I have several open road hats one royal deluxe and one 6x and so on, that’s why I was looking at the strat but i really don’t have the know how (read as patience) to wait on a vintage (although it would be cool) and I like the adventurer old school height on the crown (7 3/8 head, 5’10” 270 pounds) and Indy had a cool hat but… I don’t necessarily wanna be Indy you know?

With your head size and your height/weight, the adventurer would be a good fit. I would go for it.

If it looks too Indy for you, you can always switch the ribbon and bow for a thin ribbon and make it more western. I removed the ribbon and bow from one of my Indy hats and put on a campaign cord and honestly, I love it.

But in reality, I think our culture has moved beyond Indy. Check out @rogueclimber's posts on the "what hat are you wearing today" thread. He wears a lot of Indy hats but totally owns them and makes them his own.

 

[Dan718]

I have several open road hats one royal deluxe and one 6x and so on, that’s why I was looking at the strat but i really don’t have the know how (read as patience) to wait on a vintage (although it would be cool) and I like the adventurer old school height on the crown (7 3/8 head, 5’10” 270 pounds) and Indy had a cool hat but… I don’t necessarily wanna be Indy you know?

I hear you. It’s a great hat but I’d feel like a complete try-hard wearing it.
Also I’m about the same height as you, but slimmer, and I think a brim like that would be oversized unless sun protection was a priority in which case there are other Akubra that are more fit for purpose in my opinion.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I have several open road hats one royal deluxe and one 6x and so on, that’s why I was looking at the strat but i really don’t have the know how (read as patience) to wait on a vintage (although it would be cool) and I like the adventurer old school height on the crown (7 3/8 head, 5’10” 270 pounds) and Indy had a cool hat but… I don’t necessarily wanna be Indy you know?

Btw, have you thought about a Campdraft? Same price as the Adventurer (the black ones are on sale, so even cheaper), with a similar crown design. At one time, they were Australia's official Open Road but they have a character that is unique. Easy to wear and very rugged.