Favorite Panama Hatmakers and/or stores

[jptravels4fun]

I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.

 

[Redfokker]

I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
View attachment 78470

Love that look with the blue ribbon/band. One of the best ways to navigate a search on the vast catacombs of the lounge is to tie Fedora Lounge to your search word, such as Panama makers. I suspect everyone here has a favorite that they have posted at one time or another. And welcome to the Fray!

 

[RJR]

I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
View attachment 78470

You are definitely starting with one of the very best.

 

[tropicalbob]

I would add to what RJR says above that BB is probably one of the only successful dealers in that business. Other than him, there are a few dealers on Ebay that members have dealt with: some seem to have had good experiences with them and some not. As far as custom hatters go, the problem is not with their willingness to make them but with their inability to find trustworthy sources for the bodies. Art Fawcett of VS Hats (one of the very best hatters in the US) recently had an extremely nasty time with one unscrupulous dealer and, as far as I know, little success with the authorities of that country (Equador, I believe). Another importer on this forum was driven out of business for similar reasons. I know that Mike at Northwest Hats does some straws, but I'm not sure of the bodies he has access to right now.
That said, there are a number of alternatives to the traditional Panama that our custom hatters can help you with. For instance, Art Fawcett makes some absolutely beautiful Milan straws, Peters Bros. in Ft. Worth custom-make really nice (and reasonably priced) hemps in pretty much any style you like, and Tom Gomez on Etsy does gorgeous work. I'm sure other members will be chiming in with advice. Personally, I'm not at all a fan of the traditional Panama for a number of reasons, but to each his own. Best of luck.

 

[jptravels4fun]

what ever happen top Panama Bob? I had a few Panama Hats from him but the last time too the length of a bible to get done

 

[tropicalbob]

what ever happen top Panama Bob? I had a few Panama Hats from him but the last time too the length of a bible to get done

He's the other dealer of whom I was speaking. He left quite a few members here in the lurch and disappeared.

 

[Bob Roberts]

what ever happen top Panama Bob? I had a few Panama Hats from him but the last time too the length of a bible to get done

Long story...

 

[Hats Matter]

When I was on a trip to Hawaii a few years ago I stopped in at Newt at the Royal At The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I had only brought an old baseball cap on the trip and with the sunlight I found this to be inadequate for my requirements. I purchased a moderately priced Panama which has served my needs over the years. The service was provided by Jim Tomasi and I was pleased. However, I don't know if the store is still open.

 

[jptravels4fun]

Long story...

well, I'm not going anywhere, is it possible you give me the readers digest version?

 

[jptravels4fun]

He's the other dealer of whom I was speaking. He left quite a few members here in the lurch and disappeared.

i am sorry to hear that as it almost happened to me.

 

[Bob Roberts]

well, I'm not going anywhere, is it possible you give me the readers digest version?

Lol but I am.
I believe there is/was a "Panama Bob" thread here on the Hat Forum.

 

[LeBois46]

I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
View attachment 78470

Brent Black's hats are exquisite. I have one that is the priciest hat I own. I wear it when going out for the evening or important social events during the day. Temps exceed 100 often here in SoCal and the hat feels and looks fine.
I also have a much less expensive one from St. Augustine that I wear more often. I am not as afraid of losing it. It looks great and dresses well. Great choices.

 

[FedOregon]

My wife and I recently returned from Ecuador and a visit there to see her family. We made side trips to Cuenca and spoke with shop owners and weavers. While we met some good people, we still have a long way to go. We brought back some 20 hats and bodies. Some to keep for personal use, some to offer to hatters in the area, some for friends and others to offer for sale. If you've worked with Brent Black and perused his website, you know his hats start at $550 and the quality level can go as high as $25,000 for a handwoven paja toquilla straw hat.

It's mostly deciding what you want and how much you want to pay and who you decide to trust with your order. There are some great hats out there.

There is a Panama Hat thread and members have posted some beautiful hats there.

 

[johnnycanuck]

https://www.panamahatsdirect.com/
I have four panama hats from three different vendors. The other two don't exist anymore so I guess by default this the my vendor of choice for Panama hats.
Johnny

 

[DJH]

When I was on a trip to Hawaii a few years ago I stopped in at Newt at the Royal At The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I had only brought an old baseball cap on the trip and with the sunlight I found this to be inadequate for my requirements. I purchased a moderately priced Panama which has served my needs over the years. The service was provided by Jim Tomasi and I was pleased. However, I don't know if the store is still open.

I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.

 

[Hats Matter]

I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the information. I will probably be going back to Hawaii (Maui and Oahu) in the next few months so I will stop off at the Royal Hawaiian and see if the store is still there.

 

[LeBois46]

I have found that one must watch the thread count. Too little, it's a cheapo. Too tight, then it can be as warm as felt. In addition, I have found Panama's that don't have a sweat band. Leave them alone.

 

[bendingoak]

I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.

you are correct sir.