Anyone else feel weird about wear the hat in public?

[3thoubucks]

they made some snide remarks and started laughing..

I never get comments, but I get delayed laughter all the time. I take it as a compliment. I've put a smile on someones face. - Happy! After all, you look like you could be on your way to a fun time at Comic con, and Indy is usually a comic character when he's not being superbad.

[Indiana Johnson]

I also find right now, a non brown or non-Indy type fedora lessens the self consciousness, because the Indy 4 movie is so recent that wearing an Indy fedora does tend to draw some attention. I was with my wife at a museum today wearing my dark gray c-crown fedora, with a dark overcoat (we were getting snow in the area), and didn't feel one bit self conscious. We stopped at a grocery store to pick up some dinner items, and a friend of mine who works there was very complimentary, said it reminded her of the classic Bogart look.
I think if people you work with (or others who see you regularly) see you wearing different hats, it tends to lessen the idea you're doing it because there is a new Indy movie. This is not meant to detract from a good Indy fedora, my Adventurebilt is still one of my favorite hats for many occassions.

[RobocopIndy]

My family went out on an "Adventure" yesterday to Mt. Airy, NC and they were having their Fall Festival, which we really didn't hear about until the night before. We were just interested in seeing some of their "Mayberry" locations as this is the place where Andy Griffith grew up and they have taken on the "Mayberry" nickname for the town. Right off the bat, we stopped at "Wally's Service Station on the outskirts of the main Festival and the two guys playing "Andy" and "Goober" commented on the hats that my son and I were wearing (I was also wearing the bag) The Andy guy wanted to know if he could buy my hat, and I of course said "no". He said that he liked it and that was about it on the subject. After going downtown to where the streets were blocked off and there were tons of folks walking around, I got one guy whistling the Indy tune as I walked by and a few other comments on the hat... so I was pretty well pleased and not offended at all. That's my two cents on the subject.

[crismans]

I think if people you work with (or others who see you regularly) see you wearing different hats, it tends to lessen the idea you're doing it because there is a new Indy movie.

My problem is it is because of the new Indy movie. I have always been a huge fan of the movies since I fell in love with Raiders as a kid. I put together an Indy costume as best I could (a really cheap whip and a Stetson "official" fedora were my prized possessions) and played Indy all the time.

As with a lot of things, you grow up and lose sight of some things you should hold onto and, while I still loved the movies (I would proudly proclaim Raiders as my favorite film if asked), I wasn't into the gear. The new movie changed that. As it got closer, it got me to thinking about all the fun I had as a kid and I found this wonderful place.

The neat thing about the gear (hat and jacket especially) is that they really are wonderful garments and can be used in real life. Wearing it gives me a little of the Indy swagger.

[theinterchange]

My family went out on an "Adventure" yesterday to Mt. Airy, NC and they were having their Fall Festival, which we really didn't hear about until the night before. We were just interested in seeing some of their "Mayberry" locations as this is the place where Andy Griffith grew up and they have taken on the "Mayberry" nickname for the town.

Did it live up to your expectations as a town? I've always wanted to visit there as The Andy Griffith show has long been one of my personal favorites.

Crismans, I think MOST of the clothing he wore can easily be worked into your everyday wear. All except the gun/gunbelt, and the whip.. and maybe the Tannis dig robes..

Randy

[indyclone]

i'm just waiting til about a week before halloween and a week after halloween when people will be saying " a liittle early for halloween " or" a little late for halloween '

[lpa53]

Well, this is sort of on topic...

Do most of you hat wearers take the hat off indoors, as I was schooled as an army brat. In the old movies it doesn't seem like they did that always.

And what about doffing? Or is that only for cowboys trying to attract attention?

[Barcelona Jones]

Well, this is sort of on topic...

Do most of you hat wearers take the hat off indoors, as I was schooled as an army brat. In the old movies it doesn't seem like they did that always.

And what about doffing? Or is that only for cowboys trying to attract attention?

Hi,

This is my first posting, so hello to you all!

I'm a regular hat wearer. As a disclaimer, I have to admit I DO NOT have an Indy hat... shame on me although I will say this is on the way to be fixed...

