Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Open-crown Christy

cordoba

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
germany
Hello,

I am pretty new to this so hello from a newbie:)

Well I just ordered an open crown foldable Trilby from Christys. I have absolutely no idea how I can get it in the "right" shape. I read the term bashing but am still pretty clueless how it is done correctly. Any informations about this (pics?) would be welcomed.

Kind regards Cordoba
 

Dreispitz

One Too Many
Messages
1,164
cordoba said:
Hello,

I am pretty new to this so hello from a newbie:)

Well I just ordered an open crown foldable Trilby from Christys. I have absolutely no idea how I can get it in the "right" shape. I read the term bashing but am still pretty clueless how it is done correctly. Any informations about this (pics?) would be welcomed.

Kind regards Cordoba

Welcome to FL!

Simply bash it. It will not stay in form like a likewisely thin vintage felt hat.
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,151
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
Spray the crown down with water from a spray bottle, and let your fingers do the walking. Squish it around til you get a shape you like. You can do this as often as you want. You cant ruin it, especially using sprayed water.
 
Messages
10,493
Location
DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
scottyrocks said:
Spray the crown down with water from a spray bottle, and let your fingers do the walking. Squish it around til you get a shape you like. You can do this as often as you want. You cant ruin it, especially using sprayed water.
I recommend distilled water so as to not risk any reaction from contents of water from treatment plants.
 

Tone

A-List Customer
Messages
440
Location
Firenze
What "right" shape are you trying to get?

A C-Crown can be put into anything almost by accident. Use your hands only for shaping the hat - it should be pretty apparent that there's no water or steam required to style the hat.

On the other hand, it's a foldaway, which means it'll most likely always have that loosely defined look that hasn't committed to one particular style or another.

Pop it on and start playing with how to get the foldaway to look as best as it can on you. You'll find something.
 

Dewhurst

Practically Family
Messages
653
Location
USA
This is a foldable fedora? I would recommend a dry bash (no water or steam) with a simple center dent and a pinch in the front. The least fuss for a crushable fedora, IMO. (I would only use water or steam on the crown if the hat is strongly resisting your design. But, the Christy's, I am told, is extremely soft in the crown.)

It is easy to do, as well. You take the chopping edge of your hand, form your hand in to a karate chop (palm near the back of the hat, fingers running toward the front), push down in to the bulbous crown. After you have it as deep as you want, lightly coax the pinch in using your thumb and forefinger. Don't pinch too tight, you can create permanent marks if you do.

Look around on the lounge, you can probably find pictures of the whole process. Also, there are some YouTube videos around by a few people. You could search there, as well.
 

avedwards

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,422
Location
London and Midlands, UK
Having seen this hat in person (though not bought it due to having no cash on me and not liking the low crown) I can say it needs no water or steam at all.

The easiest thing to do is what Dewhurst just said. If you don't like that browse here for creases which you prefer. Another easy thing to do it press down the top of the crown with your hand flat (rather than your hand sideways) until the desired height is reached, then put pinches in the front with two fingers.

I have no pictures, but a search will reveal plenty as it's quite a popular topic. It sounds like you're clueless as you've never done this before, but trust me it's a lot easier than it might actually seem. With the Foldaway you can't make a mistake as it's supposed to be constantly recreased.
 

KY Gentleman

One Too Many
Messages
1,859
Location
Kentucky
I would think a "foldable" Tilly would easier to dry bash, and if you rumple it up you could punch the top out and bash it again.
 

cordoba

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
germany
Hello all,

thank you for your suggestions. I managed to put a sattisfying "teardrop" crease in the hat:) easier than I thought.....
 

Ephraim Tutt

One Too Many
Messages
1,531
Location
Sydney Australia
cordoba said:
Hello all,

thank you for your suggestions. I managed to put a sattisfying "teardrop" crease in the hat:) easier than I thought.....

Well done Cordoba. These days Trilby creases come in all shapes and sizes but traditionally they most commonly had a teardrop.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
114,644
Messages
3,178,981
Members
58,470
Latest member
DRBB
Top