Hat Info?

[MORanger]

If I may, I would like some information on hat styles. I have recently stared Civil War reenacting again and am looking for something other than a kepie or the standered slouch hat. I am putting togeather an inpresion of a South Caralina Infantry. The Porkpie is the one that catches my eye, but know that some style were region in popularity. Any information on this type of hat or others that would be more correct would be apprecated.

 

[johan_steele]

http://www.benderhats.com/products.html

Anything offered there will pass muster.

 

[Craig L Barry]

Look at period images. Chances are good you can find a decent repro of one that you like.
Unlike muskets, there are a broad variety of hats by quality makers. Dirty Billy, Bender, Clearwater
all make dozens of styles. This is a very individual piece of your impression w/ some latitude as
far as style, but a couple caveats still apply:

1. It is okay to be new or returning after a long layoff, you just don't want to look that way.
2. All soldiers were civilians before they joined the army.
3. 19th century men cared a great deal about their headwear.
4. A decent reproduction 19th century hat from a quality maker will cost $100 to $125,
and it is well worth it.

To answer your question, the so-called "pork pie" should be fine a states-rights impression.

 

[Tin cup]

"A decent reproduction 19th century hat from a quality maker will cost $100 to $125,
and it is well worth it."

Do not skimp on a hat! A hat says a lot about your impression, folk notice a good hat.

I bought my Bowler Crown from Tim Bender http://www.benderhats.com/bowlercrown.html
10 years ago...still going strong! Tim was a great guy to deal with, wanted to know about my head shape/size...got me something that has been to quite a few places, and still wears great!

Kevin Dally

 

[MORanger]

This from a E-Mail from Tim Bender "Your eye on the porkie is OK, as that style appeared pretty much north and south and would have been a style most often worn in civy life by a town person. Banker, merchant, clerk, etc etc. If that pre war persona works for you, then the porkie is a go." I will be calling him soon to order one.

Thanks to all for your input

 

[Tin cup]

COOL!

Kevin Dally
(I hope to order a Hardee/1858 Dress Hat from him next year.)

 

[johan_steele]

I love my 1858 Hardee, i had a Dirty Billy Officers model prior that I beat heck out of. The Tim Bender is the better hat from the get go.

MORanger, when you order get the hat stretcher/keeper w/ it. I'm regretting not for mine and will have to come closer to X-Mas I think. FWIW when you're told you'll get your hat in 2 weeks, he isn't guessing you'll get it when he says it will arrive bar the interference of nature and it will fit.

Enjoy your hat.

 

[MORanger]

A hat stretcher is a great thing to have. I have two of them already, that I have used for years. Good to know about delivery time.