# I Just Bought a Hat!: In which I describe the culmination of a childhood dream. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 5, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567 "2005-02-05T20:53:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/1 "2005-02-05T20:53:27Z")
I bought a hat today. No, I take that back. I bought a **Hat**. It’s a dark grey (graphite) Stetson fedora. I got the narrow brim, 'cause the wide brim looked…well, too wide. Dorky. I also took the feather out of the band, 'cause it looked too old-mannish, but I kept it in case I change my mind. Should I put it back in? I’ve always wanted a **Hat** , and since my birthday passed without notice or present (cue violin) I decided it was okay to treat myself. I’ve had caps, of course, and a balaclava, but never a **Hat**. I’m not certain what made me interested in **Hat** s, though I suspect it’s a combination of Casablanca, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Big Sleep. Nonetheless, **Hat** s are cool. I have an overcoat–dark blue–and it just _screams_ for a **Hat**. It goes pretty well with the leather bomber-style jacket I got for Christmas six or seven years ago. I suspect people are going to look at me like I’m some kind of poseur for wearing a **Hat** , or that I’m trying to be some kind of third rate Indiana Jones (when combined with the afformentioned jacket) but I really don’t care. I like it. I’m wearing it now. Can you tell? Stranger who does not usually post pointless, stream-of-consciousness OPs, but hey, it’s a **Hat**. Somebody needs to know that I have a **Hat**. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/2 "2005-02-05T20:57:07Z")
You mean there’s a place where they still make hats? 😃 Kidding, kidding. Actually, I always thought hats were cool, but they didn’t work on everyone. Sinatra in a hat, yes. Dean Martin in a hat? No. And they were really cool and stylish in the thirties and forties. I hope you’ll start a trend. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/3 "2005-02-05T20:58:17Z")
Those _are_ cool hats. Screw everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/4 "2005-02-05T21:24:00Z")
I have a black felt fedora and I wear it with my black trench all the time. Only in the winter, though. I love that damn **Hat**. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/5 "2005-02-05T21:31:47Z")
I think feathers in hatbands are very cool. Even more cool points if you pick up some colorful feathers yourself, but the feathers that come with are okay, too. ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/6 "2005-02-05T21:50:21Z")
This summer past I got a hat I’d been wanting since I was just a wee bairn. It’s not as cool as your fedora **Stranger** , but it’s still danged Jake in the headwear department. It’s a pith helmet. A _really nice_ pith helmet. But, it’s a pith helmet, so I don’t wear it much. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/7 "2005-02-05T23:03:54Z")
Cool **Hat** , **Stranger**. _always been a sucker for a **Stranger** in a Stetson_ ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/8 "2005-02-06T00:38:15Z")
I like the “hat look”, but I have a big monster head and even when I buy the biggest hat in the store, it doesn’t quite fit. I have found an online store that sells larger-sized hats, but I haven’t bought one yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/9 "2005-02-06T00:44:20Z")
I like **hats** , but my head is too small. Whenever I get a **hat** it always falls over my eyes, like I’m some little urchin, and my hair is too short to sweep stylishly from under the **hat**. So no hats for me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sgt.Pepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sgt.Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sgt.Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/10 "2005-02-06T02:36:01Z")
I have an Idiana Jones hat as well. My friend bought it off a fan site, and graciously gave it to me. Luckily it fits. I’m rather proud of that hat. I also buy brown leather shoes that I consider my “Indy” shoes. I feel way more confident in them. If I had the money I think I’d look for the jacket as well. ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/11 "2005-02-06T03:38:59Z")
Oh, I hope the Hat is coming back! I’ve been wanting to sport a nice hat in the style of menswear of the 1940s for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/12 "2005-02-06T03:48:50Z")
I covet a Hat. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/13 "2005-02-06T04:09:37Z")
If I’m ever a filthy-rich billionaire CEO, I’m going to give bonuses to all employees who wear Hats and Coats to work every day. Good job on getting a Hat. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/14 "2005-02-06T04:12:46Z")
Can we see the\*\* Hat\*\*? I want to see the **Hat!** ---
**Author:** ![indecisive1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/41988e/32.png) [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/15 "2005-02-06T12:58:30Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > I bought a hat today. No, I take that back. I bought a **Hat**. > > I’m wearing it now. Can you tell? Are you also wearing sunglasses? Please tell me you are. Dark aviator shaped ones. ymmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/16 "2005-02-06T16:53:21Z")
> [@indecisive1](#): > > Are you also wearing sunglasses? Please tell me you are. Dark aviator shaped ones. ymmmmm. Nope, no sunglasses. I don’t know about the **Hat** +sunglass thing; that seems kind of, um, Eighties-ish; something John Cusack might have worn when he was making “John Cusack” movies. Not that there’s anything wrong with John Cusack or “his” movies[sup]\*[/sup], it’s just that the era has passed. So have the Roaring Thirties and the Noir Fifties, too, but since I wasn’t alive during those I can’t be accused of just trying to relive my adolescence. It’s raining here in SunSoCal today. What a great opportunity to wear the **Hat**. Stranger - “My little brother got his arm stuck in the microwave. So my mom had to take him to the hospital. My grandma dropped acid this morning, and she freaked out. She hijacked a busload of penguins. So it’s sort of a family crisis. Bye!” ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/17 "2005-02-06T17:03:35Z")
I just realized that it’s the **Roaring Twenties** , not Thirties. :o And before someone nitpicks, yeah, a lot of **film noir** was set in the Thirties and Forties, but I always think of The Third Man and The Blue Dahlia (and maybe Double Indemnity) when I think of noir, which are still all set in the post-war Fourties, so…ah, heck, I was just wrong. But the **Hat** is never wrong. We now return you to the saga of The **Hat** Stranger ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/18 "2005-02-06T18:45:21Z")
friend stranger, i also have a black felt fedora i wear in the winter. my wife says it looks like the one luca brasi wears just before he is strangled in the tatalliia family nightclub ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/19 "2005-02-06T19:22:38Z")
> [@longhair75](#): > > i also have a black felt fedora i wear in the winter. my wife says it looks like the one luca brasi wears just before he is strangled in the tatalliia family nightclub “What the hell is this?” “It’s a Sicilian message. It means **longhair75** sleeps with the fishes.” 😃 Stranger ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567/20 "2005-02-07T00:48:57Z")
I, too, have dreams of buying a hat. But it’s not anything like your hat. I found this hat in the Melody’s Choices Fun Store in our mall. (It’s like a toy store, but small.) This hat is… get this… a unicorn. A pink or purple or white (I’ve forgotten) unicorn. And what’s better is that if you take the hat off, it’s also a _puppet_. That’s right – a puppet hat. But for the life of me, I haven’t been able to find another one. I wasn’t able to buy one that day, and I haven’t ever seen one since. _sigh_. I want that hat so badly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-hat-in-which-i-describe-the-culmination-of-a-childhood-dream/288567.md?page=2)