Panama Hat Thread

[randooch]

I think that's Bangora?

No, this is Bangora:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODn0_72u4g0

 

[Aureliano]

I think that's Bangora?

Both the hat you posted and mine look the same. But it doesn't look/feel like paper... Isn't Bangora machine woven? Is there a way to tell for sure? I made a close up of the loose "fibers" the ones without that white coating look like straw... they're brownish...

 

[Dinerman]

I've had a couple very similar to this. I don't have them in front of me, but from what I remember one was marked "Genuine Madras", the other "Genuine Bangora". Nice tight weaves, terrible one-season sweatbands.

 

[Aureliano]

I've had a couple very similar to this. I don't have them in front of me, but from what I remember one was marked "Genuine Madras", the other "Genuine Bangora". Nice tight weaves, terrible one-season sweatbands.

Thanks for the info, Spencer. Very nice and tightly woven, indeed. And you're right, the sweatband is rather thick. The vent holes on this one go all the way down to the edge of the brim. I doubt they'll make any significant difference letting air pass the sweat though. I thought about making some vent holes in the sweatband...

 

[Dinerman]

My sweatbands on this type of straw have all been that cardboard junk- yours looks pretty presentable and comfortable.

That must've been some machine they had drilling all those holes out. I would love to have seen it in action.

 

[Aureliano]

My sweatbands on this type of straw have all been that cardboard junk- yours looks pretty presentable and comfortable.

That must've been some machine they had drilling all those holes out. I would love to have seen it in action.

Yeah, it's actually leather. And yes, seeing that machine in action would have been amazing. I could, using my prototype instrument, make those holes but it's take a while. A long while.

 

[Joshbru3]

Vintage Penney's panama. I believe, by the little bits of fiber sticking out on the inside of the crown, that this one is actual toquilla treated with something that made it whiter and stiff as a cracker. Nevertheless, it's still light and I'm sure it'll be airy inside It came with a purple pug that I diligently replaced with a black one.

SWEET Penny's Panama, Ale!!! I had my eye on that one and was REALLY temped to bid, but I had some bids on a couple other things at the time and chose to lay off. I'm really glad it wound up in your hands though.

At first I thought it was toquilla that was just painted white and shellaced like crazy, but then I thought it might have been a Bangora. What threw me off was the fibers inside the crown, but every panama that I have ever owned had most of the fibers inside the crown either woven into the hat neatly, or was trimmed. The fact that the fibers stick out would say to me that its not toquilla, but I am far from an expert. No matter what the material is, the ventilation on that hat is absolutely KILLER. I just love the look. I love how the crown is vented all the way around and the brim is solid. Its a great contrast. If you ever get sick of it, keep me in mind.

Great hat!! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[Aureliano]

Thanks, Josh! I also thought it was toquilla and, until Spencer pointed out it was a Bangora, I hadn't even considered that option. I thought that the fibers sticking out in the inside crown were actual straw but close examination made me realize they're not. Proportions are great and I'm looking forward to wearing it. It's my first "panama" with a pug, too. I never liked them, specially the deep purple one that came with the hat. But after seeing Al's Stetson (I think it was) I decided to sew the black pug and I actually like it a lot.
If I ever decide to part with it, you'll get first dibs

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Love the vent holes on this one. I bet this was done the a press in one action. The had a block with holes and a outer shell with the punches and in one press all the holes where made. It will be nice and cool in the summer.

 

[Joshbru3]

Thanks, Josh! I also thought it was toquilla and, until Spencer pointed out it was a Bangora, I hadn't even considered that option. I thought that the fibers sticking out in the inside crown were actual straw but close examination made me realize they're not. Proportions are great and I'm looking forward to wearing it. It's my first "panama" with a pug, too. I never liked them, specially the deep purple one that came with the hat. But after seeing Al's Stetson (I think it was) I decided to sew the black pug and I actually like it a lot.

I agree that the purple pug wasn't the best look for the hat. My Milan had a purple pug and I promptly removed it. The black pug looks great and it gives the hat a dressy yet casual feel.

If I ever decide to part with it, you'll get first dibs

YESSSSS!!!!

 

[fedoralover]

Is this a Monticristi???

This is being advertised as a Monticristi, looks more like a Cuenca to me, but I'm not an expert. I always thought there are no deviations in the weave of a Monticristi and I see some in the brim.
What say you, straw hat aficionado's.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320874682335#ht_4135wt_1549

fedoralover

 

[carouselvic]

cuenca brisa

 

[Aureliano]

Yup. Cuenca brisa, looks like a back woven brim edge.

 

[Rabbit]

This is being advertised as a Monticristi, looks more like a Cuenca to me, but I'm not an expert. I always thought there are no deviations in the weave of a Monticristi and I see some in the brim.
What say you, straw hat aficionado's.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320874682335#ht_4135wt_1549

fedoralover

Looks more like a Cuenca than a Montecristi to me, too. Regardless, in contrast to the item description it's not a fine weave by any standard. The closeup shows 14 weaves along one inch (roughly 200 wpsi). I, too, have trouble telling the coarser Montecristi and the Cuenca hats apart.
By the way - from the size tag, the sweat leather itself and the sweat stitches it looks way more recent than what is advertised.

 

[fedoralover]

Thanks for confirming what I was pretty sure a Cuenca. I e-mailed the seller and told him so in a very respect way. It''ll be interesting to see how he responds.

fedoralover

 

[randooch]

Here's the seller's "retraction":

ERRATUM: I just realized that due to my laziness in using a pre-existing template I ID'ed this as a "grade 3".

Well- I retract that- this is a fino Monticristi with a quite high wpi (weaves per inch) count to attest to that fact. You'll have to count for yourselves- it makes my eyes hurt. Message me with your results & I'll post 'em!

Most of ya'll who know bugger-all about Panamas will have already realized my error. It is far finer an item than is represented in the copy -as can clearly be seen in the above photos.

Abundant apologies for my mistake & D'oh!

Thanks,

~Lumbee1

 

[fedoralover]

Actually he had posted that before I sent him an e-mail about it not being a Monticristi. So now he needs to make another retraction. We'll see if he does.


Woops, my bad. I didn't check his posting, just my e-mail. Here's what he posted on the listing page this morning.

fedoralover

With all due respect sir, but this is a Cuenca panama hat,not a Monticristi. There is a huge difference in quality and price between the two. Just thought you would want to know. If someone buys it thinking they are getting a Monticristi and they have it checked, you may have one unhappy buyer. Mar-31-12
A: ATTENTION! PLEASE SEE ABOVE STATEMENT FROM "FEDORALOVER" in which he ID's this item as NOT A MONTICRISTI but a CUENCA WEAVE. And I will be the first to admit I do not know & cannot tell the difference. It was the fine weave that caused me to call this a MONTICRISTI. If the high bidder would like to retract their current bid in light of fedoralovers' assertion, please do so. This is posted in the interest of honesty & full disclosure. Thank you for your support.

So the seller is to be commended for making the adjustment in his listing.

 

[carouselvic]

The seller is a lounge member.

 

[alanfgag]

It's a handsome hat, village notwithstanding. I have a Lee branded straw of a similar quality... it's one of my favorite go to summer hats.

 

[fedoralover]

It's a handsome hat, village notwithstanding. I have a Lee branded straw of a similar quality... it's one of my favorite go to summer hats.

Agreed, it's still a very nice Panama in great shape. Again, no disrespect meant for the seller, lounge member or not. They did the right thing and made the notation on the listing. I know many people think that any panama hat is a Monticristi and are unaware of the difference. A common mistake.

fedoralover