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[Judgmentalist]

https://montecristi.co.uk/collectio...the-basic-brisa-panama-hat-fedora-entry-lavel

 

[Judgmentalist]

https://montecristi.co.uk/collectio...the-basic-brisa-panama-hat-fedora-entry-lavel

View attachment 789991

 

[Zoro]

Have you looked at Panama Straw hats?

In a way: As said, I lack vocabulary when it comes to hats, so I did like these, but I had only seen them being sold to tourist and looking like terrible quality. I'll check into them.

https://montecristi.co.uk/collectio...the-basic-brisa-panama-hat-fedora-entry-lavel

View attachment 789991

Thanks, this one looks nice! I'll query more to ensure which I like. I still welcome further recs too!

 

[Judgmentalist]

In a way: As said, I lack vocabulary when it comes to hats, so I did like these, but I had only seen them being sold to tourist and looking like terrible quality. I'll check into them.

Thanks, this one looks nice! I'll query more to ensure which I like. I still welcome further recs too!

This is what I found in a quick search in the UK in your price range. You may also look into Panama Hats Direct, with the caveat that their ribbons are glued on, which I do not prefer. I have no personal experience with the vendor I linked.

If you were to raise your price to $250-300 (186-223ish in British pounds today,)you would have access to more options. I have had a Panama hat custom designed for me in this price range.

You are correct that the quality of very cheap Panama hats can be lacking.

 

[Zoro]

The budget is more of a mental barrier than an affordability matter. If I was positive I would get it and wear it most Summer days, I would have no qualm spending that money. But as I'm still not fully sure on it, I can't help think that's too much for a "test".

 

[Judgmentalist]

Makes sense to me. if you find that you will wear a less expensive one and get the use out of it, you may later decide that you would like a fancier one, or you may decide you are happy with what you have. I have a friend that buys $9 straw hats at Roses by the crate and wears them until they fall apart and then grabs a new one off of the stack.

 

[The Shoe]

Hello gents!

I've never really worn hats except for the odd times I've worn a cap when going to a football match when very sunny. I've moved to a sunny town recently and I find myself needing a hat so I come here asking for recommendations.

I've bought a bucket hat and a very light cap. The bucket hat is very informal and I would like something lighter or that transpires better. The cap seems good but I hate how it looks so I'll just return it and just flat out don't want a cap. I'm open to hats, preferably that could work informal and formal, but I don't even know where to start, what material would be best for Summer, shape or even brands to look for. I lack vocabulary on hats, both in English and in my mother tongue.

I'm thinking around a 100€ budget for now (wouldn't mind increasing it if I find myself buying a hat and wearing it often). Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Bailey hats don’t get a lot of love here and I also wouldn’t buy another modern felt hat from them. That said, I love the two Toyo braid summer hats I have from them, particularly the Hester.
£84 from The Hat Company, with free UK shipping and £5 off your first order.
https://thehatcompany.com/products/bailey-braided-hester-summer-fedora-in-light-blue

Here’s mine.

 

[Judgmentalist]

Bailey hats don’t get a lot of love here and I also wouldn’t buy another modern felt hat from them. That said, I love the two Toyo braid summer hats I have from them, particularly the Hester.
£84 from The Hat Company, with free UK shipping and £5 off your first order.
https://thehatcompany.com/products/bailey-braided-hester-summer-fedora-in-light-blue

Here’s mine.
View attachment 790004

Nice is that one of your custom ribbons?

 

[The Shoe]

Nice is that one of your custom ribbons?

No, just a puggaree hat band that I put over the ribbon. The ribbon wasn’t bad, but I think the pug elevates it a lot.

 

[Rmccamey]

Ok, group, who is a hatter who can build a Cambridge bowler in straw?

 

[belfastboy]

This is what I found in a quick search in the UK in your price range. You may also look into Panama Hats Direct, with the caveat that their ribbons are glued on, which I do not prefer. I have no personal experience with the vendor I linked.

If you were to raise your price to $250-300 (186-223ish in British pounds today,)you would have access to more options. I have had a Panama hat custom designed for me in this price range.

You are correct that the quality of very cheap Panama hats can be lacking.

In my city there is a shop selling Ecuadorean items, including Panama straw hats. They are legit, hand woven from Ecuador for about $50. Not great quality but if you are looking for a cheap sun hat they do the job. My point is that there is a wide range of quality within the genre. From $50 to $25,000++

 

[belfastboy]

Ok, group, who is a hatter who can build a Cambridge bowler in straw?

View attachment 790724 View attachment 790725

This is awesome. I want one for myself now..... I have the blocks just not sure I can get the tight edges on the crown top. My blanks are either too short or too wide on the brim. I would have to trim the brims and bind with ribbon. Getting the swoop in the brim should not pose too much of a problem. You are a 57cm Reg oval? Let me fool around with it over the next week and I will report back. I love a challenge and I love to play/experiment

 

[Rmccamey]

Challenge accepted - woohoo!

