What hat are you waiting for today?

[RickP]

Eeps, that's rough. Looks like it was used hard by someone with an inability to distinguish a hat from a cushion. I have the direct Stratoliner equivalent - those have a fair body to them to start with (I've heard the OR is stiffer again when new?).

Be interested to see how you got on with it!

No new fedora on my immediate horizon (though I'm hopeful I'll be looking at something new in a month or two), but currently waiting for a couple of caps to arrive from Etsy. One a brown herringbone stripe eight panel, the other a Bond cap style, in navy wool with two small 'go-faster' stripes on the bill. The maker (in Portugal) has dubbed it the Shelby model, as a tribute to Carrol Shelby's AC Cobra's blue with white stripe livery. The cap itself is more of a 20s / 30s design so the Cobra is of a different era entirely... I rather like this anachronism as it feels fitting with my own adoption of an earlier style in the modern world.

Ive been really fond of the Stetson Woven Hemp hats... Ive got several Stratoliners in various colors and a couple Open Roads. I always found them very responsive to steam and light ironing.

 

[Edward]

Ive been really fond of the Stetson Woven Hemp hats... Ive got several Stratoliners in various colors and a couple Open Roads. I always found them very responsive to steam and light ironing.
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That first one's the same hat? Wow, it came up well! I have the Stratoliner version same as your in the second shot, and also the Milano straw version of the Stratoliner in the silver grey. The price difference between the two was minimal by the time I imported them from the US. The hemp one does feel somewhat nicer, though I'm very fond of the milano too. I wish Stetson's EU wing would do them, but no dice... I assume there being an EU option is at least partly why many US Stetson outlets won't sell into the UK. I would love to have one in a chocolate brown, and one in the navy with silver trim eventually. Maybe also the black. I did always like Connery's black panama in the golfing scenes in Goldfinger, but Locks (they do still make that model) price it to a level which will remain....aspirational, let's say, on my salary.
I particularly like the green trim on the OR version... the only shame about my olive green Strat's brown trim is it doesn't look quite right when I go for greys and blacks instead of earthtones.

 

[RickP]

That first one's the same hat? Wow, it came up well! I have the Stratoliner version same as your in the second shot, and also the Milano straw version of the Stratoliner in the silver grey. The price difference between the two was minimal by the time I imported them from the US. The hemp one does feel somewhat nicer, though I'm very fond of the milano too. I wish Stetson's EU wing would do them, but no dice... I assume there being an EU option is at least partly why many US Stetson outlets won't sell into the UK. I would love to have one in a chocolate brown, and one in the navy with silver trim eventually. Maybe also the black. I did always like Connery's black panama in the golfing scenes in Goldfinger, but Locks (they do still make that model) price it to a level which will remain....aspirational, let's say, on my salary.
I particularly like the green trim on the OR version... the only shame about my olive green Strat's brown trim is it doesn't look quite right when I go for greys and blacks instead of earthtones.

Thats why we all need multiple colors of hats we like lol. In the Stetson line, the hemp to me has a definately softer feel. Both look decent. I love both the Stratoliner and Open Road versions in Sage Green. The Stratoliner has brown trim but the OR has black trim... Give them a subtle but noticable difference in appearance ( to me the black looks a bit less casual)

For black, one option is a Biltmore Black Milan hemp weave.. I see them frequently on ebay at a nice pricepoint. Its a bit stiffer than the Stetson woven hemp, but they look decent and ARE black. They hold their shape really well so much so that Ive always wondered if there isnt a little polyester mixed in there. Jet black in low light but shows a greyish tint in brighter light. I have this one with a 2-1/4" brim as well as another with a 2-3/4" brim

 

[Edward]

Thats why we all need multiple colors of hats we like lol. In the Stetson line, the hemp to me has a definately softer feel. Both look decent. I love both the Stratoliner and Open Road versions in Sage Green. The Stratoliner has brown trim but the OR has black trim... Give them a subtle but noticable difference in appearance ( to me the black looks a bit less casual)

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For black, one option is a Biltmore Black Milan hemp weave.. I see them frequently on ebay at a nice pricepoint. Its a bit stiffer than the Stetson woven hemp, but they look decent and ARE black. They hold their shape really well so much so that Ive always wondered if there isnt a little polyester mixed in there. Jet black in low light but shows a greyish tint in brighter light. I have this one with a 2-1/4" brim as well as another with a 2-3/4" brim

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Great collection! The pale blue one is a stunner, and I like the brown a lot. The Biltmore is an interesting idea, I'll keep an eye out for those. I've been eying a Dobbs Rosebud as well, they look nice in photos.

I'm also curious as the the brand of the hat worn by Meryl Streep in a recent Only Murders in the Building:

That diamond shaped pin is quite distinctive, not sure if it's an addition or a hat-brand pin. Nice shape to it, though. I've realised over the years that I like a Milano weave with a bit of body to it when it comes to a straw. Holds that nice fedora shape so well. A bit of artificial in there isn't always a bad thing either - my Akubra Capricorns have turned out to be as robust in Summer rain as in sun.

But coloured straws for the win for sure: it makes the long, hot months when I can't wear felt more bearable to be able to have that variation.

