FeedsHats off...
Last week I joined a few of the other Witigonen contributors on a field trip to a haberdashery downtown. Our mission? Hats. I am sure they twitterd about it, but since I can't keep up with my real self, I don't even try to twitter. A good old fashioned blog post works well enough for me.
I am sure that despite our entrance into this latest downturn, dark age, recession, or whatever you want to call it, warm hat and glove combos have been flying off the shelves in Oregon over the past few weeks. The hats we were looking at were not of that ilk; we wanted fedoras, bowlers, porkpies, and their soft felt cousins. Think prohibition outlaws, Indiana Jones, and toss a trench coat in for good measure.
The defining feature of a fedora is the pinched front and the wide crown. The pinched front really isn't good for much other than giving shape to the hat, and the height achieved is important because the air bubble that is trapped under your hat (and above your head) serves as a mini- convection oven to cook your brains. Keep your head warm.
If you are looking for your first hat, find a shape you like. Don't pick out a top hat, figure that the warming air bubble will be the greatest, and thus the hat warmest. Get a hat that makes you look cute/smart/charming/classic/electable. Your ears will be cold no matter what, so its OK in this case to make decisions based on form over considerations of function. Once you own this (potentially expensive) hat, you need to know how to take care of it, and how to wear it:
Care Tips
- Hold the hat by the brim, not the "pinch" since that is the weakest part of the hat. Never mind that it is the the perfect indentation of your three-finger grab, if you make a habit of picking up a hat that way it will break down physically and chemically from the force and oily residue left by your hand.
- Store your hat upside down. This is going to protect the brim from getting worn down, upturned and weakened in places due to the force of gravity. Watch out for that gravity.
- If you live in Oregon and you don't already own a can of natural fiber/leather/synthetic waterproofer, go get it now. Spray your hat to help it help you to stay dry-ish. I always recommend a small patch test on the inside in a place where no one will ever see it.
Wear Tips
- Ladies and gentlemen, take OFF your chapeau when you are in the building. Any building. It is a sign of respect and one of our less obscure social norms.
- Don't worry about feeling out of place. Texas politicos have been wearing their cowboy hats for years, and it has gotten to a point where they may not recognize each other without their hats on. Your hat should be fabulous, so wear it that way.
- One of the defining characteristics of a fedora is the downward-turned brim. Since the brim comes down over your eyes in the front, wear the hat a little to the back of your head.
- Look sharp. Don't you dare wear a knit "mugger" sweater hat if you want to have friends. Look like you mean business. Witigonen bloggers are all very serious and mean business all the time.
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Comments from site editors have a darker background than comments from everybody else.mm, hats. mm.
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Next, we can start carrying violin cases and running stuff for the mob. Or at least beating up people in the park while wearing fancy hats...
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Kennedy killed the hat for men... I'm bringing it back.
You can get classic wool felt driving hats at Burlington Coat Factory for $8 to $12.
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Nice. For reference, John Helmer Haberdasher, where we got ours, has basic "starter" (read: heavy duty) fedoras for about $50, mid-range for $75, and higher models from there.
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I'm a fan of the John Helmer Haberdasher, but didn't know they had a website until now. Thanks for the link...and thanks Witigonen for the fedora tips.
You can also usually find some at the Nordstrom Rack.
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Check out the book "Hatless Jack". It clarifies the myth about Kennedy and the hat.
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Now this is a sentiment I can get behind.
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Dan, I'm glad you've got my back because I don't know what I would do otherwise.
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I don't know about Michael, but the number of compliments I've received on my hat have made it worthwhile. AND my head is warm.
I've also had someone tell me that they need a hat like mine, so they will probably feel like more of a person.
These hats are coming back.
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Since I live on the east side of the Cascades, I opt for the western Stetson over the fedora, but otherwise most of what you posted above applies.
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