"Formal" Straw Hats

[Some Random Bloke]

I'm looking at getting a straw hat for the summer (I'm in Australia so currently winter here). I'm a civil funeral celebrant and need a hat that's appropriately formal. From late spring to early autumn the day time temperatures rarely drop below 30 degrees and will be up in the low to mid 40's (probably more graveside) and my felt fedora is just too hot. Given the woeful standard of dress here I'm probably overthinking it, but wondering what would be acceptable widish-brim straw hats.

I could just go a panama but I really prefer a leather sweat band and a lot of panamas seem to have cloth. I've seen a couple of straw homburgs around the place but I think the brim might be too narrow for our strong sun, and I'm not sure if it would be considered eccentric and distracting (I've seen one homburg in the wild, ever). Would a gambler hat be considered acceptable? Otherwise I will just go for a safari or fedora style. Given the Australian familiarity with Akubra's, a safari or bush hat shape would probably be safe, but I would like to branch out a bit, as well as expanding my knowledge.

 

[emigran]

Lots of colors to choose from mate, and styles too... you can go, Black or gray or blue or even a darker natural with a nice pug that would be "dressy". Does it need to be a custom, then you're in luck cause a good hatter will make you a fine piece. If not go to pne of the "off the shelf " sites . You'll find some inexpensive straw selections for sure...

 

[tropicalbob]

As Emigram says, you sound like you want something a bit dressy and formal, and I would think a Gambler would be out of the question in your profession. You might want to get in touch with Peters Brothers in Ft. Worth, Texas, where you can get a custom hemp in a variety of colors and styles for $150.00 or less, depending on whether their sale's still on. I have two hemps, one brown and the other black, in the Stratoliner style that are very nice, weigh almost nothing, and consequently see a lot of action. Good luck. Their website's a little tricky in terms of navigation, so if you have any questions give us a shout.

 

[RJR]

As Emigram says, you sound like you want something a bit dressy and formal, and I would think a Gambler would be out of the question in your profession. You might want to get in touch with Peters Brothers in Ft. Worth, Texas, where you can get a custom hemp in a variety of colors and styles for $150.00 or less, depending on whether their sale's still on. I have two hemps, one brown and the other black, in the Stratoliner style that are very nice, weigh almost nothing, and consequently see a lot of action. Good luck. Their website's a little tricky in terms of navigation, so if you have any questions give us a shout.

I second the Peters Brothers suggestion and also recommend Stetson hemp Strats.Pics of a PB natural and a Strat in sage for your info:

 

[Bob Roberts]

I believe the Peters Bros Milan Hemp is still on sale. $100.00

 

[Some Random Bloke]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately exchange rates and shipping to Australia effectively doubles, or more, the cost of the Peters Bros hats. But the information you've given is very helpful. Think I'll be looking at a fedora style. The Stetson Strat looks similar to the Akubra Stylemaster I have.

 

[FedOregon]

If you can find a local hatter that buys the "Panama" straw (paja toquilla) bodies and then blocks, creases and sews in their own sweat bands you'd be set.

Check out Stetsons like mentioned above, too, as they have hemp and Panama straw although I don't know if they use leather or cloth sweat bands.

This one has a cloth sweatband but I know I've seen some more formal styles out there with leather...

 

[GLB Pro]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately exchange rates and shipping to Australia effectively doubles, or more, the cost of the Peters Bros hats. But the information you've given is very helpful. Think I'll be looking at a fedora style. The Stetson Strat looks similar to the Akubra Stylemaster I have.

I suggest checking out the Akubra straw range - the Zephyr, Capricorn and other fedora-styled straws that they have. I recently posted a review of the Zephyr that might interest you.

I think it's interesting that how formal something is considered is very much dependent on local culture and norms - where I'm from almost nobody wears hats so any hat at all (and virtually any cap that isn't a baseball cap) is automatically considered formal. This of course is great news for us hat-people

Bruno

 

[TheManInTheHat]

I love the look of those hemp Strats! Have you considered Dobbs Milan straw? The newer type (wearing one today in HK and it's kinda sticky) are a bit heavy and stiff but vintage are light, soft and they breathe. All seem to have leather sweatbands.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I would look for something with a SPF rating on it. Have a look at Sunbody hats. This is a link to their dress hats
http://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/category/6/fedoras-dress-amp-sporty.cfm
The homburg looks pretty sharp and formal.
Johnny

 

[tropicalbob]

I don't know if a white Panama would be appropriate for someone professionally employed in funeral services. A Panama has a "devil-may-care" feel that I'd probably avoid: always better to err on the side of caution. I can't immediately think of another profession where a Panama might be wrong, but in that one I'd think it might be.

 

[FedOregon]

I wouldn't paint the Panama with such a wide brush. There are some very professional, business appropriate Panamas made. I think it has more to do with the style, and perhaps color, than the straw/palm/hemp/felt that's used in the making of the hat.

 

[Edward]

If you need to go for a darker colour, I'd suggest the grey Akubra Capricorn - that's what I wear in hotter weather when I want a brimmed hat but something as flamboyant as the boater is not an option. Word of warning: The Capricorn has a pleather sweatband, not leather. Doesn't bother me, but just for full disclosure's sake.... I have four and find them excellent for hot weather, and being ploystraw there's no worries if they get caught in the occasional rain shower. I would adore it if the Hats Direct people could get Akubra to make one of these to the size and spec of the Federation IV....

The alternative might be to go with a black felt version of one of the outback style hats Akubra do. Bash it like a fedora. Some of those have vents, some even no lining.

 

[alanfgag]

I plan to wear one of these hats with a black double breasted suit at my daughter's wedding in two weeks. It will be a Saturday evening affair in the country. Probably completely wrong but my family will still talk to me on Sunday morning. I hope.

 

[navarre]

Beautiful Alan. I am very surprised how much I like the tight weave on the right, not usually the way I go on a boater.

Are the ribbons original or have those been replaced? Very sharp either way.

 

[alanfgag]

Thanks Bob... the ribbons are all original to my knowledge. The one in the foreground is very wide... reminds me of a mourning band. I probably won't choose that one. The Knox fine weave is a gorgeous hat inside and out:

 

[navarre]

Man alive, you're not kidding'!

 

[Edward]

I plan to wear one of these hats with a black double breasted suit at my daughter's wedding in two weeks. It will be a Saturday evening affair in the country. Probably completely wrong but my family will still talk to me on Sunday morning. I hope.

View attachment 54652

Vey nice. A boater's not a hat I can imagine wearing to funeral, but I just love one with black tie (and an ivory jacket) in the Summer months. It's got the ideal air of jaunty celebration about it for a wedding, imo.

 

[Frunobulax]

Beautiful boaters, Alan. I'm sure you'll look great and I can't imagine you alienating anybody, much less family! Congrats on your daughter's wedding!

 

[fabiovenhorst]

Thanks Bob... the ribbons are all original to my knowledge. The one in the foreground is very wide... reminds me of a mourning band. I probably won't choose that one. The Knox fine weave is a gorgeous hat inside and out:

Quite similar to my Brunetto: