Are Classic Hats Dead? 🎩 Q&A 36 | Kirby Allison

[@kirbyallison]

Thank for watching! What is your favorite hat to wear and why? Let me know. Also, if you enjoyed this video, let us know what questions you have about hats. We are excited to use these questions in future Q&A's.

[@steamgent4592]

If I'm casual I wear a flat cap. If I'm in my suit I sport my derby in winter and boater in summer. Formal wear be it a morning suit or Evening wear I do it in my silk top hat.

[@YakubibnEsau]

I wear a fedora or a broad brimmed hat. All by Akubra!

[@johncas1]

Straw boater in summer with a summer blazer

[@russ9921]

Attending Royal Ascot, wearing my top hat. It’s really the only occasion (except for the occasional very formal British wedding) when you can wear that magnificent item of clothing. It’s comfortable, flattering to ones height and sadly all too uncommon these days.

[@johncas1]

@@russ9921 I go to Victorian events so wear a top hat a lot

[@brianrookard]

i have a collection of Derby, Panama, and Fedoras. There's hardly a time that I don't get compliments. Bring the hat back!

[@alejandromalave6781]

I love to spend my free time watching your content and always learning from you , I'm really glad 😊

[@ValkyrieMagnus]

When I was young I had a full head of hair so I never wore a hat. By my late 30’s my hair left me so I now wear hats for protection from the cold in winter and the sun of summer. I love the look of hats. I have a fedora , trilby, and flat cap. Thanks for the tip on the Homburg which will by next purchase.

[@theurbancamper5410]

My favorite to wear is a Borsalino Alessandria. My father liked mine so much, I gave it to him and I got a new one for myself.

[@msdiva2u147]

Kirby, I really enjoy watching your channel on Men's Fashion. I consider myself as being a Fashionista when it comes to Women's Fashion. Blessings.

[@absolutmauser]

Was linked to this video from a random hobby website. Kirby, you’re the most put together man on KZbin. It makes me want to race to our local fine clothier and up my game!

[@hamishharper3370]

Another great video Mr Allison! I purchased my first piece from Lock and Co a few months ago and I think its safe to say I'll be a customer for life!

[@kirbyallison]

They do good hats! You should check out Optimo Hats, also!

[@Kermeous]

You should do a video series for those of us on a budget where you review department store brand clothes, shoes, etc that the everyday man can and should wear. Those who only really dress nice a few times a year,where it's not worth it to drop a load of money on the occasional item, or may be a young man starting out who can't afford their long term clothing line. Clothes and shoes from JC Penny, Men's Warehouse, Kohl's, etc. If you want to help more people to be well dressed and acquire their wardrobes, I think a budget series would be awesome.

[@azeael8429]

You should consider shopping at thrift store/ vintage store, you pay much less for surperb quality, all you need is to research how to spot a good products and then go hunting, my closet now has 5 suit and a tux, all are good quality and condition,.

[@thebomb363]

Nice video Kirby. I myself have several hats Fedora,Trilby and Panama from companies like Bailey and Christy. I wear my hat with pride and you are correct compliments do come your way, but I wear for myself first not for compliments,which are still appreciated. Also Kirby you carry the hats with style.

[@steamgent4592]

Can't wait for the hat shop tour! Please make that happen!👍

[@v_r_]

Awesome channel, Kirby! I don't wear hats personally but this channel was a big inspiration when I was starting my own Classic Menswear channel. Keep up the good work.

[@kirbyallison]

Thanks, Vladimir!

[@jgood005]

I'd be interested to learn more about winter hats. In extreme cold (ie. below freezing) what's an appropriate hat strategy? I've heard that covering the ears (as with a simple beanie) is very informal. More formal hats like a homburg, fedora, newsboy cap, etc leave the ears exposed. This obviously isn't ideal for winter. So what's the strategy? Ear muffs? A large scarf? Some sort of fold-out flap? Something heavy duty but formal like a ushanka?

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

Large scarfs

[@bossybill7437]

Hats of any kind used to be quite a rarity in Australia, especially amongst city folk, but then caps became more popular, probably driven by the US influence. And more recently, along with the ever practical straw hat, Fedoras and Country styles are making a strong comeback. There is always the fashion factor but with the Australian summer, wearing a hat just makes sense.

