Light gray, dark gray, or black for a second fedora?

[kozmoedave]

I recently got a Fed IV Deluxe in dark brown and I love it. I want to order a second hat (then maybe a third or fourth...) in a different color, in part because I don't wear clothes that go with a brown hat every day, but also to wear onstage. I'm a musician and play in everything from hard rock bands to jazz combos. The deluxe, for some reason, isn't offered in the dark gray, but the regular Fed is. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also, apologies if this is in the wrong place.

[Indy Magnoli]

I'd go with a grey, whether light or dark... unless you want that whole blues vibe and you could get a stingy brim black one. Since this is an Indy Gear board... why not the Raider clipper hat? I'm guessing that hat is many members go-to for a second fedora.

[kozmoedave]

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was going to get a black one to begin with, but they were out of the deluxe in that color, which gave me the excuse to get the dark brown first. Now that I'm putting more consideration into it, I think gray would be a more versatile hat in general. I'm not doing the stingy-brim thing; everybody and their brother wearing a "trilby" these days just gets on my nerves, and is actually part of the reason I'm going full-on fedora. I've always loved the look of a fedora, and I want to show these people what a real one looks like. The more I think about it, I think the Akubra moonstone color is the way to go for the next one. Plus, I can get it in the deluxe.

[Glenville86]

I have the Fed in both Carbon and Moonstone. Either one goes with anything. To be honest, I think the Brown color will go with almost everything. I used to be hung up on having my boots, belt, jacket and fedora all match what I thought was proper. Now, I will wear black boots and belt with the Brown fedora. I still wear a Grey fedora when I wear a black jacket......

[Arch Stanton]

I wear my Carbon a lot more than my Moonstone. I feel it goes with slightly "more" of everything.

My Moonstone is amazingly floppy though. I like that. I'm not sure what is different about the process for that particular color that makes it that way. It's just a Standard.

[kozmoedave]

Since the Moonstone is available in a deluxe, I'll probably go that route. The Carbon is only available in a Standard, for some reason. I'm leaning toward one of these two for versatility, but I'm on the fence.

[Indiana Jeff]

Bit late to the conversation, but I concur grey is the way to go. Either grey will pair with anything you would would wear a black hat with plus you can wear grey with navy blue which you can't do with black.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[backstagejack]

Same here.

I alternate between a grey and brown fedora thanks to Indy... They both go with any other color you'll wear....

[Illinois James]

Sounds like you're mainly sticking with the Federation 4, but the most versatile color I own, outside of wearing with a suit, is dark moss with a slightly lighter green ribbon, with very little contrast.

It's perfect for any leather jacket combo, really.

After that, probably a carbon gray rabbit seaplane hat from Steve. He puts a VERY dark brown ribbon on his seaplane hat (unless you specify otherwise), which looks black, really, until you pair it with a brown jacket or shirt.

The Feds are great hats. Ironically, I lost the most crown height on my moonstone, over time, in Heritage felt. My deluxe felt carbon gray has resisted shrinkage very well. Tawny fawn is a nice color, too.

JMO, but a black hat always seemed to be about the least versatile color for me to have, although it is an appealing color, somehow.

For me, I think oxblood is next. Black will be last!

[kozmoedave]

Thanks, guys. I think a carbon gray will be the next one. Since it'll be a Standard, I'll be able to compare it with the deluxe, too.