Recent content by Ralphin Ormond

Dear tealseal, Don't sweat it, I think the Fedora Lounge has always been that way. As everyone says, the Lounge is an almost essential source of information about hats and for that I am very grateful. Like most forums I've encountered, there is an inner circle, and an outer circle fading out...

I live in Central Florida and have been wearing white denims most of the time for years. As I prepare for retirement (5 months to go!), I've been trying to get my closet in good order for the new phase of my life. I've heard that wearing white trousers in winter is, strictly speaking, bad...

Actually, that's very cool. I don't think I've ever seen hat boxes for sale. If it were me, I'd use some of those plastic hat stands, inside the hats, inside the boxes. That way the brims wouldn't become too perfectly flat over time.

Holy crap, Jeff! I am not one to offer quick, facile praise to anyone who buys a new hat but that is a very cool hat, indeed. Outstanding. Best Regards, Ralph

Vanity plays a part and I think a little vanity is an essential part of life. Now that I am older (61), I do like to dress well. Not formally but in tasteful (I hope), nicely put together clothes. I feel as though some contrast with the feudal serf look, that seems more and more common around...

In the 19th century did real cowboys, or western horsemen, sometimes use neck bands (straps, whatever)? If so, how did they cinch them? I mean, did they tie two straps in a knot? Or did they just have one strap? Thanks for the answer to whoever knows. Ralph

Visited a few days ago the local "Dillard's," the good department store in this region. The Men's department was thickly decorated with modern stingy's. Lots and lots of them! I certainly expect to see young people wearing these type hats en masse. There maybe a long term trend towards...

I like the Kempton! I've never owned a wool fedora but what I try to do, and recommend to you, is listen to the heart. After listening to others, "considering well what they say," trusting one's own judgement is the fun of life.

One inch ribbons are my current favorites. I do think they tend to make the crown look taller than even a 1-1/8" ribbon does. Given my smallish head, I think a crown 4" in front, with a 1" ribbon, would look best on me. I have a hat that's close to that but I plan for my next hat to strive...

Something that has disappeared from my own life that I would dearly like to have back is a certain type of brass belt buckle. I bought mine in 1968 and wore it through all the time and adventures of many great years. I think the design was fairly common back then: a large, crudely made brass...

Like a fool, I bought a pair of "One size fits all"cashmere gloves. (I really couldn't find any other choices in plain cashmere gloves.) Of course they don't fit! Even though my fingers are piano long, the gloves are too long. I was thinking about soaking them in hot water. If it's a...

My two cents: I bought my first fedora, a Stetson Gun Club, from the shop in Seattle. I liked the hat and wore it for a great many years while I lived in Alaska and needed a hat of some kind. I'd say that that store was (is?) as good a retail outlet as I'd hope to find. But now I don't know...

Not to Worry My experience has been that each successive hat has shown me more about what I am looking for in a hat. I would never have guessed in the beginning that today I would look forward to owning a midnight blue hat (when the money gathers). Each gray hat I bought (and still love)...

Recently I wore my new VS out to lunch wearing a crew neck sweater, no jacket. That felt daring to me until, on my way to the restaurant, I burst out laughing and said to myself, "I just like to wear a hat. Who cares? Everyone is dressing himself any old way he wants to, why wouldn't I do the...

Felkor, try this one: http://www.amazon.com/Baron-Hats-Hat-Rest/dp/B002BXJQ04/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&m=A9A944X8D945R&s=generic&qid=1329677501&sr=1-3 That's an Amazon listing for it. Or you can just type in "hat rest." The Hats in the Belfry site has, I think, the best price for these gizmos...