"Civilian" hat etiquette is NOT the same as military hat regulations. Military regulations usually require for headgear to be removed indoors. Civilian hat etiquette only requires this to be done inside an inhabited home, in a church (or religious building), in a funeral or to the flag and national anthem. You do not have to remove your hat if in public spaces like shops and the like, not in bars if at the counter - but you have if seated at the table.

As to doffing the hat - supposedly this is done to any acquitance, not just ladies, although you may find different opinions. I have read doffing your hat at a man can be taken as an insult in Texas. But you remove the hat if you stop for conversation with a lady, ot with someone you want to show respect.

The above is a quick resume. Look for "hat etiquette" in a search engine and lots of additional details will be found. Some are in conflict with others. Also, there is a debate about the propriety of keeping all ot them in present day society, which has much changed.

I believe using at least some of the hat etiquette is proper, and as a bonus, it shows you are serious about wearing hats. I have found hat doffing, for instance, is appreciated by people after they "take in" the gesture - keep in mind we are talking of mostly obsolete customs, but that people recognizes after the intial "shock".

Regards!

[crismans]

Crismans, I think MOST of the clothing he wore can easily be worked into your everyday wear. All except the gun/gunbelt, and the whip.. and maybe the Tannis dig robes..

Randy

Oh, you're absolutely right! I was just referring to the gear I'm currently obssessed with.

[RobocopIndy]

Did it live up to your expectations as a town? I've always wanted to visit there as The Andy Griffith show has long been one of my personal favorites.
Randy

Yes it did and we'll be going back there to visit on a non-festival week-end to enjoy it as well.

[theinterchange]

Did it live up to your expectations as a town? I've always wanted to visit there as The Andy Griffith show has long been one of my personal favorites.
Randy

Yes it did and we'll be going back there to visit on a non-festival week-end to enjoy it as well.

Great! I'm glad to hear it!

[Kokopelli]

My family and I went to the Louisville Zoo Thursday night, we're members and go all the time. In October they do trick-or-treating, with costumed characters and themed candy stations throughout the zoo. My 2 little girls were dressed as princesses; my 8 year old was Giselle from Enchanted and my three year old was Sleeping Beauty. Some of the parents will dress up too.
My wife and I were in our street clothes, not dressed up. I had 3 people ask me sincerely "Are you Indiana Jones?"
I was wearing a denim shirt with an embroidered 'Jeep' logo, khakis and my Tawny Fed.
I couldn't help but laugh. The last lady that asked I said "no, just a guy in a hat". My wife didn't seem to see why I though it was strange people thought I was Indy, I said "It's not even the right color!" (-the fedora)

[Clutters]

Well I don't actually have a hat...yet. I went to an Akubra stockist the other day and they didn't have any Fed IV. They had an Adventure which seemed to be very inaccurate, and the licensed one with the Indiana Jones pin.

I was thinking, "When am I ever going to wear this thing?" and then I found a white straw Akubra in a similar style to the Fed IV. Perfect for hot Aussie summers at the beach. I think I will be picking that one up.

[theinterchange]

Well, the Federation is a HatsDirect exclusive from Akubra.

[Restless Dreamer]

I'm from Italy, ''the homeland of fashion'' bah. I dislike fashion. I dislike wearing the same t-shirts and jeans and sunglasses others wear. I look around me and I take notice that the 90% of people I see looks to be factory-made.

and people look AT ME as I were a fool just because I wear a 'strange' hat. but I don't mind. I like my hat, I like the way it fits me, and somehow I know that everyone that mocks me (for example doing the raider's march or asking me if I'm from Texas) would like to have the ''courage'' to be different, stopping following the current fashion.

BTW I also have had many compliments for my hat, from open minded people.

