Afraid I'm guilty of leaning towards 'costume' with my hat choices... being follically challenged for many years I've lived in hats from baseball caps, baker boy caps (my workwear phase) to my favourite Stetsons and Lock fedora in winter and various Panamas in the summer.
As you have said previously, once you have worn your 'unusual' headgear a few times it becomes part of your personal vibe and friends accept/love you for it.
Thanks, David. Great to hear from true hat fans; one rarely encounters them these days.....I've been covering the old bean for some years now; It somehow feels more natural as the years go by. In fact, tomorrow being my 69th birthday, I am waiting this afternoon for the postman to deliver my latest, an Akubra Banjo Paterson from The Hattery in Katoomba NSW. New color - fern - and could not resist. Although unlikely that it will be as common as in years past, I still hold hope for some sartorial improvement. Ha!
The Angler is a great hat. You have the green. I might get the brown. But we can't wear them on the same day, which is a problem because you wear yours every day.
Just returned from AMS. Long flight and not much elbow room. An old trick I used was to pack the fedora crown down after building a 'nest' of clothing and a few items inside the crown to retain the shape. Works well with my Briggs & Riley and at least I haven't left my hat on the plane.....yet.
The more beaver fur the better the felt. My 100X American Hat Co cowboy hat made it through Houston Rodeo season unscathed even after torrential rains. A quality felt hat of 40X and higher can be cleaned, brushed, shaved, steamed and reshaped many times. Some old cowboys I know have worn the same hats for decades. Also, remember that an authentic cowboy or horseman only wears felt from fall to spring and never in the summer. That’s when the straw or palm comes out. This may only apply to Texas and the West so take that as you will. Thank you David!
I can vouch that David's wear it 3x rule really works! It's a personal journey finding when to wear it—I tend to throw mine on when I'm wearing clothing like chore jackets, denim, crewnecks, etc. I find that it mixes better on me with those more casual elements. But others look great in a tailored suit with one!
I'm never sure about the proper etiquette rules for wearing a hat. It used to be to never wear one inside, but that seems to be changing - especially with baseball caps. Obviously, outside it's totally acceptable. But what are your guidelines for inside - home, office, planes, restaurants, etc?
My feeling is that if you can wear an outdoor coat (like if you’re standing in an art gallery) then you can wear a hat. As soon as I sit down I generally take off my hat. And always, always at a meal.
Well my better half has started Clementina, a newsletter about travel that will also deal a lot with women's style. https://clementinaworld.substack.com
You might also like Feed Me, which is Emily Sundberg's newsletter and is a wild ride (for women and men alike): https://www.readfeedme.com
May I suggest you do it yourself or team up with a female co-writer? a woman who is a bit mature yet shares your gentle style in writing and life? maybe even a whiskey humor? Whatever magic mix you have, it works. Thanks.
I’ve always liked the idea of wearing a proper hat, but as you say, it can feel a bit costumey. You and Michael do wear your green baseball caps very well, which has inspired me, and I recently got one. I have a Panama but hardly ever wear it and a silk top hat that gets worn once or twice a year when appropriate.
Great article David! Thank you!
Afraid I'm guilty of leaning towards 'costume' with my hat choices... being follically challenged for many years I've lived in hats from baseball caps, baker boy caps (my workwear phase) to my favourite Stetsons and Lock fedora in winter and various Panamas in the summer.
As you have said previously, once you have worn your 'unusual' headgear a few times it becomes part of your personal vibe and friends accept/love you for it.
A Cody hat is on my wish list.
Thanks, David. Great to hear from true hat fans; one rarely encounters them these days.....I've been covering the old bean for some years now; It somehow feels more natural as the years go by. In fact, tomorrow being my 69th birthday, I am waiting this afternoon for the postman to deliver my latest, an Akubra Banjo Paterson from The Hattery in Katoomba NSW. New color - fern - and could not resist. Although unlikely that it will be as common as in years past, I still hold hope for some sartorial improvement. Ha!
The Angler is a great hat. You have the green. I might get the brown. But we can't wear them on the same day, which is a problem because you wear yours every day.
Ha! We’ll rotate.
Hi David, any suggestions on what to do with your hat on a plane -- do you just place it on your lap? Thanks in advance!
Sometimes hold it. Sometimes rest on my bag in the overhead.
Just returned from AMS. Long flight and not much elbow room. An old trick I used was to pack the fedora crown down after building a 'nest' of clothing and a few items inside the crown to retain the shape. Works well with my Briggs & Riley and at least I haven't left my hat on the plane.....yet.
The more beaver fur the better the felt. My 100X American Hat Co cowboy hat made it through Houston Rodeo season unscathed even after torrential rains. A quality felt hat of 40X and higher can be cleaned, brushed, shaved, steamed and reshaped many times. Some old cowboys I know have worn the same hats for decades. Also, remember that an authentic cowboy or horseman only wears felt from fall to spring and never in the summer. That’s when the straw or palm comes out. This may only apply to Texas and the West so take that as you will. Thank you David!
I can vouch that David's wear it 3x rule really works! It's a personal journey finding when to wear it—I tend to throw mine on when I'm wearing clothing like chore jackets, denim, crewnecks, etc. I find that it mixes better on me with those more casual elements. But others look great in a tailored suit with one!
I'm never sure about the proper etiquette rules for wearing a hat. It used to be to never wear one inside, but that seems to be changing - especially with baseball caps. Obviously, outside it's totally acceptable. But what are your guidelines for inside - home, office, planes, restaurants, etc?
Doug — this is cowboy centric but I believe a lot crosses over to most hats and styles.
https://bernardhats.com/all-about-hats/cowboy-hat-etiquette/
My feeling is that if you can wear an outdoor coat (like if you’re standing in an art gallery) then you can wear a hat. As soon as I sit down I generally take off my hat. And always, always at a meal.
I love your posts. Love the content, but is there something for women out there like The Contender?
Well my better half has started Clementina, a newsletter about travel that will also deal a lot with women's style. https://clementinaworld.substack.com
You might also like Feed Me, which is Emily Sundberg's newsletter and is a wild ride (for women and men alike): https://www.readfeedme.com
May I suggest you do it yourself or team up with a female co-writer? a woman who is a bit mature yet shares your gentle style in writing and life? maybe even a whiskey humor? Whatever magic mix you have, it works. Thanks.
I’ve always liked the idea of wearing a proper hat, but as you say, it can feel a bit costumey. You and Michael do wear your green baseball caps very well, which has inspired me, and I recently got one. I have a Panama but hardly ever wear it and a silk top hat that gets worn once or twice a year when appropriate.
It has to have the newness worn out of it. After a little commitment it usually ends up looking really good!