A couple questions from a new guy...

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

OK, so, I understand how annoying new guy questions are, and I'll try to keep it short and simple so you can carry on. I promise I won't be one of those annoying 1,000 post a day people. I'm new to hats in general, and am having trouble finding a fedora exactly like I want. I want a low crown, solid black fedora, snap brim, preferably about 1-1/2 inches, and preferably not a pinch front. First, I'd like to know a style name for such a hat, and where to look for a good deal on one. I'm a poor college kid as well, so I need it pretty cheap... Thanks in advance for your help.

aliados · Aug 23, 2011

Stingy brim -- and the crown (on older models, at least) can be shaped to suit. I have an old black Cavanagh stingy sitting around, that I refuse to wear. What size are you?

zetwal · Aug 23, 2011

Might you be looking for a porkpie style? Welcome aboard ...

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

I have no fitted sized hats at the moment, so I'm not sure exactly what size, but if I had to guess, I'd say about 7-1/8. Not really looking for a porkpie... I hate referencing movies for style/fashion, but if you've ever seen What Women Want, Mel Gibson wears one exactly like I want. It was funny, I'd been looking for one about a year when I saw that movie, and I couldn't pay attention to the rest of the movie because I was thinking about where I could find one.

EDIT: I'd post a picture if I could find one, but the closest hats I've been able to find so far have been extremely cheap and look terrible. I can't find a decent looking version to save my life.

zetwal · Aug 23, 2011

ShortAndCashed said:
I have no fitted sized hats at the moment, so I'm not sure exactly what size, but if I had to guess, I'd say about 7-1/8. Not really looking for a porkpie... I hate referencing movies for style/fashion, but if you've ever seen What Women Want, Mel Gibson wears one exactly like I want. It was funny, I'd been looking for one about a year when I saw that movie, and I couldn't pay attention to the rest of the movie because I was thinking about where I could find one.

I'm guessing that this is what you are talking about, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmpBw-HBrME

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

It is, indeed! I didn't think about a video, thanks! Any direction on a hat like that?

jlee562 · Aug 23, 2011

Define "pretty cheap."

Something like an Akubra Hampton seems to fit the bill, though it does have a front pinch (it seems to me that Mel's hat has a front pinch as well, heck, it actually might be an Akubra Hampton, he is an Aussie after all). It's a bargain of a hat for $113 + shipping, but that may not qualify as "cheap" to you.

zetwal · Aug 23, 2011

ShortAndCashed said:
It is, indeed! I didn't think about a video, thanks! Any direction on a hat like that?

You said in your intial post that you wanted something without a front pinch. That's why I was thinking porkpie. The hat in the video does have pinches. It's a regular short (stingy) brimmed fedora with a wide grosgrain ribbon. Should be easy to find (in whatever quality level you want).

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

Well, that pinch isn't as dramatic as a few I've seen... Yeah, I can't afford but at MOST about $30-40 for a hat right now... I take care of my hats, though, and I have other stuff for rain, etc, so that that isn't an issue. Is there any way I can get a decent looking hat for that price range?

zetwal · Aug 23, 2011

ShortAndCashed said:
Well, that pinch isn't as dramatic as a few I've seen... Yeah, I can't afford but at MOST about $30-40 for a hat right now... I take care of my hats, though, and I have other stuff for rain, etc, so that that isn't an issue. Is there any way I can get a decent looking hat for that price range?

Yep, eBay is the ticket.

jlee562 · Aug 23, 2011

This Scala would be $40+ shipping, or as Zetwal suggests, watch eBay....though you will have to determine your head size.

Flipped Lid · Aug 23, 2011

There are tons of stingy brim hats listed on eBay and some of those that appear to be decent hats go pretty cheaply. Keep an eye out and I'd bet you'll find something you like at a price you can afford.

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

Thanks guys! I definitely will! Are there any makes I should keep an eye out for in the lower end?

zetwal · Aug 23, 2011

ShortAndCashed said:
Thanks guys! I definitely will! Are there any makes I should keep an eye out for in the lower end?

Don't sell yourself short. After determining your size, look out for a good Dobbs or Stetson or Borsalino, etc. In time, you will find the right one at the right price. You may also want to look (or post) here in our own Classifieds.

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

OK, that sounds good, thanks for the makes to look for. Like I said, I'm new to everything to hats.

randooch · Aug 23, 2011

I'd advise you not to buy a wool hat. Ebay's plentiful offerings include many vintage fur felt hats of the style you want. Wool will disappoint.

More advice: place a WTB ad in the classified section.

ShortAndCashed · Aug 23, 2011

Yeah, I'm hoping for a fur felt. I didn't really want wool...

DNO · Aug 23, 2011

I don't know how large your "dark room" is but if you have thrift shops or estate/content sales in your area you may be able to score a decent hat there.

This hat is a black fur felt Knox Premier stingy brim (1 3/4") that I found a a local house contents sale for $5. It sounds like the kind of hat you're looking for (sorry...not for sale). The deals are out there, it's a matter of time and patience.

And, personally, I like newby questions...I'm still very much one myself.

Undertow · Aug 23, 2011

You can always check Burlington Coat Factory for some inexpensive fur felt hats, although the quality is lacking compared to the vintage brands.

BCF is a good start if you just want something yesterday asap, not tomorrow. You'll probably spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $25. I suggest running out there and trying a couple on, see what fits, see if you like any of them and maybe bring it home to get yourself accustomed to wearing a hat.

Otherwise, there's always eBay. Or, if you're adventurous and don't mind haggling, try a couple local antique stores.

By the way, welcome to the gang!

Tomasso · Aug 23, 2011

jlee562 said:
(it seems to me that Mel's hat has a front pinch as well, heck, it actually might be an Akubra Hampton, he is an Aussie after all).

I always thought so myself but it turns out that he was born in Peekskill, NY and didn't move to OZ until in his teens.

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