New Member to the Hat Forum

DiamondJimLA said:

Hello All!

I've been lurking for some months now, but thought it was time to join up and introduce myself.

I spent the first 71 years of life disliking hats and virtually never wearing them, other than maybe a Dodgers baseball cap once in a while (I'm a big Dodgers fan). So out of the blue, earlier this year, I got some bug to get a hat; I have no idea why that happened. So I started with a Stetson Diamond Jim in black, which I like, and that inspired my screen name (but my name is Jim). I followed that with a Stetson Diamond Jim Shantung hat, then got a Stetson Catera (which I also like a lot). When I get into something new, I have a tendency to over do it and spend too much, so I am trying to pause for a bit to make sure my hat deal is going to stick.

Hardly anyone (men especially) wear hats around here in SoCal, excepting the usual baseball-type hats. So it is interesting watching people's reactions. Initially I may have been a little shy, but I am over that and wearing my hats like a boss. I have also decided yesterday that if anyone is asking questions, I will start suggesting they may not have heard that hats is the new hot thing - seeing if I can con people into adopting a new fad - hahaha.

I'll try to post up some pics soon.

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belfastboy said:

Welcome to the Lounge. We are a tolerant bunch here and will overlook your love of the Dodgers. This is a great place to enjoy and learn about all things hat related.

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Frunobulax said:

I'll do my best...

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Frunobulax said:

I'll do my best...

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belfastboy said:

We need to support each other to be our best selves.

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deadlyhandsome said:

You’re talking about that game where you hit a ball with a stick, right?

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deadlyhandsome said:

You’re talking about that game where you hit a ball with a stick, right?

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belfastboy said:

We need to support each other to be our best selves.

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deadlyhandsome said:

You’re talking about that game where you hit a ball with a stick, right?

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belfastboy said:

yes, but it is a round ball with a round stick.....and the ball is travelling on average 95mph and it comes at you in 3 differing planes as it makes it way from pitcher to batter. The Dodgers do have nice classic uniforms though.

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AbbaDatDeHat said:

Ma and Pa was poor. We used rocks. No home runs, we just run home.
B

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DiamondJimLA said:

Hello All!

I've been lurking for some months now, but thought it was time to join up and introduce myself.

I spent the first 71 years of life disliking hats and virtually never wearing them, other than maybe a Dodgers baseball cap once in a while (I'm a big Dodgers fan). So out of the blue, earlier this year, I got some bug to get a hat; I have no idea why that happened. So I started with a Stetson Diamond Jim in black, which I like, and that inspired my screen name (but my name is Jim). I followed that with a Stetson Diamond Jim Shantung hat, then got a Stetson Catera (which I also like a lot). When I get into something new, I have a tendency to over do it and spend too much, so I am trying to pause for a bit to make sure my hat deal is going to stick.

Hardly anyone (men especially) wear hats around here in SoCal, excepting the usual baseball-type hats. So it is interesting watching people's reactions. Initially I may have been a little shy, but I am over that and wearing my hats like a boss. I have also decided yesterday that if anyone is asking questions, I will start suggesting they may not have heard that hats is the new hot thing - seeing if I can con people into adopting a new fad - hahaha.

I'll try to post up some pics soon.

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SafetyThird said:

Hi all, been lurking on here for a little while and figured it's time to say hello.

I got into hats years ago but they were always work hats such as Tilley's of which I have several. Then I was bought a Herbert Johnson poet's hat, the original Indy fedora and fell in love with wearing hats but, as I live on a farm, I don't get a lot of opportunity to wear it, as it's such a smart hat. Along the way I've picked up a lovely Locke Panama which I bought for my wedding and then a more budget folding Panama for travel.

I wanted some more hats but good ones tend to be very expensive and cheap ones are rubbish quality. Then I discovered Akubra and fell down that little rabbit hole which lead me here and now I have my first couple of them and have been reading through this thread and the one on bashing hats and I'm guessing there'll be several more coming in the future.

I've just received an Akubra Zephyr which will be a summer work hat and a style master in carbon gray as an around town hat.

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Alarickc said:

I'm new round these parts, but have liked hats and valued the information on here for years. Just got my first proper hat and Optimo while passing through Chicago on the way to a Christmas trip to the PNW. This hat, a black beaver felt bowler size 63 and surprisingly round enough for my head, is the first of 4-5 Optimos I'm getting after having envied them from affar for a decade or so. I have an appointment for a fitting for a custom head block on my return and a design consultation for a full custom hat and the other hats I've selected. This disheveled me is in a Hotel parking lot in Nebraska, breaking in the bowler with a long day of road-triping.

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Alarickc said:

I'm new round these parts, but have liked hats and valued the information on here for years. Just got my first proper hat and Optimo while passing through Chicago on the way to a Christmas trip to the PNW. This hat, a black beaver felt bowler size 63 and surprisingly round enough for my head, is the first of 4-5 Optimos I'm getting after having envied them from affar for a decade or so. I have an appointment for a fitting for a custom head block on my return and a design consultation for a full custom hat and the other hats I've selected. This disheveled me is in a Hotel parking lot in Nebraska, breaking in the bowler with a long day of road-triping.

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Rmccamey said:

Welcome to the Lounge. Great looking bowler from Optimo. I'd love to have one of those myself. I encourage you to look at some other custom and vintage bowlers as well. Looking forward to seeing your next hats, too.

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deadlyhandsome said:

Welcome! It sounds like you’re starting off with the best. Looking forward to seeing your hats.

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Alarickc said:

I'm planning on it, though the hat size makes it tough on vintage anything. I do plan on trying out other hatters in the future. Just wanted to indulge after covid, getting a new job (start on the 3rd), and moving to the Great Lakes region. Thank you for the welcome!
The feel is amazing. I don't think I'll be able to do anything but beaver felt after this. Thank you for your welcome and your interest!

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TheBeardGuy said:

Within the last year, I became acquainted with hats, quite by accident actually. But the more I viewed and read, the more I really fell in love with men's hats, and especially the Pork pie hat......I began to buy hats. What a great experience, waiting for them to arrive and try them on. In all sorts of colors.
I have a white/gray beard, and I'm trying to figure out what color is really going to look best on me, since I have a very fair complexion (Irish background) and don't know what color hat will look good with my "looks".........But I'm here, and I love hats and I"m happy that I found this place.

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TheBeardGuy said:

Within the last year, I became acquainted with hats, quite by accident actually. But the more I viewed and read, the more I really fell in love with men's hats, and especially the Pork pie hat......I began to buy hats. What a great experience, waiting for them to arrive and try them on. In all sorts of colors.
I have a white/gray beard, and I'm trying to figure out what color is really going to look best on me, since I have a very fair complexion (Irish background) and don't know what color hat will look good with my "looks".........But I'm here, and I love hats and I"m happy that I found this place.

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