Why do you Wear a Fedora?

[Canada Jones]

Nebraska:
Of course I don't mind and indeed welcome it! Interesting story about the guy on the dig changing his hat before the film crew arrives. Never heard of that before - wonder if others here at COW have come across this phenomenon.

What is your area of graduate study and do you have a teaching position yet?
best
Canada

Hi Canada,

It's in Hebrew Bible, and I have an adjunct position this year teaching intro to biblical Hebrew. It's really nice to be teaching after all these years as a student (and I don't mind having students call me "Professor" too much, either )

Thanks Professor!
I have a Masters degree in Theology and although I studied the Old Testament I never learned Hebrew. Hope this turns into a tenured faculty position for you.
best
Canada

[rebelgtp]

I voted no because I don't wear a hat to be like Indy. For me I started wearing hats when I was a kid, my Grandpa would always grab one of his hats and stick it on my head. He taught me to never go outside without hat on and he was the one that would take me fishing and camping every summer. Now that I'm all grown my job keeps me in those same conditions, in fact a lot of them are like places we see Indy where his hat, I find it gives me great protection from the sun and rain plus keeps bugs outa my hair

[Canada Jones]

I voted no because I don't wear a hat to be like Indy. For me I started wearing hats when I was a kid, my Grandpa would always grab one of his hats and stick it on my head. He taught me to never go outside without hat on and he was the one that would take me fishing and camping every summer. Now that I'm all grown my job keeps me in those same conditions, in fact a lot of them are like places we see Indy where his hat, I find it gives me great protection from the sun and rain plus keeps bugs outa my hair

Do you have an Indy Fedora?
best
Canada

[rebelgtp]

I voted no because I don't wear a hat to be like Indy. For me I started wearing hats when I was a kid, my Grandpa would always grab one of his hats and stick it on my head. He taught me to never go outside without hat on and he was the one that would take me fishing and camping every summer. Now that I'm all grown my job keeps me in those same conditions, in fact a lot of them are like places we see Indy where his hat, I find it gives me great protection from the sun and rain plus keeps bugs outa my hair

Do you have an Indy Fedora?
best
Canada

Yep I have an AB that mostly stays on my shelf then a regular federation that I just kinda styled that in my own fashion not really going for a scene look or anything, currently thats my daily and "field" hat. However I'm finding for the field (I do biology field research when not in school by the way) I want a slightly wider brim so I'm thinking of getting an Akubra bushman. As for why I have the Indy fed its because really its the style I like the wider brim and the taller crown, low crown hats just do not look right on me neither do smaller brims, in fact the Indy brim is about the smallest I would ever consider. Also the hats my Grandpa always had were around the same dimensions as the Indy fed he just styled his with a modified cattlemans bash, so its a proportion that I'm use to from wearing his hats when I was younger.

[Canada Jones]

I voted no because I don't wear a hat to be like Indy. For me I started wearing hats when I was a kid, my Grandpa would always grab one of his hats and stick it on my head. He taught me to never go outside without hat on and he was the one that would take me fishing and camping every summer. Now that I'm all grown my job keeps me in those same conditions, in fact a lot of them are like places we see Indy where his hat, I find it gives me great protection from the sun and rain plus keeps bugs outa my hair

Do you have an Indy Fedora?
best
Canada

Yep I have an AB that mostly stays on my shelf then a regular federation that I just kinda styled that in my own fashion not really going for a scene look or anything, currently thats my daily and "field" hat. However I'm finding for the field (I do biology field research when not in school by the way) I want a slightly wider brim so I'm thinking of getting an Akubra bushman. As for why I have the Indy fed its because really its the style I like the wider brim and the taller crown, low crown hats just do not look right on me neither do smaller brims, in fact the Indy brim is about the smallest I would ever consider. Also the hats my Grandpa always had were around the same dimensions as the Indy fed he just styled his with a modified cattlemans bash, so its a proportion that I'm use to from wearing his hats when I was younger.

