Club Obi Wan

Alright, I have my Henry, which is an amazing hat. I also picked up a Peter Bros. Milan for the summer. Now, is there an Indy hat that falls between the two in terms of weight, and is perfect for spring? Same shape, lighter felt!

Thanks for the assistance.

By the way - I've been wearing fedoras for years and years. I've bought new and vintage. But, after acquiring my Henry, and wearing ONLY it for the past month, well, I'm hooked!

Mr. Lucky wrote:Alright, I have my Henry, which is an amazing hat. I also picked up a Peter Bros. Milan for the summer. Now, is there an Indy hat that falls between the two in terms of weight, and is perfect for spring? Same shape, lighter felt!

Thanks for the assistance.

By the way - I've been wearing fedoras for years and years. I've bought new and vintage. But, after acquiring my Henry, and wearing ONLY it for the past month, well, I'm hooked!

Personally, I'd stick with the Henry during that time. The lighter you go, typically the more expensive, so I don't know that you'll find something under $200 unless you go down to like Christy's quality (which is light weight felt, but not the best hats).... though I could be wrong and there might be a custom maker that can hit that range, but again, I don't know if it would be lighter felt. I'm sure the Henry is even lighter felt than a Fed IV Deluxe, which is about $185-ish, considering the Henry is a beaver blend.

As far as I know, only two hatters have a lightweight felt, and they would be Art Fawcett and Optimo. Art only has a few bodies left as apparently Winchester doesn't want to make them anymore. But even then, he's not under $200, and neither is Optimo. The only other option I can think of would be the 'vintage weight' felt from Parker at Falcon Park Hattery, which is made by Fepsa in Portugal, but that will set you back $295. And of course you can always look for vintage and have it reblocked, but if it were me, I'd rather keep a vintage hat intact than "Indy-fy" it.

Or if you want something that is just a little cooler, take the liner out of your Henry.

Hollowpond wrote:Or if you want something that is just a little cooler, take the liner out of your Henry.

Yup, meant to mention that too.

I actually have "unstuck" the lining in both my Fed IVs so that they can be removed when the weather requires it, but they're glued and I imagine your Henry is stitched in? I won't know till Wednesday, when mine arrives.

jlee562 wrote:As far as I know, only two hatters have a lightweight felt, and they would be Art Fawcett and Optimo. Art only has a few bodies left as apparently Winchester doesn't want to make them anymore. But even then, he's not under $200, and neither is Optimo. The only other option I can think of would be the 'vintage weight' felt from Parker at Falcon Park Hattery, which is made by Fepsa in Portugal, but that will set you back $295. And of course you can always look for vintage and have it reblocked, but if it were me, I'd rather keep a vintage hat intact than "Indy-fy" it.

I wouldn't go by this. this isn't entirely true information.

BendingOak wrote:

jlee562 wrote:As far as I know, only two hatters have a lightweight felt, and they would be Art Fawcett and Optimo. Art only has a few bodies left as apparently Winchester doesn't want to make them anymore. But even then, he's not under $200, and neither is Optimo. The only other option I can think of would be the 'vintage weight' felt from Parker at Falcon Park Hattery, which is made by Fepsa in Portugal, but that will set you back $295. And of course you can always look for vintage and have it reblocked, but if it were me, I'd rather keep a vintage hat intact than "Indy-fy" it.

I wouldn't go by this. this isn't entirely true information.

Whatever the case may be, Art has said he's not getting anymore lightweight bodies. I can only go by what the man himself said on The Fedora Lounge. Whether it be Winchester not making it, or Art not ordering it, he has what he has, and that's it. In my defense, I did write "apparently," so I am not trying to willfully spread false information.

Optimo is the only other hatter I know of that does lightweight felt (hence I stated the disclaimer "as far as I know...")

But by all means good sir, if you have something to share, share it.

Sorry jlee, I didn't mean to say you were saying something wrong, not at all and for that I am sorry. If your willing to lay out the cash anything is possible. That's all I'm going to say at the moment but stay tuned Bat fans.)

No harm, no foul!

BendingOak wrote:....but stay tuned Bat fans.)

Um, Wrong forum

There I go again getting my saying all mixed up.

BendingOak wrote:Sorry jlee, I didn't mean to say you were saying something wrong, not at all and for that I am sorry. If your willing to lay out the cash anything is possible. That's all I'm going to say at the moment but stay tuned Bat fans.)

Sounds like something is in the mix to me! I shall be patient, then. I shall wait.

BendingOak wrote:That's all I'm going to say at the moment but stay tuned Bat fans.)

I hate it when you say things like this! Every time you do my wallet somehow gets lighter...

BendingOak wrote:There I go again getting my saying all mixed up.

No problem

When's that felt cowl coming out anyways?



-TS