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Hat repairs London UK

Edward

Bartender
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24,736
Location
London, UK
Anyone know somewhere in London that could repair or replace a hatband that has lost its stitching? 40s or maybe early 50s, unlabelled hat (liner long gone, but it feels like it's beaver fur) of mine which has loads of life left in the body, but the band's stitching seems to have gone...
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
Anyone know somewhere in London that could repair or replace a hatband that has lost its stitching? 40s or maybe early 50s, unlabelled hat (liner long gone, but it feels like it's beaver fur) of mine which has loads of life left in the body, but the band's stitching seems to have gone...
Check over on the COW forum.It seems that Herbert Johnson has a newer hatter there who seems really helpful.
 

Bertie.Wooster

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
London, UK
Sorry to revive an old thread but I got my boater hat repaired at Bates. They put on a brand new sweatband on my hat and it was very well done and the leather sweatband was of high quality. Although, communication with the manager was hard and it took a very long time but at the end, I was in no rush and it was well worth it. Tom, the manager is very helpful and he does have his working and non-working days but I arranged it through email and also phoned him on the progress.

It was delivered to me next day via DHL courier and came in a complimentary Bates fabric hat carrier.
 

Bertie.Wooster

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
London, UK
Yes! Binx is quite the cat! Do email or give them a call. I think Tom comes out on a Thursday and Tuesday. I could be wrong but he is very nice and understanding. Lock & Co. can quote a fortune. I got 60 pound quote from Lock and finished with Bates with a 40 pounds quote.
 

Edward

Bartender
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Location
London, UK
Thanks, as soon as we get through a minor house-move(!) I'll check in on Bates. LOck are lovely, but I've long suspected that you do pay a premium for the name. (Mind you, same for Bates when it comes to buying some hats; I'm convinced I've seen own-brands from both that are identical to certain Christy's models, but at rather a mark-up.)
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,047
Location
San Francisco, CA
Thanks, as soon as we get through a minor house-move(!) I'll check in on Bates. LOck are lovely, but I've long suspected that you do pay a premium for the name. (Mind you, same for Bates when it comes to buying some hats; I'm convinced I've seen own-brands from both that are identical to certain Christy's models, but at rather a mark-up.)

I forget where I saw it, but I definitely remember either watching a short video or reading an article on the Christy's factory and seeing a Lock die mark for sweatbands.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
I forget where I saw it, but I definitely remember either watching a short video or reading an article on the Christy's factory and seeing a Lock die mark for sweatbands.

AFAIK, Christys are the only UK company still making furfelt hats in the UK (though to the best of my knowledge from imported hat bodies).
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,047
Location
San Francisco, CA
AFAIK, Christys are the only UK company still making furfelt hats in the UK (though to the best of my knowledge from imported hat bodies).

Well, Herbert Johnson is making a small line of Indy hats and bespoke orders. They're also advertising refurbishment services. They recently moved into their own hat workshop and are taking sales online and out of the Picadilly storefront. Hopefully this facebook link works?
https://www.facebook.com/pg/herbert...service_id=1969276706479422&ref=page_internal

If not, it basically says just to email them about inquiries: workshop@herbert-johnson.co.uk
 

Bertie.Wooster

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
London, UK
Herbert Johnson Hatters have a military branch, soft hats branch and a formal hats branch. They are very helpful and I have a quick chat with them regarding a possible restoration of my bowler hat. I chatted to them over instagram and very understanding. The Formal Hat branch is now headed by Ian, who works at Patey Hats (seems inactive now??). He restores the stiff felt hats and toppers. Apparently, Harrison Ford got himself the Herbert Johnson Indy Hat as well. Looks very dapper.
 

GHT

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,279
Location
New Forest
Edward, it might be worth finding a milliner locally. My wife is having a hat made by a milliner in Dorchester, Dorset. The lady milliner only makes ladies hats, mainly for Ascot, Henley and all the Hooray-Henry gigs. But weddings also make up much of her business. Whilst there, I explained that I had a black fedora that I had the black hat band replaced with white to parody Peter Sellers when we went to some fancy dress function years ago. The refitting of the black hat band was pathetic, but the move from London just got in the way and the hat forgotten. The milliner explained the correct fitting of a hat band and said that she could do it for me. And what great job she made of it. Good value to at £25.

My missus used to go to a hat shop in Hackney, Well Street I think. I've just asked her and looked them up, it might just be worth asking.
https://www.saharmillinery.co.uk/
 

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