Myth: Kill it or defend it...

[Dayonfire]

I am a romantic. There, I said it. I like vintage clothing, and purchased the superfino panama from Village Hat Shop a while back. It is my summer hat for decades to come.

The Myth:

When I fantacized in my youth about owning a panama hat (I had spent hours watching Peter Davison's incarnation of Doctor Who roll his up with a jaunty smile and tuck it in his coat) I read once about the myth of some panamas being so finely woven they could be rolled and passed through a wedding ring. As you could imagine, I was hooked.

Question to all you in the business or who have experience in the area: Is it possible that such a hat has ever been produced? Has anyone ever been witness to such a hat?

I want some input on whether this myth should be defended, or put to rest.

Thanks, and if I can manage a pic of me in my linen suit and panama, I'll post it.

Thanks guys....great forum.

Michael

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I am no expert...

but I think that is true...I think that the Panama Canal workers used to fold their hats in half thus the crease in the crown of the hats. Panama Bob has made reference to some of the hats made for him could be passed through a wedding band. I believe it to be true.

 

[Matt Deckard]

A hat fine enough to be put through a wedding ring... now that would be a feet. You'd have to leave out a sweat band and ribbon.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

http://www.majesa.com/folder.html

 

[Alan Eardley]

Wedding ring myth

Nothing to do with hats, but am imaginative use of the 'pass through a wedding ring' myth for personal gain was drawn to my attention recently when I was leaving Pakistan. In the departure area of the airport are a number of stalls selling pashmina shawls (very fine wool). A local guy who was 'seeing me off' told me of a neat trick the hucksters play. First, they stop you and find out when your flight is due to leave. If it's close, they try to get you to buy a pashmina, tell you that it will pass through a gold ring and offer to demonstrate. They don't have a ring, of course, so they get you to take yours off. After the demonstration they pass you the ring back in such a way that it drops from your hand and falls behind their stall. They palm it and hide it, of course you can't find it and as you are by then in a hurry to catch your flight, they end up with the ring. Neat!
Alan

 

[Panamabob]

The hat being passed through the wedding ring isn't that hard to believe. I think our Sharpetoys has two or three Montecristis that would cut the mustard, and one Cuenca that he bought from us most certainly would.

Of course, no ribbon or leather, but many hats will roll up nicely.

 

[android]

I think it would be easy enough with a tightly rolled unblocked Montecristi of around 100 wpi. I wouldn't do it once it had been blocked and starched.

 

[Andykev]

Yes Virginia, there is...

No kidding. Yes it is true. And expensive.

 

[Michaelson]

If I could force myself to stop putting monies into pocketwatches, I'd get one of these someday. Regards! Michaelson

 

[Dayonfire]

I believe

Was in discussion with a seller on the net, who I think is on here, too. He sent me a couple of pics that made my mouth drop. Velvety Montecristis that were, when rolled, about the width of his index finger.

I now have to start saving my pennies.

The myth is alive.

Pass it on.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

First, you have to get married.

Or would a decoder ring work too?

.

 

[Panamabob]

I believe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was in discussion with a seller on the net, who I think is on here, too. He sent me a couple of pics that made my mouth drop. Velvety Montecristis that were, when rolled, about the width of his index finger.

I now have to start saving my pennies.

The myth is alive.

Pass it on.

Just got back from Pile, Pampas, and Montecristi. I've got some hats commissioned that will make that hat that I photographed for you look like it was woven like a Longaberger. These were the finest hats I've ever seen. Photos coming soon.

 

[Dayonfire]

Really?

How much for the nicer ones you just found.

Obsessed with suppleness.

dayonfire.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Just got back from Pile, Pampas, and Montecristi. I've got some hats commissioned that will make that hat that I photographed for you look like it was woven like a Longaberger. These were the finest hats I've ever seen. Photos coming soon.

.

 

[Panamabob]

Some of them are on their way and some of them were unscrupulously bought up by some Panama Hatter from Hawaii. Dayon, can you edit your post to delete the price? Things have gone up some and I don't think this is the place to put down price quotes as I'm simply a member here and do not want to misuse the site.

 

[Dayonfire]

pics

Sorry. I edited my post. Please post any pics of those new, even finer panamas that you can. Rolled and unrolled if possible.

Saving my pennies.

dayonfire

 

[Dayonfire]

Pics

Still waiting for pics of those super supple panamas...I have a fantasy of walking into the local art gallery, whisking the optimo from my head while looking around, rolling it absently and tucking it into my inner blazer pocket as i walk around. I know its bad for the hat, but that's the fantasy. I still drool over the ones you sent me.

Be well, and I will be posting pics of me in my Montecristi soon.

 

[Panamabob]

If you have the same name as my mom's ex-husband, then I know I've sent you photos of a "half-way-there" fino and that it is between a quarter and the size of the plastic cap on my milk jug. I just got a fino fino in, but I can't roll it because it isn't mine. It would be about as big as a man's ring. I need to take photos of the weave, so I'll post some in a bit.

 

[Dayonfire]

The Myth

The name is Michael. Yeah, the ones you sent me were where the rolled hat's girth was just a little bigger than an index finger...between a quarter and a milk jug cap. That would be fine enough for an inside blazer pocket for sure. If you can post pics of the weave, please do.

Much obliged.

 

[Dayonfire]

Super Fine Rollable Panamas?

Just checking in....any pics yet? Feel free to send me any good ones for me to drool over at my persona email address. Thanks.

Michael