Show us your hats

[Johnnysan]

Johnnysan: This would be a great thread to show off your new Biltmore, hope I didnt tell any secrets!! I'll try and get my wife to stop laughing long enough to shoot me in my new Dobbs (camera that is).

No secret at all and a great idea...as you can imagine, I'm about as anxious as a bulldog to see the mailman coming!

I actually have two Biltmores coming in from Canada...the Golden Pheasant that you kindly tipped my way on eBay and a narrow-brimmed Imperial that appeared to be a few shades darker. I also have a Black Royal Biltmore and a Black President finish that was my first "new" hat purchase a few years ago from Miller's. It stays in the hat case and only comes out for serious dress.

Needless to say, I really like the Biltmore line and think that they are a great value for the money. Although I prefer vintage when I can find it, Biltmore remains my only "new" hat source. I'm glad to see the company making a solid comeback from near death.

Heres a few more from my collection:

A Cavanagh that was recently refurbished for me by Steve Delk:

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Cavanagh_Top.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

A vintage Borsalino that someone mashed into a porkpie, but a steal at $8:

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Borsalino_Porkpie.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

I have hopes to return to something that looks like this (I'm planning an visit to Optimo in Chicago, soon):

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Borsalino_Center_Dent.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

A Champ porkpie...not a style that I thought would look good on me, but I was pleasantly surprised:

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Champ_Porkpie_Profile.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

It came in this box...when was the last time a pack of cigarettes was used as a selling device?

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Champ_Box.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

Finally, this hat has special significance to me...it was my Grandfather's. He passed away in 1961 - two years before I was born. I can't tell you how great it is to be able to wear something that he wore before me:

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Rossi_Profile.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Rossi_Top.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

He was Italian and purchased it from a local milliner in his home town of Verona. It appears to have been made by hatter by the name of Giuseppe Rossi in Montevarchi. Haven't been able to find out anything about either firm, but the quality of the felt is quite nice and it's the last one I'd ever part with.

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Rossi_Liner.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

:cheers1:

 

[Sefton]

Johnnysan,
Swell hats and a pretty neat "hat stand" you've got them on .

It's great that you have your grandfather's hat. My grandfather wore a fedora but had a much smaller head than me. My mother gave me his hat but no amount of pulling would get it on my head. I think my mother must have sold or gave it away..I can't remember,it was a long time ago and I was quite young.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[The real Henry]

Great hats!

Damn, I can't find the USB-cable, but here is an older pic of me in my Akubra Federation (And as most of you will see not in a Raiders-style, but in a Temple of Doom -style! )

 

[Johnnysan]

It's great that you have your grandfather's hat. My grandfather wore a fedora but had a much smaller head than me. My mother gave me his hat but no amount of pulling would get it on my head. I think my mother must have sold or gave it away..I can't remember,it was a long time ago and I was quite young.

Sefton,

Thanks for your kind post! I consider myself quite fortunate that my grandfather had a reasonably large head for his size...he was somewhere in the ballpark of 5'6" (I'm 6'2"), but the fedora fit me just fine after a wee bit of stretching. I'm guessing he was a 7 1/8 and I can squeeze into a 7 1/4.

I'm also blessed with a mother who could have been a world-class curator and NEVER throws anything away. Among the treasures were several of his custom-tailored suits (that I actually wore in my younger, thinner days), several pieces of personal jewelry and several ties. I also have a very nice walking cane from my great-grandfather and a WWI Italian helmet from a great-uncle. I'm sure that there are an equal number of goodies that belonged to my mother and grandmother in the dozens of trunks that live in the basement of my parent's home. One of these days, there will be a vintage bonaza on the Lounge courtesy of my mom's preservation efforts - hopefully, not for many years to come though, so stay tuned.

Even though I never knew my grandfather, I am pleased to hear from folks who did that I am very much like him. Having some of his personal items isn't the same, but has helped me understand a bit about his personality and his appreciation of fine things. If there is an afterlife, you'll find the two of us comparing Borsalinos over a glass of Chianti and a fine cigar.

:cheers1:

 

[Kilgour Trout]

Couple of Winter Shots

These two were from a year ago when I was about 20lbs bigger. The coats were both 40's era and could have been from the same guy Port Arthur, Fire Chief. I really like the fall overcoat.

The two lids were 1. Adventurebilt Beaver
Stetson Sovereign (unfortunately black band type, before I knew better to watch out for powder...eekk)

Ah Well....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/8e7f9498.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/P0001578.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/P0001581_0001.jpg

And some vintage crazies
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/cdc542aa.jpg

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

 

[Dave Keith]

What's that white stuff?

That doesn't fall out of the sky, does it?

I love the overcoat, but could probably wear one two days a year here in central Texas. I wear felt hats, anyway.

Beautiful children! I'm glad you are breaking them in right on proper head gear.

 

[riccardo]

Hi Kilgour.

Hi Kilgour,
wonderful group of crazy vintage.
Wonderful kids, are them your sons?
Enjoy them.
Regards.
Riccardo.

These two were from a year ago when I was about 20lbs bigger. The coats were both 40's era and could have been from the same guy Port Arthur, Fire Chief. I really like the fall overcoat.

The two lids were 1. Adventurebilt Beaver
Stetson Sovereign (unfortunately black band type, before I knew better to watch out for powder...eekk)

Ah Well....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/8e7f9498.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/P0001578.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/P0001581_0001.jpg

And some vintage crazies
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/cdc542aa.jpg

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

 

[photobyalan]

A very nice collection...I'd be happy with any of them. I haven't tried a homburg yet - not sure that I could carry it off as well as you. The Biltmore looks great, and the ribbon treatment on the Miller is first-rate - an unusual but very flattering color. My favorite however, is the beachcomber. It might've been 45 degrees outside, but you look straight off the beach.

...and now, as promised, a photo of me wearing the Pilgrim that you were so kind to sell to me.

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Johnnysan/Lounge%20Photos/Johnny.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

(...and, before any one asks, Alan and I are NOT brothers! But with a collection like his, I wouldn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t mind having familial access to the hat rack!)

John, that Pilgrim looks great on you. I should have doubled the price!
I'm a little surprised, though. I expected you to look more like your avatar! I guess it's like listening to someone on the radio, sometimes the imagination conjures up a totally different face...

The Homburgs are something you have to get used to. I think of them as more "dressy" than fedoras. I also read somewhere that a shorter man wears a homburg well (I'm 5'8", which isn't really that short, I suppose, but it seems to work).

The ribbon on the Miller was an interesting project. It's not actually permanently attached to the hat, just a super snug fit. I wanted to be able to change the ribbon out with a different color (I have also made a brown ribbon and have the materials to make a cream-colored one as well) so I could pick up colors in different clothes. Seems to work well so far. I actually used only hot glue on the second ribbon I made but I will have my wife put some stitches in it to hold the ribbon-bow assembly together more permanently. It's a real step up from the cheap (and I don't think original) satin ribbon that came with that hat.

Now I'm just waiting for next spring so I can get that beachcomber out again...

 

[Johnnysan]

John, that Pilgrim looks great on you. I should have doubled the price!

LOL...glad I snuck in anonymous like!! Actually, I would love this hat regardless of the price, but my thanks to you again for your generosity!

I'm a little surprised, though. I expected you to look more like your avatar! I guess it's like listening to someone on the radio, sometimes the imagination conjures up a totally different face...

Oh, to be so thin! Speaking of faces...when looking at our photos side-by-side in the same post, there is a remarkable likeness. Who would've thought that two such handsome (albeit, modest) guys like us would wind up here?

The ribbon on the Miller was an interesting project. It's not actually permanently attached to the hat, just a super snug fit.

Can I encourage you to start a new thread on how you tie one of those? I'd love to give it shot with some of my own hats, but wouldn't know where to begin.

Best regards and thanks again for such a great hat! :cheers1:

 

[Mr. Rover]

Some lids

Akubra "The Fedora" which has long gone to met her maker...

My current favorite, Penney's Marathon.

Newsie cap from Herbert Johnson

 

[Mr. Rover]

Trusty ol' Akubra Federation...

My daily Stetson Whippet...


Ray

 

[Lauren]

Ray, I am constantly amazed at you. Those pictures are fantastic! I especially like the one where you're fixing your collar.

 

[Johnnysan]

Ditto...the leather jacket/newsboy photo is terrific! A really nice look, Ray.

 

[Michael D]

And some vintage crazies
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Kilgour64/cdc542aa.jpg

Kilgour,

Great shots, especially the one with the kids in the hats! I have several pix of my kids in my hats over the years. It started when the oldest was about 8 years old and the youngest (at the time) was 2. Then every couple of years I'd let them pick out the hats they wanted to wear and take another 'hat picture'. It was always interesting to see what hats they wanted to wear. They'd be in gambler hats to pith helmets. Great pix and good memories!

Mike

 

[Lauren]

That is a great picture! It reminds me of when my cousins and I would play "indiana jones".

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Nice Hats

You're one cool cat in that Whippet, Ray.

Lauren, I've been meaning to ask... Where's your quote from. I know I've heard it before, and I love it.

 

[The real Henry]

@Ghos7a55assin: You really got THE look! Do you wear those suits everyday? I think over here it worldn't be possible to wear cool stuff like that, without getting lynched by your mates! [huh]

BTW-How old are you?

 

[photobyalan]

Speaking of faces...when looking at our photos side-by-side in the same post, there is a remarkable likeness. Who would've thought that two such handsome (albeit, modest) guys like us would wind up here?

Kind of scary, isn't it?

And I will work up a post about the ribbon replacement. I'll take photos of the next one I make and put them up on the Lounge.

...and Ray,

Love that Marathon, but you look absolutely awesome in that Newsboy!

 

[Sefton]

Ray,
Swell looking photos. The bow tie is killer. It's great to see someone young who appreciates the vintage styles. I don't know if you might have answered this on another posting but I'm wondering what sort of reactions you get when wearing vintage. Is there a difference between how your peers react as oppossed to older people?

 

[Lauren]

You're one cool cat in that Whippet, Ray.

Lauren, I've been meaning to ask... Where's your quote from. I know I've heard it before, and I love it.

Thanks! I actually bought a rubber stamp that says it, but on wikipedia.com it say is is attrubuted to:
Faith Whittlesey, former US ambassador to Switzerland. Responsibility for this quote also has been traced to a 1982 Frank and Ernest cartoon