I get the idea of a wider brim - so really the practically of hats appeal to you. I love fedora type hats because they do provide much better coverage from the sun and elements. When I first taught at Oxford I took an umbrella with me. I quickly tired of carrying it around and for most of my years there I would wear a wide brimmed fedora type hat (actually it is a Tilley hat that you see in my avatar). I like the cotton hat because it is great in the heat and is very easy to pack or take off on the plane.
best
Canada

[ddibling]

Canada,

To go back to your original post, and sorry if I missed this somewhere, but what sort of degree are you working on and how would you connect Crockett with Indiana Jones? Just curious...

Dean

[rebelgtp]

yep Canada you got it. For me its a lot about the practicality of wearing a hat especially when in the field. I think that is one of the reasons I like Akubras so much is because I know that they can take just about anything I can throw at them.

[Canada Jones]

Canada,

To go back to your original post, and sorry if I missed this somewhere, but what sort of degree are you working on and how would you connect Crockett with Indiana Jones? Just curious...

Dean

Hey Dean - I am doing a PhD in communication. Trying to flush out the connection between Crockett and Jones. Fan of both and trying to use my interest in these guys - makes the process much more enjoyable.

I have wondered how many COW members wore the coonskin as a kid and are now wearing an Indy Fedora.
best
Canada

[theinterchange]

I cast my vote as yes. BUT, I currently wear non Indy fedoras. Though, I have one made of some sort of natural fibers that looks Indyish in profile. especially when you see it's shadow. I wear fedoras both as an identifier [especially when I get a real one!] and because I really like them.

[nicetrylaoche]

If I didn’t have to deal with every jack#$$ on the street harassing me, I’d still wear fedoras, maybe. I don’t need to wear a fedora to be different. I know I’m different (at least in my mind). Cheers

Quite an honest, excellent point...I admit with pride that I ordered my AB because I feel alot like Indiana Jones inside, and wearing THE hat is just one more way of connecting with that side of my personality...I just don't think I'll wear it around all the time simply because everyone will have something to say...I'll just wear it when appropriate for my lifestyle (fishing, hiking, in the heat of the sun, etc...)...but then again, life isn't 100% pure adventure either. There's a time and a place for everything.
-Zack

[Canada Jones]

but then again, life isn't 100% pure adventure either. There's a time and a place for everything.
-Zack

True enough Zack. A friend of mine is a climber and would buy high end gortex jackets from companys like North Face. When they started apparently they only made what they called "rescue colors" ie, colors easy to see if you are trapped on the side of a mountain. He gave up on North Face when they started making, what he called, "mall walking" colors and felt they had sold out to general fashion. He laughs at how people pay $600 for high tech jackets that they use to walk the dog but I guess people were trying to inject a little more 'adventure' into their lives through what they wear.
best
Canada

[IndianaSolo]

To ask why I wear a fedora would be the same as asking me why I smoke a tobacco pipe, or write with a feather quill. I've always admired fedoras since I was very young. Indiana Jones is a childhood hero to me and him wearing a fedora only gives it a plus.
I wear a fedora because It connects me to a time that has apparently been negelcted. To a time when men were classy and distinguished. Whether you were a cowboy or a banker, you wore a hat as a signature of your personallity. This isn't that much different than today, where you can wear the hat of your favorite team, state, school, etc... but there is something about a fedora that allows you to be completely free and adventurous and a classy gentleman. It is something that I hope to pass on to the next generation and let them remember the finer and simpler things in life. Indiana Jones is not only tough and adventurous but he's also a brilliant archaeologist and teacher. His style of fedora not only looks good on me but also helps me to relate to a character that I grew up with.
I wear a fedora because I like wearing one and also because of Indiana Jones.

[imagine671]

Canada Jones, that was a very interesting anecdote regarding 'North Face'. It has always bugged me that North Face became popular for everyday wear, because it always seemed so impractical in most non-outdoorsy situations. While living in California, some of the people I knew would be walking around in thick fleece jackets in April and May when it was 55 degrees Fahrenheit out. When serious outdoor wear becomes a mall-wearing fad, I'm just offered more evidence that there's something seriously wrong with the world.

