Poll: Favorite Brim Size

danofarlington · Apr 8, 2011

Akubra Man said:
When I first joined the forum I was into brims 3" or larger but my tasted have evolved through exposure on TFL. Now my ideal brim width is 2.5" and I have shifted to wearing a traditional fedora rather than an outback style i preferred before.

That is one of the main benefits I derive from the forum. My own sense of what I want evolves with all the photos seen here, so I'm much more confident about what is out there to begin with, both vintage and new, and how much I like them. I would say my hat menu has changed a fair bit in the last year. At least, we're way ahead of those who have not delved into the hat world yet. So much to explore and consider--takes a good long time.

zetwal · Jun 9, 2011

Bump for new members.

:bump2:

HatsEnough · Jun 9, 2011

I begrudgingly accept 2-1/4. I prefer over 2-3/8 to 3 inches. I just look horrible in a stingy brim.

Oldsarge · Jun 9, 2011

A true stingy brim doesn't appeal to me at all and anything over three inches doesn't seem to go with a suit. They're great with khaki shirts and double rifles or fly vests and waders but around town I really lean towards 2 3/8" myself.

SgtRick · Jun 9, 2011

gtdean48 said:
I actually prefer 2 5/8 to 2 3/4 but that was not an option.

That's about the range I prefer as well.

1mach1 · Jan 23, 2015

2 1/2 - 2 7/8 is my normal range. No absolute favorite.

Bushman · Jan 23, 2015

Between 2 3/8 and 2 5/8 is my favorite. I like them mid-wide, but not overly so.

Joao Encarnado · Jan 23, 2015

My brim size is not listed...

hatophile · Jan 23, 2015

1mach1 said:
2 1/2 - 2 7/8 is my normal range. No absolute favorite.

The same. Don't like much less than 2". The wider brims but less than 3" for Westerns or ORs.

tommyK · Jan 23, 2015

1mach1 said:
2 1/2 - 2 7/8 is my normal range. No absolute favorite.

+1 I have a couple in the 3+ range but I don't wear them as regular

1mach1 · Jan 23, 2015

Joao Encarnado said:
My brim size is not listed...

That's because numbers don't go that high.

WesternHatWearer · Jan 24, 2015

I think Joao is rubbing off on me. I am considering going to a greater brim length. I am currently at 4 inches. I am considering a 4.25 inches or 4.5 inches.

Joao Encarnado · Jan 24, 2015

You wont regret it

Big crown and big brim

Love my Tom Mixes and Big Country Stetsons!
Have yet to find a Resistol with those generous dimensions.

Knotten · Jan 24, 2015

I prefer 2 1/2 inches but will wear some that are shorter.

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ingineer · Jan 24, 2015

3 inches at least for me, although i do own some stingys at 2 1/2, those are go to the bank hats.
Favorite lately is 3 1/4, i have moved down a little after joining this forum, a little diversity is good.
No wonder its so hard to find the wide brims, they are not favoured

chicken1616 · Jul 25, 2018

I understand the aesthetics of brim size. Some brim widths look better on different people, in different circumstances, with different clothing.
What I am addressing here is functionality. I have worn an Akubra Snowy River (Santone Fawn) for the last two years to college as a beater. I never thought about it as it worked, straight out of the gate. Aesthetically, as it comes, it is not perfect, but functionally, yes. It ostensibly has a 3 1/4" brim, but it is curled, so probably realistically in the vicinity of 2 3/4"-2 7/8". When I flattened it, a couple of weeks ago, it lost its "school" functionality. I can't get it under the desks any more, and it bangs into doorways, before I get a chance to remove it. I am going to leave it as, because it looks good, and I have another stock Snowy River. I also started wearing a Santana Nebula hemp to school, which is actually a nice hat, and works well, although the 2" brim is just barely wide enough.
What do you guys think about brim functionality?

deadlyhandsome · Jul 25, 2018

chicken1616 said:
I understand the aesthetics of brim size. Some brim widths look better on different people, in different circumstances, with different clothing.
What I am addressing here is functionality. I have worn an Akubra Snowy River (Santone Fawn) for the last two years to college as a beater. I never thought about it as it worked, straight out of the gate. Aesthetically, as it comes, it is not perfect, but functionally, yes. It ostensibly has a 3 1/4" brim, but it is curled, so probably realistically in the vicinity of 2 3/4"-2 7/8". When I flattened it, a couple of weeks ago, it lost its "school" functionality. I can't get it under the desks any more, and it bangs into doorways, before I get a chance to remove it. I am going to leave it as, because it looks good, and I have another stock Snowy River. I also started wearing a Santana Nebula hemp to school, which is actually a nice hat, and works well, although the 2" brim is just barely wide enough.
What do you guys think about brim functionality? View attachment 128298

Are you looking for sun protection, aesthetics with business attire, or some other metric? When on my own time just out and about, my favorite is just over three inches (usually a western converted to a fedora). When I want a hat for business or going out I prefer the 2 3/4 brims. However, I also enjoy a nice stingy brim...1 7/8 is the smallest I go.

Lots of variables. Lots of uses. Lots of yardsticks. I think 2 1/2 to 2 5/8 looks the most professional as it’s a tighter, more elegant look as long as the hat is proportional. I also think that it’s impossible to separate out personal preferences that are based on arbitrary self-impressions and feedback from others (when a beautiful woman compliments a hat and you’ll have a new favorite hat

). Best option is to own a couple different sizes and see what works best for you.

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Mustang Mike's Hats · Jul 26, 2018

I like 'em stingy. My Cavanaugh Edge is 1 3/4" . Works for me. On Western, it's a whole new ballgame!! 4 1/2 to 5" is the ticket.

Zombie_61 · Jul 26, 2018

deadlyhandsome said:
Are you looking for sun protection, aesthetics with business attire, or some other metric? When on my own time just out and about, my favorite is just over three inches (usually a western converted to a fedora). When I want a hat for business or going out I prefer the 2 3/4 brims. However, I also enjoy a nice stingy brim...1 7/8 is the smallest I go.

Lots of variables. Lots of uses. Lots of yardsticks. I think 2 1/2 to 2 5/8 looks the most professional as it’s a tighter, more elegant look as long as the hat is proportional. I also think that it’s impossible to separate out personal preferences that are based on arbitrary self-impressions and feedback from others (when a beautiful woman compliments a hat and you’ll have a new favorite hat ). Best option is to own a couple different sizes and see what works best for you.

I agree. If your goal is functionality, i.e. protection from sun, rain, and snow, the wider the brim the better. But if your goal is how the hat looks on you...well, that's mostly a matter of personal taste. On that note I think a brim width of 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" works best on me; the narrowest I'd go is 2", and 3" for the widest.

Poll: Favorite Brim Size

What is your favorite brim size?

1 3/4 inches or less

2 to 2 1/8

2 1/4 to 2 3/8

2 1/2 to 2 5/8

2 3/4 to 2 7/8

3 or more inches

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