From Central Europe to Florida - What hat to take

[sander72]

First post. I have been coming here for a while now just to read and admire your hats and caps.

I am a 40 year old guy living in Central Europe. In winter I wear a local felt, either a brown Tonak which is not very crushable but nevertheless my favorite hat, or a black local fur felt hat which is crushable, but a bit too wide brim for my taste. The black one I wear in more rugged circumstances (bad weather, going into the forest, etc). I have a few caps as well, mostly winter and summer flat caps. Then a straw Milan from Dobbs that I bought in the US.

So here's a question that I thought I might ask the forum.

On Saturday, I will be flying out to Florida for a week of working (conference) and some fun out there. Which hat to take? It has been straw hat weather for a few days but on Saturday it will be definitely fur felt weather here. But what on the other side, in Florida? And if I take the Tonak, I am a bit worried about surviving the trip with it, then finding out it's too warm.

Options

1. Straw fedora - would be a bit strange wearing this on the first part of the trip
2. Summer stetson flat cap - good option but a bit boring. Would love to wear a hat in Florida
3. Fur felt - will it survive the travel?

What would you do? I will not put any hats in my checked luggage.

 

[casechopper]

Is it difficult to acquire straw hats in the Czech Republic? Maybe use the cap for travel (brims can get in the way on a plane) and order a new panama hat and have it delivered to where you'll be staying? That way you can take a new panama back with you.

 

[sander72]

Is it difficult to acquire straw hats in the Czech Republic? Maybe use the cap for travel (brims can get in the way on a plane) and order a new panama hat and have it delivered to where you'll be staying? That way you can take a new panama back with you.

Difficult? A bit. There are many hat stores but they focus on the felt variety. I have actually 2 straw hats, one from Italy and one from the US.

I usually buy hats in a real store where I can try. I have experience that I have 56 or 57 size (7 1/8) depending on the make, and I really like to chose hats by trying them on me. Usually the hat that looks good on me is not the hat that looks greatest on the shelf.

So follow-up question. What's a good brick-and-mortar hat store in the vicinity of Orlando FL. My Straw Dobbs is from heritagehatshop.com in Phoenix, AZ. I had a good time trying numerous hats in that store.

 

[hatophile]

Sander,

You might try to look online for a hat shop in or near Orlando. My guess is it will be fairly warm this time of year, so a straw would be your best bet to wear in Fla. Oddly enough, I am going to be there the week after and I will probably wear a straw Stetson Open Road for my trip. I would bet there are some tourist/beach type shops in Orlando where you can buy a straw, but not sure what quality you may get.

 

[sander72]

Sander,

You might try to look online for a hat shop in or near Orlando. My guess is it will be fairly warm this time of year, so a straw would be your best bet to wear in Fla. Oddly enough, I am going to be there the week after and I will probably wear a straw Stetson Open Road for my trip. I would bet there are some tourist/beach type shops in Orlando where you can buy a straw, but not sure what quality you may get.

Thanks, I really appreciate the answer. I guess you guessed that, but I am not really looking to expand with a tourist type straw. I can buy that over here any time.

Still hesitating between taking the Dobbs Milan and the flat cap - and then look for a straw locally. Tried to Google a hat shop near Orlando (and I don't mind to drive an hour to get there) but no results.

I guess for felts we are pretty spoilt here with enough people wearing them to have a few shops in town.

 

[Jedwbpm]

Hey I will be in WDW May 1-4 Tampa the four days before that

Jeff

Sander,

You might try to look online for a hat shop in or near Orlando. My guess is it will be fairly warm this time of year, so a straw would be your best bet to wear in Fla. Oddly enough, I am going to be there the week after and I will probably wear a straw Stetson Open Road for my trip. I would bet there are some tourist/beach type shops in Orlando where you can buy a straw, but not sure what quality you may get.

 

[tropicalbob]

The weather went into tropical mode last week, with the temperatures at 85 (F) every day and some rain. At this time of year, I wouldn't even think of felt, as it's humid as well as warm. The straw is your only choice.
If you get down to Miami, there's a great brick-and-mortar on 163rd St., not far from Route 95 with a very decent selection.
Have fun!

 

[hatophile]

Sounds like a few loungers will be down there in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Tomasso]

I always dress for the climate of my travel destination so I vote that you wear your straw milan.

 

[hatsRme]

The weather went into tropical mode last week, with the temperatures at 85 (F) every day and some rain. At this time of year, I wouldn't even think of felt, as it's humid as well as warm. The straw is your only choice.
If you get down to Miami, there's a great brick-and-mortar on 163rd St., not far from Route 95 with a very decent selection.
Have fun!

Hey, T-Bob, what's name of the B&M on 163rd?

 

[RBH]

I always dress for the climate of my travel destination so I vote that you wear your straw milan.

I agree..

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

If I was going from a cool or temperate climate to Florida on vacation. I would tend to buy a hat when I get to Florida, or have it sent to Florida to pick up when I get there. In my opinion, straw / Panama / Sun Body type hats are EASY to destroy while a fur felt has is difficult to destroy. You can screw up the crease on a fur felt, but not tear it up. Since you'll be flying home again, I wouldn't consider an expensive hat. Airliners aren't a good place to take a large breakable item. You'll also be flying across the whole Atlantic, so you'll be holding the hat for quite some time. I wouldn't consider putting the hat in the overhead container because EVERYONE just stuffs their carry on luggage up there, that won't be good on your new hat.

Just my $0.02 Have fun with Mickey and Minnie!!

 

[Tomasso]

Hey, T-Bob, what's name of the B&M on 163rd?

Not T-Bob but the shop is called Puerto Fino Hats. I've never been to the shop but I called them once and talked to a woman who couldn't have been less interested in answering a few questions about their stock and services.