Neophyte
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,445
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
Yeah, that's what I wasn't sure about. I've never owned a straw, only felts, so I'm not quite sure how straw responds to shaping. :cry:
This was my first purchase of a Panama hat, so I am not an expert, but this was my experience. I decided to take a chance on the Gatsby fedora from Ultrafino. I am very happy with the hat. Unfortunately, the weather turned to wet before I got a chance to wear it. I'm hoping for sunshine soon.
My hat has a tight weave and nicely uniform natural color. I have tried to count the weave, but it is difficult. The count seems to be about 15 x 15, but I could be way off, as I'm not sure how to follow the pattern. Comparing it to some hats I tried on in Ventura, the material feels more like fabric than like straw. The hat fabric is hand woven in Montecristi, Ecuador, and blocked in the U.S.. The brim edge is backwoven. The inner band is fabric, brown in color, and very soft and comfortable. The ribbon is black, woven, with a bow. The shape is good and the packaging was excellent, with cardboard rings on the inside, outside, a thin foam on the brim, a plastic bag over the entire hat, and placed in a hat box.
As for customer service, prior to purchasing I sent two e-mails with questions, both of which were promptly acknowledged, and responded to the next day. I also received phone calls from Jason. On my first order, UPH shipped the wrong hat. When alerted to the mistake they promptly took care of the matter, at no cost to me.
That was my experience. I hope that this information is helpful to you.