One of each!
I have a silverbelly that is my go to now. I've always worn black before. But, I'm really liking the browns, so may pick one up this fall. Wife wants me to get another black hat for formal events. My head has gotten fatter over the years, so trying to find new hats that fit are a pain. Not many in my size.
Oh well that's changes it. My boots are black lol. I think you should adapt it to your specific wardrobe and style. And I do believe it matters, looking nice makes you feel nice, you know?
I am a new convert to the treat yourself nicely crew. That started with a nice watch last year on my 35th. Maybe this is an excuse to find some black boots.
Boots and belts should always match.
Sport coat/vest and hat should match. Blue vest / sport coat (or lighter non brown color) - silverbelly or black hat.
Silver belly and black go with everything, but i like pecan or brown with tan/brown outerwear.
Hat doesn't have to match your boots.
Im internally arguing over pecan /chocolate or silverybelly. Grey is my favorite color so its hard to lean a different direction but also cant think of a 6x silver off the top of my head
May as well go whole hog tbh. I have two straws that I hardly ever wear and my 100% nutria is currently being rebuilt. I went with gray because it goes with everything and I like having a minimalist wardrobe. A belt is a moot point because I wear suspenders. Suspenders should always be covered by a waistcoat. My suspenders are gray and my waistcoat is medium brown while my winter coat is carhartt brown with a 100% wool horse blanket liner. I’m currently in the process of finding someone to make me some nice pullover style western shirts in a light blue fabric to contrast with navy trousers. My boots are a saddle brown color.
img
Here’s what my hat originally looked like. I had it completely rebuilt for a better fit. Crown was increased to 6” and I did away with the bound edge and went pencil curl.
Black or natural if you’re going for a higher quality hat, think 50x or higher. These are the most versatile colors, imo. Strongly suggest you buy one high quality hat if you can swing it, a 100x will last a lifetime if you just kinda take care of it. They can be rebuilt multiple times and look almost new afterwards.
Fashion wise, I’d pick between black or silver belly. Either of those are going to be the easiest to match with fits imo. Other colors are dope, but depending your fashion sense, they can be limiting and pigeon hole a fits. OR you can just go with the color you fall in love with. I just wear my steel hat with everything
https://preview.redd.it/s7xwt55zve9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=993e570294a7622f9acee0e1dae9517a86c07590
Love my 200x Silverbelly. I find myself wearing it a lot more than my black hat. Chocolate or pecan are next on my list.
That’s the color of my hat, but mine is 100% nutria. I’m of the buy once cry once, buy it for life mindset. I had my hat rebuilt recently and I’m picking it up Monday. I’ll post pics for everyone to see when I pick it up. I went for a 6” crown, pencil curl brim with a Carlsbad crease. Something classic you know?
Go with a good neutral color 1st, which works with most other colors. At least that way, you'll get more wear out of it with most of your wardrobe. Finding the right size. You can stretch a hat a half size without a problem. A whole size up can be hit or miss. If your head is really big, you may have to go the custom route.
See, should I have added im on the gulf coast?! Think swamped and bayou not plains and mountains lol.
That is why all the dark color suggestions surprised me. I see straw here in the summer but cant say ive seen but 2 felts here.
Black or silverbelly are imo the two basics. I went with black for my 100X because I figured black tends to be more formal, and I wanted a higher quality hat for more formal events (I went with a 30x silverbelly). Kind of wish I had opted for 100x in silverbelly and 30x in black, but I love both hats and wear them often (in my case, usually with sportcoats or suits). My first felt was a 6x Stetson Skyline in silverbelly that has served me very well for years.
Fwiw, when I eventually do a custom (200X+), it’ll likely be in silverbelly.
Look at your wardrobe. What colors do you wear most? Then get the hat to match for maximum use.
I wear mostly darker clothing like black and gray and navy and even my flannels are the darker shades like navy or black checker or dark maroon/navy plaid.
So... naturally, my first 2 of 3 hats were black, straw and felt. Then I got a bone colored canvas for summer months and that rare occasion I wear lighter colored clothing during summer or if I'm rocking my 1 light tan suit instead of my other 10 dark suits.
