I've only been a reader/member of this forum for a few months, but already, my knowledge of hats has increased exponentially, as has my hat collection! I've had several nice conversations with various members via private messages, and Mr Maltby even sent me a complimentary hat that was my size as a good-will gift after reading the details of a failed eBay purchase I made. I've found people here to be extremely helpful, to say the least -- everyone is always chomping at the bit to reply to my messages and assist me, answer questions, or discuss/show-off new acquisitions to each other.
I'm saying all of this because I do not want this post to come off as being anti-The Fedora Lounge. It's not! But I have noticed a few trends that I think are worth discussing, and may be valuable to read for other new participants. As a "newbie" when it comes to hats, I'd like to describe my impressions of The Fedora Lounge when it comes to new people asking questions about what hats to buy, what to avoid, and general suggestions.
There is a contingent of posters here who are extremely experienced -- that is that they've read books, have tried on more hats than most of us have even touched, and only settle for the absolute best.
I am similar with computers -- I've worked in the IT field all my life, and I never (ever!) buy mass-manufactured machines (Dell, Compaq, Gateway, etc.). I always build my own from scratch. There's no better computer than a custom-built one. My advice is sound, and the contingent of posters I'm referring to have sound advice as well. But it's not gospel! I would never recommend a custom-built computer to a new computer user -- it'd be a waste of their money and they'd never fully appreciate or utilize the machine. It's too early. Get a cheap Dell and learn first.
Not everyone can afford or justify the cost of a custom Art Fawcett, a custom Optimo, a vintage Borsalino, Dobbs, Stetson, Knox, Resistol, Cavanaugh, Champ, etc. or a new Akubra. Let's face it -- hats are expensive, and the cost isn't decreasing! My suggestion to new people interested in hats mirrors a lot of other Fedora Lounge members: if it fits, you like the way it looks, it's affordable, and it's comfortable enough for you to wear it, then get it! But that's it. Every other criteria is entirely secondary, including whether or not it's wool felt or fur felt (although you always go fur felt if the cost is the same either way, which I've found is sometimes the case!).
Consider these numbers:
Estimated United States population as of 2002: Approximately 300 million.
Estimated United States Internet users as of 2002: 6.6 million [source]
Current members of The Fedora Lounge: 5,178
Truth: The Fedora Lounge is a microcosm. Virtually no one is going to know the difference between your wool Mello-Felt Stetson and your fur-felt Akubra Federation Deluxe except you. All they see is a person wearing a hat. Most people do not know the term "fedora" or, if they do, they don't exactly know what it is, usually equating the term to the pinstriped $15 fashion-outlet hats sold in malls or commonly adorned by Justin Timberlake and other Hollywood stars/starlets that barely even resemble stingy-brims. Sometimes the term "fedora" will cause them to picture a cowboy hat. In fact, most people think "Stetson" is synonymous with "Cowboy hat." Even fewer know the difference between the classic fedora and a homburg (a quick look at eBay will prove this quickly!), and I can pretty much guarantee you that they do not know what a Tyrolean is!
I'm about to order an Akubra Casual in Regency Fawn from Aussie Bush Hats and Oilskins because, thanks to the knowledgable and dependable contributors here, I know that Akubra is held in high-regard when it comes to new hats and I want a brown, fur-felt, crushable hat that I can beat up a bit but will last me a long, long time and keep going. In other words, it meets the function I've intended for it and it is worth my $90.00 to get it.
I acquired about 15 Brooks Brothers ties from my wife's grandfather's wardrobe after he died. I'm currently wearing my favorite one; a rust-colored tie with blue/red/cream-colored carousel horses. They are beautiful. The fabric is excellent. The knots are smoother than any other tie I've ever worn. The patterns are vibrant, unique, dapper. Amount of people who've noticed: exactly zero. I just really like the ties. That's what counts!
My point is this: a nice hat is always nice to have, but you're typically going to be the only person who knows it, and this factors heavily into my own choices. While Borsalinos and Stetsons aren't made like they used to be made and while Baileys are often looked upon as barely-above-Burlington-Coat-Factory quality, who cares, exactly? Who will even know the difference? Are you dressing for The Fedora Lounge or are you dressing for yourself?
