Club Obi Wan

Getting ready to order two (count 'em) TWO AB fedoras. Wondering what the members here would recommend as the second color to go with a charcoal gray suit (usually worn with black shoes). The brown will go nicely with my light brown colored sport coat, I just want one to go for those nicer occasions.

I don't know if Steve makes em - but a darker grey fedora would look pretty sweet with the suit.

Steve will make just about any color, by request- email him, make the request and he will let you know if he can get the color from his felter. Then hunker down, pour yourself an iced tea, and get ready for the wait.

Cheers,

RC

I'm currently saving up for a gray ab myself. I'm just going to get Fedora to make me the "Raiders Gray" hat.

Um, last I knew, he only offered two colors, brown and "seaplane gray." Besides, given his workload, offering more colors would only make for even more work! The problem with getting other colors is that often the felter will require the hatter to buy a minimum of hat bodies in any given color, so one-offs aren't such an easy thing to request. Still, you can wear his seaplane gray wit a charcoal suit. I've done it numerous times.

That is correct, bink.

I recently had a talk with Steve regarding the possibility of having something made up in a lighter tan color, and he said he just couldn't get it unless he ordered a lot of cones from the felter. Just not a feasible thing to do.

So his main colors are as bink stated above...brown and seaplane gray. Period.

Regards! Michaelson

Hey Bink, would you mind posting a pic or two of your grey/gray AB, or linking to one you've already posted? I don't think I've seen one yet...

And, NO, I am NOT trying to start another "is it really gray or is it brown" debate"!!!!

Regards,
Andy

That's good to know bink and Michaelson. Thanks for the responses. I second the request for pics of the gray fedora bink! Pretty please?! It'll help me make my decision for one or two ABs.

Excelsior!

Riothamus

As per request, here are some pics of my gray Adventurebilt.

Indoor lighting, regular AB (since reblocked), gray AB, vintage mercury felt AB.



In outside lighting with brown jacket.



With gray suit, getting Hemingway's number for "Tammy."

Darn fine looking hat, Bink! Thanks for sending those along the pike. That settles it for me; gotta have one. The wife is NOT gonna be happy! But... she'll get over it! 'Course, I still have to get my brown one first, 7-8 months from now!

You could always get a regular or deluxe federation from Hats Direct. I know they make the regular federation in black (I have a black one). Not sure if they make the deluxe in black thou... but a black fedora would go well with it.

That is very true; I've actually been planning to get one of those for my father-in-law for Xmas. Right now I'm thinking (for me) that the brown and gray ABs, and perhaps an ABD someday, will be all the hats I will ever get.

You'd think I should know better by now, browsing through personal collections ranging from 1-24! Chewy's collection springs to mind...

Just realized that suggestion wasn't directed to me Oh, well, I answered anyway

riothamus wrote:Getting ready to order two (count 'em) TWO AB fedoras. Wondering what the members here would recommend as the second color to go with a charcoal gray suit (usually worn with black shoes). The brown will go nicely with my light brown colored sport coat, I just want one to go for those nicer occasions.

I'd say you have two good choices. The Sea Plane Gray is a bit light, but if you ask for the dark gray ribbon (I think it's called Iron), it should go with the Charcoal Gray suit.

Your other option is a non-Indy that's a little more expensive, but a great way to go. Vintage Silhouettes, run by Art Fawcett. He has a really dark gray felt called Steel, which is fabulous, as well as black and 5 other grays. Search for his website to see examples of his work, but he'll make what you want. Art just doesn't do Indy hats or cowboy hats with huge brims. I'm addicted to VS hats!

The ribbon on my gray AB is the "iron" color. It's a nice vintage color which I like a lot. As far as Art's fedoras go, I've seen a number which Chewie owns and they are sweet hats!

Samuel wrote:Dang, Bink that grey AB looks absolutely fantastic! I really like the color- not especially dark like some other grey feds I've seen. I have GOT to get me an AB!

You should see it in person!

I have.

Regard! Michaelson

I too love my grey AB. Brown and grey can cover a lot of clothing choices.

Chewbacca Jones wrote:

Samuel wrote:Dang, Bink that grey AB looks absolutely fantastic! I really like the color- not especially dark like some other grey feds I've seen. I have GOT to get me an AB!

You should see it in person!

Michaelson said:

I have.

Regard! Michaelson

And we have STILL yet to meet face to face! Thanks for the compliments, guys! I love this hat.

binkmeisterRick wrote: And we have STILL yet to meet face to face! Thanks for the compliments, guys! I love this hat.

I think we've all met Michaelson face to face... we just don't know it! He moves among us. Unseen. Unknown. A shadow... gathering intelligence on us all.... preparing to one day set upon us with his diabolical plan. We'll all be diving under the plymoth, but it will be too late!

(Gee, sinister organ music would be really cool right now).

Sorry. It's late.