# Pork Pie hat **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 14, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964 "2005-08-14T14:28:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/1 "2005-08-14T14:28:06Z")
I’ve been wanting a pork pie hat for a long time. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any haberdasheries around town. I haven’t been able to find _quite_ what I’m looking for online, probably because I don’t know _quite_ what I’m looking for. What I’m _not_ looking for is a cheaply-made ‘costume’ hat, one-size-fits-all, etc. I’d prefer not to get a black one. I’ve seen pork pies that have a pattern to them. Checked? Houndstooth? I’m not sure. I’d have to see it. But I haven’t found a photo online. Common colours I’ve seen are black or brown. The black ones are a bit too ‘Bluesy’/‘Jazzy’, I think. The brown ones remind me of Buster Keaton or Art Carney. I’m looking for something more ‘Mod’. Something that would be geeky-cool in my '66 MGB. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/2 "2005-08-14T14:38:27Z")
All I can offer is that the thread title made me think of tenor sax legend Lester “Prez” Young, about whom bassist/composer Charles Mingus wrote _Goodbye Porkpie Hat_. Maybe pictures of Prez could help. Other than that, nada. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/3 "2005-08-14T14:41:12Z")
Make sure that you check out that you have a Pork Pie head. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/4 "2005-08-14T17:19:00Z")
No really. I’d like to know where to get a good pork pie hat. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/5 "2005-08-14T17:23:03Z")
I had a hell of a time looking for a good retro-cool hat, since it’s almost impossible to find them anymore. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted either, except I would know it if I saw it. Have you been Googling around? I went through several websites with neat-looking fedoras and pork pie hats, but finally settled on a $13 brown plaid fedora from Target, of all places, to hold me over until I connect with something that is perfect for me. I don’t know where you live, but could there possibly be a nice men’s clothing store that specializes in suits, formalwear, high-end accessories, and so on? They might have hats, or could at least point you in the direction of a place that does. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/6 "2005-08-14T17:33:02Z")
Here ya go: [My Baby Jo](http://www.mybabyjo.com/hats01.htm) has a nice selection of not expensive pork-pies. (they also have fabulous retro dresses like my next [purchase](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/bombshell_lg.jpg).) ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/7 "2005-08-14T17:37:43Z")
[These](http://www.johnhelmer.com/) guys are great. They have a store in Portland that has been there forever. Dan Jr. went through a hat phase and they spent a lot of time talking with him about blocking, care, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/8 "2005-08-14T17:42:44Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Here ya go: [My Baby Jo](http://www.mybabyjo.com/hats01.htm) has a nice selection of not expensive pork-pies. That’s getting close. I kind of like the Coconut Porkpie. The Grey and Brown Porkpies are the right style, but I’m not sure about the colours. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/9 "2005-08-14T17:47:40Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > [These](http://www.johnhelmer.com/) guys are great. They have a store in Portland that has been there forever. Dan Jr. went through a hat phase and they spent a lot of time talking with him about blocking, care, etc. Not much choice in the colour department, but I like the fez! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/10 "2005-08-14T19:04:04Z")
Personally, I don’t care for pork pie hats. However, I got great fast service from [Hats in the Belfry](http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?) when I ordered an outback hat for CubHubby a few weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/11 "2005-08-14T19:22:27Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Here ya go: [My Baby Jo](http://www.mybabyjo.com/hats01.htm) has a nice selection of not expensive pork-pies. (they also have fabulous retro dresses like my next [purchase](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/bombshell_lg.jpg).) I love that site! The detailing on your dress is just gorgeous. I’m having a seriously hard time talking myself out of [this](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/leilani.html) dress. It’s just so very pretty, not that I have any need for it whatsoever. Or the lovely Bermuda Triangle dress, oh my. ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/12 "2005-08-14T19:38:30Z")
There’s a bunch on ebay, though I can’t vouch for the quality. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/13 "2005-08-14T21:48:14Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > I love that site! The detailing on your dress is just gorgeous. I’m having a seriously hard time talking myself out of [this](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/leilani.html) dress. It’s just so very pretty, not that I have any need for it whatsoever. Or the lovely Bermuda Triangle dress, oh my. [Hijack about not-hats] That’s a great dress too. I looooove the Stop Staring dresses and have three. (actually, I have four but I’m not busty enough for one so I keep meaning to sell it) I’m exactly their medium. My other favorite site is [Daddy-O’s](http://www.daddyos.com/retro/retroldy.html), which has an even bigger selection. Hey, what do you think of this [coat](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/longcoat.html)? I’ve been wanting it for a year but have been afraid to take the plunge. I’m afraid it’s so costumey I wouldn’t wear it much. I need someoen to talk me into it…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/14 "2005-08-15T00:24:48Z")
I think pork pie hats are kinda sexy, **Johnny** , so you should continue your quest. [continuing hijack] I dunno T, that’s a very costumey thing indeed. Reminds me of one my mother had in the late 60s early 70s era. I wouldn’t have the huevos to wear it, but if you like it, can afford it, and will wear it at least a coupla times a year, why not? I blew a slightly bigger wad on a black wool trench coat that I only need a few times a year, what’s the difference? I’m really loving Stop Staring’s stuff, thank you so much! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/15 "2005-08-15T01:40:35Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > [These](http://www.johnhelmer.com/) guys are great. They have a store in Portland that has been there forever. Dan Jr. went through a hat phase and they spent a lot of time talking with him about blocking, care, etc. $275 for a collapsable opera hat – that’s the hat I’ve always wanted. (Whaddya mean it’s a men’s hat?) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/16 "2005-08-15T16:17:01Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Here ya go: [My Baby Jo](http://www.mybabyjo.com/hats01.htm) has a nice selection of not expensive pork-pies. (they also have fabulous retro dresses like my next [purchase](http://www.mybabyjo.com/clothes/bombshell_lg.jpg).) Up until clicking this link, I had **no clue** what a pork pie hat was. I still don’t get why they’re called that. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/17 "2005-08-15T16:19:53Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > I still don’t get why they’re called that. Because they’re shaped like a pork pie. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/18 "2005-08-15T16:38:31Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Because they’re shaped like a pork pie. Really? Makes sense, I guess. But I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one of those. Anybody got a link to a picture? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/19 "2005-08-15T16:39:01Z")
…an upside-down pork pie, that is. 🙂 I love mine - I got it from The Village Hat Shop, online - I got the one they make for themselves called the Thelonious. I got it about a year ago and have gotten great compliments from people I would want them from - some folks jut look at me a little funny, but I just consider the source…pork pies aren’t very suburban. Coupled with jeans, a white t-shirt and either a vest or a cool shirt worn untucked like a jacket, I feel like I am in downtown coolsville - okay, well, I am trying anyway! If this is just an experiment, get an in expensive wool one. If you are “committing to the hat” get a true felt one - they age much better and fit your head better over time - wool ones stretch out. I got black because, well, I it was cool. I also like gray - best of luck!! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964/20 "2005-08-15T17:19:14Z")
If you were in the Detroit Area, then the only place to go is **Henry the Hatter** in downtown Detroit. Been there for 110 years. They know hats and it is all excellent quality. I am pretty sure they do not have a website, though I am still looking. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pork-pie-hat/316964.md?page=2)