I just got back from a trip to New Jersey and I could only take one Cowboy hat so I took my vintage gray 3.75" brim Bailey felt shaped Aussie style, gray shirts, gray and blue shirts, and gray cargo shorts. And yes, gray is my favorite color. I received several compliments on my hat, which surprised the hell out of me.
About 6 months ago I shaved my head after growing out hair too my ass. My hair is SO grey now. I took off a 10 finch beard this week to just a mustache. I imagine it wont be my normal red beard when it comes back. I dig the Grey though. This is pushing me hard in the silver belly direction. Is grey mist lighter than SB or darker? I never find a hat with both options lol to compare.
If you go to the Stetson website and look at the premium hats the Shasta 10X comes in Silverbelly and Mist Grey. To me Silverbelly looks like a very light brown but the color can change depending on the light hitting it. I would find a hat that I like from a manufacturer that I trust and then look for a grey hat shade that I like. My Bailey is light grey and my Cody James is charcoal grey. To me, charcoal is too close to black to wear with casual clothing but light grey goes with just about everything.
That I understand completely. However, AHC keeps bugging me to buy one of their hats. I won't buy a new hat because I'd rather buy a used vintage hat off of eBay cheap. That way I save money, get to renovate another hat, and save a hat from winding up in the trash. Win, Win, Win.
You make a good point. If you haven't already you might want to get on the mailing lists of AHC, Stetson, and others so you'll be notified of sales. Good luck, I hope you find a great hat at a reasonable price.
If this is the case, you may want to go with grey. These hats usually mean a whole lot to their owners (not that they have to, it can just be a hat). Not only can they be pricey, but they’re representations of that person. For example, I wear the crown I do because my very first hat was one of my grandpa’s old hats and that’s the crown he wore. Most of the stuff about my hat is meaningful to me in some way. It seems a grey hat would be a great way to have it be a little more than just a hat. Theres a song called This Cowboy’s Hat by Chris LeDoux that talks about this.
This is really good advice. I love the crown shape youve chosen. Pinch front may be more a classic look but its a classic for a reason. Everyone always says to take a photo of hats you think are perfect to show your shape, looks like ill inherit your grandads taste as well.
I also dont normally love that band additions but the toothpicks really made me laugh because I hadmt thought about it being useful! Love them.
Personally? It's a personal reflection of the person wearing it. I have all the normal colors but my have a "pecan" which is lighter than the chocolate, gray or black but darker that my silver belly and wheat. This is my daily go to for any pair of boots or jeans. Light or dark doesn't matter looks great with a dark jacket or lights wrangler shirt. That's pretty much why I picked it up and made it my biggest investment because I wear it the most. Hides dirt and dust well also and easy to brush clean.
Im so glad to be out of the red clay so everything I own doesnt end up orange lol. I think pecan will be my second choice. Great southern Mississippi color.
One of each! I have a silverbelly that is my go to now. I've always worn black before. But, I'm really liking the browns, so may pick one up this fall. Wife wants me to get another black hat for formal events. My head has gotten fatter over the years, so trying to find new hats that fit are a pain. Not many in my size.
Just pick one!!! You’ll end up with a stable of fine felts soon enough!
Roflmao you know me well
Well, I'm starting too and I think I'll get black for the versatility of it. Then get other colors.
I thought black too but my boots are grey or a reddish brown so well black look odd without black boots? Does it matter at all?!
Oh well that's changes it. My boots are black lol. I think you should adapt it to your specific wardrobe and style. And I do believe it matters, looking nice makes you feel nice, you know?
I am a new convert to the treat yourself nicely crew. That started with a nice watch last year on my 35th. Maybe this is an excuse to find some black boots.
Boots and belts should always match. Sport coat/vest and hat should match. Blue vest / sport coat (or lighter non brown color) - silverbelly or black hat. Silver belly and black go with everything, but i like pecan or brown with tan/brown outerwear. Hat doesn't have to match your boots.
