Panama Hat Thread

[Stugots]

Hi All....I just picked up the hat, certainly not pristine but character for sure......i have posted some photos with approx. wpsi. Please let me know any comments you may have on age...patina, ie. if cleaning is worth it, and if so, how. Any knowledge of inside labeling and stamps and history, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance to all you bright fellows.

 

[MichaelSeed]

Not a panama. I got myself an Akubra Balmoral, it's made of hemp and it's stiff almost like a helmet. Akubra is the Australian hat maker (famous for their felt bush hats), and this one breaths well and is quite comfortable. I was told that it performs excellently in hard rain.

I'd still like to get my hands on a genuine panama someday to add to my collection. I'd like something more flexible and versatile (fashion-wise). And the rich history and artistic beauty of the Ecuadorian hats you guys post here are truly a marvel. They're just not that easy to find here.

Have any of you heard of Truffaux? It's a hat brand here in Victoria that claims to sell genuine panamas and montecristis but they aren't cheap. Their hats look good in pictures but I'm no expert.

 

[hatsRme]

Hi All....I just picked up the hat, certainly not pristine but character for sure......i have posted some photos with approx. wpsi. Please let me know any comments you may have on age...patina, ie. if cleaning is worth it, and if so, how. Any knowledge of inside labeling and stamps and history, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance to all you bright fellows.

Congratulations!! You got a good, err, no, GREAT one. Enjoy yourself by doing some research on the maker, Casa Arcentales!!

Again, Mazel Tov, my friend!!

 

[hatsRme]

View attachment 291421
Not a panama. I got myself an Akubra Balmoral, it's made of hemp and it's stiff almost like a helmet. Akubra is the Australian hat maker (famous for their felt bush hats), and this one breaths well and is quite comfortable. I was told that it performs excellently in hard rain.

I'd still like to get my hands on a genuine panama someday to add to my collection. I'd like something more flexible and versatile (fashion-wise). And the rich history and artistic beauty of the Ecuadorian hats you guys post here are truly a marvel. They're just not that easy to find here.

Have any of you heard of Truffaux? It's a hat brand here in Victoria that claims to sell genuine panamas and montecristis but they aren't cheap. Their hats look good in pictures but I'm no expert.

Greetings Mr. Seed! Panama hats are not as tough to find as it may seem. Here’s a good starting point, arguably one of the best values for Panamas online.... https://panamahatsdirect.com/shop/inventory.php

Otherwise, keep your eyes on eBay?!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 291421
Not a panama. I got myself an Akubra Balmoral, it's made of hemp and it's stiff almost like a helmet. Akubra is the Australian hat maker (famous for their felt bush hats), and this one breaths well and is quite comfortable. I was told that it performs excellently in hard rain.

I'd still like to get my hands on a genuine panama someday to add to my collection. I'd like something more flexible and versatile (fashion-wise). And the rich history and artistic beauty of the Ecuadorian hats you guys post here are truly a marvel. They're just not that easy to find here.

Have any of you heard of Truffaux? It's a hat brand here in Victoria that claims to sell genuine panamas and montecristis but they aren't cheap. Their hats look good in pictures but I'm no expert.

Sorry, I haven’t heard of Truffaux. There are lots of suppliers of genuine Panama hats, the problem for me is finding one in a style and quality I like at the right price. The hats blocked in the US, Italy, etc. are usually more to my liking than those blocked in Ecuador.

Mike at The Northwest Hat Co. makes a great hat at a fair price. For the same price you can get a finer weave (more wpsi) from places like Panama Hats Direct, but Mike blocks his hats to a shape a prefer. You also get a better sweatband and more custom touches if you want them.

https://www.northwesthats.com

 

[jlee562]

Have any of you heard of Truffaux? It's a hat brand here in Victoria that claims to sell genuine panamas and montecristis but they aren't cheap. Their hats look good in pictures but I'm no expert.

Somebody from that company made an attempt to spam the forum a while back. Just after a brief glance, their hats seem rather unremarkable to me.

 

[MichaelSeed]

Somebody from that company made an attempt to spam the forum a while back. Just after a brief glance, their hats seem rather unremarkable to me.

That's good to know. I just found them google searching panamas in australia. Their pics looked nice to me but their prices were a bit high and it was weird their prices were in USD despite being an aussie website and located here.

 

[MichaelSeed]

Does anyone have any experience dealing with any of these companies? Or any opinions on their quality and service?

https://panamahatsdirect.com

https://www.tumi.co.uk/

https://www.panamahatcollection.com/

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Does anyone have any experience dealing with any of these companies? Or any opinions on their quality and service?

https://panamahatsdirect.com

https://www.tumi.co.uk/

https://www.panamahatcollection.com/

There’s quite a bit here on Panama Hats Direct here on The Lounge:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/panama-hats-direct-a-great-experience.94736/


https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/panama-hats-direct.808/page-2



https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-feedback-and-a-funny-cowboy-hat-story.23922/


There’s a lot more if you look.

