Let the New Wave Begin...

There's a new wave of vintage items arriving for sale at the Houndstooth Haberdashery.  There'll be some very nice pieces coming up within the next two weeks or so for all sizes, styles, and price ranges.

Beginning this next wave strong are two beautiful hats in size 7 1/2.

First is a 1930s slightly 'fuzzy' "University Club" fedora with some gorgeous proportions: a tall, straight-sided crown with a fairly narrow yet shapely brim.  Just the way I like 'em.  This one has no issues at all.  As near perfect condition as an 80ish year old hat can get.  Feast your eyes upon this hat, which can be found for sale by clicking here.

click images to enlarge

Now that we have you drooling, check out the next contestant.  It's a 1940s Stetson homburg in black, perfect for that dinner suit you've been dying to wear but didn't because you lacked the right hat.  It's in very nice condition (for being 70ish years old) with only a couple very minor issues that won't keep you from wearing it right out of the box.  

Check out this hat!

Don't miss out on these two spectacular hats.  These kind of quality hats in this size are getting harder to find.  Get your dapper on!

The 'Optimo'-l Summer Hat

The Optimo style straw hat (not to be confused with the Optimo hat works in Chicago) is considered to be a somewhat outdated style hat by many in the mainstream.

Thankfully we're not in the mainstream, here.

The unique look of the open crown with a solitary ridge running down the center of the crown is a conservative (read old fashioned) and therefore a somewhat daring (in this day and age) shape to give a hat. So its name 'Optimo' is well deserved, as I consider it the king of summer straws.

click images to enlarge

Finding a vintage Optimo straw is difficult: while popular back in the day, the fedora-style Panama hat still took first place in the hearts and on the heads of hat wearers. Seeing an Optimo straw on the head of a man meant he was a little bit of a dandy and that the rest of his attire would not disappoint.



And so, I'd never seen let alone handled a vintage Optimo. Until a couple weeks ago.

That's when I bought this beauty from the 1930s:




It's a Stetson, as are so many fine quality hats from that era. The very finely and tightly woven straw was in perfect condition and still flexible.



No stains on the thin bi-colored ribbon and bow. The ventilated sweatband in beautiful condition. Size 7 3/8.



Pristine. Rare. Not my size.





So, I sold it the same day I got it. Truthfully, it sold within 5 minutes of being offered.
And don't ask the price. Let's just say it was fair for both the seller and buyer and that both are very happy with the deal.


But one thing's for sure: if you ever see me scouring the thrift shops and antique malls, I'll still be looking for that King, the Optimo.

In my size.

What I Wore Today

Went for a casual late-1940s/early-1950s look.

*green 1940s Stetson Whippet
*late-'40s/early-'50s jacket
*'40s tie
*vintage Swank tie bar
*modernGeorge trousers
*modern AE shoes

click photos to enlarge

This is a great green tie.

I have several new hats to show, including this Whippet but those will have to wait for later. Instead, let's take a look at the jacket.

I picked this up last Monday for a song. Great character with its short length, side knits and bellows on the front.

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Detailed shot of the bellows.

Another neat detail is the original "Campus" zipper pull. Whodda thunk it would still be attached?

What I Wore and Two 'New' Hats

Was up visiting my friends from college yesterday so I had to be extra spiffy.

*Vintage Champ fedora (more below)
*Modern Arrow shirt
*1930s "Sugar and Spice" tie
*Modern 6x3 jacket
*Vintage vest
*Vintage watch chain
*Modern full-cut trousers
*Socks from the Gap
*Modern spectators
*Modern suspenders

Click on the first photo to enlarge.

I must say, I love that 6x3 jacket. It fits me so well and the lazy peaked lapels are so early 20th century in design.

I was also pleased how a sliver of sock showed when I walked, matching with my red pocket square. And while the tie was subtle (allowing the socks and pocket square to steal the show), it added nicely with a touch of color. Yes, this will be a great summer suit.

But what about the hat?

Well, it's a new one to me. It is a 1940s Champ "Diplomat" in "light Ecru". Size 6 7/8", it's a tad small (though it fits me more like a 7") but I was able to stretch it to a more comfortable size. It's in absolutely perfect condition. It's an unusual pinkish-tan/salmon color with a chocolate-brown ribbon and tan edging on the brim. Looks very much like the desirable Stetson Whippet. $4.

If you have ever found something of great value then you know what it was like for me finding this hat.

The second is an Imperial Stetson, size 7 1/8" (just my size). It has about a wide 3" brim and around a 4 1/2" crown. Tan in color, it has decorative stitching along the brim and on the felt ribbon. Dobbs made a hat in a similar style called the "Gay Prince".

*giggle snort*

Of course, it had a different meaning back then, but it's so difficult to remove a connotation from something that's been so ingrained into our society.

It has the softest felt I've ever seen. Even with steam it doesn't want to keep a bash; there's no stiffener at all. Unfortunately it has a couple of stains and moth nips, though they are on the top of the crown so they can't be seen when it is bashed. $10.

Proof that nice hats are still out there.

Billy

The Most Flattering

Today I wore my vintage Stetson 3X Open Road fedora. It was originally sold at J.C. Petersens, my great-great grandpa's haberdashery, back in the 1950s.

I was at Wal-Mart with this hat and an older gentleman approached me.

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Him: Can I ask you a question?

Me: Sure.

Him: Where'd you get that hat?

Me: I bought it at an antique shop.

Him: Really? Well, would you want to sell it?

Me: No, sorry.

Him: Well, I shouldn't wonder why, you look good in it.

Me: Thank you.

Him: They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Me: No, they really don't.

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Some people can still spot quality when they see it.