Club Obi Wan

Hi Everyone. I’m new and I need some help in selecting my first Fedora. I want a quality hat that I can dress up for work or down for causal with khakis or jeans. Price range: $125.00 to $200.00.

I am 35, and about 5’5. Some of the fitting suggestions I have seen suggest a ‘temple cut’ might be better for my height due to the lower, tapered crown. Do you agree?

My biggest concern is size. I typically wear a size (56) 7 Long Oval and I know not many places size for long oval anymore. I have tried the Stetson fedoras and size 7 regular did not fit right. I have narrowed my choices and would like your input. THANKS!!!

1. Peters Brothers Custom Indy (soft rabbit blend)

Pros: Available in Temple cut: Would it fit my height better?

Cons: Not sure they do long oval.
Custom hat; No returns - $50.00 to remake a custom hat


2. Akubra Fed IV (Regular or Deluxe)

Pros: The yardstick for the reasonably priced Indy hat
Dimensional brim to Indy specs

Cons: Don’t think they do long ovals
Return shipping from U.S. if it does not fit right
Crown 5.5 inches Would it look right for my height?


3. David Morgan Adventurer

Pros: Akubra. -longer dimensional brim: 3 1/8 by 2 ¾
Returnable if it does not fit right
$20.00 extra for custom service – long oval

Cons: Crown 5.5 inches; Would it look right for my height?
long-oval custom service makes it non-returnable

I wouldn't worry about getting a specific crown due to your height. I'm not much taller than you and like a 5 1/2-5 3/4" straight sided crown. I get compliments on my Adam fedora all of the time and it's got a very bold tall crown. I can't pull off wide brims due to my slight build and narrow face, but don't let anyone tell you that you need a tapered crown just because you're short. As for the long oval problem, if you don't have a really long oval head you can make a regular oval longer with a simple hat stretcher. It takes a bit of time to train the shape to fit your head, but it can work.

the shape of your face/size of your head generally plays a bigger part in what you look like in a hat. you might have some luck fitting any hat to your face by finding a brim width that suits your face.... though if you are going for SA those proportions are somewhat set, well except for the temple hats which are all over the place in terms of continuity.

If you get a shape retainer/hat stretcher, you can turn a regular oval into a long oval. Also, I'm a 6 7/8 long oval and I got an akubra size 7, and without using my stretcher, but carefully following their resizing instructions and using the foam tape it's conforming and shrinking to my head just fine.

-KB

Thanks for the replies thus far!

Go The FED IV

Fed IV is an excellent hat, but you have to consider the AB Henry also!

How about a custom hand made hat? Jimmy Pierce can make a hat any way you want for under $200. And the hat is built to your specs...

gabrielle wrote:How about a custom hand made hat? Jimmy Pierce can make a hat any way you want for under $200. And the hat is built to your specs...

I heartily agree with gabrielle's JP suggestion . . . you'll get exactly what you want in a nice rabbit felt for $160 + $15 shipping charges.

The replies are great. I would buy the Fed IV in a minute if I was sure of the size issue... I have looked at the Jimmy Pierce website and his work looks stellar. I think I'll give him a call and talk with him this week. It sounds like what I am looking for. Have a great Sunday all.

I won't discourage going to JP, but I would like to mention one thing about the federation. I have read posts in the past claiming that hats direct was willing to place a hat on a long oval block before shipping it out.

Hat's Direct website gave no indication of that they would block a long-oval. The site pretty much stated they did no custom shaping on mail orders... but I can email and make sure. Thanks.

From Hat's Direct

"The Federation is a slightly long oval. We don't re-block hats but the leather headband is designed to shrink about 0.5 cm which allows the hat to mould to any shape head."

I love Hats Direct, but if the Federation is a slight long oval, I must have an incredibly long oval head. By the way, I don't. I find all Akubras, including the Fed, to be rounder than almost any other brand of hat I've ever worn. They are right about the conforming, though.

That's exactly my concern with ordering it right now.... I'm not ready to dismiss it yet, but I need to check other options. I have two fitted hats (both from different manufacturers); both are long ovals and fit well. I'm just uncomfortable ordering a hat that is not blocked L/O. I don't care for the hat stretchers either....Thanks for the input.

Chewbacca Jones wrote:I love Hats Direct, but if the Federation is a slight long oval, I must have an incredibly long oval head. By the way, I don't. I find all Akubras, including the Fed, to be rounder than almost any other brand of hat I've ever worn. They are right about the conforming, though.

Actually, with ruler in hand, it does seem that my size 58 (7 1/4) FedIV is a little narrower across than a standard reg. oval, by about 1/8th of an inch. This might support the Hats Direct claim that the FedIV runs a little little small because proportionally it's between a reg and long oval.

As far as fitting a reg oval hat on a long oval head, that's screen-accurate.

I certainly don't disagree with Hats Direct claims. It's pretty clear the Akubras are just plain good hats. I am not sure, though, the extra 1/8 of an inch is going to do the trick for me.......


"As far as fitting a reg oval hat on a long oval head, that's screen-accurate."

As for screen accurate, maybe that is why Harrison ford had to "staple" the hat to his head during the horse and tank scene in Last Crusade... All of you that have seen that 'behind the scenes' footage know what I am referring too.

I am going to look a bit longer for my grail..... a long oval fedora!

Deputy Jedi wrote:As for screen accurate, maybe that is why Harrison ford had to "staple" the hat to his head during the horse and tank scene in Last Crusade... All of you that have seen that 'behind the scenes' footage know what I am referring too.

I am going to look a bit longer for my grail..... a long oval fedora!

I am a long oval myself and have a couple of regular oval (non Indy) hats. Before I joined COW I didn't even know there were long oval hats. Unless you are buying a stiff hat (like a top-hat or bowlar) fitting a regular oval hat on a long oval head won't be a problem, especialy when it is a fedora: it's crown will follow the shape of your head easily. You will get more swoop to the brim and if you want to put the turn on your hat this will be easier too. I have been practising bashing on one of my old wool fedoras (wich will pop back after a shake, alowing me to restart) and it will give the desired effect by only turning it a fraction.

As for the "stapling", If anything a regular oval hat will fit more secure on a long oval head: wind will have a harder time blowing your hat off. Ofcourse it will still blow off when riding a horse in full galop, but those are extreme conditions.

Oh, and HF was lucky he didn't accidentily pick-up a loaded staple gun

Regards, Geert

I spoke to Jimmy Pierce today and ordered a Last Crusade bash. It will be the winchester rabbit fur with dimensional brim - 2 7/8 x 2 5/8 - , blocked for a long oval. I am going with the brown ribbon, although he said he has seen some interest with black ribbons on the Indy hats. I am excited. If I like this as much as I hope too, I will probably commission a gray hat. Will post pictures when I can. Thanks much to all who replied.