Help finding my first hat

Felt or straw?

 

This should start the debate. I think that Akubra is always a good bet for an entry level fur felt hat. They, IMHO offer the best value in the market. They offer multiple styles to fit your needs, decent quality, hard wearing and they look good.

 

Best hat for the rain while working horseback in March in Wyoming with a budget of $1500? Best hat to wear to the beach in Hawaii before taking a swim? (Hello @jonesy86 ), or the best hat to go to the Met Gala with a budget of $20? Are you looking for a western? Dress fedora? Everyday hat? Homburg? Is your budget $50 or $200 or $600?

It’s like asking what’s the best car and wondering how you’re going to pull your 30 foot travel trailer and seat your five kids when I tell you to get a Toyota Prius.

We’d like to help, but you have to give us more to work with before we tell you to buy an Akubra.

Brent

 

Cut to the chase.

Buy a Camp Draft. If you don't like thin ribbons, put a wider one on. You just won't get better bones for the $$.

 

I also recommend Akubra hats. Bang for your buck.

 

The Akubra hemp straws are good beach hats.

 

Yup,
Brent said it well, you need to share a little more information on the kind/type of hat your after. A budget or even the intended use for the hat, hot dry or cold 'n wet, work or play etc.. Without a slight idea of what your after and a budget range it's like asking how long is a bit of string.

I was wearing a Balmoral today in fact.

 

Indeed, i have 2 Akubra Capricorns. I love them!

 

Start with a bowler and work your way out from there.
Hang here long enough and you'll find yourself with more hats than Imelda Marcos had shoes.

 

Oh My GAWD! Charlie Chaplin wore a bowler as did Stan Laurel, Lou Costello, and the bad guys in a Clockwork Orange. Just be SURE you're good with that look!!!

On a side note AKUBRA doesn't make Bowlers. Per above, don't blow the bank on a $500, 100% beaver hat, chances are about 30% you won't like wearing a hat and won't get another one, OR 70% that you'll need the extra $ to get a hat that fits your face better. I have 4, 3 hat boxes by Hammer Plastic full.

Later

 

They did but it is discontunued due to the COVID scale back.
https://hatsdirect.com/products/bowler

 

I was thinking 100 to $150 definitely not straw either fur felt or a blend. A 40s style fedora

 

or in my case hats & shoes!

 

Then at that price point definitely look to Akubra. As mentioned above the Campdraft comes in a good colour selection and is a great looking hat at a great price. If you want a smaller crown/brim look to the Sydney or Stylemaster. David Morgan is the US distributor/stockist or you can buy direct from Aus ....Hats Direct or Everything Australian.

 

A pre-owned Stetson Sutley? They have nice proportions and aren't that expensive.
I was wearing one but the way the weather has gotten to be so blustery a Stetson Special Derby makes more sense.
Kind of a ridiculous argument as I'm inside reading a book and playing the guitar today but it looks pretty windy out...

 

I second that emotion!!! But if you start with a bowler, it's all downhill from there!

 

I think that derbies look best when dressed up a bit. You can add dents to a Homburg and sort of tame it’s formal or semi formal nature, but the derby/bowler just looks better to my eye when paired with something dressier than my usual casual attire. Maybe it just takes more confidence to wear it well?

 

Pairs well with a black leather Harley jacket and sunglasses

 

That’s what I said: dressed up.