Anyway...back to the topic of this post. My first interest in fedoras was definitely sparked by the enjoyment I got from watching the Indy films. I bought (or rather my PARENTS bought) my first Indy fedora when I was seven. We had gone on a camping trip somewhere in Utah if I remember, and we picked up the hat then. It was a cheap DP wool-felt job around the time they were first released as the 'official' Indy hats. A few years went by and my head grew (I'd like to think in more ways then one, but maybe I'm still as ignorant as I was when I was seven) and we purchased another brown wool fedora whilst visiting New Mexico when I was around twelve or thirteen. While in Whistler, Canada, I branched out and instead of buying a brown Indy-style fedora, I picked up a black Australian-style wool hat, which I love and still wear to this day (though it's a bit big on the noggin). I purchased my first fur felt Fedora/Trilby in the UK the first year I was here.

I apologize for the history of my hat-purchasing, but it helps to explain why I wear a fedora. First and foremost, it is because of its association with Indiana Jones. The arrival of the fourth movie has given me the excuse to order a Magnoli HJ and a new Federation, but getting a screen-accurate hat has been something nagging at my mind for a long while now. It's strange too, because when I wear a fedora, it doesn't make me FEEL like Indiana Jones. I do not suddenly become more adventurous or whatever. I simply like the fact that the hat is on my head (if that makes any sense whatsoever). All this said, my interest in Indiana Jones and his fedora has sparked a passion for fedoras in general, and I think after my final Indy purchase of an AB next fall, I want to branch out and start exploring non-Indy hat territory (and I don't mean baseball caps - the only time I wear one of those is on my bike ride to city center or campus -ick!) Take care, all!

[Canada Jones]

Canada Jones, that was a very interesting anecdote regarding 'North Face'. It has always bugged me that North Face became popular for everyday wear, because it always seemed so impractical in most non-outdoorsy situations. While living in California, some of the people I knew would be walking around in thick fleece jackets in April and May when it was 55 degrees Fahrenheit out. When serious outdoor wear becomes a mall-wearing fad, I'm just offered more evidence that there's something seriously wrong with the world.

Anyway...back to the topic of this post. My first interest in fedoras was definitely sparked by the enjoyment I got from watching the Indy films. I bought (or rather my PARENTS bought) my first Indy fedora when I was seven. We had gone on a camping trip somewhere in Utah if I remember, and we picked up the hat then. It was a cheap DP wool-felt job around the time they were first released as the 'official' Indy hats. A few years went by and my head grew (I'd like to think in more ways then one, but maybe I'm still as ignorant as I was when I was seven) and we purchased another brown wool fedora whilst visiting New Mexico when I was around twelve or thirteen. While in Whistler, Canada, I branched out and instead of buying a brown Indy-style fedora, I picked up a black Australian-style wool hat, which I love and still wear to this day (though it's a bit big on the noggin). I purchased my first fur felt Fedora/Trilby in the UK the first year I was here.

I apologize for the history of my hat-purchasing, but it helps to explain why I wear a fedora. First and foremost, it is because of its association with Indiana Jones. The arrival of the fourth movie has given me the excuse to order a Magnoli HJ and a new Federation, but getting a screen-accurate hat has been something nagging at my mind for a long while now. It's strange too, because when I wear a fedora, it doesn't make me FEEL like Indiana Jones. I do not suddenly become more adventurous or whatever. I simply like the fact that the hat is on my head (if that makes any sense whatsoever). All this said, my interest in Indiana Jones and his fedora has sparked a passion for fedoras in general, and I think after my final Indy purchase of an AB next fall, I want to branch out and start exploring non-Indy hat territory (and I don't mean baseball caps - the only time I wear one of those is on my bike ride to city center or campus -ick!) Take care, all!

Imagine 671:
The North Face issue- I think that comes down to economics. There are more mall walkers than mountain climbers. The bigger issue for me is seeing them lower their quality in certain products to bring the price point down for the mall walkers....

on to the fedora - No problem on the history. It is helpful. I think for many the interest in Indy's fedora is because they have an interest in fedoras in general and Indy seems to be the most popular. Yes, the AB hat would be a great one to complete your collection although you may want to order before May 22 because the price goes up after that, at least from what i have read here.
best
Canada

[Russ]

The search for the fedora is the search for the Indy in all of us.

I just had to type that, but it's not true in my case; I have no desire to look like Indiana Jones, and besides, with my face, it would be impossible. I even stopped wearing my leather jacket when I got my first brown fedora.