[RichardSK]

Living in Southern California, I don't get a lot of use out of my AB. With the warm temperatures, I wear an "Indy" style straw hat most of the time as it looks more appropriate with an open collared shirt.
Now that the weather is cooling off, I wear it all the time with a sportcoat. I have to admit that it's a bit too much for me to wear it with my distressed jacket - too obvious.
I spent last week in Chicago and was in coat and tie at all times as well as my AB. I received a handful of complimentary comments and was proud to briefly explain how the man who custom made my hat also made Indy's for the last film - all were impressed.
Richard

[Soup]

This weekend was a true test for my Fed IV. I wore it to a picnic with about 500 people in attendance and since I was in charge of cooking burgers and hot dogs, I figured it would keep the sun off of my head and I would have some fun. While I was cooking, I didn't get any comments about my hat. I guess everyone was too busy eating. After about an 1 1/2 hours later, the crowd moved on to the game part of the picnic. I continued to clean up our area and when finally finished, I went looking for my family. As I was walking through the crowd, a little boy was standing and looking at me and as soon as I got close, he turned to his mother and said, "Mommy, here he comes, look quick." His mother turned and smiled and said "I know, it does look like him." Before I knew it about 10-20 kids started coming up to me and all wanted to touch my hat, or hold my hand or just walk with me. Parents were telling me their kids were all wanting to meet me. Many of the parents said that it was the coolest looking hat there and wanted to know all about it.
From that moment on, I was getting nothing but positive comments, at least to my face. Many made the connection to Indiana Jones, some just liked the style of the hat. Any way, I had a great time and will never have doubts to wearing it out in public. It made alot of kids happy, which made it all worth while.


Regards,

Soup

[lpa53]

Well, at least negative comments received by posters here have the movie character right.

I got my new Keppler fedora this week but haven't yet worn it to work, instead opting today in the cooler weather to wear an Irish walking hat that was my dad's.

Thinking I may have looked a bit like Henry Jones, what with my white goatee, instead, as I walked by my boss while leaving for lunch, he said:

"Hey, Inspector Clouseau !"

Hmmm ... guess it couldn't be much worse with the fedora.

[theinterchange]

Today I had to make an unexpected run to Lowe's and bumped into an employee who loved my Keppler. We talked a good 5 minutes about men and hats, he is also a hat wearer, and loves seeing more men wearing them.

As he put it, it's a very masculine thing to wear a hat. "It's just like that Indiana Jones thing." Real men wear hats, or so he said. And darn it, I agree.

Randy

[DR Ulloa]

I was wearing my Penman to my sisters volleyball game yesterday and someone called me a rabbi. This has to be the oddest comment I've recieved seeing as though my hat is brown and I don't have the hair curls of beard. I know its typically only the hasidic rabbis that wear their hair and beards that way, just looked like a guy in a hat. I thought that was kind of odd. Has anyone else ever been called rabbi while wearing their hat?

Dave

[Barcelona Jones]

Hello,

Let's face it: if you wear a fedora, you draw attention. Period.

So, first you have to be confident and comfortable about wearing hats; next, you have to assume that people will look at you, and that occasionally you will notice some giggling and gossiping; sometimes even a direct comment, or reference like humming the Raiders march as already mentioned. Kids, being more natural, will surely be more straightforward about it.

And your family and friends will ask you about it, and some of them will make jokes and the like.

I think you have take all of this in good nature, even following the joke. Specially, in the rare event the comment is nasty, not giving importance to it is key.

I wear hats regularly. I do not own (yet ) an "Indy" fedora. All of the above happens all the same, I assure you, because wearing
any fedora is unusual. And I get the "Indiana Jones" hat comments often when I wear one of those which more or less resembles Indy's hat (and sometimes when the hat does not remotely resemble that, too ). Add to that other references, more or less far-fetched, to cowboys, Humphrey Bogart, Untouchables, whatever.

On the other hand: I have never faced any rude commentaries. And I have, conversely, frequently got appreciative commentaries, and interesting conversations have arisen with people interested in the hats.

As a conclusion: you have to assume all of the above. If you do not, maybe you are not ready to wear a hat in public. If you can not stand people looking at you, or if you can't avoid feeling awkward (or, much worse, getting angry) by those reactions of people about you, you are not going to enjoy wearing your hat.

My opinion, anyway.

Regards!

[DR Ulloa]

You definately have to feel comfortable in a hat. Otherwise you look funny. We've all seen the type. They throw on some "fedora" they bought at a designer store and think they look "stylish." Wear the hat, don't let the hat wear you.

Dave

[lpa53]

I wore my new Keppler outside the house for the first time today. Since it's cool out now, and I haven't much on top anymore, it felt good to have a hat on. Surprisingly, no-one said a thing or even gave it a look - at least that I could see - which is fine.

