pleased to meet you all

Hi all Loungers

Long Time reader at first post.
It's a couple of months that I undercovered this beautiful forum and finally It's the moment to "speak".
As first point let me introduce myself: 34 years, from Italy freshly owner of a Borsalino Panama (I'll show in the appropriate thread when I'll take decent pictures or, better, when I'll get a decent camera) and fond of that kind of hats: maybe because I spent my early years in a hot part of Italy (Sicily) I always saw many beautiful panama and straws.
Actually while winter is approaching I'd like to buy a fedora...and now the reason of my post.
In Milan, where I live nowadays, I have the luky to go to three borsalino shops and other two most "generic" shop...unfortunly at this time I didn't found what I'm looking for.
I like very much a model of stetson saw at miller hat site (Norwalk Stetson Hat, Made by Stetson Especially for Miller Hats). For me is quite impossible to order via web site (Internationl shipping fees, taxes, duties and only US Mail are problems...experienced in past years and that I don't want to repeat) and so I'd like to know by you experienced loungers:
- the "suede like finish" of fur felt of stetson is an high grade like top finish of borsalino or barbisio modern hats?
- in your opinion is better to risk and order in the US the Hat or there are other ways to have it in Europe? (other countries stores...in Italy stetson = cowboys hat only or inexpensive caps )
- is this a good choice for starting with winter hats or it's better to look at something more "basic" like akubra hats?
Today, once I'll go out of office I'll go to main borsalino shop to see something...I'll tell you if I maintain my mental healt
Again very pleased to be a lounger (very junior indeed) and compliments to all of you for competency, kindness and good environment.

Marcello

Hello Jaco and welcome!

Visiting Italy is on my list of must-do trips, but, respectfully, if I lived there I know I would be very frustrated at the inability to collect vintage hats due to the view much of the world takes of the postal system there.

I have come to the conclusion that I only want to have truly old hats (40 - 70 yrs.) because I can get them in the $30 range most times and they are of a quality that is hard to find in modern production hats.

There are some custom hatters (Art Fawcett, Major Moore, and more on this forum) who make great quality hats but personally I am hung up on vintage authenticity and bargain prices.

Borsalinos. Ahhhh, Borsalinos.... I have six of them and they are wonderful. Of all the hats and all the makers in my collection, my girlfriend can always spot a Borsalino at a glance. Something special about them for sure - back in 'the day' as they say, at least.

Italians. MAN, I've never been able to fully understand it but the cars, clothes, food, guns, architecture, music, shoes, hats....
Such fantastic taste, design and craftsmanship from those maestros over there. Magical.

I just wanted to say hello and share my thoughts. I trust there will be many here who will have valuable suggestions for where you can get access to the kind of quality you desire.

G'luck!

Hola Marcello!

I am fairly new myself here, but I can attest you will find very knowledgeable and helpful people in the Lounge.

It is generally understood that new hats do not stand in quality terms besides vintage hats. This said, you may well not want old hats, or you may want to avoid "logistic problems" if you have to have them shipped from other countries, so you make your choice. Some modern brands are better considered than others. I am sure other, more wise members, will make you suggestions, but I think Biltmore hats are a good modern hat choice.

There are also custom hatters like Art Fawcett who craft quality hats - these are more expensive, but it would seem it is well worth it. I can not say for myself (not yet if you get my meaning) but here there are a lot of satisfied customers.

Going to a local hat shop could be a good initial step. A lot of people do not have real hat shops in their area, so you are fortunate in this respect. There you can learn what is your size and what styles you prefer. Later on perhaps you will order hats from other countries to widen your horizons.

I don't know about Italian customs, etc; I am in Spain myself, and I have been buying articles from other countries, including the US, for a number of years, and have not paid additional custom fees - apparently, if the value of the article sent is less than 400-500 Euro, which is my case generally, it comes free. Of course every country is different.

It would seem you stablish a difference between "winter hats" and "Akubra style hats". I would say felt hats are on the main considered winter hats, irrespective of the manufacturer, unless of lightweight felt which can be used for more temperate weather.

Now we are in September - I guess it will be still hot in Milan, as it is in Spain. I am wearing my straws still, too soon for felt. So, if you want a hat to wear right now, to rotate with that Panama of yours, consider another straw fedora, a Milan weave for example, maybe in a grey colour, more appropriate for fall, but this is merely a question of personal taste.