[@real_fjcalabrese]

I read that the rates of skin cancer in parts of Australia rivals that of central and southern Arizona. A hat with a non-stingy brim is a good idea.

[@YakubibnEsau]

Geoff Lee, do wear an Akubra? I’m an Akubra junky.

[@bossybill7437]

@@YakubibnEsau My Akubra is a Fedora for around town. Akubra make really nice hats.

[@YakubibnEsau]

Geoff Lee, they are!

[@zoukatron]

Ooh ooh ooh! You have me very excited to see the Optimo tour! To back up what you said about using clothes brushes in hats - proper hat brushes tend to be kind of redundant these days, their curved shape is primarily for dealing with curled brims. So all you fedora/trilby lovers need not get an extra brush! As for my own collection, aside from the many flat caps I've worn over the years, I have several open crown Akubras (if you want a durable, reasonably priced hat, you cannot beat Akubra), but my pride and joy is my custom made Leon Drexler homburg made by Stephen Temkin. It is in navy blue, and can also often be seen strolling down Jermyn Street. I'm currently on the waiting list for a second one that will be in a lighter weight cream coloured felt for the summer. Really looking forward to th next video now. 😁

[@kirbyallison]

I'd love to add a homburg to my collection!

[@zoukatron]

The only shame with homburgs is that, because they are relatively unpopular, they tend not to be available off the shelf with a wide variety of crown shapes. They are almost always open crown, which is great, but they are almost always very straight sides with little taper. I think this is understandable given the formality of the hat, but it does rather limit how well they suit people's faces. Most London hatters (including Christys' and Bates) only do the one crown shape, luckily Lock do two... On the other hand, it is a nice excuse to get a custom hat. ;)

[@timcogswell8920]

The “curved” hat brush does have a purpose to my understanding. It is bent to aid when brushing the hat in a counter-clockwise direction. Counter-clockwise because after ‘sanding’ a formed crown [during the felting process], the wheel spins in a clockwise direction; thus one is brushing in the direction of the nap. However, I have also been told to first brush clockwise against the nap to remove dirt and dust and then follow with counter-clockwise strokes to smooth the felt. A good question for a true ‘milliner’ I guess.

[@54bassball]

Optimo makes great hats and they allow you to customize details. I used to shop when the showroom was at the factory. It has a special charm. Great video

[@ianmedium]

I’m not sure if less hats are worn today but I think the style has changed. Just look at all the baseball style hats worn! But personally I don’t care for that style, you wear a hat well Kirby. Did you get my message a few months ago about the laces you kindly gave me, nothing has arrived yet.

[@robinwainner7087]

I’m looking to purchase a Homburg hat. The color is the challenge for me, hard to determine what will be most versatile for year around wear. Thanks for the content and love the channel!

[@dylantran2319]

Another great video Kirby! I always love when you recommend the best brands for hats, suits, shirts, shoes, etc. One question, how will you send the shoelaces?

[@kirbyallison]

dylan huynh Email Customer Service and we’ll put them in the mail

[@allen31951]

I concur with your assessment of Optimo Hats. I live near Graham’s store and bought two of his hats from his original Chicago Western Avenue shop. Graham has a great story and is a great craftsman.

[@kirbyallison]

Have you seen the firehouse yet?

[@allen31951]

Haven’t seen the firehouse. Last time I talked to Graham, some time ago, it was under construction. He also has a downtown sales store which I haven’t seen but the pictures look amazing. I don’t wear my hats nearly as often as I should. Since they are not very common, it feels a little awkward but I need to get over that. Years ago, a man would not be seen without a fedora.

[@frothybeaver4869]

Graham is having an RSVP blues and hat party at the firehouse next week.

[@timcogswell8920]

As one who has become more of a regular hat wearer, I think I have discovered something interesting. That common “glance” others often give to a hat wearer, may be less of oddity and more of interest as in, ‘what does that guy know that I don’t’... perhaps with an afterthought of, ‘you know, that looks pretty good on that guy’. I have noticed one thing, when attending an event the guys who wear hats always seem to find each other when at the bar. With luck, I hope to have an Optimo some day as they seem to be the current kings of USA hat makers; until then, J.J. Hat Center (NYC) seems to have one of the best selections of quality dress fedoras.