I wear a fedora because I like the way they look, plus the practical benefits (protection from the sun, rain, cold, etc). I enjoyed the movies, but I visit this forum simply because it has a high percentage of posts about fedoras and brimmed hats in general.

[Canada Jones]

The search for the fedora is the search for the Indy in all of us.

I just had to type that, but it's not true in my case; I have no desire to look like Indiana Jones, and besides, with my face, it would be impossible. I even stopped wearing my leather jacket when I got my first brown fedora.

I wear a fedora because I like the way they look, plus the practical benefits (protection from the sun, rain, cold, etc). I enjoyed the movies, but I visit this forum simply because it has a high percentage of posts about fedoras and brimmed hats in general.

Russ:
Do you visit other sites that discuss hats? How many fedoras do you own? Did you buy any Indy fedoras?
best
Canada

[Russ]

I also visit the Fedora Lounge and the hat forum run by "he who must not be named" but my presence on most forums is minimal these days.

At the moment I own 9 fedoras including an AB, one by Art Fawcett and 3 Federations and a handful of bush type hats. The AB and the brown Fed (in the Avatar) are Indy hats, but with a more or less diamond bash instead of center dent. I have owned over 20 hats in the last 20 years, selling off old ones to help finance new ones.

[Canada Jones]

I also visit the Fedora Lounge and the hat forum run by "he who must not be named" but my presence on most forums is minimal these days.

At the moment I own 9 fedoras including an AB, one by Art Fawcett and 3 Federations and a handful of bush type hats. The AB and the brown Fed (in the Avatar) are Indy hats, but with a more or less diamond bash instead of center dent. I have owned over 20 hats in the last 20 years, selling off old ones to help finance new ones.

Thanks Russ. You really are a hat guy! I am familiar with the fedora lounge but not the one run by him who must not be named.
appreciate your input.
best
Canada

[Chevalier Krak]

Do you think though that you wear the fedora now because Indy rekindled your love for fedoras not necessarily because you are trying to somehow identify with Indy?
thanks for your comments
Canada

Canada:
This is an old one, but I see you are still working on your thesis, so I would have to respond,
"Yes." Indy movies rekindled my love od fedoras, but I have enjoyed a variety of hats for
years. As for David Crockett (the name of my late next-door-neighbor, BTW), I watched
Fess Parker in the original show, and had the full getup, so when I began to make hats
again, coonskin (from roadkill) was my next move after knitted ski caps. Here are me and
my kids as a Metis trader and his children, for Hallowe'en about 5 years ago. My kids still
have the hats, and they both have capotes I made from trade blankets, as well. Same
general period, but a few hundred miles further north from D.C

.

[Marcus Brody]

Haha, here's some proof I'm not just wearing it because of Indy. I mean, would I own these?






None of these are Indy hats nor were they intended to be. In fact the top 3 are gray!

In general, as previously posted I just have always liked fedoras that aren't stingy brimmed. Indy just helped me like them even more, and especially made me like taller and wider brimmed hats.

[Piker]

I wear one because my wife always steals my umbrella.

Really, started wearing a hat about a year and a half ago. It keeps the rain off my head and glasses, and from running down the back of my neck. Keeps the sun out of my eyes better than any pair of Oakley sunglasses.

My father in law gave us this set of old movies for
Christmas 2005, "Mystery Classics." The films themselves are actually pretty bad. But the clothes the characters wear are a sight to behold. Single breasted peak lapel jackets, heavy fabrics and the hats! The Hats!!

Got a cheap DP to just test the waters, my wife loves it. Have a couple better hats now. One has virtually no taper to it. She likes that look even better. Now I get my dress pants in "long" and wear braces (suspenders). She likes that too. She is slowly encouraging me to become more and more retro.

And besides, what woman does not like Indy? He's rough, rugged and so are many of the characters in those B- films. Old LL bean Flying Tiger jacket and a grey hat and folks in my neck of the woods think, "Indy." I am going for more of a portly Jimmy Stewart. Indy knew how to dress for the occasion, people today, don't.

Started a savings account for an Art Fawcett hat. She does not mind. She wants to see it.