Keep us informed of your advances!

Daniel

Welcome to the Lounge and I look forward to you post!

Welcome! Firstly I have to say your premise of international orders is totally wrong...international orders, US post office and whatever else you mentioned is quite a misconception. I don`t know what trouble you have had in the past, but my experience on the net ordering hats both from custom makers and general hats shops using the USPS has been nothing but excellent. Put your past troubles behind you and take advantage of the excellent service the US makers and postal service offer. Aperto tuo mente su fratello!

Welcome to the Lounge!

Howzit Jaco, welcome to the lounge!

Welcome!

jaco....

Welcome to the Familia.....:cool2:

Welcome Marcello!!! Enjoy your stay at the lounge!:eusa_clap

Welcome

Marcello,

What a polite introduction. - My friend was in Milano a month ago and he saw the Montecristi at the Borsalino shop in downtown. I instructed him to make one photo of those with his cell phone- all I can say you are lucky.

It must be fun to live in a hat Mekka. I must state that I am by no means an expert in hats. After importing seven hats personally from the USA I think it is not a risk to buy from there. But I am convinced that as an Italian living next to 3 Borsalino shops at your reach you should order from the USA only if you are enamoured with that particular Stetson hat or if you want something really special – like an US-styled custom beaver felt hat or a very fine Montecristi fino – otherwise be a proud patriot and buy Italian!

USPS the postal service of the USA delivers quick if you order International Air mail or Expres delivery and can be tracked – hats arrive from the West Coast to Budapest in 3-5 days. However once your babies cross the border things get slow… it takes 3-4 additional weeks and lets say 25% of the original value as customs fees in Hungary and a few hours waiting at the international mail/customs exchange center to get the product in your hands. But after a few times the officers will know you and ask „ A hat? -Yes.” Priceless moment, insn’t it? Another member dzacca from near Venice could tell you about the Italian customs…

I had a suede like finish on my chocolate brown custom rabbit hats in Budapest - I gave it away to my 20-year old cousin as it looked like too much as an Indiana Jones fedora.

With buying winter hats the only question is what price class of hat are you willing to use every day as a beater? If it rains/snows heavily plus the wind blows it is really not good to have your Borsalino beauty to get blown off your head and chase while it rolls it on the street or its brim gets wavy in the rain. For this you better wear a basic hat. But then you want to have a beauty or two besides the functional headcovers… Yes your pocket will scream but this is the only way to satisfy the aesthetic ba***rd inside.

Finally the quality question - are there no more artisan hatters left in Italy? Those masters need to focus on quality to survive since they can not compete in volume or price therefore are the only way to get a better quality than premium factory hats – this was true at all times.

It would be easier for you to ask at the regional Artisan Chamber – but only if you are a truly enthusiastic aficionado (nice expression for hat craze, obsession, madness etc.) You can ask for contact details of hatmakers and then take your time and try to see them in person…

Best:

Tom

Welcome to the Lounge, Marcello!

Welcome!

Hi All

Many thanks for your kind welcome.
Little Update: I think I'll tak a custom made hat. Here in Milan there are two stores very interesting. One is called Melegari and the other Mutinelli.
The first has an hat factory in which they can do totally custom hats (I'll go the next week end to state every detail and to see if they have all th "options" that I want): just after the WWII they do some work for major firms (Borsalino and Barbisio first of all) and some opinion of italian hat lovers are very positive.
The second one as direct link with some other hat manufacturers that do custom works too.
I'll soon tell you something more (I hope).
The only problems with borsalinos are that actually I have some problem to fit them: my hat size is 57.5 cm not 57 and not 58...it's quite difficult to find out the right side.
For giving an example I spent almost one month to find the right panama
See you soon

Happy: newborn traveller

Hi all

As promised a little update of my quest.
I was in a great shop and purchased (I was so excited!! you probably can figure out) my first fedora: a traveller made by "melegari".
It's outstanding.
Soon I'll post the pictures of my two babies the traveller and the panama.
Actually I only can say that the quality of traveller is surpisingly better than Borsalino at half the price. With 65 euros I have a suede smooth finish in a beutiful dark grey easy shapeable and very light.
And it fits me very well (using two small pad of felt as filler to fit the right size because I'm a 57.5!!).