Height of the Fedora

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Dalexs

Post Reply
User avatar
CRB
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 332
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:26 pm
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Height of the Fedora

Post by CRB »

I freely admit to being a novice when it comes to fedoras (jackets are more my thing!) but I'm wondering why each fedora I've tried on sticks up like a chimney pot. I've got an Adventurebit Henry 57 which was a bit tight for me so recently bought a Todds 59. Both if them look to tall on my head! Perhaps fedoras are not for me...
Last edited by CRB on Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BendingOak
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 7011
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:21 pm

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by BendingOak »

can you post pics of you wearing them? and have someone else take the photos. No arm length ones please. Most people when they get that 30s, 40s style hat are not used to the boxy full tall crown. Pics would help.
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Texan Scott »

If you have not worn a fedora before, and I went through it too, and you are used to wearing head gear that hug sorta' close to the crown, like a baseball cap or something, the crown on a fedora does look a bit high. But generally, the Raiders hat is bashed to 4 1/2" and LC with its relaxed pinch, around 4 1/4". It takes a break in time and orienting period for you to get used to wearing a fedora, and for the fedora to conform to you. IMO sometimes fedoras are bashed too high or low for the wearer. Generally, these specs will work for 57-58-59 cm bandwidths.
User avatar
Ridgerunner58
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 695
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: Between the Edge of Nowhere and the Edge of Somewhere.

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Ridgerunner58 »

What he said.

It's normal for anyone wearing something "non-standard" like a fedora to feel self conscious and think it looks too tall or too wide. After a while it becomes part of you and when you don't wear it people will ask where it is.
User avatar
Charybdis
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1650
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:36 pm
Location: Palmetto State (SC)

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Charybdis »

Wore mine all night last night shopping! A couple of days ago, an older man stopped me and said, "nice vintage hat. Looks good." I said that a good hat never goes out of style...
User avatar
Ridgerunner58
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 695
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: Between the Edge of Nowhere and the Edge of Somewhere.

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Ridgerunner58 »

Last week I had a guy run across the parking lot as I was going into Home Depot to ask where I got my most recent Penman. It happens often enough that I keep a spare of John's "Like H*** It's Yours" card tucked in the sweatband to give to people.

Which reminds me - I need to get John to send me a few more cards . . . :-k
User avatar
CRB
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 332
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:26 pm
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by CRB »

Thanks for the replies guys. Since posting I've reformed the hat a bit, perhaps shaping it more with my head and it is looking better now. I shall see if I can get some photos up to show what I mean.
User avatar
Indiana Bugs
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 829
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:24 pm

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Indiana Bugs »

Within the last couple of days, I've raised the dent break on the back of two of my hats so as to straighten up the sides a little bit.

It's all what you get used to. :)
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Texan Scott »

;) :tup:
User avatar
generalFROSTY
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 774
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:58 pm
Location: Lancaster, PA

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by generalFROSTY »

I recently re-shaped my Henry after several years of it's original bash I gave it.
I always felt the crown looked too tall on my head, but finally had a thought about reshaping it to a height that was more appropriate for my size 56 hat.
First, I opened up the crown again then carefully used my garment steamer to soften up the felt so I could better smooth out the felt to a neutral state.
This time, I lowered the dent a little more and restored my pinch - just that tiny change in dent depth made a world of difference and I wish I would have done this from the beginning.
In the end, regardless of the "actual specs", the person should wear the hat, the hat should never wear the person!
User avatar
getoutofthelibrary
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:04 am

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by getoutofthelibrary »

I always think my fedora looks too tall when looking in a mirror......but not in pictures....

Image
Last edited by getoutofthelibrary on Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
getoutofthelibrary
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:04 am

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by getoutofthelibrary »

My favorite crease.....again, looks really tall in a mirror.... But I like it in pictures....

Image
BendingOak
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 7011
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:21 pm

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by BendingOak »

The hat looks good on you in both photos.
User avatar
baddates1
Vendor
Posts: 1081
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 9:57 pm
Location: The place where Lincoln is worshipped...

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by baddates1 »

No need to fret! You see, when it comes to Indiana Jones, in Raiders of the Lost Ark, his hat was pretty tall, like you described your hat. You said it was like a chimney pipe, Indy's was like that in the first movie, tall and like a stovepipe. No need to worry, just goes to show that your hats are accurate to the first movie. Nice hats

Regards from an endangered gentleman: baddates1
User avatar
getoutofthelibrary
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:04 am

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by getoutofthelibrary »

Thank you, gentlemen. Means a lot coming from you, Oak. Hope to have one of your's on my head some day.
User avatar
Ken
Staff Member
Staff Member
Posts: 2366
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2002 7:24 am
Location: Back from the field
Contact:

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Ken »

Tundrarider wrote:That's a beautiful portrait of you and the lovely lady, Getoutofthelibrary! And the hat looks so natural on you!

Michael
I echo this sentiment! Getoutofthelibrary, you were born to wear a fedora!

Ken
User avatar
auntsugar
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 423
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2002 8:57 pm
Location: Back at the workbench....tinkering--always tinkering.

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by auntsugar »

getoutofthelibrary wrote:My favorite crease.....again, looks really tall in a mirror.... But I like it in pictures....

Image

Man--you would look out of sorts WITHOUT a fedora on!!!
Seriously!
Looks great--you were born to wear one.
IndyJames98
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 12:07 pm

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by IndyJames98 »

Lol, the crown on my hat looks small in the mirror but the right size in pictures. :-k
User avatar
getoutofthelibrary
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:04 am

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by getoutofthelibrary »

High-crowned PB....

Image
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44456
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Michaelson »

Ok, getoutofthelibrary .... I've been watching this thread for a while, and I'm STILL waiting for you to post a photo of a fedora that looks too 'tall' on your head. :-k

So far they've all been 'out of the park' perfect in shape, dimension and appearance to your face shape.

So, when can we expect to see a bad one? :-s

;)

Seriously, you need to get that 'too tall' crown thought out of your head. You're right in the sweet spot of how one should look on a mans head. :M: :tup:

CRB, same to you, old friend. Once you get used to the difference between low and the so called 'tall' crown, you'll have a hard time going back.

HIGH regards! Michaelson
BendingOak
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 7011
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:21 pm

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by BendingOak »

I agree withy M. Another thing to consider is that your judging from a selfie. Have someone else photograph you wearing your hat. This way you will get a true image of what you look like.
User avatar
getoutofthelibrary
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:04 am

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by getoutofthelibrary »

Good to hear guys! I'll breathe easy!
User avatar
Tibor
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1221
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:47 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by Tibor »

You do take a big risk taking photos with fashion models, but you hold up well. :TOH: Great hats, all. Now let's work on that jacket... :D
micsteam
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:33 am
Location: South Florida

Re: Height of the Fedora

Post by micsteam »

getoutofthelibrary, great hats !!! Nice pieces, really, but I have to say best Raiders is the white with black ribbon (or looks black) it is spot on for Raiders at the beginning of the movie by the water fall. You're a natural with a fedora. Enjoy :TOH:
Post Reply