Fedora Hats

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The Boeing Stratoliner.
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The Stratoliner Fedora hat by Stetson. Note the hat pin.
An icon of the Stetson brand since 1940, the Stratoliner fedora takes its inspiration, and its name, from an aircraft that helped kick-start the golden age of innovation. The same year, Boeing introduced the first ever commercial aircraft with a pressurised cabin.

Do I like it? Of course. Would I pay almost £400? Four hundred pounds? Seriously? I could buy a brand new one from Stetson for a shade over half that price, and without shipping costs, Stetson have a UK base. The reason that price is what it is, and the seller will most likely achieve it, is because that little aircraft hatpin has become a much sought after icon, and dealers have got wind of that.
 
I always loved the look of fedoras. They had so much more class and style than do the ubiquitous silly baseball cap. And they were better protection from the sun and rain because of the rim going all around the hat.

I have a couple, but don't get to wear them much here on the Gulf Coast. I use one with the short brim which has an aerated crown, so as to keep the head cooler in the heat.

It seems like the brims got narrower in the '60s, then they gradually became less popular.

The late golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez always wore a great looking Panama style fedora, which made him look very classy and distinctive, what with his angular features.

Of course I'm a big noir film fan, so everyone wore one then. Not too fond of women in fedoras, although they wear them to look cute...;)
 
This photo of Aaron Staton as police detective Cole Phelps, has both hat and blazer that sums up class, as does the rest of his attire. The pin stripe, the bow tie, the buttonhole, I am inspired. Watch this space, mind you, it will take her about a month.
 
I’m more than ready for a major fedora revival in men’s fashion, although in my area it’s hatless or ball cap country. My father wore a fedora every day as he went to or from work in NYC, and had straw ones for hot weather. One hopes that the age of ball caps worn backwards will soon be over…

Many performers, Michael Jackson among them, knew the style, class, and power of the fedora, and made them an integral part of their stage presence…

 
Yeah, I have a few in my front closet yet.

But I haven't worn them since the 1980s, when they were pretty much a part of a man's "uniform" when working downtown in the Capital Complex.

Once I transitioned to a role located within the Secondary Complex outside of town (downtowners called it "the pig farm") things were so relaxed that hats, suits, and overcoats stuck out like a sore thumb.
 
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The fedora's evocative nature comes from its blend of timeless style, versatility, and rich cultural associations, including its iconic role in film noir, its connection to historical figures, and its symbolism of understated confidence. Its characteristic pinched crown and soft, wide brim also contribute to its sophisticated and adaptable aesthetic, allowing it to project different personalities and blend into various fashion and cultural movements.
 
The fedora hat stands as a paragon of sartorial sophistication, an enduring icon whose very silhouette evokes an era of classic elegance and understated charm. It is more than mere headwear; it is a declaration of style, a final, defining stroke that elevates a mere outfit into a carefully considered ensemble. With its soft brim, often snap-brimmed for adjustable panache, and its distinctive crown, pinched or dented with precision, the fedora masterfully balances rakish flair with refined dignity.

This hat possesses a unique, transformative quality, bestowing an immediate sense of intrigue upon the wearer. From the silver screen legends who defined its golden age to modern arbiters of taste, the fedora has remained a steadfast symbol of suave refinement and quiet confidence. Its versatility, whether crafted from luxurious felt or light straw, allows it to seamlessly transition from formal wear to smart casual, always imbuing the wearer with an aura of deliberate, timeless chic. To don a fedora is to participate in a rich history of impeccable dress, a simple yet powerful gesture that speaks volumes of the wearer's discerning taste.
 
horseless carriage said:
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Trenchcoats and fedora hats do have a gangster reputation, not that I could intimidate anyone.
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Have you ever been in any British movies? You look like the complete Brit. Maybe someone from Scotland Yard. When I was in London, I saw a few men that dressed like you are in these pictures with carrying the umbrella and wearing a hat and raincoat. I really like the shoes.
 
Been There said:
Have you ever been in any British movies? You look like the complete Brit. Maybe someone from Scotland Yard. When I was in London, I saw a few men that dressed like you are in these pictures with carrying the umbrella and wearing a hat and raincoat. I really like the shoes.
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Wow, what a compliment, thank you. The answer is no, but the reason that I appear as I do is because I simply like the clothes and style of the era when even casual dress had an air of elegance.
There are a number of photos of me in one or two adverts and websites, none of which I got paid for. This one was particularly annoying because I gave pemission with one advertiser to use it and then came across it elsewhere. Such is the internet.