That people weren't aware of it that much really came home to me when, standing in line to return a Redbox rental of Iron Man, the middle-aged woman in front of me, who was searching for a movie, turned around and asked me why a released movie wouldn't show on the screen. I asked "what movie are you looking for?" and, without a trace of recognition while looking right at me, she replied "the new Indiana Jones movie".

After that I actually would like to get a reaction - good or bad!

[Ravenswood]

I was 11 when Raiders came out, and I was all over the hat/jacket look. I finally got a proper Indy hat when I turned 13 (if memory serves), and I wore it incessantly. For some reason the fact that I was widely regarded as a total geek throughout much of my scholastic career, didn't enter into it. In retrospect, i gotta say it took guts for me to make such a fashion statement (for want of a better term), considering my social status at the time. I had my fair share of bullies, but they were more upset with the fact that I dared wear a jean jacket, cause I was just not cool enough.
But somehow, the hat would reel in the comments, and they were mostly along the lines of, "You look good in that hat." Usually, it was from a complete strangers.
Nowadays, I dont get the comments so much as my friends just taking the hat off of my head and wearing it for a bit. Usually donning a smile shortly thereafter. Something about a good fedora, makes ppl want to smile, whether wearing it, or seeing me wear it.

[sithspawn]

I've been wearing fedoras and Indy gear since 1981. Over the years I've gotten the "Hey, Harrison Ford" or " Hey, Indy" which I generally ignore. I've even been called Garth Brooks.

Scott

[maboot38]

Amazing how dumb the general public is about hats. To me there is no comparison between a stetson cowboy hat and a fedora, but I've seen plenty of people top off their cowboy costumes with fedoras, and even an indy costume with a cowboy hat!!!!

I wish it were 80 years ago when all men knew the difference between a derby, a bowler, a pork pie, and a fedora.

Now it all comes down to everyone wearing the same style hat with different teams on it (Red Sox for me!! So today is a rough day)

I never get a hard time about fedoras when I'm wearing a suit and coat or a tux (which is about once a month), but strange looks abound when wearing any brimmed hat outside of formal events. Ultimately though, I think chicks dig it, except if you are in full gear in public and it isn't halloween. That is just weird.

[Panama Tom Jr.]

I was wearing my Penman to my sisters volleyball game yesterday and someone called me a rabbi. This has to be the oddest comment I've recieved seeing as though my hat is brown and I don't have the hair curls of beard. I know its typically only the hasidic rabbis that wear their hair and beards that way, just looked like a guy in a hat. I thought that was kind of odd. Has anyone else ever been called rabbi while wearing their hat?

Hmmm - maybe it's a South Florida thing. My wife is from Ft. Lauderdale and when I first got my AB back in '05 the first thing she said when she saw it was that she thought it looked like something a Hasidic Jew or Amish would wear. Of course she was used to seeing my old wool Disney which was shorter and had it's share of taper. Like most newbies with their first good "Indy" fed I thought it looked too tall, but then you go back and watch the movies again and realize it is, after all, a tall hat.
Actually, the last time I was at the airport with my AB on I got asked if I was a cowboy by a 3 yr old. I was carrying a guitar case, so I also got asked by the skycaps if I was a blues or country musician...

[Indiana O-Town]

I don't feel terribly weird about wearing the hat out, although mineisn't exactly screen accurate... But I bought it because it kept the rain off my head and has been durable enough, not for "the perfect look". On a side note, what's the feeling on Dorfman Pacific? I've sort of got an iffy sense of their popularity? Is it mostly because they make poor replicas? Sorry for going off topic.

[jnicktem]

On a side note, what's the feeling on Dorfman Pacific? I've sort of got an iffy sense of their popularity? Is it mostly because they make poor replicas? Sorry for going off topic.

Well, let me put it this way, most people here call the Dorfman the "Dorkman."

[maboot38]

Youo don't want a Dorfman under any circumstance unless you plan on getting dropped into a pit of lava, because it'd be a shame to cook any other hat besides the Dorfman.

I have one. It's terrible, and I had to do some serious modification just to get it to look like it does now. If you wanna save money, go for the Fed IV by Akubra.