[@zenmasternate]

I received two Panama fedora’s for Christmas 🎁 I live in Arizona. They will get a lot of use.

[@real_fjcalabrese]

I'm in Tucson. The Panama fedora is ideal.

[@Andykev]

Late to the discussion... but you did not mention "vintage" hats. Aside from the 15 felts and 6 Super Fino/Montecristi and braided straw from Optimo... (and other bespoke hatters)... some of my best hats are from the 1930-1950 era. They are increasingly hard to find (Ebay used to have many, that has dried up)... but I have some very nice, some NOS, Stetson, Dobbs, Resistol..etc. My two highest quality are MacLaughlin "Silver Beaver 50". Graham said it was one of the finest felts he had seen, and it was the direction of quality felt he was striving for. Graham is a master at crafting the hats..but he is subject to the availability of the hat bodies available in the world today. The quality he sources is the best, but unfortunately is not at the level of those produced so many years ago. Fortnately Gram travels down south to hand select the finest straw bodies... I've gotten two from him... about 15 years ago. They are works of art.

[@crisyorke1328]

Borsalino is a top quality hat maker from Italy. The most expensive fur felt hat they have is the 160th Anniversary Vicuña fur felt hat with croc band. The price is around 2k€.

[@liamlindy]

Hey is there a follow up to your bespoke cowboy boots? Thanks Kirby

[@PBMS123]

That's his one problem, his video have no proper organisation, they don't seem to be in playlists, videos from the same series or about the same thing, i.e. the different parts to the bespoke shoe making and fitting have completely different titles, with absolutely no semblance of follow on. It's a nightmare, and he needs to fix it. Like putting at the end of the video, "Bespoke Cowboy Boots Part 1" because trying to search for them returns no results either.

[@theregistermee]

Is there a guide to vests? How many and which colors should you have?

[@libertylover8533]

I keep my hair cut short and well groomed, however if I opt to wear a hat inevitably after a hour or so I get "hat hair" leaving me to look poorly put together. Do you have any advice to prevent "hat hair" other than not wearing a hat to begin with? I can carry a comb, however my hair is a little short for it to fix "hat hair." And I'd rather not load on the hair products in execs. So I usually don't wear a hat. Any helpful tips?

[@libertylover8533]

A larger hat might very well fix the problem. But then I would be concerned about the wind taking a expensive hat off to some mud puddle or something. Guess I just find a middle ground. 😎👍

[@angels27ish]

I have a question I am new to acquiring a well dress wardrobe. I have suits and ties and bow ties as well as good she’s and sport coats. But I want to also acquire some quality hats. I love Homburg and Derby’s. As well as a driving hat or Ivy League hat and even a Boater . How do you choose hats like this and colors and how do you match them to your outfits ?

[@artmira1054]

Hello, I have a question. Is it proper etiquette to take my hat off inside a restaurant or indoors in general?

[@JonasG1987]

I really enjoy this channel. I wish it would be in the 1920's so people wouldn't react as If im a clown wearing traditional clothes.

[@lawfulbeneficiary1731]

Depend where you live london you will get compliments

[@JonasHavens]

Kirby, can you give me some advice on how you travel with your hats. Do you use a travel case? If so, can you give me a recommendation for one. Thanks

[@alt5494]

Excellent video being from the south as well. Did you have the sticker shock that I just had at the price range of a straw hat?

[@kirbyallison]

I bought the Monticristi to stare at... the Milan hat to wear. haha.

[@alt5494]

@@kirbyallison Fair point. cheers

[@real_fjcalabrese]

Mr Allison's hats are aspirational. There are actually good quality hats for under $200 USD. Also. vintage and other preowned hats can be a viable option. With preowned hats a trip to the hatter for adjustment and a new band should be in order.

[@alt5494]

@@real_fjcalabrese It's is a bit of a inside joke. In the south a straw hat still makes a excellent work hat. Because in very high humidity it remains dry and cool. Anyone who grew up in the south has been walking past racks of extremely cheap straw hats every spring. Even a $200 dollar hat let alone a $2000 hat. Sounds extreme when $5 straw hat is full retail. My first comment was simply finding humor in difference of one man's straw hat to another's. Cheers

[@crisyorke1328]

Kirby Allison Do you flip the montecristi hat as you store it away or do you lay it down on the table right side up? I just bought a $2k montecristi hat from Brent Black and don’t know if I should flip it or lay it on a round stand right side up?

[@thomaspomeroy5678]

When you snap down the brim of the fedora what determines whether it should be wide going all across the hat or a narrow snap down just on the front of the hat? I noticed in your pictures you did it differently with different hats?

[@angelmolina5489]

Hey Kirby! Thank you so much for doing what you do and making all these incredible videos. Is there anyway you could do a set of videos for various body types/ builds. Or even one for just us short and heavy guys, especially with accessories like hats. I'd love to be built like you but God had different plans! Anyway thank you again your amazing.

[@JoeNemec]

I purchased a Homburg hat for a black tie event for New Years. My tuxedo is a satin faced peak lapel, double breasted six button. The hat came with a small red and black feather. Do I need to remove it for a formal event? I was thinking about wearing the feather and forgoing a boutonnière. Would that be a faux pas?

[@VWbobby94]

I really enjoy Flat cap's. Does it go well with a suit on a formel occasion? Would be awesome to do a video on flat cap's. Thanks Kirby.

[@zoukatron]

Depends how formal. Not appropriate with strollers, black tie, morning dress or white tie, but perfectly suitable with a business suit these days.

[@VWbobby94]

@@zoukatron ok thanks for your answer 👍

[@zoukatron]

All I would add is to make sure the cap goes well with the suit. There are an awful lot of wonderful tweed caps in less formal colours that would go well with tweed jackets but would look too countrified for most formal events.

[@jgood005]

Yes I agree, I think flat caps are cool, especially as a winter option.

[@russ9921]

They are very often worn in Northern England, where it can get pretty cold and the weather changes a lot - easy to tuck into a coat pocket. They do, however, get associated with farmers (many of whom wear them) and manual trades.

[@markalexander774]

Where I live in California, the temperature seldom drops below 50 degrees. While that is really nice, it is somewhat unfortunate as I usually feel too hot when wearing a suit. So I usually end up wearing just one layer or I risk sweating through my clothes. I have never considered wearing felt hats because I fear that I would be sweating too much to keep wearing it. I am part black so my hair is naturally an afro, meaning when my hair is really short, hats can work for me, but when it is longer than about a quarter of an inch, I wouldn't dare wear one as my hair after I took it off would have an imprint of where the hat was pressing it down, which would look stupid, so unless I want to do my hair every single time I take my hat off, I have to avoid wearing them most of the time.

[@jimmyaber5920]

Less crown taper is generally a better look. Im not referring to overblown proportion crowns but everyone of my fuller crown 2 1/2 or a little wider brim hats will get comments. The shorter brim and tapered crown hats are without any mentions. The wool felt hats sold mass market are those dimensions and shapes. My spouse will tell me to wear one of my "good hats" to go out and she means the fuller crown wider brim versions. She doesn't know i paid several hundred $ for each and the ones she likes might even be the lower cost ones.

[@paulcastellano1747]

My father wore a fedora every day. Old movies from the 30's and 40's everyone wore a hat men and women alike. I have a few myself. My favorite is my Borsalino fedora. Living in Florida I get the most use from my Panama Optima. I enjoy your videos and the many interest you have keep up the find work.

[@sonwil4487]

I had 7 Borsalinos and gave them all away in 2001. Here in Manhattan NY, 80% of the folks dress in sweat pants. Even in the high end real estate luxe game which I am in, you rarely see anyone use a hat. Sometimes I feel like I should have been born in the 30's. I am even afraid to wear a suit nowadays because everyone stares at you like you belong on a different planet. Excellent video.

[@real_fjcalabrese]

My good hats tend to be Panama fedoras. I live in Tucson; it get warm early in the year. Would a Panama be acceptable in a warm climate during the late winter?

[@zoukatron]

If the weather calls for it, yes. Hats have a lot of functionality to then, and if the weather calls for the function of a particular hat, it will always look appropriate.

[@Richest_Person_in_the_World]

Not being a dork, is also a good tip to highlight

[@SSS-mp8th]

I rarely see a Fedora anywhere in the DC Metro area I tend to stick with multiple styles of flat caps and have ones for winter and summer.

[@kirbyallison]

You should try a Fedora. They're beautiful hats and look right at home in DC. I received a lot of compliments.