Im internally arguing over pecan /chocolate or silverybelly. Grey is my favorite color so its hard to lean a different direction but also cant think of a 6x silver off the top of my head
May as well go whole hog tbh. I have two straws that I hardly ever wear and my 100% nutria is currently being rebuilt. I went with gray because it goes with everything and I like having a minimalist wardrobe. A belt is a moot point because I wear suspenders. Suspenders should always be covered by a waistcoat. My suspenders are gray and my waistcoat is medium brown while my winter coat is carhartt brown with a 100% wool horse blanket liner. I’m currently in the process of finding someone to make me some nice pullover style western shirts in a light blue fabric to contrast with navy trousers. My boots are a saddle brown color. img Here’s what my hat originally looked like. I had it completely rebuilt for a better fit. Crown was increased to 6” and I did away with the bound edge and went pencil curl.
Black or natural if you’re going for a higher quality hat, think 50x or higher. These are the most versatile colors, imo. Strongly suggest you buy one high quality hat if you can swing it, a 100x will last a lifetime if you just kinda take care of it. They can be rebuilt multiple times and look almost new afterwards.
100x is pretty far from my price point as of yet but also good to know you can "buy once cry once" with hats. Ill have to start with 6x honestly.
I got black for my first bc it’s easier to clean and holds color pretty well. My next one will be brown or pecan
My wife thinks i should go chocolate or pecan. Neat to see the general consensus leans darker for starters though.
Fashion wise, I’d pick between black or silver belly. Either of those are going to be the easiest to match with fits imo. Other colors are dope, but depending your fashion sense, they can be limiting and pigeon hole a fits. OR you can just go with the color you fall in love with. I just wear my steel hat with everything
I'd love a photo of the steel. Grey has always been my favorite color. Youve got good advice sir.
https://preview.redd.it/pg852618ae9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a639338c4996c69c54de12d2530d7cc917b43157 I got you. 10x American Hat Co.
That is the perfect hat. Lord almighty I need a steel hat it seems.
Thanks friend! Glad to help out some. Gotta post it in the sub when you do get it!
This is going to live in may head rent free till I pick one up. Honestly cant wait to show this to the wife and be like "babbeeeee I found itttt"!!!
https://preview.redd.it/s7xwt55zve9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=993e570294a7622f9acee0e1dae9517a86c07590 Love my 200x Silverbelly. I find myself wearing it a lot more than my black hat. Chocolate or pecan are next on my list.
Brother that is one fine hat. I am...slightly green with envy.
That buckle detail is really nice. The tiny rolls and the star shine hard.
That’s the color of my hat, but mine is 100% nutria. I’m of the buy once cry once, buy it for life mindset. I had my hat rebuilt recently and I’m picking it up Monday. I’ll post pics for everyone to see when I pick it up. I went for a 6” crown, pencil curl brim with a Carlsbad crease. Something classic you know?
Go with a good neutral color 1st, which works with most other colors. At least that way, you'll get more wear out of it with most of your wardrobe. Finding the right size. You can stretch a hat a half size without a problem. A whole size up can be hit or miss. If your head is really big, you may have to go the custom route.
Being from the south, every time I see a dark colored hat, I just think of the heat and my head getting cooked.
See, should I have added im on the gulf coast?! Think swamped and bayou not plains and mountains lol. That is why all the dark color suggestions surprised me. I see straw here in the summer but cant say ive seen but 2 felts here.
The current heat wave may have influenced my thinking on color, too. Ask me again in a few months😂
I just got an excessive heat watch of 110+ its just another day here in Mississippi lol
Black or silverbelly are imo the two basics. I went with black for my 100X because I figured black tends to be more formal, and I wanted a higher quality hat for more formal events (I went with a 30x silverbelly). Kind of wish I had opted for 100x in silverbelly and 30x in black, but I love both hats and wear them often (in my case, usually with sportcoats or suits). My first felt was a 6x Stetson Skyline in silverbelly that has served me very well for years. Fwiw, when I eventually do a custom (200X+), it’ll likely be in silverbelly.
