Panama Hat Thread

[Short Balding Guy]

Some other vendor options:

https://modestohats.com/

https://montecuadorhats.com/panama-hats/panama-hats-montecristi/


Interesting vid from Hatitude hats here:

Cheers, Eric-

 

[Jaywalker]

New Panama from Mike Miller also arrived yesterday.

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Nice hat, Bill. What's the brim width?

 

[Bill Hughes]

Nice hat, Bill. What's the brim width?

Brim is 3”.

 

[londonboy]

Some other vendor options:

https://modestohats.com/

https://montecuadorhats.com/panama-hats/panama-hats-montecristi/

Why does no one on this forum mention Domingo Carranza except a couple of users? Is that another store in Ecuador?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

This link to a PHD video was emailed to me. The video is worth the time IMHO.

https://www.panamahatsdirect.com/la...cpid=18&goal=0_fffd6eda6f-d318f2aae4-23041455

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Why does no one on this forum mention Domingo Carranza except a couple of users? Is that another store in Ecuador?

Not to be snarky, but I’m betting that few of us have their hats so we don’t often mention them. This is my first time in hearing of them. I’m sure there are many other sources that we also don’t hear of.

Like many here, I prefer the look of Panama hats that have been blocked in the US. Unfortunately, Mike at Northwest Hats doesn’t have a Panama block in my size.

 

[londonboy]

What is the classic measurement of a montecristi hat? Would it be the classic fedora with a 9-10 cm crown and 7 cm brim, usually size 58-60?

 

[belfastboy]

What is the classic measurement of a montecristi hat? Would it be the classic fedora with a 9-10 cm crown and 7 cm brim, usually size 58-60?

I have 2 classic panama fedoras and I would say yes to your dimensions but add that mine go out to 8cm on the brim, 10cm crown at the front and rising to 12cm on the sides. I am a tweener 59 to 60cm

 

[londonboy]

Does a montecristi hat wear out fast, even for the ones in coarser weaves? Will this kind of hat be a poor summer travel hat because the hat will be wrecked by the end of the trip?

 

[alanfgag]

Does a montecristi hat wear out fast, even for the ones in coarser weaves? Will this kind of hat be a poor summer travel hat because the hat will be wrecked by the end of the trip?

Straw summer hats will not have the resiliency of felt and run a different risk of damage from travel and active wear. The manner in which you travel and the care you take will determine how the hat fares. I tend to chose travel hats carefully. One of the points of danger that you have little control over is the TSA check point. If you are required to put your hat through, be sure to have it in a plastic bin.

The above notwithstanding, the hats in the video below range from 1920s to 1950s... they haven't worn out yet.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Does a montecristi hat wear out fast, even for the ones in coarser weaves? Will this kind of hat be a poor summer travel hat because the hat will be wrecked by the end of the trip?

I’m a bit rough on my hats. Even when I try to be gentle I knock them about more than I like. For that reason, I haven’t picked up many of the nicer Panama hats. I also find modern Milan more up to the abuse I sometimes put my hats through.

 

[JeffOYB]

I've been enjoying nicer straw hats the past 15 yrs. ... I've gone up to $100 at PHD. I once got a Grade 6 Cuenca, as I recall -- I still think it looks nice but maybe it's too stiff? Heck it's about 15 yrs old and now has a 1" split at the top that i've taped on the inside. I'm wanting to take the next step. ...Often when I see vintage movies of fancy folks enjoying straw hats that appear to be of a top shelf nature the hats seem clothlike and rather soft, with a wavy shape. Not crisp or stiff. I'm wondering what I should be looking for... I don't think I've seen a great hat ever yet in the wild or even in a shop. The last hat I got was a uniquely lower grade Montecristi -- like a lower pricepoint hat made w the better bleaching/straw. I don't really like its variation in straw tones or its coarseness. So I'm thinking of taking the step up to Fino or Fino Fino, etc. ... Is there a supplier or level or look I should be aware of? Offhand, even glancing through the Fino Fino I'm not sure if they're as fine as what I want. But maybe I'm just looking at them wrong... Ideas or tips? Thanks!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I've been enjoying nicer straw hats the past 15 yrs. ... I've gone up to $100 at PHD. I once got a Grade 6 Cuenca, as I recall -- I still think it looks nice but maybe it's too stiff? Heck it's about 15 yrs old and now has a 1" split at the top that i've taped on the inside. I'm wanting to take the next step. ...Often when I see vintage movies of fancy folks enjoying straw hats that appear to be of a top shelf nature the hats seem clothlike and rather soft, with a wavy shape. Not crisp or stiff. I'm wondering what I should be looking for... I don't think I've seen a great hat ever yet in the wild or even in a shop. The last hat I got was a uniquely lower grade Montecristi -- like a lower pricepoint hat made w the better bleaching/straw. I don't really like its variation in straw tones or its coarseness. So I'm thinking of taking the step up to Fino or Fino Fino, etc. ... Is there a supplier or level or look I should be aware of? Offhand, even glancing through the Fino Fino I'm not sure if they're as fine as what I want. But maybe I'm just looking at them wrong... Ideas or tips? Thanks!

I like the Brent Black way of grading hats: weaves per square inch. The fino or ultra fino or grade 12 etc. doesn’t have a set and agreed upon meaning so one company’s fino is another’s fino fino etc.

PHD offers nice hats at good prices, but I prefer different blocking (PHD Havana looks pretty good to me). I also hate the leather used on PHD hats. Depending on how much you want to spend, there are several options. The before mentioned Brent Black or Optimo of Chicago or Montecristi Hats of New Mexico all make great Panamas, but they are out of my budget. David Gibson at VS Custom Hats is another option as is The Gomez Hat Company.

