Panama Hat Thread

[steur]

Well then, they delivered the hat. BETTER than what I anticipated. I'll post detailed photos later. I think at 26 tpi it qualifies as a "Fino Fino." VERY smooth, even weave, really is a very light, comfortable, lovely hat. Arrived in about 4 days (Paid, via Moneygram...). Shaped in a long oval. View attachment 340221

Modesto himself was way more than helpful. Sent me videos and photos throughout the finishing process, communicating through What'sApp. As I understand it--his shop receives the unfinished bodies, and someone there will weave the edges, and then trim it, and block it ,and do all the finishing in shop. It's a "Diamante" crown (which I really like) and fits perfectly.

It does have a cloth sweat-band--which I prefer. I didn't ask him if they can put in a leather one, for those who like that--but I suspect they could. The box was pretty ratty...but, I ordered a slightly oversize brim, so they must have used what they had.

DHL was the deliverer--and I tracked the package when sent--which was less than an hour after I made payment. It was a little nerve-wracking sending cash....to Ecuador--only in a man's name "Washington Modesto Mero Pachay" (no address needed...) but they were true to their word, and like I said, the hat is better than anticipated.

I asked--and it took some 5+ weeks of work to weave this hat.

If this is allowed (and I have no connection to this company--other than being a happy 1st time customer), here's the link: https://modestohats.com/

Looks like an excellent hat. A work of art.

 

[steur]

I was hoping something halfway decent would show up when I took a chance on this one. It did. It's not a hat yet, but it will be after Fleur of Penumbra is done with it. No brand panama with a nice fine weave (haven't counted). Consider this the before and in-between stages.
Before:

In between:

Very pleased with this find: halfway decent panama hats are tough to find at anywhere near affordable prices.

 

[Hats Matter]

My Optimo Montecristi Homburg finally arrived as it took about a month to produce. The photos do not do it justice as it is an amazing Panama. I will post this on several threads

 

[Lukacs]

My Optimo Montecristi Homburg finally arrived as it took about a month to produce. The photos do not do it justice as it is an amazing Panama. I will post this on several threads


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Wow! That’s a very nice Panama, Hats Matter!

 

[steur]

My Optimo Montecristi Homburg finally arrived as it took about a month to produce. The photos do not do it justice as it is an amazing Panama. I will post this on several threads


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Fantastic! Need to get me one of those homburg panamas.

 

[Bill Hughes]

I sent one of my Brent Black montescristi panamas to Mike Miller to get the brim worked on and have the ribbon replaced. This is what I sent. As you can see it just looks kinda "dumpy" with the brim snapped down.


He worked on the brim and replaced the ribbon with one I provided. He sent this picture yesterday.

I think it's a big improvement.

While I was at it I bought a custom Panama.

I'll post better pictures when they arrive.

 

[MichaelSeed]

I sent one of my Brent Black montescristi panamas to Mike Miller to get the brim worked on and have the ribbon replaced. This is what I sent. As you can see it just looks kinda "dumpy" with the brim snapped down.
View attachment 344894 View attachment 344895

He worked on the brim and replaced the ribbon with one I provided. He sent this picture yesterday.
View attachment 344897
I think it's a big improvement.

While I was at it I bought a custom Panama.
View attachment 344902

I'll post better pictures when they arrive.

That new black and white striped ribbon looks great.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Received the Brent Black back Montecristi from Mike Miller with the re-flanged brim and new ribbon treatment. I currently have 5 Brent Black hats. While this is not my favorite it is the nicest and most valuable of the 5. This one has a weave count of 1188 while the others are between 450 and 650.

 

[Bill Hughes]

New Panama from Mike Miller also arrived yesterday.

 

[Tukwila]

Two great hats, Bill!

 

[Lukacs]

Received the Brent Black back Montecristi from Mike Miller with the re-flanged brim and new ribbon treatment. I currently have 5 Brent Black hats. While this is not my favorite it is the nicest and most valuable of the 5. This one has a weave count of 1188 while the others are between 450 and 650.

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Very nice, Bill!

 

[Rmccamey]

Nice update from Mike on that one, Bill.

Received the Brent Black back Montecristi from Mike Miller with the re-flanged brim and new ribbon treatment. I currently have 5 Brent Black hats. While this is not my favorite it is the nicest and most valuable of the 5. This one has a weave count of 1188 while the others are between 450 and 650.

View attachment 346181 View attachment 346182 View attachment 346183 View attachment 346184 View attachment 346185 View attachment 346186 View attachment 346187 View attachment 346188

 

[Dotneck]

There was one straw Panamaish hat in the batch that I was gifted this week. It's a Stetson with an Optimo type crease. Anyone seen one like this? I have no idea how old it is.

 

[Air Wing Marine]

Where are you guys finding these wonderful Panama Hats? Ebay has crap and I find nothing in my size (60.5).

 

[deadlyhandsome]

There was one straw Panamaish hat in the batch that I was gifted this week. It's a Stetson with an Optimo type crease. Anyone seen one like this? I have no idea how old it is. View attachment 350496 View attachment 350497 View attachment 350498 View attachment 350499 View attachment 350500

It’s some type of Milan.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/milan-mania.30949/

 

[hatsRme]

There was one straw Panamaish hat in the batch that I was gifted this week. It's a Stetson with an Optimo type crease. Anyone seen one like this? I have no idea how old it is. View attachment 350496 View attachment 350497 View attachment 350498 View attachment 350499 View attachment 350500

Yep, it’s a Milan, alright. Although I’d bet it started out looking quite different. Possibly an “Optimo” crown, or even something like this Knox Milan sporting the same center line, a style of the time.

 

[Dotneck]

Do you think mine could still be made to look like yours? I would like that and have fun picking a couple cool pugs to go. With that jet black hat…

 

[londonboy]

I'm an old lurker looking through this thread... where do people buy their higher grade Panama/Montecristi hats these days, long after Panama Bob had to stop? I see references to Brent Black (higher grade) and Panama Hats Direct (lower grade) and arguments that hats hand blocked in the USA are superior, but I wonder if it's better to work with and support someone in Ecuador.

Also, are higher grade hats more delicate, or are they fine for daily wear (within reason) without being babied, with normal wear and the occasional drizzle? Do people who own higher grade hats have a separate mid grade hat as the daily beater or travel hat?

 

[hatsRme]

I'm an old lurker looking through this thread... where do people buy their higher grade Panama/Montecristi hats these days, long after Panama Bob had to stop? I see references to Brent Black (higher grade) and Panama Hats Direct (lower grade) and arguments that hats hand blocked in the USA are superior, but I wonder if it's better to work with and support someone in Ecuador.

Also, are higher grade hats more delicate, or are they fine for daily wear (within reason) without being babied, with normal wear and the occasional drizzle? Do people who own higher grade hats have a separate mid grade hat as the daily beater or travel hat?

I'm an old lurker looking through this thread... where do people buy their higher grade Panama/Montecristi hats these days, long after Panama Bob had to stop? I see references to Brent Black (higher grade) and Panama Hats Direct (lower grade) and arguments that hats hand blocked in the USA are superior, but I wonder if it's better to work with and support someone in Ecuador.

Also, are higher grade hats more delicate, or are they fine for daily wear (within reason) without being babied, with normal wear and the occasional drizzle? Do people who own higher grade hats have a separate mid grade hat as the daily beater or travel hat?

You think in a very practical way! The higher weave count paja toquilla hats are definitely more fragile, waving in the wind, even. But it’s worth the fuss, IMO. Yes, I have “good” and “yard” hats of straw to preserve the finer weave pieces for dress up.
I feel one of the best values for a Panam hat online is here: https://panamahatsdirect.com/shop/inventory.php?type=all
Best of luck!!

 

[hatsRme]

Do you think mine could still be made to look like yours? I would like that and have fun picking a couple cool pugs to go. With that jet black hat…

I’m not a hatter, but it seems like it should be do-able, perhaps with a matched set of crown block and tip. You WILL be styling, Dotneck!!