 

[MichaelSeed]

Yikes. There are a lot of mixed reviews about panama hats direct. Some people loved them and had a great experience but even more people seem to have had the exact opposite experience.

There are more fur felt hat makers than I can count but when it comes to finding a decent panama it seems like you have a better odds at playing the lotto. Maybe I should start looking at milan hats.

 

[Tukwila]

Mike Miller at NW Hats can probably make you what you want.

 

[belfastboy]

Mike Miller at NW Hats can probably make you what you want.

I have two of Mike's creations....both are great. He does fantastic work.

 

[Tukwila]

Mike has the best connection for hand woven Ecuadorian straw hat bodies that I know of. In my several trips to Cuenca, I have not had as good luck as he has with his man on the ground.

Mike made this hat for me from a hat body I was able to source on one of my trips. But you can check with Mike to see what he currently has in stock, or may get in the future.

 

[belfastboy]

Mike has the best connection for hand woven Ecuadorian straw hat bodies that I know of. In my several trips to Cuenca, I have not had as good luck as he has with his man on the ground.

Mike made this hat for me from a hat body I was able to source on one of my trips. But you can check with Mike to see what he currently has in stock, or may get in the future.

View attachment 314995

I love the bow work.

 

[rharlow]

Hello Panama Hat lovers. I just offered my Brent Black on Classifieds. Size 24 1/4. See posting for details. I want it to go to a good home. Enjoy!

 

[rharlow]

Hello Panama Hat lovers. I just offered my Brent Black on Classifieds. Size 24 1/4. See posting for details. I want it to go to a good home. Enjoy!

Thanks for all of the likes. One correction, the hat is size 24", or 61cm. I was looking at my original order and had forgotten that I had first ordered 24 1/4, but switched to 24 after trying Brent's sample bands. It's a perfect fit at 24, or 61 cm: snug and will hold in a breeze, but not at all uncomfortably tight. The Classified listing has been corrected (except for in the title). Thanks again.

 

[Altiori]

Friends:

I just received from Panama Hats Direct my Montecristi Super Fino Plantation style with an extra wide brim. It is excellent. Beautifully made. Well blocked. Just the right amount of stiffener.

This is my second hat from Panama Hats Direct. I highly recommend them.

Mr. William Ramirez, one of the senior people at the company, was key to ensuring that the process from design to delivery was well done. He kept me in the loop throughout and was always pleasant and professional in addressing any question.

I have a Milan from Art and a Montecristi from Optimo, a vintage Dobbs Milan from regden1 on EBay, and a Cuenca panama from Delmonico. I appreciate each one. Living in Savannah, either a Panama or a Milan atop my noggin has become a near 10 months of the year experience.

Even my beast, aka Chugg, likes the newest addition.

 

[65 Classic]

Hi All....I just picked up the hat, certainly not pristine but character for sure......i have posted some photos with approx. wpsi. Please let me know any comments you may have on age...patina, ie. if cleaning is worth it, and if so, how. Any knowledge of inside labeling and stamps and history, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance to all you bright fellows.

Nice, very nice!

 

[65 Classic]

Friends:

I just received from Panama Hats Direct my Montecristi Super Fino Plantation style with an extra wide brim. It is excellent. Beautifully made. Well blocked. Just the right amount of stiffener.

This is my second hat from Panama Hats Direct. I highly recommend them.

Mr. William Ramirez, one of the senior people at the company, was key to ensuring that the process from design to delivery was well done. He kept me in the loop throughout and was always pleasant and professional in addressing any question.

I have a Milan from Art and a Montecristi from Optimo, a vintage Dobbs Milan from regden1 on EBay, and a Cuenca panama from Delmonico. I appreciate each one. Living in Savannah, either a Panama or a Milan atop my noggin has become a near 10 months of the year experience.

Even my beast, aka Chugg, likes the newest addition.

View attachment 319136 View attachment 319137

Enjoy it before they declare it racisit to wear plantation styled panamas. LOL. Seriously, it is a beautiful Panama.

 

[Lukacs]

Friends:

I just received from Panama Hats Direct my Montecristi Super Fino Plantation style with an extra wide brim. It is excellent. Beautifully made. Well blocked. Just the right amount of stiffener.

This is my second hat from Panama Hats Direct. I highly recommend them.

Mr. William Ramirez, one of the senior people at the company, was key to ensuring that the process from design to delivery was well done. He kept me in the loop throughout and was always pleasant and professional in addressing any question.

I have a Milan from Art and a Montecristi from Optimo, a vintage Dobbs Milan from regden1 on EBay, and a Cuenca panama from Delmonico. I appreciate each one. Living in Savannah, either a Panama or a Milan atop my noggin has become a near 10 months of the year experience.

Even my beast, aka Chugg, likes the newest addition.

View attachment 319136 View attachment 319137

Dear Altiori,

Looks very nice! Congrats!

I was thinking of ordering a plantation hat from PHD. May I ask the brim length on yours? Thanks!