Need hat advice

[gear-guy]

Look for a fur felt. It will last longer and hold it's shape better. Thrift stores, antique stores ect. if on a budget.

 

[Sebastien Basset]

I found this one on Amazon. It is Rabbit Fur Felt. I read that Grey is probably one of the best colors to get a fedora in as it matches a plethora of clothing colors/patterns/styles.
http://www.amazon.com/Sterkowski-Ra...id=1404507859&sr=8-6&keywords=fur+felt+fedora

 

[fedoracentric]

We have talked about Sterkowski on another thread and the verdict seems to be that it is a nice hat for the price. You can't go wrong with a Sterkowski as a first fedora.

 

[Rick Blaine]

STAY AWAY FROM WOOL!

What size are you looking for?

 

[Sebastien Basset]

STAY AWAY FROM WOOL!

What size are you looking for?

I measured 23 inches, so I believe the size in US is 7 3/8.

 

[Rogera]

STAY AWAY FROM WOOL!

What size are you looking for?

+1. You will be much happier with fur felt.

 

[Asmo]

I agree with these replies and will say that grey is a great color to start with as you can wear it with many combinations. I say "start with" because hats are like potato chips. It's hard to just have one.


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[Rick Blaine]

Superior vintage fedora less tan $35 shipped

Mallory

 

[Sebastien Basset]

Mallory

That is quite nice (price and look), but I am not sure about the color. Seems a little light for my taste. *Plus the auction has ended.

 

[Rick Blaine]

That is quite nice (price and look), but I am not sure about the color. Seems a little light for my taste. *Plus the auction has ended.

Yeah, I know. Just posted by way of example on what's available out there.

Most here seem to prefer vintage to contemporary & fur to wool. For reasons we will expound upon at great length, making you wish you'd never asked! :eusa_doh:

I am afraid if you begin with wool, you will be let down &, perhaps incorrectly, feel you are not a "hat man".

When in fact you are just not a crappy, inferior, costume grade Chinese factory wool hat man.

 

[Greyryder]

I started with a wool Scala. Nice hat for the price, but wool tends to have a coarser finish than fur, and I always worry about it getting wet. I want a hat to protect me from the elements, not the other way around. Mine has the sweatband sewn in too high, so the reed leaves a mark in my forehead. Don't know if that's true for all of Scala's hats. The big problem with inexpensive hats, is that medium will never fit as well as a proper size.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.

 

[Sebastien Basset]

I started with a wool Scala. Nice hat for the price, but wool tends to have a coarser finish than fur, and I always worry about it getting wet. I want a hat to protect me from the elements, not the other way around. Mine has the sweatband sewn in too high, so the reed leaves a mark in my forehead. Don't know if that's true for all of Scala's hats. The big problem with inexpensive hats, is that medium will never fit as well as a proper size.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the hat. I still feel like it's a good hat, for the money. I'm glad I got it. It let me know if I'd actually wear a fedora (thought I might be too self conscious) and let me form a more educated opinion on brim size. If I hadn't gotten myself a fur felt hat, I'd still be wearing the Scala. I do recommend getting some Scotchgard, if you get the wool hat.

From what everyone seems to be saying, the Sterkowski Rabbit Fur Felt one I found on Amazon seems to be a pretty good choice for a "first" fedora.

 

[Landman]

Definitely stay away from wool hats!

Here is the thread about Sterkowski hats. I have never owned one but from the comments in the thread it appears to be a nice hat for the price.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...owski-hats-opinions-experiences-wanted-please

Akubra makes a great hat. They are more expensive but still very reasonable. Here is a link to the Fed IV. It comes open crown so you can crease it anyway you want.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=38&returncat=Federation&returnpage=0

 

[-30-]

So whatever you do, don't let them pull the wool over your eyes!

(Seems Consensus Favoured.)


Regards,
J T

 

[Sebastien Basset]

I just placed my order for the Sterkowski Rabbit Fur Felt Fedora. I will try and post pictures/review when I get it.

 

[tuco1963]

sebastien
I CHARLIE AM THE KING AND PROTECTOR OF PLANET WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if its your first fedora wool is fine on a budget BUT stay away from scala its like wearing a hard hat.
go out and try some fedoras at places like steinmart and some others from ebay are country gentleman , ll bean so on so on.
but i sincerly admit fur felt rules my first was a ragged out dobbs which i wear to work from oct - may .
look on ebay every now andagain you get lucky with a royal stetson or a dobbs right now im akubras biggest fan i own 3 and bought each for $50 and under dont be afraid to try at least one homburg ( look it up )
no matter here at the lounge were all good people and family

plus i share my home with two bassets:eeek:

 

[Foxer55]

Edumacate Me

OK guys, edumacate me. I'm going to buy a Fedora, something along the lines of Indiana Jones or Bogart. I don't intend to spend a lot on one but I need to know things like what is the best material and are there specific nuances I should look for? Thanks.

 

[Hothir]

Fur Felt is the best material. Wool just doesn't make a very durable soft hat. If you want an Indy hat the Akubra federation is a good mid level option. Better than the cheap ones but not as nice as custom. Akubra also offers other fedora styles and I am sure others will chime in with other good options.

http://hatsdirect.com/federation/index.html

 

[1mach1]

+1 on the Akubra.

 

[GregNYC]

+1 more. I've been buying a ton of retail hats in the last several months as I began my hat hobby. Akubra is a very solid choice! I have the Akubra Stylemaster, but the Federation is more like an American movie hat. If my retailer had the Fed, I would have picked it up instead. You get a lot of bang for the buck with Akubra! Plus a great color with the Fed!


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