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[GamaH]

Ok, based on the posts a few pages back, I gathered that most Straw Stetsons are shantung straw, unless explicitly stated otherwise, and that Milan is a braid, so there isn't a "Genuine Milan Straw."

However, I was looking through hats online again, and I came across these two Stetsons: Stetson PORTOFINO and Stetson PALAZZO. Two distinctly different hats, with a similar design, but the Portofino has a brim of 2 1/2, and the Palazzo has a brim of 2 1/4.

Here's is what confused me a fair bit. The description for the Portofino, was "the Portofino of Stetson is made in the USA of shantung straw." That's all well and good, except that the description for the Palazzo was this, "the Palazzo by Stetson is made in the USA of genuine Milan straw." Another website listed the Palazzo as made of "Venetian Milan Straw." I get that everything is mostly marketing and whatnot, and that different websites might use different terms, but the whole "Shantung Straw" and "Genuine Milan Straw" came from the same website.

Based on the fact that they have different brim widths, I would assume that they're NOT the same hat. Could anyone provide me an insight on this?

For pictorial reference, this is the Portofino (Shantung Straw):

and this is the Palazzo ("Genuine Milan Straw"):

 

[danofarlington]

This is not a great picture, but it does show the problem. The view is from the side of the hat. The brim generally slopes down, but there is a bump in it that is unattractive. I would like to get it out. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

I don't know how to do it. But I can tell you that I had that problem on the brim of a vintage Borsalino felt hat I bought. My local hatman flattened it out, but said that flanging the brim was "really hard." So perhaps you need to ship it to someone with some skill and equipment in brims.

 

[Geisthund]

Hello, I am new to these forums and wasn't sure if this was the thread to post this in (if it isn't I apologize); I've been looking for a fedora that I received as a gift in 2005 but have recently lost due to misplacement while I was moving. I only have one picture and it's kinda hard to tell details from it but..here goes. It was a charcoal grey fedora, I believe it was made of felt? maybe wool ( not sure as I am a complete noob when it comes to this stuff), and the brim was bigger than an inch..I know that because I have bought several other fedoras since I lost that one with inch brims and I do NOT like them. If anyone has or knows someplace where I can get one similiar, or better yet, exactly like this one I would be very grateful. Thanks!

 

[jlee562]

Ok, based on the posts a few pages back, I gathered that most Straw Stetsons are shantung straw, unless explicitly stated otherwise, and that Milan is a braid, so there isn't a "Genuine Milan Straw."

However, I was looking through hats online again, and I came across these two Stetsons: Stetson PORTOFINO and Stetson PALAZZO. Two distinctly different hats, with a similar design, but the Portofino has a brim of 2 1/2, and the Palazzo has a brim of 2 1/4.

Here's is what confused me a fair bit. The description for the Portofino, was "the Portofino of Stetson is made in the USA of shantung straw." That's all well and good, except that the description for the Palazzo was this, "the Palazzo by Stetson is made in the USA of genuine Milan straw." Another website listed the Palazzo as made of "Venetian Milan Straw." I get that everything is mostly marketing and whatnot, and that different websites might use different terms, but the whole "Shantung Straw" and "Genuine Milan Straw" came from the same website.

Based on the fact that they have different brim widths, I would assume that they're NOT the same hat. Could anyone provide me an insight on this?

Sounds like the Palazzo is a Milan made out of straw, whereas the other is a Shangtung Milan.

 

[jlee562]

Hello, I am new to these forums and wasn't sure if this was the thread to post this in (if it isn't I apologize); I've been looking for a fedora that I received as a gift in 2005 but have recently lost due to misplacement while I was moving. I only have one picture and it's kinda hard to tell details from it but..here goes. It was a charcoal grey fedora, I believe it was made of felt? maybe wool ( not sure as I am a complete noob when it comes to this stuff), and the brim was bigger than an inch..I know that because I have bought several other fedoras since I lost that one with inch brims and I do NOT like them. If anyone has or knows someplace where I can get one similiar, or better yet, exactly like this one I would be very grateful. Thanks!

Hard to say based on the small picture. But if you paid less than $100 for it new, it's a safe bet that it was a wool felt hat. Dorfman Pacific sells a lot of wool hats under various brands, such as Scala, which may be a good place to start looking.

 

[Lefty]

Sounds like the Palazzo is a Milan made out of straw, whereas the other is a Shangtung Milan.

The Palazzo might also be paper, or plastic coated paper. Shantung is a very particular (trademarked, or was at one time) kind of plastic coated paper.


An additional thought: why would you want to buy any basic item when the material from which it's made is so difficult to define? To me, straw should be straw - not paper, and not plastic - and the word "beaver" should only appear on felt when the felt contains beaver (and the percentages of all furs should be made clear).

 

[GamaH]

An additional thought: why would you want to buy any basic item when the material from which it's made is so difficult to define? To me, straw should be straw - not paper, and not plastic - and the word "beaver" should only appear on felt when the felt contains beaver (and the percentages of all furs should be made clear).

True. To be honest, I don't believe that I'm stage where a 100% Beaver, or a Fur Felt hat makes any difference to me. Maybe in the future, but right now.. not really. Sure, there are certain 'bragging' rights that come with Custom made Beaver hats, or whatnot, and I can afford it but I'm currently mighty pleased with my Panapore Straw hat by Borsalino.

On an unrelated note: If Fedoras are a type of FELT hat, would I be right in saying that there's no such thing as a Straw Fedora? Like, there are Felt cowboy hats and straw cowboy hats, but Fedoras have to be made of felt for it to be classified as such, right? In that case, would it be possible to obtain a panama hat in the shape/design of a typical fedora?

 

[jlee562]

For all intents and purposes, a straw hat shaped like a fedora is a "straw fedora."

 

[GamaH]

For all intents and purposes, a straw hat shaped like a fedora is a "straw fedora."

Gotcha. Would this classify as a "straw fedora" then?

 

[jlee562]

Sure, why not.

 

[GamaH]

Sure, why not.

Well, Borsalino calls that a Cuenca Panama. I'm a little confused. Is a Panama a type of Straw Fedora?

 

[jlee562]

Oy. Panama denotes material, weave, and country of origin. A Panama hat can be blocked into many shapes, some of which are fedora-like. In that case, one might refer to such a hat as simply a Panama hat, but would not be incorrect in calling it a "straw fedora." I would assume the latter would be used by the younger crowd, as "fedora" is basically used for any brimmed hat that's not a cowboy hat in the popular usage.

 

[GamaH]

Oy. Panama denotes material, weave, and country of origin. A Panama hat can be blocked into many shapes, some of which are fedora-like. In that case, one might refer to such a hat as simply a Panama hat, but would not be incorrect in calling it a "straw fedora." I would assume the latter would be used by the younger crowd, as "fedora" is basically used for any brimmed hat that's not a cowboy hat in the popular usage.

Ok cool, thanks.

Also, why are Panamas considered so 'valuable'? Doesn't a tighter weave make it harder for air to pass through, which kinda defeats the purpose of a Summer hat? I thought ventilation would be a good thing in Summer.

 

[alanfgag]

Ok cool, thanks. Also, why are Panamas considered so 'valuable'?

The value is due to the labor, not the ventilation. The bodies are hand woven - the finest take a very long time to make.

 

[danofarlington]

Now I'm going to have to throw out my beaver Panama hat.

 

[T Rick]

Now I'm going to have to throw out my beaver Panama hat.

Nah, send it to me! In fact, I'll buy it. Will you take a faxed check?

 

[sulla]

Did I miss a link/thread somewhere? I could swear I found some info on making your own pleated pug hat bands somewhere but now it is escaping me. I even tried to trudge through the huge PANAMA Canal thread, but must have missed it if it was there. Anyone know where I cna find such info?

 

[Lefty]

this one might help

 

[sulla]

this one might help

That's the one! Thanks!

 

[T Rick]

Okay, Milan straws. How do you pronounce Milan, is it like the city in Italy (sort of Me-lahn), or is it more like My-lan, or something else?