Hats

[OC Richard]

...a coachman's may make one think of Sir Basil Rathbone's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes... despite the fact that Conan Doyle never described Holmes as wearing either a coachman's, an Inverness, or, for that matter, a deerstalker...

Yes Doyle just says, what, a 'cloth country hat'?

But Sidney Paget's illustration in the original 1892 edition does show Holmes wearing the deerstalker, so we can't blame Basil Rathbone's costume designer for it.



About hats, I've taken quite a shine to this Stetson Stratoliner over the last couple years. It's super for keeping the Southern California sun off my face and neck. It's a classic Fedora and sort of goes with any sort of outfit (except Highland, I suppose).

[Father Bill]

Yes. Thank you for resurrecting this old thread of mine. I think I've rather settled on a mid-grey Homburg. Now I just have to find one at an affordable rate. 7 3/8 if anyone wants to get rid of one!

[Steve Ashton]

Father Bill,

Please look into the Akubra brand of hats from Australia. This are very high quality hats like men would have worn "back in the day". They will last a lifetime and are a very high quality, hard rabbit fur.

My Fedora's are Akubra brands, and although I do own top of the line beaver fur Stetsons, I will probably never buy anything to go on my head again but Akubra. If it is windy, cold and rainy a leather jacket paired with a Fedora is better than an umbrella.

[



Here is the Akubra Homburg. You just don't get much more classic than this.



And of course Jeremy Brett often portrayed Holmes in a Homburg.



The Fedora and Homburg are basically the same hat. The basic differences between a Fedora and a Homburg is just in how the hat is shaped by the wearer. The Homburg will often have a distinctive curl to the brim with a ribbon trim all the way around the brim, is stiffer and most commonly a center crease while the Fedora is a snap brim without the ribbon edging, with a Teardrop crease with distinct pinches to the sides. So while the brim is about the same width, the Homburg appears narrower and is less commonly shapeable. And to some, the Homburg is a bit more formal thanks to Indiana Jones wearing a Fedora as a more utilitarian headgear.
I prefer the wider brim of the Fedora that is snapped down to provide greater eye shade and rain protection.

[Father Bill]

Absolutely correct on all counts, Steve. I own several fedoras, including a black Akubra, and love it. While I agree on the utility of the fedora, the Homburg being, as you say, a wee bit more formal, will, I think, suit the coachman's coat more appropriately.

I am a great fan of Jeremy Brett's Holmes and have the complete set - a wonderful gift from Liesel.

Bill+

Father Bill,

Please look into the Akubra brand of hats from Australia. This are very high quality hats like men would have worn "back in the day". They will last a lifetime and are a very high quality, hard rabbit fur.

My Fedora's are Akubra brands, and although I do own top of the line beaver fur Stetsons, I will probably never buy anything to go on my head again but Akubra. If it is windy, cold and rainy a leather jacket paired with a Fedora is better than an umbrella.

[



Here is the Akubra Homburg. You just don't get much more classic than this.



And of course Jeremy Brett often portrayed Holmes in a Homburg.



The Fedora and Homburg are basically the same hat. The basic differences between a Fedora and a Homburg is just in how the hat is shaped by the wearer. The Homburg will often have a distinctive curl to the brim with a ribbon trim all the way around the brim, is stiffer and most commonly a center crease while the Fedora is a snap brim without the ribbon edging, with a Teardrop crease with distinct pinches to the sides. So while the brim is about the same width, the Homburg appears narrower and is less commonly shapeable. And to some, the Homburg is a bit more formal thanks to Indiana Jones wearing a Fedora as a more utilitarian headgear.
I prefer the wider brim of the Fedora that is snapped down to provide greater eye shade and rain protection.

[Micrographia]

I am a great fan of Jeremy Brett's Holmes and have the complete set - a wonderful gift from Liesel.

Bill+

Just re-watched the entire run as it was being shown on daytime television over here during lockdown - along with Poirot and Marple. Made the enforced time at home a little more bearable

Regards, EEM.

[Jock Scot]

Just re-watched the entire run as it was being shown on daytime television over here during lockdown - along with Poirot and Marple. Made the enforced time at home a little more bearable

Regards, EEM.

Yes indeed! I would also add to your list of boredom lifting TV programs, "Foyle's War", "Inspector Morse", "Lewis", "Endeavour" and "NCIS". Plus the Tom Selleck series where he skilfully plays a small town police Chief Jesse Stone.

[Patty Logan]

I dont know if its just me but seeing that coat makes me think of flat caps. how about you try one of those? plus you can get them in tweed to match

I agree that many might do that; it's not as formal as I might prefer. I confess that I'm not over-fond of flat caps.

[Steve Ashton]

And remember that it is LAW that while watching Jeremy Brett playing Sherlock you MUST wear your coachman's coat and your hat.

You can take them off during commercials when you go for a sandwich but MUST put them back on BEFORE the show resumes.

Failure to comply and Jeremy Brett visits you and sticks knives in your mantle, shoots the walls, and spreads 4,984 type of cigar ash on your rugs.

[Father Bill]

And remember that it is LAW that while watching Jeremy Brett playing Sherlock you MUST wear your coachman's coat and your hat.

You can take them off during commercials when you go for a sandwich but MUST put them back on BEFORE the show resumes.

Failure to comply and Jeremy Brett visits you and sticks knives in your mantle, shoots the walls, and spreads 4,984 type of cigar ash on your rugs.

Love it, Steve. I believe that the combination must also be worn in the streets of Edinburgh during foggy evenings.

Steve, it would appear that Akubra Homburgs may be discontinued according to their website information. I'm finding that in my various searches, many of the suppliers are out of Canada, which often means much higher prices. In your connection with various clothiers, are you aware of any good ones here in Canada?

[Jock Scot]

I dont know if its just me but seeing that coat makes me think of flat caps. how about you try one of those? plus you can get them in tweed to match

I agree that many might do that; it's not as formal as I might prefer. I confess that I'm not over-fond of flat caps.

Oh dear me! No! No!No! Whatever next? Matching the tweed of one’s hat to your coat/rest of your attire, that just won’t do! One does not want to be mistaken for staff!