[@Pjohnson338]

Is that beautiful Panama hat from Optimo as well? I have a wonderful one from Brent Black and love it, always looking for more wonderful hats.

[@kirbyallison]

Yes, the Panama hat was from Optimo as well. He has a room dedicated just to them at his flagship in Chicago.

[@crisyorke1328]

Brent black is expensive hat.

[@crisyorke1328]

I just bought a Brent Black montecristi hat!

[@marka.1213]

When is it appropriate to wear a Straw Boater or a Top Hat?

[@derekstalker1567]

I bought a Hand made in Italy a fedora which is waterproof and crushable. So I intend to buy more. No while we are alive they will not die

[@kennethsullivan9217]

I'm a lover of fedoras,,,, hamburg's,,,, and of course for the summer,,,, good Panama's,,,, love your ads will definitely stay in tune,,,, will dress men,,,, dress from head to toe,,,,, and not just from the neck down,,,, Keep those ads coming 👍💯👍

[@LoneSpirit]

Kirby, what is your opinion on a well bespoke lighter?

[@DarthJabba504]

You should do videos on favorite neighborhoods in London or NY with these old school shops you like

[@kirbyallison]

We have some walking tours we're working on publishing.

[@jingzhang1004]

Hi Kirby, what’s an appropriate hat to wear in extremely cold areas such as Moscow? My hometown is in a city that is equally cold if not more as Moscow.

[@KnozLo]

Clearly Ushanka s are the way to go. Or any other type of warm hats that covers your ears.

[@dragonballz20002]

What shirt are you wearing in this video? thanks

[@poozizzle]

I have a Knox fedora, from the 60s supposedly. I love the compliments I gues

[@poozizzle]

Compliments I "get".

[@nilsverbeeck732]

There are even more reasons to wear a had in summer. To protect your eyes and skin. And you really look like a ‘Kirby’

[@Screwtape207]

What kind of over coat are you wearing?

[@ccbphoto]

Hey Kirby - I'm a huge fan of bespoke fedoras. If I lived in the Chicago area or was to travel through it, I'd definitely stop off at Optimo and order a hat. However since I life in So. California, I've found Baron Hats - famous milliner who makes hats for Hollywood movies and stars (ex. Beyonce). And there's a new guy, Corey Wellema of Wellema Hats that is also great.... FYI

[@void21021]

I have a hat by Nick Fouquet. Amazing hat, and less formal, so it allows me to wear it out more often without it looking too stuffy.

[@YakubibnEsau]

Alex Howell, I’ve heard he makes a great hat!

[@void21021]

Guy Lewis it’s incredibly well made and looks fantastic in my opinion.

[@danvanhoose6783]

I sew camo bucket hats and do giveaways to fellow bowhunters.and yes the old borsolina fedoras are still in vogue with the archery crowd.

[@psychmr2365]

Hats are still in vogue. Just drive through the center of any large city.

[@felixdx374]

Great video! I want to get into hats but all I have are baseball caps. What's the proper way to measure my head to know my size?

[@YakubibnEsau]

Dustin Browning, go to David Morgan's website, and they'll have information on how to do that, as well as some great hats. Good luck!

[@zoukatron]

Get a tape measure and measure around your head in cm. European and Australian sellers tend to just give the size in cm. British and American sizes usually correspond to the cm measurement, any seller should have a chart giving the conversion.

[@peterturner5618]

I've been wearing fedoras for years. I always get compliments & have even gotten some of my friends to wear them.

[@KnozLo]

To answer the title of the video: Yes they are.

[@liamblake937]

I've got a vintage light gray fedora with a green/gray hat band

[@kirbyallison]

Light grey is a great color! Very versatile.

[@kennyjohnson1428]

Homberg my fav . But I can’t wear them as I have slim face and stick out ears 👂😁

[@KMaybach1]

Dear Mr. Allison, beautiful Montecristi Panama hat. Could you give me the name of the maker? Many thanks

[@kirbyallison]

This is from Optimo Hats in Chicago.

[@crafael.]

Thanks for sharing Optimo hats with us. The design and shape is really great with any suit, inc DB and separates.. And please all. Stop call it panama hats, instead call it Montecristi hat, because its not made and origin in Panama, but in Ecuador and Montecristi is the hat origin town.

