The HAT thread

Why would you want to look like Goldfinger?
I work at the home of James Bond, and this year the dress for the Christmas party is surprisingly James Bond themed. I have a few inspired Bond items but don't have a Bond physique...

I have the following:

Light blue Sea Island cotton shirts
Black knitted Silk tie
Sunspel Riviera Polo and Tee
N Peal Cashmere Roll neck
John Smedley Bobby V neck
 
I work at the home of James Bond, and this year the dress for the Christmas party is surprisingly James Bond themed. I have a few inspired Bond items but don't have a Bond physique...

I have the following:

Light blue Sea Island cotton shirts
Black knitted Silk tie
Sunspel Riviera Polo and Tee
N Peal Cashmere Roll neck
John Smedley Bobby V neck

I have so many questions
 
I work at the home of James Bond, and this year the dress for the Christmas party is surprisingly James Bond themed. I have a few inspired Bond items but don't have a Bond physique...

I have the following:

Light blue Sea Island cotton shirts
Black knitted Silk tie
Sunspel Riviera Polo and Tee
N Peal Cashmere Roll neck
John Smedley Bobby V neck

Care to elaborate?
 
Care to elaborate?
20221005_211450.webp
 
I dig the short wool half belts and the trousers, but this is definitely one for the hat lovers:
A5E35F8A-A855-4D96-B4DD-B8D5853FBC4B.webp
 
American Tailors in Australia can no longer supply the Borsalino panama hats because the wait time would be almost 2 years. I think l will take the plunge and go bespoke with Art Fawcett.

Art actually sends out a measurement instrument to get the fit right. This was always the biggest problem for me, buying online is too risky and buying locally is pure junk.

Need to choose a nice panama style

His website

Having some english style caps made would also be good. I am all about quality, not quantity. What an exciting thought, having hats made properly with the best materials.
 
Of course there are also these panama hats by Brent Black made in the finest material and craftsmanship ever, but they can cost as much as some houses.

Panama hats grades

One bloke at the fedora Lounge has some nice monticristi hats, a beautiful small weave.

David Gibson hat company
 
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I've been thinking about hats again today and tried some styles on to see if they work. I reckon the bowler hat is a real goer, especially with an overcoat and maybe even with a smart suit and tie. I watched this video a while back and was surprised at how good they look on people.



I could probably pull off a bowler, but can't pull off fedoras except foe the panama fedora hat. Maybe it is time to order a black bowler from Locke and Co. Tried on a similar style today and liked it.

The classic black

Also ones in brown and grey

Bloke's with bowler hats
Bowler hat 1.webp
Bowler hat 4.webp
 
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Another good website l was given recently.

Bought one of these caps from Lawrence and Foster to start with, their most popular model.
Garforth cap 4.jpg

Ordered it in the NIDD tweed, but would have preferred darker brown herringbone pattern if l had a choice.
Lawrenece & Foster NIDD fabric.jpg

Still thinking about boaters and bowlers too. :problemo:
 
The L&F hasn't been posted yet (weeks delay), but want to see how they fit and work out. If they work l will get a few more. Honestly though, l think the Locke caps looks better, and in one whole piece at the top.

This is the Lock cap l want. Fits deeper on the head. One piece of tweed instead of numerous pieces used in the L&F caps. Also has nicer tweeds.

The Gill cap is amazing, but it is a love hate thing for me. It is a very shallow fit and doesn't sit great on the head. Not a nice cozy fitting cap like others. The Borsalino cap is way over-rated, stylish but cheaply made. The Borsalino cashmere caps are much more expensive than the cashmere Gill, but the Gill's quality blows Borsalino out of the water.
 
What do you all think of of style of this cap, the blocked felt cap by Lock?
Lock blocked felt cap.webp

Made in Czech Republic. It is not a traditional look,and it looks how it is in the photo, big and round. It is a nice hat to wear (comfy and warm), and it is a great design using one piece of felt, but it doesn't quite give `the look' needed. Probably more of a modern cap for young blokes, do you think?
 
What do you all think of of style of this cap, the blocked felt cap by Lock?
View attachment 46340
Made in Czech Republic. It is not a traditional look,and it looks how it is in the photo, big and round. It is a nice hat to wear (comfy and warm), and it is a great design using one piece of felt, but it doesn't quite give `the look' needed. Probably more of a modern cap for young blokes, do you think?
REALLY depends on your style. Hard to pull off unless you’re Samuel L Jackson.
 
Received my Lawrence and Foster countryman cap in NIDD tweed. Fits true to size. My head is 23.5 inches and the size 60 fit perfectly. The quality is decent, but doesn't compare to the quality of the Gill cap, but the L&F fits much better with a deeper fit. It is not perfect and it is not luxury, but l am satisfied.

Ordered two more Countryman caps today in these colours. At least l saved $45 ASD on postage by ordering two.
Lawrence & Foster - Country cap.jpg
Lawrence & Foster - derwent.jpgLawrence & Foster - tees.jpg

I think these have cardboard peaks where-as the Borsalino has an awful plastic peak. L&F make sure they don't show you what the peak is made of.


I like that they are English made caps in the typical English style.
 
I will bookmark these too:

Looks like Bates has sold up. ??

Is this boater the one sold by Locke at a much higher price?

This looks like Lawrence and Foster made it
 
Received my Lawrence and Foster countryman cap in NIDD tweed. Fits true to size. My head is 23.5 inches and the size 60 fit perfectly. The quality is decent, but doesn't compare to the quality of the Gill cap, but the L&F fits much better with a deeper fit. It is not perfect and it is not luxury, but l am satisfied.

Ordered two more Countryman caps today in these colours. At least l saved $45 ASD on postage by ordering two.
View attachment 46384
View attachment 46385View attachment 46386

I think these have cardboard peaks where-as the Borsalino has an awful plastic peak. L&F make sure they don't show you what the peak is made of.


I like that they are English made caps in the typical English style.

Doesn’t the cardboard get soggy in the rain? If not plastic, what would you prefer they use?
 
Doesn’t the cardboard get soggy in the rain? If not plastic, what would you prefer they use?

My thoughts too. Surely it must be another material apart from cardboard. I am not even sure the Borsalino peaks are plastic either. I wonder what the peaks are made of...hard to find out because hat companies hardly ever respond to any emails.
 
Received my Lawrence and Foster countryman cap in NIDD tweed. Fits true to size. My head is 23.5 inches and the size 60 fit perfectly. The quality is decent, but doesn't compare to the quality of the Gill cap, but the L&F fits much better with a deeper fit. It is not perfect and it is not luxury, but l am satisfied.

Ordered two more Countryman caps today in these colours. At least l saved $45 ASD on postage by ordering two.
View attachment 46384
View attachment 46385View attachment 46386

I think these have cardboard peaks where-as the Borsalino has an awful plastic peak. L&F make sure they don't show you what the peak is made of.


I like that they are English made caps in the typical English style.

How do we measure head size, Shooey? To measure chest for example we put the tape measure under the armpits. Mrs Ambrose always says I am big headed.
 
If only there was something called the World Wide Net or something so that you could search for an answer to questions such as these.

Wrap the tape measure around your head. Keep it level, just above the ears. The size in cm is one measurement. (Approx 56 to 60?) The old fashioned way is in inches divided by 3 or something like that so you end up with 7 1/4, 7 3/8 etc.
 
How do we measure head size, Shooey? To measure chest for example we put the tape measure under the armpits. Mrs Ambrose always says I am big headed.
This always works.
 
If only there was something called the World Wide Net or something so that you could search for an answer to questions such as these.

Wrap the tape measure around your head. Keep it level, just above the ears. The size in cm is one measurement. (Approx 56 to 60?) The old fashioned way is in inches divided by 3 or something like that so you end up with 7 1/4, 7 3/8 etc.
You know, this talk of such as 7 1/2 has ferried me back to my school days when we were forced to wear school caps
 
You know, this talk of such as 7 1/2 has ferried me back to my school days when we were forced to wear school caps
Ooh showing your age there I think!
Last time I wore any kind of cap I was in the cub scouts! Pretty sure they’ve done away with headgear in most of these societies. I wonder how long the military will persevere with hats when they are so seldom seen anywhere else with the exception of the ubiquitous ball cap.
 
I wonder how long the military will persevere with hats when they are so seldom seen anywhere else with the exception of the ubiquitous ball cap.

Hats are such a big part of that culture (the whole ‘never salute while uncovered - ie, not wearing a hat) they will probably always be a part of the uniform. My guess is that they will increasingly follow the police and ditch the various visored hats for ball caps and maybe berets.

7785354A-82C7-4F6E-9D30-A213D98B08AC.webp


Speaking of hats, I saw a younger fella walk into a coffee shop last week wearing a straw Panama. That in itself stood out and was remarkable, but I was more surprised when he: a) removed it as he entered the doorway and b) had a full head of hair!
 
I believe that only British do the not saluting a hatless man thing. If American movies are anything to go by they do it all the time!

I can see a devolution of military headgear in the direction of those hideous ball caps as you suggest. Preference for berets seems to wax and wane with successive generations (special forces /RM commandos excepted).

As for your anecdote re the panama - a glimmer of hope for the survival of the brimmed hat! In which city did this take place?
 
I believe that only British do the not saluting a hatless man thing. If American movies are anything to go by they do it all the time!

Interesting. I just did some googling and learned that the Marines, Navy and Public Health Service hold to the rule of not saluting uncovered - but the USAF and Army will salute even when they are hatless.

In the ADF, you don’t solute indoors, if your head is uncovered (which would be very rare when outdoors) or if you are holding something in your right hand. You learn to carry stuff around whenever possible!


I can see a devolution of military headgear in the direction of those hideous ball caps as you suggest. Preference for berets seems to wax and wane with successive generations (special forces /RM commandos excepted).

