Need hat advice

dancinggods · Sep 2, 2015

Searching for my first Fedora

I've been reading the forum for information on choosing my first Fedora. I don't have tons of money to invest in the first one, and got some good tips for a beginner one. There were high praises for the Akurba STYLEMASTER, so I went to my local hat shop to check it out. I really didn't like how it fit and it was still $180. I tried on a few other fur hats, mostly stetson until I tried the Biltmore Wells which was $220. I really liked this one. Then I tried on the Biltmore Borough, which is wool and From what I understand is a new hat in their line. Of all the hats I tried on I liked the borough the best, I liked the wells too, but am not as partial (forgive my lack of terms) to the brim having a strip around it. I liked the uncovered edge of the brim on the borough. I know pretty much every one is partial to fur as far as quality and lasting power, including the woman in the store. But with the borough at $139 vs the wells at $220, that's a big price difference for a meager one income household with 3 kids. Does anyone have experience with the borough, or have any other suggestions for me?

Thanks!

Bob Roberts · Sep 2, 2015

DUDE! You like that hat? The price is right? Buy the hat!

dancinggods · Sep 2, 2015

Here's the borough:

Here's the wells:

Rogera · Sep 2, 2015

Bob Roberts said:
DUDE! You like that hat? The price is right? Buy the hat!

Yep!

dancinggods · Sep 2, 2015

Ha, well to me, who has gone to great lengths to find pants and shirts in a classic style for $25 each, it's still steep. And for a hat people have warned that it might get nasty easier or not hold up as well... It's still a big investment. There was a wool stetson "crushable" or something like that for $75 but I didn't like that either. I'm just a cautious investor.

APP Adrian · Sep 2, 2015

My first and only hat was the FED IV deluxe in Moonstone. I recommend the FED IV.

theoldnorthwest · Sep 2, 2015

Buy vintage if possible, vintage hats are far superior to anything made today, if you wear a smaller size like a 7 or 7 1/8 you should be able to find plenty of hats on eBay for little money, if you wear a larger size it will be more difficult to find anything. Keep in mind that newer hats even the most expensive do not compare favorably to those made in the 1930s - 1950s. A brand new $400 Borsalino is not nearly as nice as a vintage Borsalino, Knox, Dobbs or Stetson you might find for $100. Again the only drawback to vintage is if you wear a larger size say 7 1/2, you will not likely find anything for under $200 and if it is a rare model you could be looking at much more than that.

JoeyC · Sep 2, 2015

All good advice, would you consider an Akubra? With the current exchange rate you could get a felt fedora for less than $90.00. Fed IV, Stylemaster or Fedora, you would have to bash them as they come open crowned. Ckeck out everythingaustralian's website, or David Morgan. Your off to a good start by actually trying on hats., the style of the Biltmore you favor seems to suit you. Good luck.

Luis · Sep 2, 2015

theoldnorthwest said:
Buy vintage if possible, vintage hats are far superior to anything made today, if you wear a smaller size like a 7 or 7 1/8 you should be able to find plenty of hats on eBay for little money, if you wear a larger size it will be more difficult to find anything. Keep in mind that newer hats even the most expensive do not compare favorably to those made in the 1930s - 1950s. A brand new $400 Borsalino is not nearly as nice as a vintage Borsalino, Knox, Dobbs or Stetson you might find for $100. Again the only drawback to vintage is if you wear a larger size say 7 1/2, you will not likely find anything for under $200 and if it is a rare model you could be looking at much more than that.

were people's head smaller than nowadays?

MCrider · Sep 2, 2015

While I'm a great believer in buying a wool hat first to see if you like wearing hats at all, I definitely wouldn't spend $139 for one. There are many fur hats on ebay for far less. Just look for one that is shaped like the woolie you liked and go for it.

theoldnorthwest · Sep 2, 2015

Luis said:
were people's head smaller than nowadays?

Yes I believe people were smaller in general in those days so there were far more what we would consider smaller sizes made back then so there are more available today. Also people are a bit larger today many more men around these days with size 7 1/4 - 7 5/8 heads so not only are there less large size hats out there today but there are also a lot of men looking for those few remaining large size vintage hats resulting in vintage Borsalinos and Stetson Whippets etc regularly selling for $300 or more.

