The Sotheby's catalog printed for the auction of the late Duke of Windsor's effects years ago had this photo of a batch of his hats, and the model in the lower left has been on my mind. As happened last year, no sooner did the fall clothing go into storage than the temperature dropped and it began raining here, a condition for which I blame Simon Crompton of the blog
Permanent Style who is in town for a conference and brought English weather with him.
The way I dress, light rain calls for a hat, and the straws currently in my closet are hardly the material for those conditions. Lightweight felt would do the trick though, preferably in natural beaver to complement the season, and so off went my inquiry to Stephen Tempkin of
Leon Drexler. Stephen did a wonderful job with the lord's hat he made for me earlier this year and that has me wondering whether he can do it again.
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5 comments:
Though the Duke may well have had the hat that you like made for him, it looks suspiciously like the Stetson Open Road in the traditional silver belly color.
A hat is currently on its way to production which you might like.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?55919-Fedorafest-III-hat-from-Stetson/page11
Also, for the same look as a vintage Open Road in a hat which will stand up to the elements, have a look at the Akubra Campdraft, which a campaign has gotten us a Heritage quality version from Hats Direct.
Finally, if you are still wanting to go for custom, talk to Art Fawcett at http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/
His lightweight hats are fantastic, and he always does beautiful work. His ribbon work is also fantastic.
John,
Thank you for the suggestions. I have three hats from Art already and readers expect me to know about more than one supplier.
Best,
Will
You might like the hat Stephen Temkin calls the Gaffer. You should ask him to send you a photo. The proportions of the sample I tried on suited me perfectly - and,the colours Stephen proposed were perfect for casual wearing: malt for the beaver felt and nutmeg for the ribbon. As soon as Stephen returns from Europe on June 4TH, I will ask him to go ahead. .
I have these auction books - the hat on the lower left is identified as being made by Lock & Co. if I'm reading the notes right. The Duke also had hats from Thomas Begg, Cavanagh, and presumably others.
Another page shows a selection of some of his straw hats.
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