[@zoukatron]

I understand your request, but it's kind of difficult to ask people to stop calling it a Panama hat when that's what people know it as. At least a significant number of people who wear proper Panamas do know that they are made exclusively in Ecuador.

[@kgl0002]

Kirby do you have any recommendations for hatters in the Dallas area

[@kirbyallison]

Kevin lamel The closest hatter in Dallas that I can recommend is Optimo... in Chicago. Haha. There might be some good western ones in Ft Worth.

[@kgl0002]

I am looking for more of a traditional for Fedora but unfortunately can’t make a trip to Chicago yet but Thank you so much for getting back to my question

[@kirbyallison]

Kevin lamel They’re pretty good at fitting over the phone... I’d give them a shot anyway.

[@kgl0002]

Kirby Allison I’ve just might do that thank you so much for getting back to me.

[@kgl0002]

​@@kirbyallisonlol, :) it very clear Optimo is the best in the US, but do you have any opinion on Peters Bros in Ft worth when comes to fedoras?

[@georgeberryman9950]

Can a felt hat be died?

[@rimaarts]

Optimo hats? Couple hundred? Try a grand as a minimum! Id like to try to wear a hat, but im not sure i want to drop 1000 for an experiment... and im really unsure i can do it for less, considering im a 66cm extra long oval. Also thing is, london never gets cold enough to need a hat, but when i need some headgear, its to keep my ears, not head warm, so hat would just remain a style accessory.

[@chefkdowg]

The white shirt looks good, but it's a bit boring most the time. This stripe shirt you're wearing is exquisite. Wear more patterns. Keep it classy.

[@RyanLeeWaldron]

You keep saying "Hatter", but isn't the proper term "Milliner"?

[@kurjan1]

Ryan Lee Waldron Hey there. I think you will find that the term Milliner refers to a maker of women’s hats.

[@PBMS123]

yes it's hatter, like the "Mad Hatter"

[@crisyorke1328]

HAHA, my entire hat collection is only $5k, and your monteristi hat alone cost $5k. LOL. I do have two beaver hats in my collection that cost $1k each.

[@TheBooban]

I don’t understand how you stop the wind blowing off your hat.

[@kirbyallison]

It should be just tight enough that it doesn't blow off too easily. Otherwise, you point your hat into the wind so that the wind does not pick it up.

[@YakubibnEsau]

A wind trolley. This is a string that attached to a button on your hat band to your lapel. First heard about this yesterday! If you have more of a western/Australian type hat you can use a stampede string.

[@zoukatron]

Sadly, not many hats these days have wind trolleys. But as Kirby says, a snug fit is the primary thing that keeps it on your head. I've yet to have a strong wind take a well fitting hat off my head.

[@vedantrao5003]

I really wanna buy a hat in india but cant find a really good brim hat in india

[@johncas1]

I have every hat top hat bowler hat straw boaters flat caps you name it I have it as I do reinactments Victorian to ww2 I wear vintage hats all vintage originals

[@Pkripper-67]

It’s not the 1920’s anymore.

[@ricksongracie618]

I have to wonder what Kirby's day looks like where he can just strut around in a full suit and hat like this. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to wear a full suit and hat all the time, but this isn't a "suit type of office" and I'd get sick of dealing with questions from my coworkers.

[@DT-vc7hd]

Q: Hat on or off when making babies?

[@bossybill7437]

Indoors or out?

[@kirbyallison]

hahaha.

[@moleahy6880]

Are classic hats dead? Yes, and they have been for decades. But that doesn't mean someone shouldn't wear one if he likes it. I'm sure there are men out there that like spats.

[@Muhammad_Sausage]

Milliner, not hatter.

[@m3mario]

A hat made sense when Sean Connery was James Bond. Hats have been out of fashion since the day James Bond, the most well dressed British Spy, stopped wearing hats.

[@USAisAntiWhite]

I cringed when you pinched the Panama hat. Learn to hold and place your hat properly!

[@stricht8]

Unless you’re a hipster, cowboy or a goof ball, then yes, they are dead!

[@kirbyallison]

Hardly!

[@Methodsaimon]

No they are not i'm none of those 3 and i have a nice hat collection alot of people dont wear one because it requires some confidence since its not very common!