For me, I think that the Northwest Hat Company occupies the sweet spot with exceptional quality and prices that are within reach. His Panama hats start at $180 and I believe he gets them from Italy (woven in Ecuador of course). He also offers custom Panama hats if you have a regular size head…unfortunately nothing for me in my size. Give Mike at Northwest a call and tell him what type of hat you want and he’ll tell you what your options are. Even if you don’t get a hat from him you’ll be a more informed shopper and more likely to get a hat you like.

 

[Lukacs]

I've been enjoying nicer straw hats the past 15 yrs. ... I've gone up to $100 at PHD. I once got a Grade 6 Cuenca, as I recall -- I still think it looks nice but maybe it's too stiff? Heck it's about 15 yrs old and now has a 1" split at the top that i've taped on the inside. I'm wanting to take the next step. ...Often when I see vintage movies of fancy folks enjoying straw hats that appear to be of a top shelf nature the hats seem clothlike and rather soft, with a wavy shape. Not crisp or stiff. I'm wondering what I should be looking for... I don't think I've seen a great hat ever yet in the wild or even in a shop. The last hat I got was a uniquely lower grade Montecristi -- like a lower pricepoint hat made w the better bleaching/straw. I don't really like its variation in straw tones or its coarseness. So I'm thinking of taking the step up to Fino or Fino Fino, etc. ... Is there a supplier or level or look I should be aware of? Offhand, even glancing through the Fino Fino I'm not sure if they're as fine as what I want. But maybe I'm just looking at them wrong... Ideas or tips? Thanks!

JeffOYB, deadlyhandsome is absolutely correct. I know far less that him or others on this forum, but you'll see my correspondence with the helpful people here on page 233. I purchased a Havana style hat from PHD in early May. This was my first panama hat. They had what I wanted already made, so my wait time was very short. I wanted a hat for late spring, and it worked for me. I bought a Super Fino, and it was in their range in terms of WPSI. My hat is not stiff by any means, and I plan to care for it properly, so it stays that way. I have not seen anyone with a hat this summer with the quality of mine. Pics are posted. William at PHD was very helpful. I spoke with him several times before placing an order. In fact, he pulled two hats that were made to my specs, sent me pics of both, and recommended one over the other. William's quality customer service really sealed the deal for me. I realized that I wasn't getting a hand blocked hat, and I was okay with it. Also, deadlyhandsome is correct about his comment about the leather in PHD hats, or at least mine. I wore my hat all summer, and I am very happy with my purchase. Also, I'm happy that I did not get a lower quality weave. Almost all of the advice that I received is to get the best quality hat you can afford. The hat can be re-blocked if needed, if it's cared for properly. I would recommend PHD to anyone who is considering a Panama Hat.

As deadlyhandsome noted, the higher end hat makers are out of my price range. The only reason I did not call Northwest Hat Company a call, is because PHD was able to deliver a hat for me quickly. However, I do plan to contact Northwest Hat Company about a beaver felt hat for the colder weather. Mike's hats are superb. Check out his Instagram page. You have plenty of time before straw hat season returns to Michigan, and a call to Mike is sound advice.

I hope this helps. Please PM me, if you have further questions. Wishing you the best.

 

[Bill Hughes]

I've been enjoying nicer straw hats the past 15 yrs. ... I've gone up to $100 at PHD. I once got a Grade 6 Cuenca, as I recall -- I still think it looks nice but maybe it's too stiff? Heck it's about 15 yrs old and now has a 1" split at the top that i've taped on the inside. I'm wanting to take the next step. ...Often when I see vintage movies of fancy folks enjoying straw hats that appear to be of a top shelf nature the hats seem clothlike and rather soft, with a wavy shape. Not crisp or stiff. I'm wondering what I should be looking for... I don't think I've seen a great hat ever yet in the wild or even in a shop. The last hat I got was a uniquely lower grade Montecristi -- like a lower pricepoint hat made w the better bleaching/straw. I don't really like its variation in straw tones or its coarseness. So I'm thinking of taking the step up to Fino or Fino Fino, etc. ... Is there a supplier or level or look I should be aware of? Offhand, even glancing through the Fino Fino I'm not sure if they're as fine as what I want. But maybe I'm just looking at them wrong... Ideas or tips? Thanks!

If you want a really nice Panama at a reasonable price look for vintage or used. What size do you wear?

 

[JeffOYB]

If you want a really nice Panama at a reasonable price look for vintage or used. What size do you wear?

60cm

Thanks for the tips, everybody!

 

[JeffOYB]

Here's a pic of what looks to me like a soft hat...

 

[JeffOYB]

And what about this one. Looks really floppy. Yet kinda nice...

 

[Short Balding Guy]

I am declaring that Panama Hat season is done here in Minnesota. I have the day off from work and I am working on storing straw hats and opening up felt hats this afternoon.

Storing straw caps also. I am using a solid circular hat box hat I picked up at an estate sale for $2.00. Great buy. Ths box will store my two straw Cordova caps.

Two caps will fit with plenty of room and without weighting each other down. I have bubble wrap in the center of each cap while gift wrapping tissue paper is rolled and inserted between the brim and top. I do put one of the caps in an un-sealed Ziplock plastic bag for added protection.

Here the caps are after "dry fitting" them.

I just got back from the retail store Michaels picking up some foam to make strips. I will make the strips into rings. The rings will support the straw hats when stacked. As the pic below shows I need to make over 3 dozen new foam strips.

A couple of the panama hats have matching boxes and they get stored in those.

Below is one example.

My modern panamas have dynamite storage boxes that really make me rest easy they will not get hurt during the winter months.

I have a couple of hours of effort yet to go before my "chore" is complete. Below is 3 of the 5 stacks that need to be prepped and stored.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

This is very sad: