Panama Hat Thread

[rlk]

rlk, that is such a nice Panama. That thing's been waiting for quite a while to look that good on you. Congrats!!

Thank you, Gene. I'm really pleased with the result.

 

[rlk]

The Pedigree Genuine Tweed.

now has its own thread Purely Pedigree

 

[rlk]

Another mystery fiber...Dobbs

2" wide sweatband and about the lightest hat I've held.

 

[daizawaguy]

Sisal I imagine, with that shine...

 

[jonbuilder]

Malory Panama

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My first only only Panama

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Size, Jonbuilder?


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[jonbuilder]

Hi Marc
It's a 7-1/4 with a square cloth tag fits like it was blocked for me

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Jon, it's marvelous. I've never seen better blocking on the crown of an optimo. A wonderful find! :eusa_clap


.

 

[thinkfloyd]

New here...

First post! I just ordered my Panama from ecuadormall, though if I saw this forum before I ordered, I would've gotten my hat from PanamaBob instead (after reading all the positive experiences with him. The other guy "BB," when I asked him about a hat in my price range, told me straight out "I don't have a hat for you." Kinda rude, but, oh well...)

I ordered an el cheapo Cuenca Optimo for around $27. Would have wanted a Montechristi instead, but as of the moment, even the cheapest Montechristi is out of my league. A little background: I am a freelance writer/photographer/musician, and living here in a third-world country being freelance means "struggling" and "starving" lol Surviving at least, and when I get my hat, I hope to survive with style...

Hope to save up a little more and get a fine Montechristi from PanamaBob in the future, one to keep as a potential heirloom for my kids, with the Cuenca as an everyday workhorse...

BTW, there are two seasons here in the Philippines, hot and wet. I read that Panamas shouldn't get wet, but what if I cant help it? How can I protect the hat, or at least save it when it gets wet? Thanks!

 

[daizawaguy]

Welcome! tell us about philippine straw...they make a lot of straws for hats in your part of the world, right? Some of the best for Milan weaves...? Enjoy it here!

 

[thinkfloyd]

I know of the straw hats here, though maybe I don't know where to look since most are stiff, low quality... saw one I fancied, a straw fedora, but the band was glued on and looked awful haha, so I decided to get a panama instead. Thanks for the welcome!

edit: As for the straw used for Milan weaves, you must be referring to Manila hemp. A stiff fiber used from clothing to hats to most anything really. Super common here, you can pick up a sheet of it lying in the street if you know where to look haha... we use it to start barbecue fires since it burns well.

 

[WineGuy]

Hi thinkfloyd, welcome to the Lounge. Brent Black only deals in fine quality Panama hats, but he is one of the top purveyors of Montecristi's. Panama Bob is the go to guy for ANY quality...lowly Azogues to Super Fino's. Even though you purchased your Cuenca elsewhere, I suggest you reach out to PB for ideas in treating your hat against rain and humidity, Bob will gladly assist you, that's just how he is.

 

[memphislawyer]

Panama Bob sold me my Diamante and I have gotten nothing but compliments, more so than any cologne I was wearing or any tie for that matter.

 

[ScottF]

This one's probably just arriving at Optimo, so we'll see what magic they can work...$7.90 at antique mall

I was leaning toward 'Optimo' style with a wide burgundy sweatband, but after seeing rlk's, I'm tempted to ask for the same.

 

[billysmom]

This one's probably just arriving at Optimo, so we'll see what magic they can work...$7.90 at antique mall

I was leaning toward 'Optimo' style with a wide burgundy sweatband, but after seeing rlk's, I'm tempted to ask for the same.

Oh, my! This one's going to be stunning!!!! Congratulations on your find!

Sue

 

[Garrett]

Nice find, Scott. Should be beautiful in the end!

 

[thinkfloyd]

Hi thinkfloyd, welcome to the Lounge. Brent Black only deals in fine quality Panama hats, but he is one of the top purveyors of Montecristi's. Panama Bob is the go to guy for ANY quality...lowly Azogues to Super Fino's. Even though you purchased your Cuenca elsewhere, I suggest you reach out to PB for ideas in treating your hat against rain and humidity, Bob will gladly assist you, that's just how he is.

Thanks WineGuy! From what I read, PB does offer tremendous customer service even if one doesn't buy from him... makes me feel half ashamed not to have discovered him sooner

 

[AlanC]

Scott and Jon, fantastic optimos. Scott, I really look forward to seeing what Optimo does with that one.

 

[ScottF]

Scott and Jon, fantastic optimos. Scott, I really look forward to seeing what Optimo does with that one.

Thanks all. It's been just sitting around like this for a few months, but I put it in the mail as soon as I saw rlk's posted. The warm weather is basically gone here in Seattle, so I guess it will be a display piece for the next 7 months!

 

[carouselvic]

Scott, I take my Montecristi hats out every couple weeks throughout the winter just to sniff them. TLH