P.S. - Interest in film noir and/or Indiana Jones is not a requisite, so don't feel left out if you're indifferent to both like I am! I'm with you; I just really like hats.
I'm saying all of this because I do not want this post to come off as being anti-The Fedora Lounge. It's not! But I have noticed a few trends that I think are worth discussing, and may be valuable to read for other new participants. As a "newbie" when it comes to hats, I'd like to describe my impressions of The Fedora Lounge when it comes to new people asking questions about what hats to buy, what to avoid, and general suggestions.
There is a contingent of posters here who are extremely experienced -- that is that they've read books, have tried on more hats than most of us have even touched, and only settle for the absolute best.
I am similar with computers -- I've worked in the IT field all my life, and I never (ever!) buy mass-manufactured machines (Dell, Compaq, Gateway, etc.). I always build my own from scratch. There's no better computer than a custom-built one. My advice is sound, and the contingent of posters I'm referring to have sound advice as well. But it's not gospel! I would never recommend a custom-built computer to a new computer user -- it'd be a waste of their money and they'd never fully appreciate or utilize the machine. It's too early. Get a cheap Dell and learn first.
Not everyone can afford or justify the cost of a custom Art Fawcett, a custom Optimo, a vintage Borsalino, Dobbs, Stetson, Knox, Resistol, Cavanaugh, Champ, etc. or a new Akubra. Let's face it -- hats are expensive, and the cost isn't decreasing! My suggestion to new people interested in hats mirrors a lot of other Fedora Lounge members: if it fits, you like the way it looks, it's affordable, and it's comfortable enough for you to wear it, then get it! But that's it. Every other criteria is entirely secondary, including whether or not it's wool felt or fur felt (although you always go fur felt if the cost is the same either way, which I've found is sometimes the case!).
Consider these numbers:
Estimated United States population as of 2002: Approximately 300 million.
Estimated United States Internet users as of 2002: 6.6 million [source]
Current members of The Fedora Lounge: 5,178
Truth: The Fedora Lounge is a microcosm. Virtually no one is going to know the difference between your wool Mello-Felt Stetson and your fur-felt Akubra Federation Deluxe except you. All they see is a person wearing a hat. Most people do not know the term "fedora" or, if they do, they don't exactly know what it is, usually equating the term to the pinstriped $15 fashion-outlet hats sold in malls or commonly adorned by Justin Timberlake and other Hollywood stars/starlets that barely even resemble stingy-brims. Sometimes the term "fedora" will cause them to picture a cowboy hat. In fact, most people think "Stetson" is synonymous with "Cowboy hat." Even fewer know the difference between the classic fedora and a homburg (a quick look at eBay will prove this quickly!), and I can pretty much guarantee you that they do not know what a Tyrolean is!
I'm about to order an Akubra Casual in Regency Fawn from Aussie Bush Hats and Oilskins because, thanks to the knowledgable and dependable contributors here, I know that Akubra is held in high-regard when it comes to new hats and I want a brown, fur-felt, crushable hat that I can beat up a bit but will last me a long, long time and keep going. In other words, it meets the function I've intended for it and it is worth my $90.00 to get it.
I acquired about 15 Brooks Brothers ties from my wife's grandfather's wardrobe after he died. I'm currently wearing my favorite one; a rust-colored tie with blue/red/cream-colored carousel horses. They are beautiful. The fabric is excellent. The knots are smoother than any other tie I've ever worn. The patterns are vibrant, unique, dapper. Amount of people who've noticed: exactly zero. I just really like the ties. That's what counts!
My point is this: a nice hat is always nice to have, but you're typically going to be the only person who knows it, and this factors heavily into my own choices. While Borsalinos and Stetsons aren't made like they used to be made and while Baileys are often looked upon as barely-above-Burlington-Coat-Factory quality, who cares, exactly? Who will even know the difference? Are you dressing for The Fedora Lounge or are you dressing for yourself?
P.S. - Interest in film noir and/or Indiana Jones is not a requisite, so don't feel left out if you're indifferent to both like I am! I'm with you; I just really like hats.