Panama Hat Thread

[monbla256]

If that is what is bieng sold as an Extra Fino Cuenca I'd take a look at some other offerings from other retailers. If it were truly that grade it would have a back-woven edge, the weave would be consistent over the whole hat and it would have a better hat band and a leather sweat. NOT worth the price you mentioned at all. There are BETTER Panama's for that price out their. I would not buy it at that price for sure.

 

[mojohand]

Thanks for the input guys...

Never again eBay! (for hats anyway).

 

[DJH]

Thanks for the input guys...

Never again eBay! (for hats anyway).

Don't give up, there are good deals on Panamas on eBay.

Panama Bob has great specials that he sells there. His eBay user name is panamahatsecuador.

As already pointed out, it is hard to beat Robert for decent Panamas at great prices.

 

[cookie]

Thanks for the input guys...

Never again eBay! (for hats anyway).

Unless the photos were accurate you could make a claim for a return with that poor quality IMO.

 

[DJH]

Helped by crappy photos in the listing, I bought this Royal Stetson Panama for a great price at eBay.

It came with a torn pug that I've thrown away, to replace with a ribbon. The hat is in really good shape and has the old style logo with the stars in the liner tip.

Looking forward to summer already!

 

[Mark Butcher]

I am a Newbie to this site although I have been somewhat of a "stalker", watching, reading, and learning about Panama hats and hats in general. I recently bought a PB Cuenca, one of his $40.00 specials and am quite pleased with it, and I just bought a stingy brim Montecristi extra fino, that I'll receive this week. I'd like some members to post some pictures of there stingy brim straws so I can admire and compare. Thanks to all in advance.

 

[gqmagic]

aureliano this is a Borso Cuenca I bought at Bencraft years ago

where did you get yours??

I got this hat a couple of weeks ago, today I notice loose straw edges sticking up on the left side and one loose edge in the rear. That's not the way its supposed to be it seems. Is it a characteristic of Cuenca or Borsalino?

 

[Txmason]

First Panama

Howdy y'all!

I am interested in purchasing my first straw hat for the summer here in South Texas. I have never worn a proper hat before except the occasional cowboy hat with a shirt, jeans and boots. I have no idea what to look for when buying a hat or straw hat. I like the look for the fedora having a wide brim and would like a hat with a low crown. I would like a hat i can wear with slacks, a suit jacket, and shorts? I dont know if you can wear a hat with shorts can you? What do you suggest? I can post a photo of the clothes I wear and a picture of my ugly mug if need be. Thank you for your help.

All the best,
Jerry

 

[dnjan]

Straws are fairly universal, in terms of what they can go with. As long as it is warm and the sun is/was shining, go for it.
Specialty straws (for example, boaters) are a bit fussier, but probably anything you see on PanamaBob's website (link posted earlier) would work what you describe.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Boaters look cool, but the ones I tried on in Levine's hat shop in Saint Louis were rock hard and uncomfortable. I don't know if that's universal or not, but I'd hesitate to buy a boater online. I usually suggest the Sunbody hats to anyone wanting a summer hat, but they're thicker straw than most Panama hats. Of course you can wet down a Sunbody pretty much every day when you wear it.

Millions of $ in wisdom $0.02 at a time...

 

[Benzadmiral]

I posted this in the Question/Answer thread, but it seems more appropriate here. I know, it's odd to think about straw hats now, but The Dreaded Steambath Time (aka, Loozyana Summer) is coming, and I'll need to switch to straw. I have two shantungs that I like, but here are two Panamas I'm looking at:

http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=480&subcname=Borsalino

and
http://www.millerhats.com/genuinepanama_index/panama2.html

Has anybody ever bought one of these? And more important, since I like a nice front brim swoop, is it possible to shape a Panama with a little sprayed-on water, or steam?

ETA: Fixed the links, I hope.

 

[jamespowers]

I posted this in the Question/Answer thread, but it seems more appropriate here. I know, it's odd to think about straw hats now, but The Dreaded Steambath Time (aka, Loozyana Summer) is coming, and I'll need to switch to straw. I have two shantungs that I like, but here are two Panamas I'm looking at:

http://www.bencrafthats.com/product....ame=Straw+Hats

and
http://www.millerhats.com/genuinepan...x/panama2.html

Has anybody ever bought one of these? And more important, since I like a nice front brim swoop, is it possible to shape a Panama with a little sprayed-on water, or steam?

Both links don't work for me but it is possible to shape a straw with steam. I don't use water but it is probably possible. You just have to keep it in the position you want it to remain until it dries. Steam dries faster so I use steam.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Fixed the links -- at least they work in Preview.

http://www.bencrafthats.com/product....name=Borsalino

and
http://www.millerhats.com/genuinepan...x/panama2.html

 

[Rabbit]

Ebay score:
Montecristi Optimo 26x25 (650 wpi) Campbell Hat Works. Nearly 3" brim.

This beauty arrived today. The straw still has that lovely smell of sulfur.
It came with a 13 ligne burgundy pug which I removed and stored away. I installed a vintage 13 ligne black frayed ribbon. The sweatband was loose, too. All fixed now and ready for summer.

The straw has aged beautifully to a golden ivory.

 

[jamespowers]

Ebay score:
Montecristi Optimo 26x25 (650 wpi) Campbell Hat Works. Nearly 3" brim.

This beauty arrived today. The straw still has that lovely smell of sulfur.
It came with a 13 ligne burgundy pug which I removed and stored away. I installed a vintage 13 ligne black frayed ribbon. The sweatband was loose, too. All fixed now and ready for summer.

The straw has aged beautifully to a golden ivory.

Nice fix there. You did well finding that. It is much harder for me to find them in 7 5/8.

 

[Rabbit]

thank you jamespowers, I searched for nearly three months and then found this one and a second, still finer one which is on its way.

 

[jamespowers]

thank you jamespowers, I searched for nearly three months and then found this one and a second, still finer one which is on its way.

An even finer one!? Wow! You did very well to find two. I have one Optimo crown straw hat but I had to have Art make it for me.

 

[Rabbit]

An even finer one!?

Well, that's what I believe it to be. This one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MEN...875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ac9b979b
1930ish look. 900 wpi if the seller counted correctly. From the pics I guess it can't be lower than 700 wpi.

 

[jamespowers]

Well, that's what I believe it to be. This one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MEN...875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ac9b979b
1930ish look. 900 wpi if the seller counted correctly. From the pics I guess it can't be lower than 700 wpi.

Not bad at all. I wish the photos were better so we could really se closely.
Post pictures when you get it. I'd love to see it.

 

[Rabbit]

Sure, I'll post some nice pics.
The pics from the listing aren't exactly pretty but they show the weave in the one closeup.