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[Hurricane Jack]

I went there last year with my family, and what you say is all true. However, Costa Rica is really expensive, especially the food, (for which they have a special tax on top of the high prices, like 20 dollars for a hamburguer in a medium-quality hotel) and the roads are very crowded, winding, slow, and narrow. It takes a long time (three or four hours) to go from one tourist attraction to another, even if the distance between them is only fifty miles.
And when I left, they hit me with an "impuesto de salida" (exit tax) so I could simply leave before my money ran out.

On my first day I met an American expat who warned me. I didn't believe him at first, because I had been there about thirty years before, and I didn't get the feeling that it was all one big tourist trap. This time, I did.

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With the abundance of fresh seafood daily I can't imagine eating a $20 hamburger.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Question about Panama Hats. Who makes some of the better hats? We are going on a cruise in fall and actually stopping in Panama. Has anyone actually purchased hats in places like panama, equador, or cuba? Seems most of my straws already say "Hand Made Equador" or something similar. Seems one could maybe get a good deal right from the place they are made? Ideas?

I’m no expert on Panama hats. All of them are made/woven in Ecuador, but the blocking and finishing work make all the difference. I don’t pretend to know all the great makers but I’ve coveted hats from Optimo and Brent Black. Certainly those two are top tier makers and you’d be a lucky guy to own a high grade hat from either of them.


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[drmaxtejeda]

Well, not too many Optimo silverbelly owners around...

I can compare to my Optimo Dillinger though. The thing about vintage felts is that there are so many different grades of felt, so it's hard to make too many generalities. After the 60's felt quality just isn't the same, and pre-war hats are especially desirable. One of the things that distinguishes earlier hats (pre-1941) was the use of mercury in the felting process, which aided in producing a tighter, denser felt. Mercury was actually outlawed earlier in Europe, but lasted until 1941 in the U.S. The oldest Stetson in my collection seems to be from around 1910 or so, and it's easily the nicest felt I've ever handled. The leather sweatband (which were wider cut, and higher quality leather) is still supple after a century. Molds like clay, like butter even!

Post War hats through the 50's and 60's were still quite nice. But many of these hats aren't as nice as an Optimo, per se, but might be in a color that's not produced any longer. Borsalino hats from the original factory are also highly regarded. Again for the variety of felt colors, but, having a thin and pliable felt. Modern dress and western weight felts are generally thicker than their vintage equivalents.

You're setting a pretty high bar for comparison if we're starting with an Optimo. But I would say yes, with certain vintage hats, you'd find something that surpasses the Optimo (perhaps a nice Clear Beaver Stetson).

Thank you much, jlee, for spending the time on such an intelligible answer!

I am glad I found the FL. I have two felt and one Panama Optimos on the way. Once I have them I will spend some time trying to acquire a good vintage felt.
Perhaps then I might trouble you and other FL members for advice and guidance?

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[TwelfthMonk]

Hi this is my first question on here and I hope this is the right section to post this in I will explain as much as possible. See I bough the David Morgan Akubra Adventurer and the brim seems too big i want it smaller so I figured since I bought it as an Indy hat that I happen to wear daily I figured I would bring it down to those dimensions heres the info from Indy Gear and from David Morgan

Size: 7 ¼ (size 58 European)
Crown: 5 ½ (5.5) inches
Brim (front & back): 2 ¾ (2.75) inches
Brim (sides): 2 5/8 (2.625) inches
Ribbon: 1 ½ (1.5) inches (39mm)
Felt type: Rabbit (for Raiders, Temple and Last Crusade), and Beaver (Crystal Skull



The open crown is 5½ inches, the raw edge brim is 3⅛ inches on the front and back, 2¾ inches on the sides. Akubra's Imperial Quality fur felt. The Adventurer is finished with a matching 1½ inch grosgrain ribbon band.


Indy. Akubra difference

2.75. 3. 125 0.375 front

2.625 2.75 0.125 back

5.5 5.5 0.000 crown

With the difference not being the same for the front and back is it possible to do this by my self or should I see a miliner

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[larold]

I have a question about ribbons. One of my hats has a ribbon that looks to be made of grosgrain but is attached with hooks like a puggaree. I'd like to put this kind of ribbon on another hat, but can't find them for sale online. Can someone point me to a source or instructions about how to make one? Also, what is this kind of ribbon called?

Thanks!

 

[Redfokker]

View attachment 120527 I have a question about ribbons. One of my hats has a ribbon that looks to be made of grosgrain but is attached with hooks like a puggaree. I'd like to put this kind of ribbon on another hat, but can't find them for sale online. Can someone point me to a source or instructions about how to make one? Also, what is this kind of ribbon called?

Thanks!

There is a name for this style of "bow" I can't remember it. Common look on a straw like this. Some fine vintage hats sport this style as well There are a number of sellers of vintage grosgrain on Etsy and Ebay. There is probably a dedicated thread around here somewhere. Try searching Ribbon Suppliers using Google, adding "Fedora Lounge". Seems to work better than the search box on our website. Nice Milan, we would like to see some detail shots of it, innards, logos and sweat. Welcome to the Lounge, stick around, you will learn all you need to know.

 

[JMRF]

Hello All, I once lurked around this site many times a day. I bought many hats in those days. After a disaster at home that killed off 2/3 of my collection I lost interest in my hats. They have sat in a hat box for at least a decade. I have kept wearing two favorites but the rest get no love. I would like to sell them off but I have no clue what they are worth. Would anyone be willing to look at some pictures and give me an idea?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello. My condolences on your loss. I like my hats, but in the end they are only things and I sell some from time to time as well. I think your best bet would be to include photos of each anlong with a brief description. There are lots of knowledgeable folks here (I’m not one of them . If you include photos you’re likely to get a better response. Make sure you state sizes as that impacts price a lot. Good luck.

 

[JMRF]

I was afraid that might be frowned upon. That kind of post has gotten me in trouble on other forums. If no one minds I am happy to do it that way.

 

[Bamaboots]

I was afraid that might be frowned upon. That kind of post has gotten me in trouble on other forums. If no one minds I am happy to do it that way.

A simpler way might be to browse the bay sold listings for hats similar to yours to assess a fair market value and then list them in the classifieds here for what you would like to get for them. If they are desirable in size and style, a fair price can usually be had. Asking all the hat addicts here for valuation might create chaos.

Then again if they are vintage and a size 7 3/8, DM me here.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Chaos can be a good time.


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[deadlyhandsome]

I was afraid that might be frowned upon. That kind of post has gotten me in trouble on other forums. If no one minds I am happy to do it that way.

I don’t think anyone will mind seeing lots of hats. Be prepared to receive honest valuations and not shoot for the moon pricing. Few will want to see you get taken advantage of, but the regulars know what’s fair and they don’t spend recklessly. In the end, they will be worth what whatever someone is willing to pay and the prices might surprise you (good and bad). When I decide to sell I price my items to move, at a fair price, but I don’t try to squeeze every dollar from them. Just my 2 cents.


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[Bill Hughes]

I know I’ve seen a red, white, and blue ribbon treatment on a bleached straw being worn be a forum member. But I can’t find the pic. Can anybody help?

 

[Bill Hughes]

I know I’ve seen a red, white, and blue ribbon treatment on a bleached straw being worn be a forum member. But I can’t find the pic. Can anybody help?

Never mind. Found it. It was Bob aka @RJR.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-hat-are-you-wearing-today.19520/page-8623

 

[itsallgood]

What is an all-time classic hat for someone newly retired?

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

What is an all-time classic hat for someone newly retired?

Instructions not included!
Congratulations and welcome to the club!
Bowen

 

[itsallgood]

Oops! A gift for a friend. Sounds like you're enjoying retirement though!

 

[Redfokker]

View attachment 120746
Instructions not included!
Congratulations and welcome to the club!
Bowen

 

[Zombie_61]

What is an all-time classic hat for someone newly retired?

I think this is a difficult question to answer without knowing the person and his/her tastes. My first thought was, "A classic fedora looks good on everyone," but then I realized I know people who would much prefer an $8 ball cap. *shrug*

 

[homesicksteve]

View attachment 120527 I have a question about ribbons. One of my hats has a ribbon that looks to be made of grosgrain but is attached with hooks like a puggaree. I'd like to put this kind of ribbon on another hat, but can't find them for sale online. Can someone point me to a source or instructions about how to make one? Also, what is this kind of ribbon called?

In the UK Petershams has a selection :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fabric-R...hash=item2a46b64dfa:m:myX_PVS0E9eFzbNQkaMjqaA