Optimo south side mobsters

[Aureliano]

There are, according to reliable sources of the fairer sex, at least fifty shades of grey. lol

Congratulations on the beautiful additions to your growing family. I see that the trauma of your hat losses has left an indelible mark on your psyche.

Ha! good one, Al. And thanks, my friend. Graham is running out of gray felts for me :eeek:

 

[alanfgag]

Damn nice hats... enough to make one misto eyed.

 

[bowlerman]

Nice to see you, Ale! That Exile is really something special. All of them are great. I've been wondering when the Optimo thread would pop up again.

 

[Aureliano]

Thanks, Jeff. What Graham is achieving is unbelievable. The Exile's finish feels just like my Borsalino qualita suprema from the 40's. Truly remarkable craftsmanship.

 

[mayserwegener]

Ale, Fantastic! Good to see you back in action!

 

[Mulceber]

Gorgeous hats, Aureliano! Do you know what block Graham used on the modified Manhattan? Really like the effect it has.

Also, what are the specs on those beauties? -M

 

[Aureliano]

Thank you. Hmm.. I'm not sure what block. This hat belonged to a couple of loungers before me... I had it re-blocked to use a little bit of the brim to make the crown a little more tall, keeping it (the brim) at 2 1/2 inches. I asked Graham to shape it like the Manhattan.
All my Optimos are 2 1/2 brims with crowns going from 5 to 6 inches OC

 

[Mulceber]

Whatever it is, it's very classy. Thanks for the details!

 

[fluteplayer07]

I made a trip to Optimo on Saturday with fellow Lounge member Mulceber, to the downtown location in the loop. I ended up ordering a fino montecristi in anticipation of summer, and Mulceber bought himself a 1000 in silverbelly.

Mine is identical to this, although I ordered it with a darker ribbon, named 'nicotine'. It's a charcoal grey with some warmer undertones.

It comes in at around 750 wpsi.

The lighting got messed up in this shot but it shows the weave a little closer.

This is the new ribbon.

Mulceber ordered a Cagney 1000 in their undyed silverbelly, with a fantastic dark navy (nearly black) vintage ribbon.

We also had some fun trying out the shop's Allie-Maillard conformateur. Apparently I am a square oval.

Mulceber doesn't appear to find it particularly comfortable.

 

[alanfgag]

What a great field trip. A square oval, eh?

 

[Monte]

And a couple more that joined the family during my absence.

Super fino Montecristi.

Modified Manhattan (lightweight).

Mr. Bates of Downton Abbey fame taking in a little cricket match with his similar straw.

 

[Hamlet]

My Oxblood Porkpie at work this weekend. Willowbrook, so technically not the southside, but she IS Polish.
(not me modeling)

 

[fluteplayer07]

The Panama I ordered arrived last weekend.

I couldn't be more impressed with it! These pictures turned out a great deal more white/ivory than the warmer color it appears in person. The ribbon is a dark charcoal with warm undertones called Nicotine. It's blocked as a much rounder oval head shape so for once, the brim will not freak out when I put it on.

 

[Aerol]

Very sweet, Flute.

 

[Mulceber]

I couldn't be more impressed with how it turned out. I'm afraid you may have inspired me to want one of Optimo's fine panama's, flute...my next trip to Chicago could end up being just as expensive as my first one. :eusa_doh:

 

[BobC]

Very nice, Flute! You make me wonder about my next summer hat.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

The Panama I ordered arrived last weekend.

I couldn't be more impressed with it! These pictures turned out a great deal more white/ivory than the warmer color it appears in person. The ribbon is a dark charcoal with warm undertones called Nicotine. It's blocked as a much rounder oval head shape so for once, the brim will not freak out when I put it on.

MY, that is one sharp fedora sir! I am very impressed. After veiwing the Optimo hats showcased on this thread and forum, it is apparent that I need to make time to visit them in Chicago.

Darn nice hat.

Best, Eric -

 

[wine65]

Flute,
Great Montecristi enjoy!

The milan I recieved last season from Optimo, its been my go to casual hat.

 

[Lefty]

Optimo milans in their natural color are, bay far, my favorite modern hats.
Great looking lid.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I'm hoping to get a job so that I can get one in brown as well as gray. Then my milan collection will be complete.