What hat are you waiting for today?

[deadlyhandsome]

A lot of personality in that crease

I wonder what color the felt really is.

 

[M Hatman]

Awfully kind of ya, but already have that one lol

 

[AHP91]

Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little

 

[deadlyhandsome]

1970s Stetson The Sovereign black homburg in 7 ¾:

 

[Zombie_61]

I wonder what color the felt really is.

I think you mean "was". Still seems a nice hat, even if it gets relegated to the "beater" stack.

Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little

Oh, I don't know. A little leather conditioner might bring it mostly back to life, and you'll have a nice cap for casual occasions.

 

[DonR]

A Wormser Regency Series Gay Cavalier

 

[Granville]

I've been grabbing straw hats for decades, cheaper the better, because I live at the beach. The last couple of years, since I started getting into felts, I've been looking for nice 'around the town' summer straws (as opposed to beach lids), especially a nice Panama. I found a toquilla straw of the Cuenca style (herringbone weave), but it had a cheap sweat band and was cracked at the pinch. Then I picked up one that had the look I wanted (downward brim all around) and a leather sweat, but it was Shantung and shellacked. It has some vents so it breathes a little, but it's weird to wear such a stiff hat, even though it looks good (Larry Mahan brand). Lastly, I also been trying to find one with the crease down the middle. I think I got it now.

Above pic is not the hat I bought, but representative (same make and model) -- to show that odd crease down the front. Apparently that's 'the fold' line. But this hat has a leather sweat, so it is only an affectation, it can't be folded and rolled. OK by me. I think I'll work the brim to have a fedora snap look (raised in rear, down in front). I don't think this one gets a pinch, either.
Here's the actual hat I purchased:

Be cooler if it was white, but that's alright. Also, comes with a story. Seller says it was only worn once, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies, and been in a box since. I couldn't find a pic to verify, but the hat appears to be more than just tourist souvenir. Leather sweat embossed with the Olympic's Logo and Levi's brand; the factory label indicates Levi's may have sub-contracted Optimo as the manufacturer. Or maybe that's just the "style" name. Monte Cristo weave, but no mention of type of straw or country of origin.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I've been grabbing straw hats for decades, cheaper the better, because I live at the beach. The last couple of years, since I started getting into felts, I've been looking for nice 'around the town' summer straws (as opposed to beach lids), especially a nice Panama. I found a toquilla straw of the Cuenca style (herringbone weave), but it had a cheap sweat band and was cracked at the pinch. Then I picked up one that had the look I wanted (downward brim all around) and a leather sweat, but it was Shantung and shellacked. It has some vents so it breathes a little, but it's weird to wear such a stiff hat, even though it looks good (Larry Mahan brand). Lastly, I also been trying to find one with the crease down the middle. I think I got it now.
View attachment 584936
Above pic is not the hat I bought, but representative (same make and model) -- to show that odd crease down the front. Apparently that's 'the fold' line. But this hat has a leather sweat, so it is only an affectation, it can't be folded and rolled. OK by me. I think I'll work the brim to have a fedora snap look (raised in rear, down in front). I don't think this one gets a pinch, either.
Here's the actual hat I purchased:
View attachment 584940
Be cooler if it was white, but that's alright. Also, comes with a story. Seller says it was only worn once, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies, and been in a box since. I couldn't find a pic to verify, but the hat appears to be more than just tourist souvenir. Leather sweat embossed with the Olympic's Logo and Levi's brand; the factory label indicates Levi's may have sub-contracted Optimo as the manufacturer. Or maybe that's just the "style" name. Monte Cristo weave, but no mention of type of straw or country of origin.

View attachment 584938 View attachment 584939

That crease is not a fold line nor is the hat associated with the store Optimo of Chicago. That is an Optimo style crease and it's a characteristic of a traditional block used to form Panama hats:

I believe the white color is due to a bleaching process used during the construction of the hat.

Good time to buy during the straw off-season. Nice get!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I've been grabbing straw hats for decades, cheaper the better, because I live at the beach. The last couple of years, since I started getting into felts, I've been looking for nice 'around the town' summer straws (as opposed to beach lids), especially a nice Panama. I found a toquilla straw of the Cuenca style (herringbone weave), but it had a cheap sweat band and was cracked at the pinch. Then I picked up one that had the look I wanted (downward brim all around) and a leather sweat, but it was Shantung and shellacked. It has some vents so it breathes a little, but it's weird to wear such a stiff hat, even though it looks good (Larry Mahan brand). Lastly, I also been trying to find one with the crease down the middle. I think I got it now.
View attachment 584936
Above pic is not the hat I bought, but representative (same make and model) -- to show that odd crease down the front. Apparently that's 'the fold' line. But this hat has a leather sweat, so it is only an affectation, it can't be folded and rolled. OK by me. I think I'll work the brim to have a fedora snap look (raised in rear, down in front). I don't think this one gets a pinch, either.
Here's the actual hat I purchased:
View attachment 584940
Be cooler if it was white, but that's alright. Also, comes with a story. Seller says it was only worn once, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies, and been in a box since. I couldn't find a pic to verify, but the hat appears to be more than just tourist souvenir. Leather sweat embossed with the Olympic's Logo and Levi's brand; the factory label indicates Levi's may have sub-contracted Optimo as the manufacturer. Or maybe that's just the "style" name. Monte Cristo weave, but no mention of type of straw or country of origin.

View attachment 584938 View attachment 584939

The style is called optimo or colonial. It’s a classic style
For Panama hats and one that I like more and more. Good looking Panama hat.

 

[Granville]

Thanks Brent and OldF. Can't beat the knowledge base here at the lounge. As for the story about the athletes wearing these lids on parade, I found video of both the opening and closing ceremonies and nobody was wearing anything looking like this. Still, it appears to be a quality hat. I'll post again in the New Hats thread when I get it in hand and let you know if it's covered in varnish or otherwise not what it seems to be.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little

Nah….a little Pecard’s and you’re good in both worlds.
B

 

[BobHufford]

A special edition Rand's? First one I've seen with embroidery on the crown. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

 

[BobHufford]

I was after the Dorer Bar-50, (sold through Orvis -- like the one @Bamaboots has), but ended up with an Akubra Snowy River and another Longhorn.

 

[BobHufford]

Then I got myself into this mess of hats.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A special edition Rand's? First one I've seen with embroidery on the crown. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

View attachment 585015

View attachment 585016

View attachment 585017

View attachment 585018

I like it. It’s tastefully done and the tone on tone keeps it subdued.

 

[Granville]

Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little

I think that's bad ass! Back in my truck driving days I would have loved it.

 

[BobHufford]

Beater Optimos -- is that a thing? I guess when they get to this state you have to call them "Oprimos".

I'm hoping the extra hair I'm sporting will allow these size 7-5/8 hats to fit without much added padding.

And who knew that Minnesota is ten times farther away in the Winter? I'm a bit worried about the shipping from that distance.

Also won this Mallory (but it is 7-1/4).

 

[deadlyhandsome]

 

[BobHufford]

This is a new one for me ... Morrison Hats.

This is more familiar territory. A Dobbs Fifteen.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Mallory Fifteen.: