What Is My Hat Made Of?

[MJL]

I picked up a hat off ebay this week. It got delivered and now I am wondering what material it is made of. The hat is a vintage hat made in Milan, Italy. It does not look like it was made of straw although it is like a straw hat. It is a woven fiber hat the appears to be from the 50s or 60s. I am guessing this is some type of linen or hemp fiber.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...sabdhi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&fcl=3&frpp=50&fvi=1


What material is this made of? Also is my dating of this about right? It looks like something Kolchak would wear. It is a little big on my head but I like it. Nice and airy.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Rope.......

 

[MJL]

Rope? Really? It looks like some sort of braided material that has been flattended out and pressed flat. I guess that could be some sort of rope.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Milan Straw...

I have a Biltmore Milan Straw Weave Hat...I contacted Biltmore and they said it was made of Hemp fiber imported from China. I understand Hemp is what is used to make rope.

 

[gdkenoyer]

I understand Hemp is what is used to make rope.

true. hemp is also used in "environmentally conscious" clothing (besides hats) including sandals and shirts/pants. A special hemp species can also found in a joint or two…

 

[Bebop]

Is it Panapore?

Except for the color, it looks like a Stetson Panapore that I bought a couple of weeks ago. Kind of a thin straw and according to Stetson, not as nice as a panama. Mine is an open road style hat.

 

[MJL]

You know, I believe it does appear to be the same material in the Stetson hats. I reckon this must be hemp as stated here. It sure does turn heads in SoFla!