Yeah, I ordered a plastic hat shaper from a discount site, but likely was a scam, and will have to order one from the official site to actually get it. I had intented to strip, soak, stretch, but did not know if the velour finish would be messed up. It sounds like it would not need to be, but that I do need to be careful with the pushing and pulling at the intersection of the brim/crown, which is where I figure my lack of skill will really show.
The velour finish should be OK. Just be gentle, go slowly.
Well then, may the 4th be with you. *ducks and runs*
I've somehow managed to acquire more than a few ball caps myself. They come in handy if you're heading out of the house to do...whatever...and don't want to wear one of your better hats/caps because it might get damaged. Helping someone move, for example; great time for a ball cap!
My wife and I attended a wedding a couple years ago for an old friend. When we got back to the car we realized we still had their card/gift. Before we had the chance to mail it to them upon their return home (a few weeks) they were already filing for divorce.
but the 50's Stetson 3X/Strat/OR is the de facto standard in the vintage hat world - a known commodity that almost everyone has seen, handled or owned and can relate to. Does everyone like a 3X? No. Can everyone afford a vintage Strat? No. Is a 3X the most expensive hat? No. Have people who have owned vintage ORs sold or traded them for "better" hats? Yes. Those hats are markers, so to speak, to give people in the hat world a common point of reference. 
I just secured a 50's Stetson OR Royal Deluxe.....first one I have handled. Man oh, man is this nice felt! Not my size but now I am cursed with finding one for myself! On the plus side.....it cost me about the same as an middle of the road quality, off the shelf, modern Stetson."I think what I was finding frustrating about so much of the information here is the dismissive attitude towards anything that is not at the top of the scale... there should be room for both, and more encouragement of people starting out to get a decent, serviceable hat that isn't cheap crap but isn't custom or vintage and doesn't break the bank."
What is concerning is when someone asks for advice, is given advice, and then gets upset at the advice they were given. Those who have posted replies have your best interests at heart but sometimes that gets lost in translation using a few short sentences on a conversational social media platform. We all try our best.
Let me offer another option, if you will. One member related hats to guitars and how the best for you is one you can actually, see, touch and play for yourself. If it looks good to you, fits your playing style, is mechanically intact, and is comfortable to play, that is the guitar you should purchase (funds available, of course), whether it is a pre-war Martin, a 1980's Yamaha, a 5 year old Eastman, or a new model Collings. Invariably, every acoustic guitar on the market is going to be compared to a Martin D18 or D28 because those are the de facto standards - a known commodity that almost everyone has heard or played (even for a few minutes in a music store) and can relate to. Does everyone like a D18? No. Can everyone afford a D18? No. Have people who have owned D18's sold or traded them for "better" guitars? Yes. A D18/28 is a marker, so to speak, to give people in the guitar world a common point of reference.
Now to my point. You (or one of the Newb's) mentioned going to Meyer the Hatter in New Orleans. Go back to Meyer (or another good hat shop around the country) and ask if they have a 50's model Stetson 3X, Stratoliner, or Open Road in their private collection. It probably won't be for sale, but ask to examine the hat; the build quality, the feel of the felt, and the details of construction. One of the seasoned Meyers employees should be able to walk you through all the details. I hope not to anger the hat gods
It is hard to substitute for experience and I'm suggesting you check out a few 50s vintage Stetsons at a good hat store or even a Lounger near you. It's always your decision to wear a ball cap, a new Akubra, or a 1920s Penn Craft bowler but perhaps, after you spend a little time with some of the "hat standards", the advice you have been given will make more sense.
Most Loungers have a hat or two or three that might be classified as "not good"...but we love them anyway and wear them proudly. We even have a thread dedicated to the "not-so-good but love them" hats! Mine is a 20 year old Resistol 6X western - stiff as a board and felt like sandpaper - but it's a hat I enjoy and wear often. The bottom line is that if a hat (or cap) fits and is comfortable and looks good to you, wear it and wear it well! We welcome you to the Lounge.
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I have many thousands of dollars wrapped up in my hat collection and the hat that gets the most head time is a cheap/poorly made Flechet hat that Brent gave me and I rescued it from the dumpster. It makes zero sense other than I like wearing it, it is comfortable, indestructible and I just keep reaching for it.....not even sure it looks good on me but what the hell.........
You should post it in the "Hats you like all out of proportion to their quality" thread!
AKA a wind cord. It is the cord that wraps around the hat at the ribbon usually in a similar colour to the ribbon with a covered button at the end. It is designed for the button to be inserted into your lapel button hole to stop your hat from blowing away on a windy day. The western equivalent is the 'stampede string'
Thanks Brent, Rumpled and outdoorsy aren’t me at all, and I don’t conform to the local fashion choices. Both my wife and I like to dress up, and we can look unique strolling our Belltown hood in Seattle. Thus, my rain hats will be fur fedoras that can withstand rain. With the depth of knowledge on the Fedora Lounge, I was hoping for specific answers to my query about a hat to meet my needs. Vintage can provide better hats and prices, but as a life long beginner to the hat world, I need guidance from the masters. I am also short, but enjoy wearing a 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 brim. Thanks again. Phil G
Get yourself either an Akubra....direct from Aus for the best pricing. They offer a good selection of styles. Or failing that spring for a custom beaver felt in western weight once you are clear on the style/profile/dimensions of the hat. Both will serve you well. Those, depending on your budget, are very safe and secure selections.