Vintage Silhouettes Custom Hats - Official Affiliate Thread

[gtdean48]

I was going to make the bound brim suggestion too. The tension in the binding ribbon will hold the brim nicely, even if the felt is very flexible.

My VS ArtLite ******* is 2 5/8" unbound but does have a decorative stitch around the edge.
VS ArtLite Natural is 2 7/8" with underwelt.
VS ArtLite Wanderers are 2 3/4" bound edge.
I would say 2 5/8" is max brim width for ArtLite raw edge...JMHO

 

[elveston]

And, that is why I like the Hitchhiker. One style, one color, one brim size, no decisions except for ribbon.

By the way, anybody got any advice on narrow vs. medium?

Thanks for the help. If I go for the Artlite with a raw edge, I think it would be wise to stick with 2 5/8. I have another of Art's Century felts in a 2 1/2 inch brim which feels great. The comments on the Lounge on Art's lightweight felts just make them very tempting.

 

[casechopper]

I like the medium ribbon on my hitchhiker but it's really a question of personal taste. A thin ribbon will look a bit more western than a wider ribbon. The hitchhiker is closer to a western weight felt (i.e. heavier) than the dress weight that Art offers so if you're looking for light weight I'm not sure the hitchhiker is the best option for you. The heavier felt will hold up to a lot of abuse and doesn't need any reinforcement for the raw brim.

 

[gtdean48]

I like the medium ribbon on my hitchhiker but it's really a question of personal taste. A thin ribbon will look a bit more western than a wider ribbon. The hitchhiker is closer to a western weight felt (i.e. heavier) than the dress weight that Art offers so if you're looking for light weight I'm not sure the hitchhiker is the best option for you. The heavier felt will hold up to a lot of abuse and doesn't need any reinforcement for the raw brim.

Like Sam says, the Nutria blend is a different weight than dress weight & designed for rugged, outdoor use. I have the Journeyman with raw edge brim. It can handle a much wider one than an ArtLite without an edge treatment.
Art does a VERY fine underwelt to give the brim some substance, not a dressy as a bound edge, very subtle....

 

[Art Fawcett]

It's time for a few more hats Gents, again some are quite out of the ordinary for me, some not.

First, no name yet ( help?)

Granite
Peluche finish
5 1/4 crown,
1 7/8 brim raw
Black bamboo pattern pugaree
center dent
Joey, Century



"Carondelet"

Black Cherry
Peluche finish
5" crown
2 1/4" brim under welted
Cabernet silk 18 ligne
Pork pie
Joey, Century, Legacy



I was recently asked to duplicate a quite famous hat worn by Robert Mitchum in "Farewell My Lovely" , owned by Mr. Mitchum's son. Here is my version of it and is appropriately named
" Mitchum Way"

Granite
Suede finish
5 1/2" crown
2 1/2" brim raw
19 ligne Black ribbon
Diamond crease
Joey, Century,



At the same time I had another request to dupe a hat owned by a not so famous man but from the same time period. This one I actually got to study while in LA a few months ago so I know it's an accurate rendition of a 1940s Knox

Mojave
Suede finish
5 3/4 " crown
2 7/8" brim bound in 9 ligne bone
19 ligne Black crown ribbon
Squared western center dent
Joey, Century



Last of this batch, please take a look at

"Boubon St."
Chocolate
standard finish
5" crown
1 3/4 brim under welt
Camel 19 ligne ribbon
Pork Pie
Joey, Century



Comments or thoughts are always welcome

 

[RBH]

The " Mitchum Way" is really sweet. I like the crease.
Mr Mitchum would feel right at home in that one Art!

 

[Art Fawcett]

I might actually get to work on the original soon. Mr Mitchum ( the younger) inquired as to whether I would clean & block it.
Thanks Rusty, creating is fun part of hatting. BTW, Mike did a great job on your wedding hat.

 

[RBH]

Thank you very much my friend!

 

[g.durand]

The " Mitchum Way" is really sweet. I like the crease.
Mr Mitchum would feel right at home in that one Art!

+1 here. That is one of my favorites of the new line so far.

The New Orleans street names really match up well with their hats, Art.

 

[DJH]

The " Mitchum Way" is really sweet. I like the crease.
Mr Mitchum would feel right at home in that one Art!

I'm liking the Mitchum Way as well - classic styling!

Art, has the new darker Black Cherry completely replaced the original lighter colour now or are both available?

I like them both, but I still prefer the original.

 

[Art Fawcett]

I'm liking the Mitchum Way as well - classic styling!

Art, has the new darker Black Cherry completely replaced the original lighter colour now or are both available?

I like them both, but I still prefer the original.

I have both at the moment David. I'm on the fence as to the original. Since they switched their formula, I could ask them to make the original for me but then the minimum kicks in making it somewhat prohibitive. Time will tell.

 

[Ande1964]

Good Lord... that Mitchum Way is perfection.

Anj

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thank you Sir,

 

[DJH]

I have both at the moment David. I'm on the fence as to the original. Since they switched their formula, I could ask them to make the original for me but then the minimum kicks in making it somewhat prohibitive. Time will tell.

Thanks for the info, Art. Seems a little odd that Winchester would replace the original, rather than give a different name to the new version and keep making the old one.

Your new line up is looking great. I have no idea how you find the time to get so much done - amazing!

 

[g.durand]

Everyone, I just checked out Art's website and I see new names. Excellent!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks for the info, Art. Seems a little odd that Winchester would replace the original, rather than give a different name to the new version and keep making the old one.

Your new line up is looking great. I have no idea how you find the time to get so much done - amazing!

Thanks David. I've actually been working on this line for 4 months and still making final touches on more.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

You checked right after I updated it. More hats to come as Art says.

 

[Art Fawcett]

They look good Ed, I'll send more soon

 

[elveston]

Just watched the finish of a British Ebay auction on one of Art's hats he made about 10 years ago in the Johnny Depp style. While the hat was in great shape, it was still used and made specifically for the seller. It sold for about $60 to $70 more than Art will custom craft a similar one currently. The quality of his work is recognized internationally and is priced accordingly. Unfortunately for me, my snipe setting was about a hundred dollars too low. Fortunately, the two new ones I have coming eases the pain somewhat.

 

[skyvue]

I'm late to say it, but I too love the new Mitchum Way hat. I'm a big fan of FAREWELL, MY LOVELY and have long admired the hat Robert Mitchum wears in it.