Recent content by Orangehaggis

After having received no replies, or discouraging replies from others, the willing attitude of the chap at Cappelleria Melegari is almost enough to make me want to buy one and see what happens. Perhaps I'll do this as an experiment... I know others who are happy to buy second hand clothing and...

An update: Cappelleria Melegari, http://www.cappelleriamelegari.com, have never made a stiff bowler but are willing to give it a go! Orangehaggis

Why do you recommend the ostrich leather sweat band? I have, so far, found unfinished roan sheepskin to be far and away the most comfortable material. Orangehaggis

This forum hasn't let me down yet! I received my first reply; Mr. Jessee from Black Sheep Hat Works can indeed make the sort of hard bowler I'm looking for. They're currently priced at $310 in rabbit or $405 in beaver. The catch, however, is that he maintains a five month waiting list. I'll...

Thank you for those leads. I've sent messages to the German and American firms posted earlier. I'll contact the Italian ones tonight. I'll report back when I've received replies. What I don't want is a soft bowler. Both of the bowlers I've owned have been hard and I don't think I'm careful...

I don't know much about vintage stiff felt, but I can't imagine it would be even half as stiff as a hard bowler. Orangehaggis

I've found great success in shrinking soft hats that were just slightly too loose by turning out the sweatband and spraying it liberally with water, as well as spraying the ribbon band and crown where it joins the brim and letting it dry. It's much gentler than exposing your hat to harsh heat...

My ideal hat size is 55.75cm. I had two size 56 hats from Chsrity's. The first was too snug and the second was too loose but I sewed a woollen pad to the underside of the sweat band at the back. Their sizing is, or was idiosyncratic. I can't think that the problem will be made any better by...

Thank you for your replies. The idea of vintage hats doesn't appeal to me, I'm afraid. I prefer to only place articles on my head that only I, myself, have sweated in! My Christy's bowler is made of rabbit felt over a rigid skeleton with a brown leather sweat band. If I could place the order...

I have been a D'Aquino customer for sometime. I have never been disappointed with my hats. Great materials, shape and colour. I do, however, send them roan leather sweatbands to use in my hats as they don't offer them. Orangehaggis

After a recent e-mail exchange with Christy's, I have learned that bowlers are no longer made in their Buckinghamshire factory, and are now merely inspected and trimmed there. Are there any British or European makers of hard bowler hats left? I had planned to replace my English made Christy's...

I'm afraid I rather forgot about reporting back to FL once my order arrived, but better late than never... The pocket square is in a bright red, in a heavier silk twill than the Chinese pocket squares readily available from local department stores; but not so heavy that it creates excessive...

The only place I can find pocket squares that aren't of Chinese origin in my region is my tailor's shop. His price? $80 plus two weeks to get the thing made and posted from Italy. $30 give or take with free post from France is worth having a go. I'll report back with the verdict in due course...

Mr. Fawcett, what is your usual lead time? Orangehaggis

I just placed an order with Sou'west Chunkies after exchanging many, many e-mails with the proprietor to help me nail down exactly what I wanted. Mr. Yarrow was exceedingly helpful. I'm looking forward to wearing my new jumper, although the month or so of waiting will be agonising (it's really...