40Cal · Sep 2, 2015

Luis said:
were people's head smaller than nowadays?

Heads were about the same size that they are now. I think i read somewhere on this site that the most common head/hat sizes are closer to 7 1/2 . That means Lots of people looking for that size. Makes them harder to find and more bidders bidding on an auction site. If you are lucky to have a smaller cranium... 7 or 71/8 there are more hats available and cheaper (usually) . If you are lucky enough to wear a hat under size 7 you will find tons of nice hats for very little $$.

Luis · Sep 3, 2015

I'm lucky that it's under 7 but not that lucky...

But I think he looks great in both the Borough and the Wells. The bound edge gives it a dressier look.
I like that he's trying them on first to see what he likes and thinks looks good.
Vintage is the way to go if you don't want to spend too much.

ingineer · Sep 3, 2015

Dancin'
Buy an Akubra, please not the wool
With the OZ dollar being 70cents, they are terrific buys
Don't be afraid if they are a little loose in the start , they do shrink down to size about 1/2 size with wear.
here is one w/o the bound brim though i do like bound brims myself
http://everythingaustralian.com.au/shop-by-brands/akubra/fedora.html
Wow Fern green never saw that colour before
Sam at EA is very helpful
Then you can feed your kids swiss steak instead of Mac & cheese

dancinggods · Sep 3, 2015

I don't like buying clothing online because I much prefer to try things in person. I had to try on like 6 hats today before I found one that both looked and felt alright. Honestly, lately I've been really cheap with my clothing, although I have a certain style I look at it as very utilitarian. Are there any decent fedoras out there that sell for $50 give or take, nothing special, fancy or even built to last forever... Just something to give me the shape and look I want before I invest a whole a day or two's pay in a hat?

A side question, back in the depression and even into war times with the poorest people, how did the quality of the fedoras they wore compare to what has been mentioned on this thread?

ingineer · Sep 3, 2015

50 dollars, and in person?
and i thought i was parsimonious.
Like my father would say "Pay price , pay twice"
Why buy a hat that doesn't last?
The side question is tough to answer, most of the vintage ones out there were the better ones that lasted.
Based on my limited family 's experience most in those times considered a good hat an essential and payed for it
Whats 50 pieces of paper in depression money.. 3 dollars perhaps typical price?
That may have been a days pay
Please correct me if i'm wrong guys

tropicalbob · Sep 3, 2015

The fellows are right about both the vintage hats and the Akubras. You might want to check out Everything Australian, which sells the Campdraft. It's one of the best bargains out there, and EA does a really first-rate job.

theoldnorthwest · Sep 3, 2015

You cannot find a new fur felt hat for anywhere around $50. At that price your choices are a new hat made out of wool or getting lucky and finding a fur felt hat in a vintage or antique store etc. I personally would never buy a wool hat the primary reason being they shrink when wet. So if you wear it in the rain or even on an overcast/misty day the hat will shrink and lose its shape/profile. In other words the hat you bought will likely no longer fit properly or look the same as when you bought it, which in my opinion makes it worthless. If you prefer to try hats on and don't want to use eBay/etsy then you should find vintage clothing stores, antique stores, or thrift stores in your area and see if you can find a used/vintage fur felt hat. Nashville is a great town and you should have no problem finding some really nice stores for that type of stuff in the Nashville area.

ingineer · Sep 3, 2015

Right you are tropic Bob!
I'm on my third CD at what 86 bucks a real bargain, and should outlast me.
It would fit right in in Nashville.
Wish it came in more colours

HeyMoe · Sep 3, 2015

If you liked bound brims and it was the right size, I have a vintage Champ Kashmir in Grey I would part with for a reasonable price so you at least get a vintage lid!

Need hat advice

New in Town

I'll Lock Up

New in Town

My Mail is Forwarded Here

New in Town

A-List Customer

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

One of the Regulars

A-List Customer

Familiar Face

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

New in Town

One Too Many

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Familiar Face

One Too Many

Practically Family

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics