Please help me with a summer hat: Business and Casual

[ProfessorShak]

I'm 27 and LOVE fedoras ever since I found how well they suit me. In the fall/winter, I have a Brown and Grey Fed IV which keep me nice and warm.

In the warmer/hotter days, and they can get HOT and SUNNY in NYC, Im a bit lost.

I have a panama hat from panama bob, but the brim is HUGE and unevenly round. This might work out for when I'm in a suit or Bus. Casual but that rim is bothering me. What can I do?

Also, a panama might be out of place on the weekends or at a BBQ when I'm wearing linen pants and a polo. I'm thinking of getting a baseball cap but am still not quite sure. Any suggestions?

 

[SteveAS]

Also, a panama might be out of place on the weekends or at a BBQ when I'm wearing linen pants and a polo.

I think a Panama would be just fine with that outfit. Perhaps upgrade the polo to a button-up short sleeve and it would be perfect.

 

[zetwal]

Why not get one with a shorter brim?

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Hand made panamas are always a bit wonky, and as a hatter once told me - "panama hat bodies give what they give."[huh] It's not Bob's fault, to be sure. But it is part of the hand-woven authentic panama experience. Not everyone can deal with that.

If you want more control over the final product with a straw hat, you might want to pick up a factory hat. Stetson, Capas, Dobbs, etc. They all have fairly nice offerings, and some at very good prices if you hunt around. That will solve your worries about uneven brims and give you more control over the brim width. I have found so many good straws this year that I can't decide which to buy!

 

[MisterGrey]

A stingy brim straw trilby lends itself quite well to casual outfits. Here's one with a t-shirt, Hawaiian shirt, and polo shirt:

 

[Bingles]

I have had the same problem with summer hats. For colder months, felt fedoras tend to work well with any outfit... dress or casual.

I have recently stumbled across this site.. and they have some awesome stingy brims that would be great for casual wear... and can even work well with a shirt and tie.

http://www.newyorkhatco.com/

 

[djhatman]

I just got a linen driving cap form Khol's and really like it. I would not wear it for formal stuff but for bar b ques and the such I really like it. For $10.00 if it lasts the summer I will be very happy.

 

[ProfessorShak]

I was gonna get this
http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/....2877674&ab=ln_men_cs2_hats&parentPage=family

in white even though I don't like baseball caps, I wasn't sure anything else would work well enough with the mentioned summer outfit.

The Ivy cap deems interesting but I'm not sure I could pull it off

 

[Tiller]

I take it a boater is out of the question lol.

 

[ProfessorShak]

No Boaters!

It seems its either a baseball or linen flat cap. Baseball already looks good on me in my casual summer attire but I need to try on the other.

As for the panama, is there any way I can cut the rim without it falling apart?

 

[Tiller]

Opinions inside not representative of all members of the vintage community

No Boaters!

Poor man. Limiting yourself like that. Personally I wish I had a boater, but my funds right now aren't anywhere near at the level I want before I start buying more hats.

It seems its either a baseball or linen flat cap. Baseball already looks good on me in my casual summer attire but I need to try on the other.

If it's between a ball cap or a flat cap, go flat cap. Unless your playing baseball of course. Your not 17 anymore old man.

As for the panama, is there any way I can cut the rim without it falling apart?

I wouldn't touch it. Ask someone who is a better expert on panama's then I am, but I'm pretty sure attempting to cut a panama is a horrible idea.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Oh, no. Don't do that. Better to sell it off.

Have you considered a linen 8-panel newsboy cap?

For example;
http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=82&subcname=Caps+&+Berets

 

[jpbales]

I find that a panama goes with about any outfit, casual or dressy, as long as it goes with your face. The brim size problem isn't going to change with any outfit, if it's too wide it will make you feel funny in any outfit you wear.

Here are some pics of a casual panama:

The last one isn't actually a panama, but it's a straw hat and looks similar none the less.

I usually don't wear any shirt less than a polo in terms of dress if I'm wearing a hat, but many people can pull of T-shirts and hats well.

 

[Bingles]

What about something like these?