Be, warned, my post is a little bit long. Australian Indy fans ought to be familiar with my references to Melbourne, but for those who don't live here Down Under, please bear with me.
I was in Melbourne yesterday for university. I arrived at Flinders Street station by train an hour early, as I had promised myself the opportunity of visiting City Hatters, conveniently located next to the historic station, to see if I could pick up a good hat brush. And what not a better way to visit a historic Melbourne hat shop than with an Akubra Federation on your head?
I got the hat as a 16th birthday present, but I've only worn it sporatically until about 2 months ago, when I finally plucked up the courage to wear it to campus, and the #### thing practically hasn't left my head since. (From what I gather on this board, though, that isn't nessecarily such a bad thing. )
I went into the shop (pretty small, let me tell you) and marveled at all the hats they had on their shelves. I even spotted a Akubra (didn't catch the model name) that at first glance would make for a "close-enough" Indy lid. Bit pricey, though.
One of the staff came over to me and I asked him if they had any hat brushes available. He said that they did not, and that the company that supplied them had "dissapeared" (wonder what he meant by that, eh? ), but that they were looking for a new supplier. He noted my hat, which by now I had taken off and was cradling in my hands, and said that any soft bristle brush can act as a good substitue for brushing a hat.
Then came something unexpected. He offered to dust me hat down in the shop, there and then. Surprised, but not taken aback, I said thank you and gave him the hat, which he then proceeded to give a good dusting. I was a little worried for a few fleeting moments, as he was gripping the thing by the brim a little bit harder that I would think is wise.
After about a minute, he was finished, and he marvelled at my Federation. He said that he hadn't seen many of them around, and asked me where I got it. I told him I bought it from HatsDirect in 2004 (I left out the part about it being an Indy fedora, after reading about someone's "experience" with the staff at Herbert Johnson's). He seemed fascinated by it and asked if he could measure the brim, which I said he could and he did.
Both the attendent and his collegue told me that Akubra had stopped making the Federation recently (SAY IT ISN'T SO, GUYS!!!). Given that my hat was bought in 2004, it could simply have been a reference to that particular model of Federation.
Anyway, they (and another older gentleman, who was a customer) said it was a beautiful hat and that if I take care of it, the thing would last me a lifetime, and that it was a rarer make of hat. I asked him how much I owed him for the brush-up, but he said not to worry, no charge. I smiled, said thank you, and doffed my hat to him in goodbye and left.
The hat looks a bit more richer in colour now, and doesn't seem to have any noticable damage to it, despite the somewhat hard grip he had on it while brushing. The staff seemed friendly enough, an while I didn't get to buy a hat brush, I got it done for me for free, right in front of my eyes!
Any Australian gearheads here ever deal with City Hatters? Established in 1910, I believe.
(And no, I don't have any pics of my lid, as I neglected to take a 'before' picture. Rest assured, I'll put some up, so as to avoid being hit by any "colourful" smilies... )
City Hatters, Melbourne?
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- Texan Scott
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I've not been to this hat shop, but I've been to Melbourne, and in search of some Snowy River opals in the area, Sale, Orbost, etc. They don't make the original Federation model, but have continued to produce the Federation series, as we are now on the Federation IV. There are now basically two models:
Federation IV
The Federation is based on pre WW2 looks, and features a straight sided crown as common from the era. It is supplied Open Crown for you to shape as you desire. Felt quality is Akubra Imperial Quality. It is the closest hat we have to the Indiana Jones 4 movie.
Federation IV Deluxe, also known as the Heritage
Made from the finest quality felt Akubra offers, this hat is further finished to provide a smoother finish than the standard hat. It also features a select quality sweatband. Moonstone 55 - 61 only.
I just received a Fed IV Deluxe/Heritage, three weeks ago, and am extremely pleased with it. At $168.50 Australian, it is hard to beat!
Federation IV
The Federation is based on pre WW2 looks, and features a straight sided crown as common from the era. It is supplied Open Crown for you to shape as you desire. Felt quality is Akubra Imperial Quality. It is the closest hat we have to the Indiana Jones 4 movie.
Federation IV Deluxe, also known as the Heritage
Made from the finest quality felt Akubra offers, this hat is further finished to provide a smoother finish than the standard hat. It also features a select quality sweatband. Moonstone 55 - 61 only.
I just received a Fed IV Deluxe/Heritage, three weeks ago, and am extremely pleased with it. At $168.50 Australian, it is hard to beat!
- binkmeisterRick
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Well, considering the Federation is a Hats Direct exclusive and not available anywhere else, it's not completely a surprise.darthbish wrote:I've spent many an hour drooling through the window of City Hatters.
Great shop.
I'm surprised that they didn't recognise it as a Fed/Indy. They're generally pretty "spot-on"
- Jones Boy
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I spoke to these guys on the phone when searching for a fedora (after nearly buying a CEO in Perth) and they were pretty helpful.darthbish wrote:I've spent many an hour drooling through the window of City Hatters.
Great shop.
I'm surprised that they didn't recognise it as a Fed/Indy. They're generally pretty "spot-on"
It was Strand Hatters in Sydney that were really good value, they put me on to Hats Direct when they couldn't assist. Got me a Fed IV Deluxe and haven't looked back!
Cheers
Jonesy