Club Obi Wan

As I mentioned in a previous thread (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55297" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), my dad is still wearing my original late 70s/early 80s Dorfman slouch hat/Indy fedora when he gardens and takes his daily walks, to keep the sun off. I never know what to get him when gift-giving times come around, but it seemed like a no-brainer to buy him a decent fedora.

I was at the house the other day, looking at Hats Direct, and he said, "Are you looking for a hat for me or something?" Busted. He said he wasn't interested in a straw hat, but I don't think he was thinking of the Crease N Corral Indy style like I was. I showed him the Federation IV and he said, "That's way too formal." And I said, "Not after you beat it up."

I measured his head for reference, but I think that before I buy anything, I'll have him try on my Garrison and my Fed, see if he likes them at all. (And while I'm at it, maybe I'll have him put on my Indy gear, just for kicks.) My major concern is that he lives in Bakersfield, where it's dang hot in the summer (it was 108 last weekend), and I think he'll need some cranial ventilation.

There's really no point to this post. Just thought I'd share. But I'm also open to suggestions.

Hey if you dad wears a hat regularly, that's an awesome gift. Too bad he doesn't want a straw if the temps get that high in the summer. I got my PB straw Indy about a month ago and it's been the only hat on my head with the summer heat. Having him try out your Garrison and Fed are good ideas. I think you're right about neither being too formal for him once he puts them through their paces and they get lived in. Show him a SOC Garrison and see if that's not too formal.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

I would have thought a nice panama would be good for the heat.. but try the casual or international in lighter colors ..neither of them look too formal and it'll be his own rather than an Indy hat.

fedoras are NOT formal wear.

Agreed.

Homburgs? Yes. Tophats? yes. Bowler/derbies? Sometimes....but fedoras? Not really.

They're USED as such, but that's not their history in their original creation for use.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Agreed.

Homburgs? Yes. Tophats? yes. Bowler/derbies? Sometimes....but fedoras? Not really.

They're USED as such, but that's not their history in their original creation for use.

Regards! Michaelson

You are correct sir.

Not formal, I agree, because you don't wear it with a tuxedo, though fedoras are considered dress hats. A fedora is worn to complete a suit and tie look, though it looks just fine with a more casual look.

DHW

I believe he said that the last time he wore a fedora-type hat was in the late 50s, in Germany. (Born in Bremen.) Obviously it doesn't have to be an Indy style, but it can't be stingy. I was thinking maybe a drover style, but we'll see how it goes.

I got to examine a Moonstone Fed the other day and I loved it. I showed some pictures to my wife and she thought the fawn was the way to go for Dad. I tend to agree, based on his comments about formality.

Whether or not I get one for him, I'm definitely getting a Moonstone for myself.

The Moonstone is definitely a good choice, and one we, here at COW, helped them come up with to offer too, so it's site AND hobby related!

Regard! Michaelson

I got back to the folks' house this past weekend and had my dad try on my Garrison and my Fed IV. Although they were slightly too big (he's about a 58 vs my 60), I think they looked pretty good. Here he is in my Fed IV.



So that settles it for me: he's getting a fedora for Christmas this year. My wife again stated her preference for the Fawn, and based on Dad's coloring I think Moonstone might be too (light) gray. Opinions?

What really stings is that my younger brother tried on my Garrison and it looked better on him than it does on me.

That particular hat looks really cool on him and very natural.

The fawn is a great color and I think more versitile in terms matching to outfits.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

The Fed IV he's wearing in the photo looks great on him. Can't go wrong with an Akubra.