To All New Fedora Wearers and To Vets Like Myself

[micsteam]

Here's a word of advice not just to you newbies but all fedora wearers/receivers (if you will) don't be afraid to play with the hat, work the brim, roll the sides, etc. !! Yes it is a piece of art and I know you spent quite a lot of money on it but don't be afraid .. it needs to be worn and once you wear it and get comfortable with it make it your own or play with it a bit and make it into whatever scene or image you feel represents why you wanted the thing in the first place !!?? Here's the thing ... back in the day when folks wore these, each individual would shape or turn the hat into a reflection or their style or what they were comfortable with. Whether you bought an Adventurebilt or a Penman (the two absolute best.. not an opinion but a fact !!) or an Optimo, Northwest, .. etc. ( I mention these companys or individuals as they offer custom made hats, please understand this does not pertain to factory made hats or firms claiming they make " Fedoras ") they are not finished products they ( John, Steve, Mark, etc.) did everything to the best of their ablility to give you a quality product but it is on you to finish the hat !! It is then that you will truly appreciate what you have purchased !! Salut !!

[WConly]

Solid advise here. If you don't make the hat -- yours, then the 'hat-will-wear-you' and not the other way around, as it should be. And, remember, as well -- that each hat will be different in how it responds to you and your head. No two are going to be or do exactly the same thing. It's actually kind of cool when you think about it in broader terms. A good hat, is and should be just as 'individual' as the 'individual' who owns it ! W>

[Hollowpond]

Preaching to the choir! I don't have an Indy lid anymore but my "go to" Fedora is an Art Fawcett creation based on a hat my granddad used to wear.

I added the brim roll in the front and it has been rained on, snowed on and I roll it up and stow it in my suitcase when I travel. It looked great when I got it, but now it's truly MINE!

[Tennessee Smith]

Great looking hat there T

[Ridgerunner58]

Exactly. The AB and Penman slogans aren't just words.

Just as a leather jacket, or a pair of shoes benefit from use, a good hat gets better and better over time from being worn, tossed in the back seat of your car, bent, straightened and tweaked to adapt to its owner's particularities. And being constructed so they can be rebuilt, they can be cleaned and reblocked and be the better for it.