Re: Which Hat...well

Posted by Michaelson from em12-686.utsi.edu on July 23, 1998 at 18:32:29:

In Reply to: Which Hat... posted by IJFan on July 23, 1998 at 13:58:51:

: Yes, yes, yes... A beat to death topic if ever there was one... But I'm about to order one and I'm trying to figure out which, and I thought I'd try to get the current collective opinion on which is best.

: Let's leave the cost of the hat out of the equation for a second and focus on which is likely to be the closest match to the original. Off the top of my head, I'd say it's likely to be the HJ, but somewhere in the archives I saw a post claiming that they've switched felt sources since the films and that they're not quite as nice any more. Which has me a little worried. The real alternative to this seems to be the Custom Hatter version. I haven't heard great things about the guy that runs the place, though and am a little hesitant doing business with him (not to mention that the hat's ungodly expensive - but we're leaving that out of the equation for now).

: There's also the W&W Allegro, but I think that's getting awfully far from the actual look I'm after...

: Anyway, which of these is likely to give me the most accurate reproduction.

:
: Thanks,

: IJFan

Well, using your criteria, I would say, in order of most accurate as of today's date, Gary Whites, Herbert Johnson, then the Alegro a distant 3rd. I personally want a Herbert Johnson, but as you say, reports are pointing further and further away from being the "correct" material, appearance, ribbon, and "attitude" of the original hat maker seems to have changed, and is being reflected in the hat he is currently creating. White is gosh awful to expensive, but in appearance and materials looks to be at least a top notch product, but personally I wouldn't buy one. The Worth and Worth hat is just plain wrong, brim to narrow as is the ribbon. The pinch is correct, though. Their Siena is actually closer to being correct, if it had a dimensional cut for the sides. OK, there you have my spin on your choises, based upon your criteria. You didn't ask for any other suggestions, so I'll keep quiet. Regards. Michaelson

Follow Ups:

Re: Which Hat...well IJFan 09:11:08 7/24/98 (3)
- Re: Which Hat...well Michaelson 09:52:25 7/24/98 (2)
  - Re: Which Hat...well IJFan 13:10:36 7/24/98 (1)
    - Re: Which Hat...well GAry 22:18:01 7/25/98 (0)

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: : Yes, yes, yes...  A beat to death topic if ever there was one...  But I'm about to order one and I'm trying to figure out which, and I thought I'd try to get the current collective opinion on which is best.

: : Let's leave the cost of the hat out of the equation for a second and focus on which is likely to be the closest match to the original.  Off the top of my head, I'd say it's likely to be the HJ, but somewhere in the archives I saw a post claiming that they've switched felt sources since the films and that they're not quite as nice any more.  Which has me a little worried.  The real alternative to this seems to be the Custom Hatter version.  I haven't heard great things about the guy that runs the place, though and am a little hesitant doing business with him (not to mention that the hat's ungodly expensive - but we're leaving that out of the equation for now).

: : There's also the W&W Allegro, but I think that's getting awfully far from the actual look I'm after...

: : Anyway, which of these is likely to give me the most accurate reproduction.

: : 
: : Thanks,

: : IJFan

: Well, using your criteria, I would say, in order of most accurate as of today's date, Gary Whites, Herbert Johnson, then the Alegro a distant 3rd. I personally want a Herbert Johnson, but as you say, reports are pointing further and further away from being the "correct" material, appearance, ribbon, and "attitude" of the original hat maker seems to have changed, and is being reflected in the hat he is currently creating. White is gosh awful to expensive, but in appearance and materials looks to be at least a top notch product, but personally I wouldn't buy one. The Worth and Worth hat is just plain wrong, brim to narrow as is the ribbon. The pinch is correct, though.  Their Siena is actually closer to being correct, if it had a dimensional cut for the sides.  OK, there you have my spin on your choises, based upon your criteria. You didn't ask for any other suggestions, so I'll keep quiet. Regards. Michaelson

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