Gambleandgunn Avis 2

Ordered a new hat which is a collaboration with Claudio Lugli. It is the Monaco Racing cap. It arrived the day after I ordered it. They were excellent when I ordered it on the phone and the item is really exceptional quality. I would definitely buy from this company again. First class 👍

TL; DR: I dipped a toe into the water by buying their Navy Mason Fedora, and it looked so fine and fitted so perfectly, I went straight back and got another in moss green. I expect to be buying more and other types of titfer here in future.

The Long Read: I wear a lot of hats, and spend a lot of time looking for more and better ones. Recently, I stumbled across this under-publicised company that beautifully hits the sweet spot between quality and price, lifting you out of the realm of toy titfers but not into that of beaver bowlers. If you look at G&G's prices and think you're being overcharged, think again.

The Mason fedora is a perfectly splendid hat, with more than a splash of dash, and flair to spare. You may buy this hat with confidence, which it will surely increase mightily once worn out and about.

I bought a 61cm. It arrived with almost unseemly speed. Fitted snugly and comfortably right out of the box, which was cleverly designed to ensure no crushing or battering in transit.

Fabric is sturdy enough to hold its shape well, yet velvety soft to the touch. The blurb on the website does not specify *which* fur or furs make up its “premium fur felt”, but company co-founder Nicola confirmed by email that it's rabbit.

I was particularly drawn to the navy Mason by the depth and richness of its hue. Lighter or royal blues risk seeming too much like fancy dress, or costumes for a Bruno Mars video. But the navy Mason is punctiliously formal enough to dress up, while stylishly colourful enough to dress down.

Other attractive features are the ample 2.5” (6.5cm) brim, the wide tonal headband, and the generously high crown, all sizeable enough to achieve escape velocity from trilby territory, while stopping judiciously short of full-on foppery.

The silk lining is very elegant too, and boasts the New-Yorker-cartoon-style logo of in-house brand The Susquehana Hat Co. Which gave me a chuckle at what I assume is a reference to the legendary Susquehanna (sic) Hat Co sketch by Abbott and Costello. I can only hope my new favourite hat never meets the fate of theirs…

No question but I'll be making further forays into these magnificent milliners.*

* Yes, in more traditional times a term reserved for makers of women's hats. They do those too, and though I can't personally vouch for them, if they're on any kind of par with the men's, I say: Ladies, get ye thither!