Yes, 57 Reg.

I'd like something with a tighter weave. The one pictured looks a little rough for my taste. That said, I suspect it may require a heavier straw or more stiffiner to keep the sides straight so as not to have a "waist" in the crown. In other words, I would want the crown to look more bowler-ish and less like a reverse tapper "bell" seen on a lot of the more modern top hats.

The crown on my fur Cambridge (Mike Miller) has more rounded edges and top. Again, more bowler-ish and less like a flat top boater. I'm not too picky on that point as long as the sides are straight.

My fur Cambridge has a 5 inch crown (straight sides make it look taller) and a 2 1/4 brim. To get the swoop effect of the one pictured, you may have to go out to 2 3/4 +-.

Thanks, Robert. I'll be interested to see what you can come up with.

This is awesome. I want one for myself now..... I have the blocks just not sure I can get the tight edges on the crown top. My blanks are either too short or too wide on the brim. I would have to trim the brims and bind with ribbon. Getting the swoop in the brim should not pose too much of a problem. You are a 57cm Reg oval? Let me fool around with it over the next week and I will report back. I love a challenge and I love to play/experiment

 

[bbshriver]

To build on a previous question, I have a Baily straw Panama/Fedora that I bought several years ago. It's nice but I'd like a bit of a step up in quality, but also don't want to pay a huge amount.. I also don't live in an area with "hat stores" to check out in person.

I have a fondness for Stetson, just because my grandfather was a Stetson fan, and I like the look of the Stratoliner..

1) They have a "Milan" and a "Hemp" Stratoliner, pricing is pretty different, but I can't really find why I'd buy one over the other... Any tips?

2) I have heard that modern Stetson is not what they once were. Are there substantially better options at a similar price point (<$200)?


Completely unrelated question. I have a Stetson western hat that I bought ~20 years ago, and the sweat band (evidentally not leather) is showing its age. Anyone know a shop in central NC that can replace a sweatband? It's not a hugely expensive hat so I'd rather not have to send it off somewhere.

 

[belfastboy]

To build on a previous question, I have a Baily straw Panama/Fedora that I bought several years ago. It's nice but I'd like a bit of a step up in quality, but also don't want to pay a huge amount.. I also don't live in an area with "hat stores" to check out in person.

I have a fondness for Stetson, just because my grandfather was a Stetson fan, and I like the look of the Stratoliner..

1) They have a "Milan" and a "Hemp" Stratoliner, pricing is pretty different, but I can't really find why I'd buy one over the other... Any tips?

2) I have heard that modern Stetson is not what they once were. Are there substantially better options at a similar price point (<$200)?


Completely unrelated question. I have a Stetson western hat that I bought ~20 years ago, and the sweat band (evidentally not leather) is showing its age. Anyone know a shop in central NC that can replace a sweatband? It's not a hugely expensive hat so I'd rather not have to send it off somewhere.

Try Bencraft Hats. They may be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.

 

[belfastboy]

To build on a previous question, I have a Baily straw Panama/Fedora that I bought several years ago. It's nice but I'd like a bit of a step up in quality, but also don't want to pay a huge amount.. I also don't live in an area with "hat stores" to check out in person.

I have a fondness for Stetson, just because my grandfather was a Stetson fan, and I like the look of the Stratoliner..

1) They have a "Milan" and a "Hemp" Stratoliner, pricing is pretty different, but I can't really find why I'd buy one over the other... Any tips?

2) I have heard that modern Stetson is not what they once were. Are there substantially better options at a similar price point (<$200)?


Completely unrelated question. I have a Stetson western hat that I bought ~20 years ago, and the sweat band (evidentally not leather) is showing its age. Anyone know a shop in central NC that can replace a sweatband? It's not a hugely expensive hat so I'd rather not have to send it off somewhere.

Most of the Stetson offerings in that price range are not straws but a man made straw....that is paper then coated with a plastic type resin, (Toyo or Shantung). The hemp might be real hemp but I have never owned one. The ones they call 'milan' these days are the paper straw as well. I offer a genuine Ecuadorean hand woven, toquilla straw hat, custom made for you. Grade 2 quality 12-15 weaves per inch, roan leather sweat band and vintage gros grain ribbon of your colour choice. My brand is Wolfbrae and I have a thread here in the Lounge

 

[Judgmentalist]

Most of the Stetson offerings in that price range are not straws but a man made straw....that is paper then coated with a plastic type resin, (Toyo or Shantung). The hemp might be real hemp but I have never owned one. The ones they call 'milan' these days are the paper straw as well. I offer a genuine Ecuadorean hand woven, toquilla straw hat, custom made for you. Grade 2 quality 12-15 weaves per inch, roan leather sweat band and vintage gros grain ribbon of your colour choice. My brand is Wolfbrae and I have a thread here in the Lounge

Here’s mine