Panama and a suit?

[Washington]

All,

Last year I got my first hat, a panama from Bob and blocked by Art. This year I got my first felt, also from Art. The panama arrived near the end of last summer so I didn't have too many opportunities to wear it. As the weather turned and my new felt arrived I began wearing a hat with more regularity (though still only with a suit).

To my question...how many of you wear a straw or panama with a suit this time of year? Does it work with every type of suit? Do you feel it "dresses down" the look at all?

-Washington

 

[Lonn]

Linen

Hi,
Panama and Linen suit. Bright shirt. To me, nothing sez slack like that. I can't help but walk a little slower. Listen a little more patiently. It's still a little too cold here, but coming soon and I am really looking forward to it.
Also, I am thinking about a Seersucker this year. Looks like that stuff is made for Panamas.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

A panama goes well with any lightweight suit, be it tropical worsted, wool gabardine, seersucker, poplin, rayon or linen.

Wear it on warm weather days. Who cares what the season is!

.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I'm with Marc; go by the weather, not some arbitrary date.

I would add that it looks good with a nice pinstriped banker's suit as well.

 

[Andykev]

Go for the straw

Despite what one may hear...any good tailored suit, light or dark, is appropriate with a Panama Hat. I suggest the band be black or midnight blue, to compliment a dark suit. And yes, the suit should be light weight. For summer.

 

[Washington]

Thanks Gents..

Its as I suspected, I'm going to need a lighter weight suit. To date all of mine are Fall/Winter and wool (browns, greys, blues and black).

-Washington

 

[Feraud]

Its as I suspected, I'm going to need a lighter weight suit. To date all of mine are Fall/Winter and wool (browns, greys, blues and black).

-Washington

Most modern suits are lightweight wool and should not be a problem.
I have seen gray, blue, and black with a panama and they look fine.

My preference is lighter color outfit with a straw hat.

 

[Twitch]

A Panama and and light colored suit should work in warmer climes or weather. In So. Cal. the vintage car guys wear them mostly year round at the events and none wear suits. Panamas go with any casual clothing. Don't be afraid to wear it without the suit once the weather is warm either.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Great advice for great hats!

.

 

[Washington]

A Panama and and light colored suit should work in warmer climes or weather. In So. Cal. the vintage car guys wear them mostly year round at the events and none wear suits. Panamas go with any casual clothing. Don't be afraid to wear it without the suit once the weather is warm either.

I definately more comfortable wearing it with casual clothes, but I'm changing jobs next week and will be in a suit everyday.

 

[riflegunbuilder]

Went to an event Saturday night. Seersucker suit, pink shirt w/French cuffs. Shoes were bone/navy saddles. Panama. I did look like the picture of warm weather in the South.

 

[Fletch]

Thought I'd throw my man Glenn Ford in here

If he wore it, it had style.

 

[Steve]

Watch Inherit the Wind (1960), and take note that Gene Kelly and the rest of the principle male cast all wear vaudeville-esque straw hats with their three-piece suits, and still look good. Straw + Suit is an interesting combination, but it works.

 

[RBH]

Some great panama looks!

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4634/pananazp0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Yes! Great series of images there :eusa_clap


Note that those four hats are all panama optimos. The style is not quite a fedora.


.

 

[RBH]

Yes! Great series of images there :eusa_clap


Note that those four hats are all panama optimos. The style is not quite a fedora.


.

You are right Marc. Back before I knew as much as I do now. lol
I always thought of the classic [optimo] style as a panama hat. And the fedora style panama I just always thought of them as a straw fedora.


Heres another ....

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/2544/hopkk6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>