Northwest Hats, Eugene, Ore.

[Bill Hughes]

I think Mike said it was special (Fepsa?) I'll have to ask again. It is bunny though...

I believe Mike said they were Tonak. At least that’s what I have in my notes. I have it’s short haired sister. I just thought I’d give it more head time than the long haired version.

 

[Bill Hughes]

New hat day is always exciting, but this new Lords Hat from Mike Miller at NW Hats is kind of special. The household CFO authorized this purchase based on my phenomenal progress in quitting smoking! Still have a smoke every few days, but down from a pack and a half a day, so I feel pretty good about it. This new hat is an homage to Downton Abby, with a distinct brim curl as found in 1920s styles of the Landed Gentry. Finished with a long hair (melusine) aubergine felt, Mike said this is one of the wildest he has created. The crown is a full 5 3/4" (tall) and the curl of the brim is super swoopy. Now, to put together an outfit based on eggplant purple!

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That’s a head turner for sure.

 

[Redfokker]

I believe Mike said they were Tonak. At least that’s what I have in my notes. I have it’s short haired sister. I just thought I’d give it more head time than the long haired version.

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That is right! I remember now. Your beautiful version with the gills is a real looker too. This ribbon treatment by Mike are really special, love the dog ears.

 

[1961MJS]

Wow, except for the color, that's a conservative hat. looks really good.
Later

 

[Bill Hughes]

A toast colored Panama with a 3" safari brim. My first safari hat. The ribbon is 1 1/8" antique copper.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A toast colored Panama with a 3" safari brim. My first safari hat. The ribbon is 1 1/8" antique copper.

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Nice. I thought you were limiting your Panama hats to semi-colados.

I recently spoke to Mike about some Panama hats, but he doesn’t have blocks in my size and he wasn’t hopeful on getting a body that could get me more than a 2 1/2” brim. Probably a good thing as that’s a rabbit hole I don’t need to go down.

While I was speaking with Mike, I ordered another western and he’s sending me photos of some unusual felt colors for another fedora or two.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Nice. I thought you were limiting your Panama hats to semi-colados.

I broke the rule on this one. I just liked the color. Ideally it would have been a semi-calado but the weave on this is not very tight so I can wear it when it's not too hot.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I broke the rule on this one. I just liked the color. Ideally it would have been a semi-calado but the weave on this is not very tight so I can wear it when it's not too hot.

It was looking at your Panamas that had me calling Mike to see what he could do for me.

By the way, your boater Mike replaced the ribbon on…Wow! I can’t stop looking at that hat.

 

[Bill Hughes]

It was looking at your Panamas that had me calling Mike to see what he could do for me.

By the way, your boater Mike replaced the ribbon on…Wow! I can’t stop looking at that hat.

Did you see the really nice Semi-Calado Mike has? I want one so bad but just can't justify the cost. Talking about the one in front lower right.

 

[Tukwila]

Did you see the really nice Semi-Calado Mike has? I want one so bad but just can't justify the cost. Talking about the one in front lower right.
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I saw that one when I was at Mike's shop the last time. Nice weave.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Did you see the really nice Semi-Calado Mike has? I want one so bad but just can't justify the cost. Talking about the one in front lower right.
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Mike told me he doesn’t have Panama hat blocks in my size and even if he tried to fake it his bodies wouldn’t give me more that a 2 1/2” brim at most. That’s all by according to Mike by phone. He suggested I could find a PHD hat and send it to him to rework. His not having a block in my size was a disappointment, but probably for the best.

He did say he had some decent blocked in Italy Panama hats in my size with wider brims. They should be about $200 including Mike replacing the cloth sweatbands with leather. I’m not very excited, but it sounds like a good deal.

 

[Tukwila]

If I ever get back to Ecuador, maybe I can source some larger straw hat bodies.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

If I ever get back to Ecuador, maybe I can source some larger straw hat bodies.

I was looking for a semi-calado too. I’m thinking that it would be nice to have one really nice Panama hat.

How is your family in Ecuador? We don’t hear much, but the pandemic seems to have hit South American hard.

 

[DesertDan]

So many fantastic hats! Congrats one and all.
It seems as though bold colors have become a thing in my absence.

 

[Tukwila]

I was looking for a semi-calado too. I’m thinking that it would be nice to have one really nice Panama hat.

How is your family in Ecuador? We don’t hear much, but the pandemic seems to have hit South American hard.

Some areas have been hit hard. We lost 2 elderly relatives there (who are a little more distantly related) from the covid, but Sandra's aunt, sister, brother and all the nephews and nieces are fine. They are still semi locked down and requiring negative covid tests for travel, mandatory mask wearing, etc. They are way behind the US with their "vaccine" inoculations so some actually come to the US for their shot.

Most of her family has had the shot, but her brother is a doctor down there and he and his immediate family will not be taking it. The older aunt had covid, tested positive for it, but was over it quickly with ivermectin and mostly back to her usual self in a week or so.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Some areas have been hit hard. We lost 2 elderly relatives there (who are a little more distantly related) from the covid, but Sandra's aunt, sister, brother and all the nephews and nieces are fine. They are still semi locked down and requiring negative covid tests for travel, mandatory mask wearing, etc. They are way behind the US with their "vaccine" inoculations so some actually come to the US for their shot.

Most of her family has had the shot, but her brother is a doctor down there and he and his immediate family will not be taking it. The older aunt had covid, tested positive for it, but was over it quickly with ivermectin and mostly back to her usual self in a week or so.

Glad that the immediate family is safe. I hope that life returns to normal for all of us soon.

 

[Tukwila]

Got an email from Mike last night saying he had 2 new hats ready for me (A Dark Moss and the natural nutria) and will finish up 3 more (complete rebuild of the Everyman Indy, new ribbon on an old Champ... and one more I can't remember!) this week. He asked me if I wanted pictures of the finished hats... Ha, of course!

 

[belfastboy]

Got an email from Mike last night saying he had 2 new hats ready for me (A Dark Moss and the natural nutria) and will finish up 3 more (complete rebuild of the Everyman Indy, new ribbon on an old Champ... and one more I can't remember!) this week. He asked me if I wanted pictures of the finished hats... Ha, of course!

Christmas in July!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Got an email from Mike last night saying he had 2 new hats ready for me (A Dark Moss and the natural nutria) and will finish up 3 more (complete rebuild of the Everyman Indy, new ribbon on an old Champ... and one more I can't remember!) this week. He asked me if I wanted pictures of the finished hats... Ha, of course!

I spoke with Mike a few days ago. He isn’t as enamored with the nutria felt as I am.

Can’t wait to see your hats, Doug.

 

[Tukwila]

A couple sneak peek pics: