Hats

[Father Bill]

Absolutely correct on all counts, Steve. I own several fedoras, including a black Akubra, and love it. While I agree on the utility of the fedora, the Homburg being, as you say, a wee bit more formal, will, I think, suit the coachman's coat more appropriately.

I am a great fan of Jeremy Brett's Holmes and have the complete set - a wonderful gift from Liesel.

Bill+

Father Bill,

Please look into the Akubra brand of hats from Australia. This are very high quality hats like men would have worn "back in the day". They will last a lifetime and are a very high quality, hard rabbit fur.

My Fedora's are Akubra brands, and although I do own top of the line beaver fur Stetsons, I will probably never buy anything to go on my head again but Akubra. If it is windy, cold and rainy a leather jacket paired with a Fedora is better than an umbrella.

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Here is the Akubra Homburg. You just don't get much more classic than this.



And of course Jeremy Brett often portrayed Holmes in a Homburg.



The Fedora and Homburg are basically the same hat. The basic differences between a Fedora and a Homburg is just in how the hat is shaped by the wearer. The Homburg will often have a distinctive curl to the brim with a ribbon trim all the way around the brim, is stiffer and most commonly a center crease while the Fedora is a snap brim without the ribbon edging, with a Teardrop crease with distinct pinches to the sides. So while the brim is about the same width, the Homburg appears narrower and is less commonly shapeable. And to some, the Homburg is a bit more formal thanks to Indiana Jones wearing a Fedora as a more utilitarian headgear.
I prefer the wider brim of the Fedora that is snapped down to provide greater eye shade and rain protection.