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horseless carriage said:
Wow, what a compliment, thank you. The answer is no, but the reason that I appear as I do is because I simply like the clothes and style of the era when even casual dress had an air of elegance.
There are a number of photos of me in one or two adverts and websites, none of which I got paid for. This one was particularly annoying because I gave pemission with one advertiser to use it and then came across it elsewhere. Such is the internet.

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that is a glorious picture, really lovely, best I've seen of all your pictures. You really should send that to a Car magazine.. talk about look cool as ice.... (y)
 
horseless carriage said:
Wow, what a compliment, thank you. The answer is no, but the reason that I appear as I do is because I simply like the clothes and style of the era when even casual dress had an air of elegance.
There are a number of photos of me in one or two adverts and websites, none of which I got paid for. This one was particularly annoying because I gave pemission with one advertiser to use it and then came across it elsewhere. Such is the internet.

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WOW. You even have the car. You definitely identify with the perfect Brit like we see on tv. Do you have any idea what the value of your car is? You should be in advertising. You just need a bottle of Hennessy Cognac and a woman dressed in your era sitting on a blanket under an Elm tree. It would make a great ad for Hennessy.

I really like the fender mounted mirror. What is the make, model and year of the vintage auto, if I may ask?
 
hollydolly said:
that is a glorious picture, really lovely, best I've seen of all your pictures. You really should send that to a Car magazine.. talk about look cool as ice.... (y)
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You old smoothy Holly, what a compliment. Much appreciated.
Been There said:
WOW. You even have the car. You definitely identify with the perfect Brit like we see on tv. Do you have any idea what the value of your car is? You should be in advertising. You just need a bottle of Hennessy Cognac and a woman dressed in your era sitting on a blanket under an Elm tree. It would make a great ad for Hennessy.

I really like the fender mounted mirror. What is the make, model and year of the vintage auto, if I may ask?
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The manufacture of the car has some history. It's called a Y-Type and it was made by MG. The design was 1936/37, but production didn't start until 1946, due to MG, along with every other manufacturer going over to producing for the war effort during WW2. MG learned much during the war years and all that knowledge went into that Y-Type. By 1950 the pre-war shape had given way to more modern looking cars. What I have is the pre-war look of the car with all the improved technology that MG acquired throughout the war. It's a fun car.

You want to see a lady dressed in the era? I can't give you the blanket or the brandy, but the lady is very special indeed.
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horseless carriage said:
You old smoothy Holly, what a compliment. Much appreciated.

The manufacture of the car has some history. It's called a Y-Type and it was made by MG. The design was 1936/37, but production didn't start until 1946, due to MG, along with every other manufacturer going over to producing for the war effort during WW2. MG learned much during the war years and all that knowledge went into that Y-Type. By 1950 the pre-war shape had given way to more modern looking cars. What I have is the pre-war look of the car with all the improved technology that MG acquired throughout the war. It's a fun car.

You want to see a lady dressed in the era? I can't give you the blanket or the brandy, but the lady is very special indeed.
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she's really beautiful.... Mrs HC... first, then the car lol
 
A photographer whom I met at a classic car function on the quay at Poole Dorset, asked me if he could use the car as a backdrop to photograph a couple of models. The product escapes me at present, but that photographer sent me a text some time later. it was a copy of one of his photos that the German MG car club, called MG Kurier, had found and used. This link will reveal all.
There's a number of different photos that pop up now and then, like this one, an artists impression.
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She’s beautiful. You are one very lucky dude. She dresses very stylish or chic as some would say.

I remember older kids during the 70’s were riding around in MG’s and Triumphs in my area. I drove my friend’s Trump (Triumph, but we shortened it to Trump) and it was quick off the line, but his needed the transmission rebuilt. So the mechanic at the Triumph dealership told my friend what to buy and we put it together and back in the car in 2 days. It drove like a champ. They are lots of fun to just drive around in. You don’t have to open the door to get in.

My friend’s Triumph looked like this one.

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Been There said:
She’s beautiful. You are one very lucky dude. She dresses very stylish or chic as some would say.

I remember older kids during the 70’s were riding around in MG’s and Triumphs in my area. I drove my friend’s Trump (Triumph, but we shortened it to Trump) and it was quick off the line, but his needed the transmission rebuilt. So the mechanic at the Triumph dealership told my friend what to buy and we put it together and back in the car in 2 days. It drove like a champ. They are lots of fun to just drive around in. You don’t have to open the door to get in.

My friend’s Triumph looked like this one.

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Have you seen this thread? Lots of photos there of the type of clothes that I like to wear.
 

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