The best of 2011

[job]

I've seen some great hats this year. What are your favorites.
I think this is one of my favorites of the year. DJH's Tumwater.

 

[m0nk]

That sure is one nice looking hat right there!

 

[job]

I also love RLK's VS custom.

I don't think I could come up with a top ten. I would end up editing the post everyday.

 

[DJH]

Thanks for including the Tumwater, Job - Tony does make exceptional hats.

There have been a lot of hats posted here that I really like - a photo that came right to mind was the pair of Whippets cared for by Delectans:

 

[RBH]

I have to say Joshs Resistol Stagecoach conversion.

 

[monbla256]

Alan's Borsolino Alessandria does it for me

 

[tonyb]

I also love RLK's VS custom.

[/IMG]

This is my hands-down favorite of this year and perhaps any other year as well. Anyone with any hat-making experience to speak of can tell you just what a challenge it was for Art to get this hat right. There are so many variables on this hat that had to be just so that it could have a guy tearing out what remains of his hair.

It's a beautiful, beautiful hat. Congrats to Art for crafting it and to RLK for supplying the inspiration.

 

[bowlerman]

Yes this is a tough, tough thread, and changes of the mind would be rapid and often. However, I can think of three that stand out initially.

1. Coble's Black Sheep Copperpot. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ep-Hat-Works&p=1227085&viewfull=1#post1227085
2. DJH's Pecan Tumwater (though I don't know when he acquired it) http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...earing-Today&p=1213388&viewfull=1#post1213388
3. Alan's Knox 20
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...earing-Today&p=1173044&viewfull=1#post1173044

Oh-- and I gotta add Cliffnopus' Black Cherry VS. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ly-portraits&p=1197017&viewfull=1#post1197017

 

[T Rick]

Yes this is a tough, tough thread, and changes of the mind would be rapid and often. However, I can think of three that stand out initially.

1. Coble's Black Sheep Copperpot. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ep-Hat-Works&p=1227085&viewfull=1#post1227085
2. DJH's Pecan Tumwater (though I don't know when he acquired it) http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...earing-Today&p=1213388&viewfull=1#post1213388
3. Alan's Knox 20
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...earing-Today&p=1173044&viewfull=1#post1173044

Oh-- and I gotta add Cliffnopus' Black Cherry VS. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ep-Hat-Works&p=1227085&viewfull=1#post1227085

Error in that fourth link, it matches the first.

"Hat of the year" would indeed be a tough call with all of the great ones we've seen here. Every time I think I may have it, another pops into my head...

 

[bowlerman]

Thanks TRick-- edited link.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I echo the praise for RLK's VS Custom. Really an inspired collaboration between Robert and Art! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Here's one that found its way to my doorstep this year thanks to RLK -- a silver blue Stetson 3X thin-ribbon with Mode Edge...

 

[job]

I don't recall seeing this style of hat with a mode edge before. This one is very Carolina (Tar Heel) blue.

 

[job]

I'll add a beautiful straw hat. Panama Bob/Art Fawcett.

 

[monbla256]

I'll add another Panama, a Medio Fino Montecristi from PB, finished by Tom Gomez.

 

[Aureliano]

My personal best hat of 2011 is hands down the Optimo I designed and Graham made. Now, my general vote goes for Josh's conversion.

 

[billyspew]

Mine has to be Delectans' Cavanagh(?) homburg

However JtL's 3x Mode Edge could be a close second.

The simple beauty of buler's art is probably third.

Those were probably the ones that stuck in the mind, but I'm sure there are more that I can recall but have no details (someone had a beautiful longhair type Optimo with a silvery finish, but no idea who!

Bill

 

[Blackthorn]

I don't want to brag on one of my hats (ok, I lied, yes I do want to brag) but I love this one by Black Sheep Hat Works, the prettiest hat i own:

 

[bowlerman]

I forgot about Al's striking homburg. Amazing.
Now, Blackthorn-- these Black Sheep hats are real lookers. I think my hesitation to call Bob is that I'd want far too many different designs at once! He has some breathtaking new lids on the website, at least since last I had looked.

 

[T Rick]

Well, here's one that garnered a lot of attention. We can call it "the hat that almost was", or any number of other names. Thread named Fedorafest III Stratoliner from Stetson, this is the Prototype sent to GTDean, as he creased it for some Q&D shots (project AFAIK is not officially dead, but seems to be on life support at best from what I can tell).

 

[scooter]

This is the "ONE".