[Canada Jones]

Do you think though that you wear the fedora now because Indy rekindled your love for fedoras not necessarily because you are trying to somehow identify with Indy?
thanks for your comments
Canada

Canada:
This is an old one, but I see you are still working on your thesis, so I would have to respond,
"Yes." Indy movies rekindled my love od fedoras, but I have enjoyed a variety of hats for
years. As for David Crockett (the name of my late next-door-neighbor, BTW), I watched
Fess Parker in the original show, and had the full getup, so when I began to make hats
again, coonskin (from roadkill) was my next move after knitted ski caps. Here are me and
my kids as a Metis trader and his children, for Hallowe'en about 5 years ago. My kids still
have the hats, and they both have capotes I made from trade blankets, as well. Same
general period, but a few hundred miles further north from D.C

.

This is a great shot! Kids must have won a best costume award for those ones. I have often seen coon roadkill but never had the guts to make a hat out of one. Your hats look great. I too wore a coonskin hat as a child but I could not find one with a face on it. I got mine at disneyworld and it was all rabbit fur with a coon tail. I did buy myself an all coon hat a few years ago when i came across one at a decent price ($60) and beats having to cut up a dead one - and no it does not have a face on it. I see alot of coon hats that are fake fur now which I think looks goofy.

And yes, I am still working on my dissertation. This discussion thread has been helpful as I try to get a sense of why people wear the fedora. i honestly expected a higher number of people wearing the fedora to identify with Indy but i am understanding now that many just love the fedora.

Thanks again for your post.

[IndigoJuliet]

Well depending on the weather its either my cattleman akubra or baseball cap, but as the cattleman is a tad "bushy" my wife wants something a bit smarter, hence the order for the HJ from Magnoli.

and in my old age with less hair, it does either keep the knoggin warm, or the sun off it.. Gotta what out for skin cancer..

[Canada Jones]

Haha, here's some proof I'm not just wearing it because of Indy. I mean, would I own these?

None of these are Indy hats nor were they intended to be. In fact the top 3 are gray!

In general, as previously posted I just have always liked fedoras that aren't stingy brimmed. Indy just helped me like them even more, and especially made me like taller and wider brimmed hats.

Great looking Hats Marcus. Do you own and wear any Indy hats?
best
Canada

[Canada Jones]

I wear one because my wife always steals my umbrella.

Really, started wearing a hat about a year and a half ago. It keeps the rain off my head and glasses, and from running down the back of my neck. Keeps the sun out of my eyes better than any pair of Oakley sunglasses.


And besides, what woman does not like Indy? He's rough, rugged and so are many of the characters in those B- films. Old LL bean Flying Tiger jacket and a grey hat and folks in my neck of the woods think, "Indy." I am going for more of a portly Jimmy Stewart. Indy knew how to dress for the occasion, people today, don't.

Started a savings account for an Art Fawcett hat. She does not mind. She wants to see it.

I taught in Oxford for 13 summers and quickly realized that a wide brimmed hat is a much better choice in the rain than an umbrella. Also, great in the sun as you suggest as well. Great that your wife is supportative (plus she gets all the umbrellas to herself...). I also think indy has a good look and I am a big fan of the 1930s and 40s. Love old movies like Casablanca etc. Jimmy Stewart - class act that guy and a great actor. Clothing now a days is so different it amazes me. In my day if you went to school with your underwear showing you were made fun of. Now apparently it is cool. But then again in my day underwear was not $25 a pair....
best
Canada

[Bufflehead Jones]

LOL! I just came home from the grocery store. There were three kids in front of me in line and one of them had two rings pierced through his lower lip and he had his jeans down so low that they were actually below his butt checks in the rear and he kept pulling up on the front of his jeans at the crotch to keep them from falling off. I could not help but keep thinking how ridiculous the kid looked. He could barely walk as the crotch on the pants were almost at his knees and interfered with him moving his legs.

I could not imagine how his friends could possibly pass up the chance to pull his pants down around his ankles like they did to kids in the 50's. I guess kids today are just really proud to let folks know they do have underwear on.

[Marcus Brody]

Great looking Hats Marcus. Do you own and wear any Indy hats?

I used to, but my Federation went the way of the maker a long time ago. I'd like to get another still, although I do enjoy these non-Indy hats a lot too.