Guide

Fur felt, finished Panama, summer cloth and the coppola: a New York hatter sorts the types of Italian hats, explains what makes Italian felt different, and converts Italian sizes to American ones.

A Borsalino is an Italian fur felt hat made in Alessandria since 1857 — usually a fedora. Here is what the name actually stands for, how the hats are built, what they cost, and how to size and care...