Hey MAMBO!! Mambo Italiano...! (Borsalino & Barbisio)

[PADDY]

The Borsalino came through this morning (timely too, as I've been under the weather, so this ray of Italiano sunshine was just what the doctor ordered!).

This 1940's hat is pristine. If I didn't know, I'd have said it was made yesterday. I was warned by the Borsie Aficianados of the Lounge that I need to prepare myself for the trauma of the felt!! In that it is 'soooooo' soft and buttery, to be frank, I have never, ever come across this before. It is just so soft, 'adente' to the touch, yet with enough of a bite & backbone to the felt to allow shaping and keep it there!! Amazing!! Bellissamo!!!!

Brim is a good 2 1/2" to the side & aft and 2 3/4" to the fore. And 'yes' I was wrong in thinking it was grey. You gents were quite right, it is that traditional, clasic light khaki'ish/lvery light creamy brown colour (can you tell I'm lost for words[huh] you know what I mean, look at the pics!).

Highish crown finishes it off. The ribbon? Is it a girlie ribbon I ask? Does it challenge my masculinity? Let me live with her/it! for a while and I'll get back to you on that!!

Reminds me of the Open Road model by Stetson, so often copied and emulated, which is quite an honour!!:eusa_clap

Am I being sold on the Italian Job with this Borsie? perhaps-perhaps-perhaps!! Ciao Bella!!

 

[Spitfire]

Pretty sharp there, Paddy. Me like!:eusa_clap

 

[BJBAmerica]

Looks GREAT, Paddy.......Congrats on it!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[PADDY]

Barbisio...."that's AMORE!!!" Amore of the Italian lids!

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big-a pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine
Like you've had too much wine
That's amore!!

Barbisio, fuzzie felt in a light battleship grey. Typical 1930's Italian fedora. Well loved, well used, but with plenty of Italian amore and fight left in her like a good Italian girl... if married to the right signore she will shine once again. Well I think she's met her match and I just love this wee Italiano gal to bits!!

Good, strong high 30's crown (hopefully evident in the pics). Brim 2 1/2", but because the crown is higher than the Borsie, it gives it a very different look (check for yourselves with the pics).

I feel like I'm in the Untouchables when I wear this!! VERY 30's Prohibition feel to it. And this "VENETO" model was sold through a shop in Chicago on Roosevelt Road no less (that would be Teddy!!).

Amazingly, YEP still has the wind cord. Sweat band in leather is slightly torn in places, but still very functional.

And yes, she's still purring away here...that 'fuzzie' little gal of mine!! Lucky fella!!!!

When the stars make you drool just like pasta fazool
That's amore (that's amore)
When you dance down the street
With a cloud at your feet, you're in love

 

[imoldfashioned]

That Borsalino is a beauty! It looks like it was made just for you, you must have been thrilled when you opened the box. Fingers crossed that your new suit is as happy an experience.

That first picture is so tactile--like I can reach out and feel the texture of the felt.

I think you could go either way on the ribbon--the one you have is very nice (and certainly leaves your masculinity intact, in my opinion ) -- I'd leave it alone if it were mine. If it has survived in such good condition all these years why tamper with it?

Hope you're feeling better too, it's no fun to be sick.

 

[Razzman]

Quite nice. That Borsalino is definately a keeper. Beautiful color.
Congratulations :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[feltfan]

Two outstanding hats

Congrats.

That Barbisio must have the widest Cavanagh Edge
I've ever seen. It has an usual and unusually sharp
bash to it.

Both are top knotch.

 

[carouselvic]

Great Hats

I love the Borsalino. I own one just like it. If I could only have one hat that would be the one I would keep.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Great looking hats Paddy:eusa_clap :eusa_clap
That Borsalino is a perfect shape!

 

[deanglen]

Primo!

dean

 

[Feraud]

The Borsalino is a beauty but that Barbisio is amazing!
Two lovely hats Paddy. :eusa_clap

 

[Rick Blaine]

Lovely!

You will never regret it! I have 2 of the same borso. One with a 2 3/8" brim & one with a 2 5/8" & they are far & away my favorite hats out of dozens. That is truly something special. Well done! :eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

:eusa_clap Sweet, love that thin ribbon! :eusa_clap
That wide ribbon aint nothing to sneeze at!

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Great hats, Paddy! That Borsalino looks like the one I scored some years ago in a second-hand store in San Diego. It is at least 50 years old, I was told by a hatter. It is soft and pliable.

You look good in both those hats.

Oh please don't mess with that ribbon and trolley strap on the Borsalino, they are perfect and certainly very masculine.

karol

 

[halpap]

great lids

Both hats look terrific

 

[Prairie Dog]

Outstanding hats, Paddy. The Borsalino is mighty slick!

This gives me the incentive to be more agressive on e-bay. I've got to get a 'vintage' Borsalino. Nobody's going to outbid me next time! Except for the gentlemen around here. You've gotta stay away from e-bay for a day or so.

 

[bolthead]

Wow.....

You're right Paddy, when you say it looks like it was made just yesterday....Amazing.

 

[barrowjh]

Two beautiful hats - ya done good.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Paddy, the Borsalino is a knock-out. That crown suits you so well. reminds me of my Campdraft in dimension and colour. Two smart hats there!

 

[Duck]

Very, very nice, Paddy. Those look fantastic!!:eusa_clap