Ten-Dollar Derby

[Slouch-Hat]

My wife and I went to Walgreens this past Sunday for regular drug store shopping, and I saw in the bargain 'cheapo hat' bin a brown derby amongst the ****py fake trilbys and bucket hats . I grabbed it and saw that it was a size large (a size too small for my noggin) but held onto it as I looked and asked for any other hats like it in larger sizes. It turned out to be the only one so I paid the $9.99 for it, took it home and stretched it to my size. I also took the liberty of re-blocking the strangely-straight brim into something a bit more curved and cool. The hatband was an extremely cheap, glued-on affair which I immediately discarded (I'm now looking for a better one) into my 'use for other hat projects' bin. And with a little work, my ten-dollar derby that didn't fit is now a relatively nice wearing-around-town hat that has gotten me quite a few compliments.

 

[thunderw21]

Interesting. You wouldn't happen to have pictures, would you?

I'm assuming it's wool?

 

[Slouch-Hat]

Yes, it's wool. Here's the one picture I have so far. As you can see, there was a glue line from the cheap hatband. I have since done away with the line.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Hey Slouch-Hat

You're too much man! You really make that kind of thing work. I never could. Good job.

Y'know I was just thinking the other day that although I have enjoyed the process of acquiring and wearing some pretty nice fur felts I still like my wools that I started buying early on.

I have five wool fedora (or similar) hats and three wool westerns. They look good. They keep their shape with no tweaking. They take a beating and hold up great under the sweat and sun of Florida summers. Unlined and with cloth sweatbands they have served me well and I'll continue to wear them with no shame at all even though they too are 'cheapies' from racks at local stores.

All the best,

Gene

 

[Slouch-Hat]

Thanks Gene!

I'm glad you give inexpensive hats a chance. Yeah, I love my 'good quality,' pricey ones for all the obvious reasons, but the odd 10 or 12 dollar knock-around lid is a great addition to anyone's collection. Personally, I never know what hat mood I'm going to be in from day-to-day, so I like to have the options. And although the sun out here in California is not near as tough on hats as in Florida, I'm happy that what I have stands up to the kind of wear they get out here.

Thanks for the compliment!

Michael...