[DR Ulloa]

I was wearing my Penman to my sisters volleyball game yesterday and someone called me a rabbi. This has to be the oddest comment I've recieved seeing as though my hat is brown and I don't have the hair curls of beard. I know its typically only the hasidic rabbis that wear their hair and beards that way, just looked like a guy in a hat. I thought that was kind of odd. Has anyone else ever been called rabbi while wearing their hat?

Hmmm - maybe it's a South Florida thing. My wife is from Ft. Lauderdale and when I first got my AB back in '05 the first thing she said when she saw it was that she thought it looked like something a Hasidic Jew or Amish would wear. Of course she was used to seeing my old wool Disney which was shorter and had it's share of taper. Like most newbies with their first good "Indy" fed I thought it looked too tall, but then you go back and watch the movies again and realize it is, after all, a tall hat.
Actually, the last time I was at the airport with my AB on I got asked if I was a cowboy by a 3 yr old. I was carrying a guitar case, so I also got asked by the skycaps if I was a blues or country musician...

Well, there is a very large Jewish population in South Florida. That might have something to do with it.

Funny story, I went to work in my Penman and US Wings Blue Label last Tuesday in celebration of the CS Blue-Ray release and one of my students, in his best Scottish accent, greeted me with "Junior?!" to which I answered "I told you never to call me that!"

Dave

[Irish Jones]

Heck, I wish that I had a hat to wear out in public. As it is, I always wear my shoulder bag and KOTCS jacket out in public. I have never gotten "the look" one way or the other, so I wouldn't have any problem wearing the hat as well.

Cheers!

[Indiana O-Town]

Funny story, I went to work in my Penman and US Wings Blue Label last Tuesday in celebration of the CS Blue-Ray release and one of my students, in his best Scottish accent, greeted me with "Junior?!" to which I answered "I told you never to call me that!"

That's AWESOME. I wish you had video.

[DR Ulloa]

I'm sure someone had their iphone or something out and was able to capture it, even though they are not supposed to have that stuff out in class.

Dave

[Indiana O-Town]

Well, let me put it this way, most people here call the Dorfman the "Dorkman."

Is it too late to change my screen name to Indiana Dorkman then?

[gwyddion]

Well, let me put it this way, most people here call the Dorfman the "Dorkman."

Is it too late to change my screen name to Indiana Dorkman then?

Yes it is ;-)

Don't feel bad: a lot of members here started out with a DP. One day you will probably order a more SA hat though: this bug whe got going here is pretty contaigous ;-)

Regards, Geert

[maboot38]

I would say that the first thing you should do is get a decent fedora, and second a good Wested jacket, third, a bag. Everything else you can go close enough, but without a good hat and jacket, it'll just look like a bad halloween costume.

A Dorfman Pacific is a SLIGHT improvement over the hat you posted pics of above, but certainly isn't SA.

Here is a standard DP:

Look at how the crown of it is formed like a teardrop.

Now look at this one, a Fed IV owned by Steve H., and see how it is just one line through the middle of the crown.


That is the MAJOR difference between the DP and any of the decent Fedoras. There are plenty of other differences, such as the taper.
Here is a DP that has been highly modified to look more like a real Indy hat. Notice that it even after being modified, it still tapers up:


And here is a Fed IV owned by Jones Boy. Notice that it doesn't taper to be more narrow at the top like the DP:


Also, look at the ribbon on the topmost image. That ribbon is wrong. It is MUCH lighter brown than the others, which appears almost black.

Is this starting to make sense? At first, they all look like brown hats, but after a few days poking around on the forum, you'll realize that the DP is a joke of a hat.

All of my gear is correct, and when I put a DP on with it, I feel like I'm "bringing a knife ... to a gunfight!"

[Indiana O-Town]

Well I'll definitely look into getting a new hat at some point... right now, I just dropped a little over $100 on the shirt, bag, pant dye, and a failed strap experiment. There's a hat shop in Old Town Sacramento (where I got the Dorkman), so when I have a chance again I'll stop in and see what they have.

But for now, I'm packing a knife for a gunfight.

EDIT: I'm also "passing" on a screen accurate jacket for now... simply because it's expensive to pick up a custom made one, and off the rack, I'd probably have to find one that's like a 6XLT or some such just to get a comfortable fit. I'll either go jacketless or make do with my olive green faux army jacket.

