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Summer dress fedora suggestions and ideas

hatsandcanes

Familiar Face
Messages
92
Location
Tennessee
Hello,
I am looking for a new summer dress fedora. I already have the Stetson Whippet in straw. Fur felt is just too hot for the hot and humid Tennessee weather. My main requirement would be a leather sweat band. I am thinking straw or maybe hemp. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I have searched the board and found a couple of threads but they did not have what I was looking for. I know someone suggested a custom from Peters Brothers. Thanks much!
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Hello,
I am looking for a new summer dress fedora. I already have the Stetson Whippet in straw. Fur felt is just too hot for the hot and humid Tennessee weather. My main requirement would be a leather sweat band. I am thinking straw or maybe hemp. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I have searched the board and found a couple of threads but they did not have what I was looking for. I know someone suggested a custom from Peters Brothers. Thanks much!

The Panama hat is what comes immediately to mind. Do you not care for them? I’ve never seen a hemp hat that was woven as fine as a Panama can be. I also like real Milan hats, but they aren’t as dressy. Depending on your budget and your patience, VS, Optimo, NW, Brent Black, etc. have you covered on the custom front. For my money, I’d have Art at VS make me a mid-grade or better semi-calado. If you want a ready made, take a look at the current offerings by Stetson, but I recommend staying with Panama/Toquilla straw or hemp:

http://www.hat-co.com/perch//resources/s19stetsoncity.pdf

The Peters Bros. hemp “Milan” hats look good to me and I’ve been meaning to order one for a while. They don’t seem to be as dressy to me, but I’m not exactly sure what you’re after for your “dress hat.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Tonio

A-List Customer
Messages
445
I have a modern Borsalino Sisol straw that is unbelievably light weight, however has a grosgrain sweatband. I believe it was made by Tesi.

image.jpeg
image.jpeg


Bencraft has a sisol straw by Tesi that states it has a leather sweat. Id say worth checking out.

http://www.bencrafthats.com/genuine-sisal-straw-by-tesi-3286#.XEIR6lQ8KnM
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
The Tesi Sisol is a nice hat, but it comes with the taper to the crown that's common with Italian hats. I got one last year and have never worn it. One absolutely unqualified suggestion I'd make is the Milan Landman from Art Fawcett. I have two of them and a third in navy blue in the works. You really can't go wrong with Art.
 
Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
It might help to determine what aspects of a hat you find more or less comfortable in heat. If weight is a factor, milan (wheat grass) is quite heavy. There are many felt hats that will weigh less than a milan straw. Monetcristi hats from toquilla palm are also on the heavy side and wearing an expensive straw hat on a blazingly hot day can cause you to sweat just worrying about your investment. Buntal, baku, sisal, yeddo straw boaters... these are all very light weight hats which can be comfortable when the heat is high. Leather sweatbands are a better barrier than fabric or ribbon when it comes to sweat penetration staining the body material of the hat. The straws for sale in the vintage market will be much diverse than the handful of new hat options. Might be worth hunting for a nice one or two or twenty to see what you enjoy. Just a few thoughts to add to the equation. Happy hunting!
 

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