Panama Hat Thread

[chippy]

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man....I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!

That Sir, is, a cool looking hat!

 

[jbucklin]

Thanks Chippy! I like it---and it's only a Stetson Retro Panama:

http://www.villagehatshop.com/stetson_retro_fedora.html

Here it is with more formal attire:

 

[Lefty]

Hats Off to Ecuador!

 

[rlk]

OLD Optimo

Needs some sanitizing but otherwise in surprisingly good condition. 2-3/8" brim and frayed trailing ribbon edges.

 

[jwalls]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4t3ukZF_XjcjnHO-4pwfyg?feat=directlink

My favorite Panama Hat. I had to install a new sweat band last week.

 

[zetwal]

Nice pattern on the crown of the calado ...

 

[David Conwill]

I’m growing excited, fellas. I just got a tracking number in my e-mail for a new Panama Bob number that I ordered.

My first real Panama!

-Dave

 

[CRH]

Hey, RLK, if you are looking for a name for your hat, how about Old Yeller.

That old yellowed Panama is awesome. :eusa_clap

 

[B.J. Hedberg]

My Dobbs Shantung with Replacement Ribbon

Finally got around to replacing the striped ribbon with a solid one off an old Biltmore. It was my first attempt at ribbon replacement and it went well even with my poor sewing abilities. It definitely makes it a far more useful and formal hat.

Now:

Then:

 

[WineGuy]

Project "Resurrection" Part II

Just got my Montecristi back from Art who re-blocked it, and installed new bands. This time around i switched to a cloth sweat band because the leather, although beautiful to look at, sweat the devil out of me this summer. I also had Art switch from the Burgundy colored hat band to a darker Ox Blood(hard to show in the pics, looks black). I did this because the Burgundy was Rayon based and stretched slightly causing it to pull away from the crown. Art said the new band should stay snug better.

As you can see, I've gotten the black ink stains down to a pale blue with the hydrogen peroxide bath. My daughter is working on some motifs to paint on the brim to mask the stains and I hope to have her complete the application this weekend. The most annoying thing so far is not even the stains which I feel confident my daughter will mask beautifully, but the fact that when I initially tried to wash out the ink, I was so panicked that I rubbed too hard and pulled part of the self-welt out(notice the irregular brim edge by the main stain). I'm going to try to tighten it a back with tweezers and a magnifying lens this weekend. Wish us luck!

 

[daizawaguy]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Jim2903]

Picked up something from Panama Bob's eBay store -- will get it tomorrow ...

 

[buler]

El Lazo De Oro

Optimo sold by El Lazo De Oro. Removable liner. Nice tight weave. Found an ad from 1938.

B

 

[CRH]

Optimo sold by El Lazo De Oro. Removable liner. Nice tight weave. Found an ad from 1938.

...

Dang, buler! :eusa_clap

That small crack looks easily fixable.

 

[danofarlington]

Dang, buler! :eusa_clap

That small crack looks easily fixable.

]

How do you fix a crack on a Panama hat?

 

[CRH]

How do you fix a crack on a Panama hat?

I've fixed one that was well approximated using fabric glue on the back side. Now you can't tell there was ever a crack at all.

You could do this on larger cracks that are not so well approximated but there will forever be a scar.

 

[danofarlington]

I've fixed one that was well approximated using fabric glue on the back side. Now you can't tell there was ever a crack at all.

You could do this on larger cracks that are not so well approximated but there will forever be a scar.

That's good to know. I also have a vintage Stetson Optimo Panama that might be from the 20s, tight weave like the Buler hat. Had it on my knee on the plane coming back from cross-world trip. Fell off my knee; I grabbed the brim quick; tore a one-inch rip on the brim. Not too visible, but I might try to fix it sometime. Who carries fabric glue?

 

[57plymouth]

Where should I look for a decent looking teardrop shaped panama in the $55 range?

I don't have a ton to spend, and I've been warned against the ultrafinopanamahats seller on e-bay. I don't need a Cadillac, just a nice Chevy.

 

[Ordinary Guy]

Where should I look for a decent looking teardrop shaped panama in the $55 range?

I don't have a ton to spend, and I've been warned against the ultrafinopanamahats seller on e-bay. I don't need a Cadillac, just a nice Chevy.

Check out this site and email him with the statement you made above and I am sure he will be able to help you out....

http://www.panamas.biz/

 

[Neophyte]

Where should I look for a decent looking teardrop shaped panama in the $55 range?

I don't have a ton to spend, and I've been warned against the ultrafinopanamahats seller on e-bay. I don't need a Cadillac, just a nice Chevy.

Hey, sorry I got off-topic on your other thread. I've been searching the internet trying to find someplace, and there is one place I can direct you to that has some cheaper straw hats that are made by recognized factory brands. Here's the link to the straw hat page of VillageHatShop:
http://www.villagehatshop.com/vhs_panama.html

Oh yeah, and the well known site DavidMorgan has this: http://www.davidmorgan.com/product_info.php?products_id=1319

In the price range you've stated, I recommend either PanamaBob or something in the Bailey brand range of straw hats.