I got the hat in and did not really like the way the Homburgish style looked on me so I took the steam to it and reshaped it.^^^^^ The Stetson "Eddie Bauer" Derringer was for sure around in '73 and '74 (beyond that I don't know). I have the straw version (which I've reshaped a bit).
Optimo also sources their straw braid from China. I came across this webpage a while back. https://optimo.com/newsletter/issue3/index.html
I respect that, I too try my best to support made in USA when posdible. There are times however that the best doesn't necessarily come from USA agriculture or manufacturing. I love Horween leather which is some of the best in class leather that is from here in the US. Or American Giant which makes the best hoodies in the world. But when talking about straw for hats the best is from Ecuador for both Montecristi and Cuenca woven Panama hats. For Milan hats, the best is from China where in one small village their talented artisans who have paid attention to the variety of wheat and how it is harvested produce a very amazing straw braid. For a completely made in the USA hat from straw you might need to visit an Amish community or find if they sell through a website. Aside from that do consider a straw hat finished here in the US by one of the amazing hatters here regardless if all the raw materials are not produced here or not. You won't be sorry.
As far as I am able to discover Milan is now only available from Chinese sources. Italy (Milan) is out of that business.
Subtle difference, but I like it and think it looks good on you. Besides, it's always better to make the hat your own.
If you want it made with USA straw, it can't be a Panama. Panamas are made with toquilla straw, and it grows in Ecuador.
I’ve been running into a lot of these hairy beasts. Does any one have something similar they actually wear who is willing to share photos of it in the wild? I’m having a hard time envisioning it as something other than a costume piece.
Thanks in advance.
No, I do have a few long hairs but nothing that extreme. I would be more inclined to take a hat like for a walk rather than wear it.
Judging from the maple leaf on the liner, it was made in Canada.
No. Stetsonians have come in a few styles. I've seen bowlers with the designation from the '20s. In the 60s, they were little stingy brim trilby types.
I’ve been running into a lot of these hairy beasts. Does any one have something similar they actually wear who is willing to share photos of it in the wild? I’m having a hard time envisioning it as something other than a costume piece.
Thanks in advance.
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I remember your Sisal. It is beautiful. I have been searching for one like that on eBay, without luck.
Yeah, like Huggy Bear, from Starsky and HutchI have a few "fuzzy" hats I wear occasionaly, but their fur is not as long-haired like your hat.
If you wear it with a large-collar shirt and bell-bottom pants, you could go as Pimp from the 70's
Do you think you could post pics of your Sisal again? I want to download them, and I forgot to do it when you posted them originally.
Alden 403 Moc Toe Boot - Brown Chromexcel - $680 The classic "Indy" style Alden Boot in the classic Horween brown Chromexcel. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket.
That is one gorgeous hat