Wasaay back in my day we thought berets were cool because they could meet the hat requirement and be rolled up and stuffed under your epaulette when not in use. However, shaping them correctly and keeping the band an even and horizontal two fingers above the eyebrow was beyond me.

As for your anecdote re the panama - a glimmer of hope for the survival of the brimmed hat! In which city did this take place?

On the campus of Rice University, Houston TX.
 
Our mate does the boater.


Here he does the top hats without looking silly.


While l won't be doing top hats, i'll be doing the boater for the upcoming Spring.

If it goes well i'll get one of these

 
Also thinking of picking up a homburg locally, this one in either navy or brown.

I don't have a proper brimmed hat to wear with an overcoat. Will have to try it on and see if it suits me.
 
Bought this Trilby in cognac today. It really suits me and looks great with my tan cashmere overcoat and trench coats.

Tried on the Homburg and the Top Hat; amazing hats to wear, but l probably won't be wearing those any time soon. Tried on the Bowler Hat and it could work. Also tried on the Boat Hat but the fit was terrible.
 
I feel very fortunate today, to be one of the lucky few to have picked up a monticristi made by the legendary late [Don] Rosendo Delgado Garay, one of the top four Montecrisci makers.

Look at this. A palm hat (like stray) that is so well weaved that it looks like cloth.
.
Montecristi extra fine weave 1.jpg


These elite monticristi will no longer be available in Australia. Far too expensive and no market for them. Australians are funny like that, ie, they won't pay big bucks for elite craftsmanship like Europeans and Americans do. For me...I just had to have one to see what all the fuss is about. I wanted something that is far rarer than Saville Row bespoke suits, and l especially wanted something of legend that only three in the world can do. Most makers don't want to do the high quality work so they do hash jobs instead.

Being fitted
This was the only chance I was going to have to own elite craftsmanship by a legend, so l bought it. Buy it once, but do it right. I also learned that we are not supposed to buy a hat that fits in the beginning, we are supposed to buy a hat one size too big and put material behind the sweatband for a couple of years. The hats will always shrink, and a perfect fit can be obtained over time.
 
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The hat expert said l look best in the fedoras with the 7cm brim. I tried a navy one on today with a suit and it really looked good on me. Definitely going to start wearing the fedoras. The hat expert said that some blokes look awful in hats, but some can really pull them off. I am starting to get into hats, so maybe one day i'll do a few bespoke brim hats. I look better in a brim hat than without one.

Gonna see another hat expert soon. It is really hard for a novice to know what type of hats and colours best suit him. Gonna find out the ins and outs of it all. In the mean time I will dine with another hat expert next week and take delivery of my new masterpiece. I am gonna see all the hat experts and learn what's what.
 
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The hat expert said l look best in the fedoras with the 7cm brim. I tried a navy one on today with a suit and it really looked good on me. Definitely going to start wearing the fedoras. The hat expert said that some blokes look awful in hats, but some can really pull them off. I am starting to get into hats, so maybe one day i'll do a few bespoke brim hats. I look better in a brim hat than without one.

Gonna see another hat expert soon. It is really hard for a novice to know what type of hats and colours best suit him. Gonna find out the ins and outs of it all. In the mean time I will dine with another hat expert next week and take delivery of my new masterpiece. I am gonna see all the hat experts and learn what's what.
OMG, Shooey is 'gonna' be a Big Hat Daddy!
 
Here is a $50,000 USD Montecristi. The stitches are even smaller than mine.

Montecristi hat - 50K.jpg


The hat expert was telling me that one local bloke had a house full of monetcristis.
I will get another montecristi soon, and eventhough it would be nice to get the best, l refuse to pay $90,000 ASD for one. :rofl: Montecristis can be like watch habits, it can be a very expensive habit....can be far more expensive than top bespoke suits, can cost far more than a car, and can even cost as much as some houses - just for a straw hat. :rofl:

I'll get one more montecristi and then i'll call it quits. It won't be a H-U-G-E BIG daddy one, just a more regular one this time. Eventhough it will be a more regular one, few people own them in Oz. Only big daddies wear montecristis.
 
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Can you post some pics samples on men looking good in hats from this century? Let’s see how Big Hat Daddies differ from Tibor.


Here's a hat man l will catch up with soon


What is pulling off a hat really about? In my opinion it is about three things:

- the hat needs to suit your look
- you have to have a certain type of face (hat man told me certain faces look awful in hats)
- you must feel at ease with a hat

A perfect example is Dr. Andre Churchwell below.
Dr. Andre Churchwell 5.jpgDr. Andre Churchwell 4.jpgDr. Andre Churchwell 3.jpgDr. Andre Churchwell 2.jpgDr. Andre Churchwell 1.jpg

Who else can do it with ease? Well, ole Boss Hogg can do it with the best of them. Boss Hogg has the face, the confidence and the personality to pull it off too.
Boss Hogg 1.jpgBoss Hogg 2.jpg

There are many other guys that can pull them off too.
 

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