Help ... on my first straw...

[Wil Tam]

It hit 74 degrees today but when I went to work this morning at 6 am it was 40 degrees ... so I wore a wool coat with a lined suede shirt and a performance tee shirt [NorthFace sweat-wicker] & I was very comfortable with my light weight felt hat. By noon it started getting warmer, tomorrow forecasts drizzles all day 50 - 55 degrees...

My point is when the weather is going to be hot & humid I'm going to still want to don a hat. This will be my second season wearing hats, last year I wore a cotton duck bill type of thingy on my head most of the summer lol [huh] ... this year I want to start wearing a straw fedora type thingy on my noggin!

But what type? you guys helped me out with my fur felt fedora ... I had spent a few too many bucks on bad choices before you guys came to the rescue, & before I started following advice..[huh] ..

So I want to put this out there beforehand ... what do I need? should it be the same untapered tall crown & wide brim ... or should I go for a medium brim [2 - 2.25" brim][4.5-5.25" crown]?

I don't dig the shiny finish at all ... I looked at a Borso ... I should actually say the sales person made me look at a $125. Borso today....

but I didn't bite ... I wanted some advice from my online advisers before I took the plunge ... and I most likely will shop eBay anyway ... but I need to know what to look for.

Thanks in advance fellas.

I'm signing off for the night since I need to be up & out by 4:30 am tomorrow [I need to be at work to set up a satellite feed for a 6 am interview]

 

[carter]

Wil, Take a look at the straws at Miller Hats. The Panamas and Milan Teardrops may be right down your alley.

http://www.millerhats.com/mcsindex.html

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I prefer my felts to be untapered, higher crowned, with a 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 inch brim.

In my quest for the right straw hats, I discovered that similar stats on a straw looked very big on me. I don't know if it's the light colors or the fact that I wear few (if any) layers of clothing. A jacket, sweater, or coat adds bulk to our bodies that even out larger hats. Summer duds don't do that.

So, I usually aim for a 2 1/2 inch brim, and either a slight taper on a high crown or no taper on a lower crown. I found Dobbs makes some excellent milans that are not very expensive. I found Millers to be nice, but a little too low. The top of my head kept the hat riding high, and even a roomy hat looked like it didn't fit.

 

[bolthead]

 

[jpbales]

I don't know what size you are, but Panama Bob has some amazing deals on panamas for sale on e-bay, with free shipping on most. The sizes are 7 3/8- 7 1/2

Here's the link to his store (i hope that doesn't count as "active auction")
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/panamahatsecuador_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

Anyway, if I needed a summer hat, that's where I would go first.

 

[Dewhurst]

In my quest for the right straw hats, I discovered that similar stats on a straw looked very big on me. I don't know if it's the light colors...

It does seem to be that dark slims and light colors tend to amplify. Then again, some people, even wearing very dark felt hats, sporting a tall crown with no taper, can sometimes look like bubble heads!

 

[ValEag]

Timely thread

I'm glad to see this thread started (thanks Wil). I've been looking through some old threads for this same advice. I can find many that I like, especially the Milans on Miller's web site and I liked the Stetson Retro Panama that Gilgamark posted in the new hats thread. Just not too sure which brim size and crown height would be best.

 

[Al_Ojeda]

my only recomendation if you buy a straw, you must buy a real panama made with paja toquilla, or a real milan straw hats, don't buy cheaper copies of paper straw or plastic they are horribles ( the worst one toyo straw ( paper) :rage:

 

[Wil Tam]

Thanks for the input fellas .. I just pulled the trigger on this one & won on a high bid of $30.00 ... I landed it on it by chance in the last ten minutes with one other offer on the board. Do you think it'll work for me? I also have a few more that I'm looking at with larger brims & different shades of tan [huh]

vintage Dobbs 5th ave fine straw fedora sz 7 1/8


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[Carlisle Blues]

Wil It really depends on what you want the hat for.

I have several different straws. Each with it's own designation for expendability.

My total cheapos are used for gardening through my Montecristis which, depending on function, are used for dress up.

I use a Stetson Center Dent for everyday wear.

 

[Wil Tam]

Wil It really depends on what you want the hat for.

I have several different straws. Each with it's own designation for expendability.

My total cheapos are used for gardening through my Montecristis which, depending on function, are used for dress up.

I use a Stetson Center Dent for everyday wear.

g'morn CB .. I'm just looking for an everyday summer cover .. nothing too fancy but not fugly on my noggin! My one and only criteria is that it doesn't cost much so if I lose it ... I won't lose it! savvy? lol


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[Carlisle Blues]

Will you bought a real nice lid. Verrrrry New York :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Rick Blaine]

I got this straw Indy from PB last year & I love it. The brim looks a little wonky off but when you put it on the tension of your head in the hat perfectly "swoops" the brim. I haven't seen any on eBay recently but if you wrote him he might have others. There is also an eBay seller who had quite a few Christys Straws (made by Scala I think) for not too much. And Falkoffs' has the Stetson Retro fer just 40 bones. Though I must say I found it to be, like so many contemporary Stetsons, too low crowned.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

my only recomendation if you buy a straw, you must buy a real panama made with paja toquilla, or a real milan straw hats, don't buy cheaper copies of paper straw or plastic they are horribles ( the worst one toyo straw ( paper) :rage:

This advice is sound once you know what you like. I say that because I made the mistake of buying good "real" panamas very early on. The actual straw of those hats are my favorite, but the styles are not. So, they get worn rather infrequently.

I say, start cheap and fake to learn. Cheapies only last a season or two anyway - they are disposables. So learn on those first. You'll waste less money in the long run.

As for the first official Wil Tam milan - nice choice.

 

[Wil Tam]

My second straw

A rustic straw hat made of paja toquilla from the country of Panama, Central America.

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