Cheapest place to by a top hat?

[alliemare]

Are there any cheap places online that I can buy a black top hat? Im only using it for one...maybe two competitions, so Im having a hard time dropping a couple hundred on a christys hat. It really doesnt have to be suppper nice...just needs to stay on my head and look semi-descent from far away. Any ideas?

[mjhco]

Look for used ones on ebay.

[Equa]

A cheap top hat looks and feels like a cheap top hat!. And you'll need a whacking gob of saddle tight on your forehead, and a big elastic under your bun to keep it on your head....Maybe if you only want to use it a few times, buy a good one and then sell it on eBay after you are finished with it

[ann kitchel]

What size do you need?

[merrygoround]

I realize they are expensive, bur getting one that doesn't fit YOUR head is throwing money down the drain.

There are places like MIddleburg Tack and the Old Habit, that sell used equipment and clothing, but again if it doesn't fit, it won't work.

[ann kitchel]

Alliemare...sent you a PM......

[not again]

(this really works) If your top hat is not steady or is the wrong shape you can pad it out with pantiliners. They also work to absorb sweat so you can see where you are going. Make sure you put the sticky side on the hat, not your head though.....

[canyonoak]

Not that the OP really has to answer this...but why will you only need the top hat for 1 or 2 competitions???

In any case, if that is the case, I'd be looking for a (good) friend whose hat almost fits and then adjust linings as suggested already so it will stay on your head.

Must say I wd NOT use saddle-tite or anything remotely like that on any hat, as that creates more problems than that is worth

[Equa]

Padding out a hat doesn't work. Trust me, I've tried. (I used cut up sponge, cork mat, other helmet foam....certainly NOT pantyliners, - I object to their very existence!)

[jrchloe]

Are Dressage top hats any different from Saddle Seat top hats?

[alliemare]

Obviously I would like the top hat to fit the best it can, but I am on a very limited budget as I am also purchasing a shadbelly sometime soon. Both items are expensive, so I am simply just trying to save some money and buy a cheaper top hat. I am also curious as to the difference between saddleseat and dressage tophats. There are a lot of "saddleseat" hats listed on ebay.

Ann, I PMed you back.

[jrchloe]

There are few SS consignment shops that would have very nice quality used top hats at low quality new prices. They look the same just that SS top hats are shaped and rolled more often so the brims are close to the sides.