Panama Hat Thread

[zetwal]

Is this the one, Zetwal?

Hi there.

No, this is NOT the same hat that we have been talking about elsewhere. This is another one ...

 

[Aureliano]

ah! very nice montecristi anyway!

 

[zetwal]

ah! very nice montecristi anyway!

Thanks dude (on both points) ...

 

[mattface]

Got my hat from http://panamas.biz/specials.html Overall I'm pretty happy with it. it's a touch loose, so I put a singe layer of felt behind the band in front. The sweatband is pretty chintzy fabric, and the ribbon's also pretty chintzy, but it's a nice lightweight hat, and at the price for a hand woven hat I guess I can't complain too much about the minor details.

The good news is it fits fine with a little felt behind the band, and it's nice and cool and lightweight which is exactly what I was looking for. It looks good too, the brim doesn't snap as well as I want, but with a little attention and a hot tea kettle I should have it in just the shape I like.

All I've got so far is a cheesy webcam pic which I can't upload here, and it's not even worth uploading it to flickr. I'll post a better pic of it first chance I get.

 

[Panamabob]

Got my hat from http://panamas.biz/specials.html Overall I'm pretty happy with it. it's a touch loose, so I put a singe layer of felt behind the band in front. The sweatband is pretty chintzy fabric, and the ribbon's also pretty chintzy, but it's a nice lightweight hat, and at the price for a hand woven hat I guess I can't complain too much about the minor details.

The good news is it fits fine with a little felt behind the band, and it's nice and cool and lightweight which is exactly what I was looking for. It looks good too, the brim doesn't snap as well as I want, but with a little attention and a hot tea kettle I should have it in just the shape I like.

All I've got so far is a cheesy webcam pic which I can't upload here, and it's not even worth uploading it to flickr. I'll post a better pic of it first chance I get.

Speechless.

 

[mattface]

Speechless.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining. I like the hat, and it met my expectations for the most part. The fit is an issue I'll always struggle with being just a bit shy if 7 1/4 and not having any hair to make for padding. I usually wouldn't order a hat without trying it on, but I really needed a straw, and couldn't find one around here that suits me. This one is exactly what I was looking for, so it was worth the risk to mail order. With a little felt tucked behind the sweat it's fitting well now, and as I wear it the snap on the brim has relaxed into where I want it. It just took a bit of coaxing at first. The only real surprise to me was that it has a thin fabric sweatband, and that was only a surprise because it didn't say anything about that on your website, and based on other info on your website I expected it would have a leather sweat. I realize that may be an unrealistic expectation for a hat at this price point, and it wouldn't have changed my decision to purchase this hat, but it was a surprise that did in fact register as a disappointment for me when I opened the box, so it seems worth mentioning.

edit: p.s. this is my first ever panama, so I realize my expectations may have been out of whack with reality. I also don't usually purchase things quite so spontaneously, and do a lot more research first, but I've been looking for a while for a straw, and the recent bout of hot weather had me feeling desperate. Had I done my usual due diligence before making this purchase, I'm confident there would have been no surprises.

 

[mattface]

Panama! by mattface, on Flickr

Thanks Bob! This is just what I needed! :thumb:

 

[zetwal]

Looks very nice indeed ...

 

[monbla256]

The hat looks good on ya. PB's lower priced hats are really some of the BEST deals out there ! Panama's are NOT the same thing as a well made fur felt hat. They were never designed that way and won't be. Unless you get in the multi k Montecristi range, to expect such really is not realistic. BB who sells much more expensive panama's has several models with a fabric sweat and I have two out my 9 Panama's with 'em and find that in high heat/humididty conditions they work quite well. Know that you got one of the best deals for your money currently available.

 

[mattface]

The hat looks good on ya. PB's lower priced hats are really some of the BEST deals out there ! Panama's are NOT the same thing as a well made fur felt hat. They were never designed that way and won't be. Unless you get in the multi k Montecristi range, to expect such really is not realistic. BB who sells much more expensive panama's has several models with a fabric sweat and I have two out my 9 Panama's with 'em and find that in high heat/humididty conditions they work quite well. Know that you got one of the best deals for your money currently available.

Thanks! I'm diggin' it. Currently sitting in-doors on my couch with it on, just letting it mold to my head. I'm really not used to straws, but it seems like it wants some warmth and humidity and time to bond with my head.

 

[monbla256]

Thanks! I'm diggin' it. Currently sitting in-doors on my couch with it on, just letting it mold to my head. I'm really not used to straws, but it seems like it wants some warmth and humidity and time to bond with my head.

That's right ! They do "mold" as you say. Just remember, They are STRAW and handwoven and DO NOT like rain as opposed to a fur felt. Wear it in a rainstorm and it will shrink all over as it dries! A few sprinkles or a mist not bad but NOT full on rain . Enjoy one of the sartorial niceties of Summer

 

[email68]

My panama sits low on my head. Enough so it sits on my balding scalp an pokes me.

Would it work to clue a piece of fabric on the top of the inside?

Tim

 

[mattface]

My panama sits low on my head. Enough so it sits on my balding scalp an pokes me.

Would it work to clue a piece of fabric on the top of the inside?

Tim

have you tried putting a little foam or felt in the front of the sweatband? if you tighten up the band a bit it might sit a touch higher thereby negating that problem. anyway it's an easy thing to try, and easy to undo if it doesn't help.

 

[RBH]

Panama! by mattface, on Flickr

Thanks Bob! This is just what I needed! :thumb:

That one looks good on you. I just bought me one just like it, for working around the yard.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Well said!

 

[email68]

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

-Tim

have you tried putting a little foam or felt in the front of the sweatband? if you tighten up the band a bit it might sit a touch higher thereby negating that problem. anyway it's an easy thing to try, and easy to undo if it doesn't help.

 

[daizawaguy]

Window display at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for Newt at the Royal. A very fine work in progress on display.

 

[new2hats]

2 questions to all you panama hat veterans out there:

1. Is it bad if my new panama hat sounds 'crispy' when I handle it? (stiffner vs straw cracking?)

2. Given as much time as needed, how difficult is it to block my own hat (that is soft)?

Thanks for any and all answers!

 

[Aureliano]

Window display at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for Newt at the Royal. A very fine work in progress on display.

Great shot! I wonder if those are Brent Black's...

 

[Aerol]

Aureliano, your answer lies here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?56822-Newt-at-the-Royal