Club Obi Wan

Hi All! I hope that everybody had a great new year. I just have a quick question. As you might recall, I have been searching for a good way to store my hats. I ordered some fixtures that you all suggested would be a very BAD way to store them, so I have since returned them. Everybody seems to feel that hat boxes are the way to go, but I don't have any of the original boxes (I know...pretty dumb!). Anyway, does anybody know where to get decent hat boxes that don't cost more than the hats themselves? Or do you all have a better idea for storage. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


.........Bruce

Hi Bruce,

It would help me in giving you some advice to know more about what you are looking for. How many hats do you want to store and is it long term storage or to rotate several hats for daily wear?

For items to purchase for hat storage, I would recomend checking the online western wear and cowboy hat retailers. They have many acceptable options available to meet different needs.

Most of these companies sell a little hat rest that is made from plastic that will hold one hat and keeps it from resting on the brim. These usually run about $4.95.

I have seen a nice hat rack that mounts on the wall and has three sets of metal rods that stick out that holds the hat upside down by the base of the brim. I think this would protect the brim and keep the crown from tapering. This would be convenient for three hats to be rotated for daily wear as it is very easy to grab the hat that you want to wear on your way out the door.

Some people simply store hats on a shelf with the down turned part of the brim allowed to hang over the front of the shelf. I have also heard of folks storing one hat on a variety of round objects such as a world globe.

Most of the western wear companies offer hat boxes that are basicly like a piece of hard luggage to hold a hat. These would be nice for travel to protect the hat. I have even seen one that will hold two hats. These are usually anywhere from $29 to $39 for a single hat box. The price for this option would not be too exorbitant for a small hat collection.

There is also a very nice little wire hat holder that will hold one hat. It can sit on a desktop or dresser and the back of it will also fit in the crack between the seat and the seat back of a car and hold the hat while taveling. I think this usually runs about $15 to $20.

I hope this gives you some help and at least starts you in the right direction. If any of these options interest you, I could find a link to a source so that you can see them.

For hatboxes you could also try eBay and other auction sites. Optimo make lovely hatbozes but I don't know if they sell 'em seperately, they might I suppose - you could call them and ask.

I bought a Locke and Co hatbox when in London for my HJ. It's a well made hatbox, perfect for travelling or storage and it cost me twenty quid. Ebays probably cheaper.

Regards

Al

You can also find vintage hat boxes in antique shops or vintage clothing stores. Some of these boxes are designed to cradle the hat upside down. Prices can run from a couple of bucks to maybe even twenty. The average I've seen around here is 10-15 bucks for a nicer one.

bink

ClintonHammond wrote:I guess I missed the previous threads... but what were the fixtures that were "bad" ways?

Heya Clinton:

I replied to the following post with images of what I ordered. Unfortunately, the racks that I ordered would have the crease of the hat sitting on the rack - not good!

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=



...........Bruce