 

[RickP]

Great collection! The pale blue one is a stunner, and I like the brown a lot. The Biltmore is an interesting idea, I'll keep an eye out for those. I've been eying a Dobbs Rosebud as well, they look nice in photos.

I'm also curious as the the brand of the hat worn by Meryl Streep in a recent Only Murders in the Building:

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That diamond shaped pin is quite distinctive, not sure if it's an addition or a hat-brand pin. Nice shape to it, though. I've realised over the years that I like a Milano weave with a bit of body to it when it comes to a straw. Holds that nice fedora shape so well. A bit of artificial in there isn't always a bad thing either - my Akubra Capricorns have turned out to be as robust in Summer rain as in sun.

But coloured straws for the win for sure: it makes the long, hot months when I can't wear felt more bearable to be able to have that variation.

Im throwing my guess for it being a Stetson..... Ive seen hatpins like that from them


Ill agree on some of the colors... Ive always been fond of the turquioise Stratoliner.... definately adds a bit of flash over a more traditional color

 

[Edward]

Im throwing my guess for it being a Stetson..... Ive seen hatpins like that from them


Ill agree on some of the colors... Ive always been fond of the turquioise Stratoliner.... definately adds a bit of flash over a more traditional color

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I do love a peacock feather, even if I've had to be careful where I wear one in the past. Back in the old country they're associated with the banshee; a friend of mine's mother would never let a peacock feather in the house.

 

[BobHufford]

A $7.50 gamble on the Stetson. The coveralls can come along, but I’m not getting anywhere near those leather shorts (or the other “stuff”).

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The hat turned out to be a 4XBQ Twenty that may have gone through a refurb what with the strike-over debossing and the size sticker.

 

[TimmyV]

Scored this Stetson Medalist last night !!

 

[jeffgarf]

Glad that was a friendly Lounger that snagged that. The seller also had a nice old Dobbs up for sale ending around the same time and I was thinking of jumping into both auctions at the last minute. Having dropped a good amount earlier in the day (including one from @Randall Renshaw ), I held off. Great score though. Enjoy it.

 

[Rmccamey]

Most excellent, sir.

Scored this Stetson Medalist last night !!
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[RickP]

Dang! another shiny object caught my eye on ebay lol ... Im always a sucker for a good curl and some color. About all I can verify is that its a Beaver Brand. I dont hold much stock in the ad but the seller said he was told it was made for use in the Deadwood series. Pics from the listing

 

[jeffgarf]

Here's one I've not owned or held before that I just picked up. A Dobbs VVL. Hopefully here by this weekend.

 

[Homebrew]

New to all this, but after getting a Stetson recently I've developed an interest in some of the other options. Bought this old Borsalino for about 30 euro, figured it might be worth cleaning up and end up with a nice hat for not much money. Worst case it's not a huge investment if it doesn't end up looking good. Waiting to get it in the next week or so, I'm sure I'll post an update

 

[jeffgarf]

New to all this, but after getting a Stetson recently I've developed an interest in some of the other options. Bought this old Borsalino for about 30 euro, figured it might be worth cleaning up and end up with a nice hat for not much money. Worst case it's not a huge investment if it doesn't end up looking good. Waiting to get it in the next week or so, I'm sure I'll post an update

Worth more than 30€ and I'm sure there are plenty folks on here who would take it off of your hands if it doesn't work out for you. Good luck!

 

[Homebrew]

Worth more than 30€ and I'm sure there are plenty folks on here who would take it off of you hands of it doesn't work out for you. Good luck!

Some helpful people here alright

 

[Homebrew]

New to all this, but after getting a Stetson recently I've developed an interest in some of the other options. Bought this old Borsalino for about 30 euro, figured it might be worth cleaning up and end up with a nice hat for not much money. Worst case it's not a huge investment if it doesn't end up looking good. Waiting to get it in the next week or so, I'm sure I'll post an update

So the seller lost the hat, sad day for me - was very much looking forward to my first vintage hat. Back to the search for a reasonably priced alternative

 

[Hurricane Jack]

So the seller lost the hat, sad day for me - was very much looking forward to my first vintage hat. Back to the search for a reasonably priced alternative

A word to the wise, don’t broadcast a purchase or ask questions about a rare find until it is in your hands or at least has been shipped. The seller didn’t lose his hat; he sold it for a better offer to either a buyer or hat flipper.

 

[hambone71]

A word to the wise, don’t broadcast a purchase or ask questions about a rare find until it is in your hands or at least has been shipped. The seller didn’t lose his hat; he sold it for a better offer to either a buyer or hat flipper.

Amen, brother!

 

[Homebrew]

A word to the wise, don’t broadcast a purchase or ask questions about a rare find until it is in your hands or at least has been shipped. The seller didn’t lose his hat; he sold it for a better offer to either a buyer or hat flipper.

That does seem likely alright, though it had been for sale for many months. Live and learn

 

[RickP]

To add to things... be careful messaging the seller with detailed questions beyond size or asking about out of focus pictures.... it may make them look deeper and figure out what a hat actually is. Over the years Ive seem more than one hat delisted after I sent a question only to see it relisted a couple days later for way more money. Id say 90% of them just flip cheap auction hats or sell garage sale items. All they know about the hats is whats on the tags or sweatband, or what someone tells them