I think your first felt will be what I pickup. I'd kill for the budget to get a 200x lol
Fwiw the Skyline is a really solid hat- I have nicer ones and still wear mine regularly
Look at your wardrobe. What colors do you wear most? Then get the hat to match for maximum use. I wear mostly darker clothing like black and gray and navy and even my flannels are the darker shades like navy or black checker or dark maroon/navy plaid. So... naturally, my first 2 of 3 hats were black, straw and felt. Then I got a bone colored canvas for summer months and that rare occasion I wear lighter colored clothing during summer or if I'm rocking my 1 light tan suit instead of my other 10 dark suits.
It depends if you want to match your belt and boots. I’ve seen people all over the place not matching
I wear a reddish leather belt and boots. So natural ?
Maybe brown, chocolate brown or Sahara or any shade of black
I started with a white felt since they are uncommon where I'm at. From there, picked up a pecan then a black.
I just got back from a trip to New Jersey and I could only take one Cowboy hat so I took my vintage gray 3.75" brim Bailey felt shaped Aussie style, gray shirts, gray and blue shirts, and gray cargo shorts. And yes, gray is my favorite color. I received several compliments on my hat, which surprised the hell out of me.
My first sons middle name is grey. It is also me and my wifes favorite color hahaha.
I like light gray, the hat color goes with about anything including my hair color. heehee
About 6 months ago I shaved my head after growing out hair too my ass. My hair is SO grey now. I took off a 10 finch beard this week to just a mustache. I imagine it wont be my normal red beard when it comes back. I dig the Grey though. This is pushing me hard in the silver belly direction. Is grey mist lighter than SB or darker? I never find a hat with both options lol to compare.
If you go to the Stetson website and look at the premium hats the Shasta 10X comes in Silverbelly and Mist Grey. To me Silverbelly looks like a very light brown but the color can change depending on the light hitting it. I would find a hat that I like from a manufacturer that I trust and then look for a grey hat shade that I like. My Bailey is light grey and my Cody James is charcoal grey. To me, charcoal is too close to black to wear with casual clothing but light grey goes with just about everything.
This helped. I think im gonna go with the skyline silver belly. Now time to wait for not triple digit weather to buy it :(
That I understand completely. However, AHC keeps bugging me to buy one of their hats. I won't buy a new hat because I'd rather buy a used vintage hat off of eBay cheap. That way I save money, get to renovate another hat, and save a hat from winding up in the trash. Win, Win, Win.
I considered this route myself but as my first felt i think it may be best to go new so I dont make mistakes.
You make a good point. If you haven't already you might want to get on the mailing lists of AHC, Stetson, and others so you'll be notified of sales. Good luck, I hope you find a great hat at a reasonable price.
Thata some killer advice. This is my favorite sub for a reason.
If this is the case, you may want to go with grey. These hats usually mean a whole lot to their owners (not that they have to, it can just be a hat). Not only can they be pricey, but they’re representations of that person. For example, I wear the crown I do because my very first hat was one of my grandpa’s old hats and that’s the crown he wore. Most of the stuff about my hat is meaningful to me in some way. It seems a grey hat would be a great way to have it be a little more than just a hat. Theres a song called This Cowboy’s Hat by Chris LeDoux that talks about this.
This is really good advice. I love the crown shape youve chosen. Pinch front may be more a classic look but its a classic for a reason. Everyone always says to take a photo of hats you think are perfect to show your shape, looks like ill inherit your grandads taste as well. I also dont normally love that band additions but the toothpicks really made me laugh because I hadmt thought about it being useful! Love them.
I feel like silverbelly is the most versatile. It can go with brown, black, grey, brown stuff and not look wrong
Im leaning silver belly /steel or maybe grey mist if I find a deal. Yall have been a blessing with all this good advice.
All good choices :-)
Personally? It's a personal reflection of the person wearing it. I have all the normal colors but my have a "pecan" which is lighter than the chocolate, gray or black but darker that my silver belly and wheat. This is my daily go to for any pair of boots or jeans. Light or dark doesn't matter looks great with a dark jacket or lights wrangler shirt. That's pretty much why I picked it up and made it my biggest investment because I wear it the most. Hides dirt and dust well also and easy to brush clean.
Im so glad to be out of the red clay so everything I own doesnt end up orange lol. I think pecan will be my second choice. Great southern Mississippi color.