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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I've been looking for a hat for my stage costume. At first I thought just a fedora would do, but now I'm not so sure. I need a bit more room above the top of my head for some "surprises". And I'd like to get red, yellow, and black.
At a costume store, I saw a top hat - maybe 8 inches above the brim. It looked okay in height, but it was some kind of fuzzy plastic, so I started looking on-line. Now I'm confused about all the different types! So they're made of felt, wool, velvet, and EVA. EVA I know is the hard plastic - I don't think I want that. I saw some Elope hats that were nice, but a bit soft and floppy, and I don't want that either. What should I look for in what goes into a quality hat? Materials? Lining? Construction? What holds up, cleans well, retains shape? Any help at all is greatly appreciated. Ed |
RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
For yourself, first define what it is you want the hat to do, loads, give a certain look to your character etc... Then match what is available to your purposes.
The felt hats are widely available, reasonably cheap and do well at holding their shape as long as they are not crushed. A crushed felt hat will often not go back to its original shape. Felt hats require a fair amount of care to keep clean since they tend to attract dust and lint quite readily. They are available in fedora, bowler and top hat as well as other styles. Felt hats tend not to have a liner. Silk or nylon collapsable top hats are also available. They are relatively easy to keep clean and travel well in their collapsed state, although you would not want to store them collapsed. They tend to be more expensive than felt, but "popping" open a top hat can add a nice little touch to an act. Silk and nylon hats tend to have a liner. For creating a production hat, the felt hat is the easiest to convert. Look in Tarbell for instructions. We created a deceptive felt bowler that we use to produce a dozen real eggs in a children's routine. |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
The hat is definitely just to give me some character, and because after wearing hats for over 30 years I feel almost naked without one! I just need some space between my head and the inside top of the hat. I have a fedora, and was looking at using one for this, but it doesn't seem to have the space I need. Perhaps I just need a different style.
What about coloring a wool or felt hat? Does that work very well? Ed |
dsalley13 Elite user 465 Posts |
Ed_Millis,
This one looks pretty good (see link below). The real thing, usually made in England, are $200.00 and up. For $50.00, this one may work for you. I'd ask if it can be returned if you don't like it. I'm thinking of getting the smaller adult sized one. Abracadabra has been a very good seller as far as I am concerned. They're nice folks. http://www.abra4magic.com/Merchant2/merc......e=40to50 You might ask Neilsen Magic too. Lupe Neilsen may know of a source in Las Vegas that has pre-owned or used costumes and accessories. Lynetta Welch of Fabric Manipulation might be of some help too. You might find a bargain on a real Satin top hat since the ever-tanking economy is devastating Las Vegas. Lots of "Show" props and costumery are bound to be for sale. The general Los Angeles vicinity might be a good source too. There are several shops that sell gently used movie props and costumes. Start a barrage of e-mails. dsalley13 |
Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
A precise head size and a large price tag.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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