Cheap Fedora

FedoraFan112390 · Jun 12, 2008

http://www.amazon.com/Jaxon-Crushab...bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1213243538&sr=8-5

Would you guys reccomend this hat?

Also, where else can I find some cheap fedoras?

ADHD librarian · Jun 12, 2008

define cheap,

cheap for some of the OCD characters on this board may well be different from your idea.

Yohanes · Jun 12, 2008

Yeah, you'd better define the price range. If $20-30 is considered cheap, then I don't think there's any other brand that can compete in that price range. Maybe some Indy Jones Dorfman Pacific in ebay, or Wool Scala. Other than that maybe the stingy brim tweed/cloth/cotton made in China as normally found also in ebay - but I believe those styles are not among the favorites here

Marcus Brody · Jun 12, 2008

It's a decent price for a decent looking wool felt, but wool's are always going to be inferior to fur felt hats in terms of quality.

ADHD librarian · Jun 12, 2008

So, for me $120 on an Akubra is cheap (for what you get)
$20 in a thrift store is better but that is only any good for 'extra' hats because you can't plan on a style or a colour being there when you want it.

To give some examples from my own modest collection...
my Stylemaster cost me $120, my Flattop cost $20, two trilbies for my kids were $10 each while my Arena was found by the side of the road (but it isn't a Fedora)

Wesne · Jun 12, 2008

There are a lot of "cheap" (price-wise) vintage fedoras on eBay if you can wear a 7 1/4 or smaller. For the price of a new, cheap wool felt hat you can get a barely worn vintage fur felt hat that will likely surpass the quality of new fur felt hats costing 10 times as much. As long as you don't have a hangup about wearing something that has probably been worn by someone else, fifty or more years ago, that would be my recommendation.

Magus · Jun 12, 2008

As much as I enjoy good natured bashing of the E-site... I have purchased all of my hats there. Everything from 1939 Borsalino's, to 1918 Bowler's, to 60's stingies, to Project hats like this recent one that will need a bit of work to rescue.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260245846091&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

... and never once payed over $65. I would consider that to fit in the "cheap" range

kpreed · Jun 12, 2008

My everyday Fedora is a Bailey Gangster, I got on eBay for less money and for day to day use is just fine for me.( I would rather lose or damage a hat that is less cash) I do have a Jaxson too, but of a different style and F.Y.I, they do come from China. I only use my fur-felt fedora on "special" times out. Good luck with your choice.

Rick Blaine · Jun 12, 2008

FedoraFan112390,
I would stay away from all wools, you will only be disapointed. I had one of these and it was also quite low-crowned.
For the same scratch on eBay there is a seller goes by the handle "1a-cards-and-collectibles" and s/he has many Scala furfelts on a BIN/make an offer auction format. I have purchased three very nice (contemporary, not vintage) hats from her (I think, her). In my case(s) she accepted an offer of about 65% of her BIN price. I have found her to be a great seller, some of the feedback complains of a "smoky" smell to the goods, I must say I have never noticed it. Any of the fur felts would (IMO) be superior to the Jaxon wool. Jaxons' "Iconoclast" is said by some to be a good entry level fur felt, it is now at $60, but I have seen it go as low as $42 a year or two back... lotsa rabbits in China that year, I guess!... my .o2

David Conwill · Jun 12, 2008

I'm not going to be too hard on wool felts. They're a great choice for a student or a working man on a budget who needs something right now. All I own are woolies, and they do their job well. But be prepared to replace your hat about once a year if you wear it daily like me. My Dobbs "Gray Fedora" from Hats in the Belfrey has about had it after six months of daily wear - and that's with good care. I can probably revive it if I take out the sweatband and liner and give her a soak and whatnot, but I'm already eyeing fur felts for after graduation.

I think if I were going to do it again, I'd probably have paid the extra forty bucks and gotten a fur felt. I wouldn't be looking at replacing it already, I'm sure. Plus, having this hat that I've worn every day wear out is sort of like losing a friend.

-Dave

David Conwill · Jun 12, 2008

Oh, I will say that I'm not a fan of any felt hat that comes without a liner and with a fabric sweatband (as does that Jaxon, I suspect). They're not much more than costume items for playing "adventurer" or "gangster" and they'll soon end up in the closet because they're not very nice looking or wearing. Trust me, I owned a ton of them as a kid.

-Dave

Rick Blaine · Jun 12, 2008

Really & truly for the $$$, I would still go vintage uber alles. I have paid way too much and own way too many hats, but my daily beater felt-wise is a vintage Stetson 3x Open Road I picked up on eBay for twelve bucks + shipping. It has seen more wear than thirty of my other felts combined, by the same token, straw-wise, 'have many, but my go-to is a Biltmore I eBayed for eight bucks. [huh]

Corith · Jun 12, 2008

I have one. And yes, it does not come with a liner and does have a simple fabric sweatband. In my book, its not a real hat, however, it does take inclement weather punishment very well. I tend to where it when slopping about on the weekends in winter (it doesn't look too bad with my blue M-65 foul weather jacket).

My real complaint is that it won't hold any type of brim shape.

Yohanes · Jun 13, 2008

OK FedoraFan112390, as you've read the replies, I think 1st thing you must inform us here is your hat size

If you wear 7 1/4 or smaller, then start hunting for vintage on ebay. But please keep in mind that even 7 1/4 can't go cheap either these days. So I say you have better luck in getting a bargain at size 7 1/8 or lower.

If bigger, then it's much much harder. Better follow Rick Blaine's suggestion to find that Scala furfelt seller on ebay.

thunderw21 · Jun 13, 2008

Rick Blaine said:
Really & truly for the $$$, I would still go vintage uber alles. I have paid way too much and own way too many hats, but my daily beater felt-wise is a vintage Stetson 3x Open Road I picked up on eBay for twelve bucks + shipping. It has seen more wear than thirty of my other felts combined, by the same token, straw-wise, 'have many, but my go-to is a Biltmore I eBayed for eight bucks. [huh]

+1
There are still very cheap vintage fedoras out there to be had. Definitely look for them first. The quality is better and they will last longer and look better. I don't know about anyone else (though I can guess), but most of my vintage hats were $20 or less, some of my best ones being only $3 or $4.

It takes some patience, but finding a good quality vintage fedora for cheap is the way to go.

Maguire · Jun 13, 2008

I own the above hat in brown and a regular crown fedora in that color from the same company (and same price). The C crown gray is actually an ok hat, i like it but generally i'm not a fan, the gangster bailey is a much better hat as far as i'm concerned.

feltfan · Jun 13, 2008

ADHD librarian said:
cheap for some of the OCD characters on this board may well be different from your idea.

I prefer, "detail oriented".

FedoraFan112390 · Jun 14, 2008

Well, my only true fedora is a gray fur felt Miller and the size is 7 3/8. It's only a little big and sometimes flies off in wind. I have a more ''modern'' style trilby which is much smaller and is a snug--a bit too snug--fit, but I don't know the size. The tag inside is missing.

jec · Jun 14, 2008

Convert from cheap wool to vintage fur

I started with a crushable Scala outback hat that I purchased last fall and wore through the winter. It was a easy introduction into hats. I loved that one; I still do. BUT it does not fit as well, or have as 'rich' a feel as the used fur Stetson I won on Ebay a couple of weeks ago (see avatar). I paid just a few bucks more for the Stetson than for the wool Scala (and I probably overpaid due to a bidding frenzy at the last moment). So, I am sold on vintage vs new wool. I will save the Scala; it is perfect for travel. But I am now on the prowl for more vintage fur.

Just my 2 cents.

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