[maboot38]

Definitely go jacketless then. Indy only wears olive green when he dresses like a Nazi.

With a larger build where custom jacket is required, if you are going to pass on the jacket, I think you should focus on the hat.

You can get a Fed IV for around $80 at hatsdirect, and bash it yourself. That and a repro shirt, and you should look fabulous. There is a XXL shirt for sale in the Cairo Bazaar. Not sure if you need bigger or not.

Just looking out for you.

[Renderking Fisk]

I should start a thread that asks: Do any of you feel weird NOT wearing a fedora in public?

[The Librarian]

I wear mine almost all the time. Took a day trip to New York City and wandered Central Park this past Saturday in my Fed 3 Deluxe.
It was a sunny but cool day. I saw very few hat wearers. One with a attractive black fur felt with a stingy brim.
I got only a few looks, most with a smile.

[Akubra Man]

You know life is really short ... why waste a moment of it not doing the things you enjoy ... who are you hurting by wearing a hat?

[Indiana O-Town]

You can get a Fed IV for around $80 at hatsdirect, and bash it yourself. That and a repro shirt, and you should look fabulous. There is a XXL shirt for sale in the Cairo Bazaar. Not sure if you need bigger or not.

Just looking out for you.

Thanks. I just picked up a Cabela's Safari shirt, which was a 5XLT that fits me pretty good. I generally wear a 3-4X, sometimes a Tall depending on the cut/style of the shirt. Most clothing sizes are not standardized enough IMO... I end up buying the largest size I can find when in doubt. I have work shirts and martial arts school shirts that are 6XLs and fit about right. I had a leather jacket at one point, but I got in a bike accident with it and think I tore up the sleeve... not to mention I think it was black.

Thanks again for the info.

[gwyddion]

... who are you hurting by wearing a hat?

Me: I am hurting with envy as I still do not have an Indy hat

But seriously, once the Henry comes in I will wear it when ever I feel like it, mabe even more. and why not? Because it is a give-away of Indy-fandom? So what? How many people wear band shirts, band caps or beanies and stuff like that?

Everyone should just wear what he wants to wear (within legal restictions off course ;-) ) even if that would mean bumping into the occaisional stormtrooper or Hellboy I'd still aplaud that.

Regards, Geert

[alphared6]

The weather has cooled considerably the last couple of weeks, so I tried an experiment based on THIS thread! I have worn khaki pants, a safari shirt, my Todd's standard AND my Fed IV daily. Not one comment have I received. Not one!

Had I sported a MK VII or a whip or a pistol (No, the pistol would not arouse anyone here) then I think I would have gotten a comment or two.

[mrkaboom]

plenty of mentions in here for FED IV, Penman, etc but not one for the HJ that is sold by our friend Todd. I have one and i think its superb. As for wearing a Fedora in public i would feel self conscious as I live in Lancashire. England which is unfortunately full of chavs and meat heads. i would, however wear it for say a formal occasion such as Remembrance Sunday or a wake. Lets face it everyone dresses the same these days, continent to continent we all look like drones dressed in Levis and GAP. If you are out there doing the fedora then Im really happy about that. Keep it going guys and Ill be joining you at some point when i get my HJ at Christmas!

[Insomniac]

Sadly yes!
In a society when no one accepts fedoras it's sad!

[lpa53]

... Lets face it everyone dresses the same these days, continent to continent we all look like drones dressed in Levis and GAP.

And it's ironic that those who do dress the same usually think they're the hip "nonconformists"!

[jacksdad]

I wear my Penman all the time havn't gotten a word except last Saturday when I was wearing the jacket ,hat and khacki pants, got a few looks but oh well. I like wearing my fedora especially in the cold. I've gotton so used to it it feels weird going out without it.

[The Librarian]

Just came from a family gathering. I wore a charcoal suit with grey pinstripes, grey shirt, black and white pattern tie, black overcoat and my grey CS Penman. A family friend was impressed by my dressy look since I usually am more casual in my style of dress. Then she said I looked like a detective. We both laughed. I get more compliments than snide remarks from those who actually say something. Those who don't appreciate style usually limit themselves to a look or make a comment to a companion. But I like how I look in my hat and it has inspired me to dress up more grown up and not like a kid.

Marty