Lightweight vs Dressweight Felt

Mustang · Jul 9, 2015

I just jumped in line for my second hat from Art Fawcett. My first is a dressweight oxblood. I'm definitely going with a lighter colored hat for the next one, but would like some input. I've looked all over the place and I've not been able to find any information that directly compares lightweight and dressweight felts...the advantages and disadvantages of each. I thought it best to pose this question here for posterity, as opposed to asking Art. Plus, I don't want to interrupt him and further delay the making of my hat.

jlee562 · Jul 9, 2015

Well, it's lighter.

In all seriousness, Art's lightweight felt is really wonderful. It feels and creases much more like a vintage hat while still retaining a good density.

I probably wouldn't wear it in the rain though...

Rogera · Jul 9, 2015

+1 to everything Jared said. His lightweight felt is great. Probably the closest to vintage felt that I've seen as far as creasing and holding the crease.

Mustang · Jul 9, 2015

jlee562 said:
...I probably wouldn't wear it in the rain though...

Interesting! Why not? There's no way I'd purchase a hat that I shouldn't wear in the rain.

Bob Roberts · Jul 9, 2015

Some of the lighter, thinner, softer, delicate, finely pounced and less stiff, "dress" or lightweight felts may not be as "hardy" or sturdy to stand up to a good drenching as other fur felts. Some fur felts such as Akubra are very water friendly. Others not so much.

jlee562 · Jul 9, 2015

Mustang said:
Interesting! Why not? There's no way I'd purchase a hat that I shouldn't wear in the rain.

I mean, you could wear it in the rain, it's beaver felt after all. But being thinner means that it will soak through faster, which opens up that can of worms; and there's also the practical matter that my lightweight hat from Art has a shorter brim. I should probably rephrase that I wouldn't recommend it as an inclement weather hat.

Bob Roberts · Jul 9, 2015

jlee562 said:
I mean, you could wear it in the rain, it's beaver felt after all. But being thinner means that it will soak through faster, which opens up that can of worms; and there's also the practical matter that my lightweight hat from Art has a shorter brim. I should probably rephrase that I wouldn't recommend it as an inclement weather hat.

+1. I don't wear suede boots in the rain, though I could.

Mustang · Jul 10, 2015

jlee562 said:
I mean, you could wear it in the rain, it's beaver felt after all. But being thinner means that it will soak through faster, which opens up that can of worms; and there's also the practical matter that my lightweight hat from Art has a shorter brim. I should probably rephrase that I wouldn't recommend it as an inclement weather hat.

Rephrasing wasn't necessary. I realized you didn't mean they can't be worn in the rain.

Bringing up the brim, does beg the question...what is the practical width limit of a lightweight?

gtdean48 · Jul 10, 2015

I've got one at 2 7/8" but it needs binding or welting to give it some structure.
I've worn it in the rain to no ill effects. It is my main "using" ArtLite = undyed natural beaver with vented crown...

jlee562 · Jul 10, 2015

gtdean48 said:
I've worn it in the rain to no ill effects.

Well, there you go! I'd take Mr. Dean's word over mine ;-)

Short Balding Guy · Jul 10, 2015

Chiming in.... I am lucky enough to have a few couple Art-lite fedoras and they rock! I have dropped them into the lake (totally drenched), gotten soaked in rain, dirtied (and subsequently easily cleaned with naphtha) and they have come out unscathed. I wear my Art-lites more than my dress weights. The lighter weight beaver felt is durable, easily cleaned and holds creases/blocking well. My Art-lites get worn. IMO opinion they are well worth the cost of a bespoke fedora. I do not need to praise the custom fit, options and artistry that the many other Fawcett fans can more eloquently point out.

Here is a pic of a couple Art-lite Wanderer inspired felts.

Fear not the light weight beaver. They can stand tall with hard wear.

Best ftrom a Fawcett fan, Eric -

kaosharper1 · Jul 10, 2015

I have several. In many ways they're better than a panama in warmer weather. They're OK in rain, but heavy rain is more of an issue. They do soak up the rain faster. If it's raining or snowing I wear a dress weight felt.

Mustang · Jul 11, 2015

Great info. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a lightweight, but I have plenty of time to ponder and change my mind...countless times.

emigran · Jul 12, 2015

Re: Brim...I have one Artlite Dove.. It's wonderful... Brim does get a little wavy now and then... I give a little spritz of Kahl's stiffener and it's good to go...

Mustang · Jul 13, 2015

emigran said:
Re: Brim...I have one Artlite Dove.. It's wonderful... Brim does get a little wavy now and then... I give a little spritz of Kahl's stiffener and it's good to go...

How wide is it?

emigran · Jul 13, 2015

Mustang said:
How wide is it?

2 1/4...
BTW: the "wavy" is totally minimal and virtually un-noticeable... it's just my manic hat perfection(ism).

Short Balding Guy · Jul 14, 2015

Today I wore my Artlight silver belly VS-Wandere in the 80+F heat and nearly 80' humidity to a social occasion. I moped the fedora frequently with a cotton handkerchief and it not only protected my bald spate, received many appreciative comments, but it protected me from the direct sunlight. It did it's expected job excellently. No brim waver, no wacky brim. Care - Fedora drying out on a wooden block and in the morning I will wipe the leather with a Lexol leather wipe. Not surprisingly my cotton handkerchief will need cleaning.

Are felt hats wearable in the heat? Yes and comfy, IMO.

Eric -

Mustang · Jul 15, 2015

emigran said:
2 1/4...
BTW: the "wavy" is totally minimal and virtually un-noticeable... it's just my manic hat perfection(ism).

Well, I would say most of us buying Art's hats are at least to some degree perfectionists, when it comes to hats.

Short Balding Guy said:
Today I wore my Artlight silver belly VS-Wandere in the 80+F heat and nearly 80' humidity to a social occasion. I moped the fedora frequently with a cotton handkerchief and it not only protected my bald spate, received many appreciative comments, but it protected me from the direct sunlight. It did it's expected job excellently. No brim waver, no wacky brim. Care - Fedora drying out on a wooden block and in the morning I will wipe the leather with a Lexol leather wipe. Not surprisingly my cotton handkerchief will need cleaning.

Are felt hats wearable in the heat? Yes and comfy, IMO.
Eric -

Thanks for your input. If you don't mind me beating a dead horse, how wide is the brim?

Short Balding Guy · Jul 16, 2015

Mustang said:
Well, I would say most of us buying Art's hats are at least to some degree perfectionists, when it comes to hats.

Thanks for your input. If you don't mind me beating a dead horse, how wide is the brim?

2.5 inches. I like this brim size as a comprimise between proportions for me a small guy and sun/weather protection. Ask Mr. Fawcett his opinion as be has an artists eye for appropriate size/style.

Best, Eric

Luis · Sep 25, 2015

Mustang,

did you go with the light or dress?

Lightweight vs Dressweight Felt

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