Larry Mahan Hats

[WesternHatWearer]

Greetings!

I have recently come across Larry Mahan Hat collection produced by Milano Hats. Does anyone have any experience with this collection/ brand and what are your feelings? Are there Milano Hat reps present on the forum that may have knowledge to share.

Thank you for your time and any assistance.

 

[tonyb]

Milano was acquired by Dorfman Pacific in 2004. The Milano westerns I handled at Renton Western Wear (Seattle area) several years ago impressed me greatly. I'm not much for cowboy hats on my own head, but I could feel good about offering those presumably pre-Dorfman Pacific Milanos to anyone. Real nice hats.

Alas, the Milano-branded hats I handled a couple of weeks ago at the Shepler's Western wear store in the Denver area also impressed me greatly -- by how great a drop in quality they are from the ones carrying that brand name some years ago. The ones I saw at Shepler's were wool felt. Wool hats are fine for people who are just looking for the "look," and who won't be wearing them under rough conditions. For if they do, the hats will get shapeless in short order.

Perhaps there are still higher-quality Milano hats. But I didn't see them during my recent visit to Shepler's.

EDIT: A quick look at the Milano online catalog indicates that the Larry Mahan name is attached to hats of widely varying qualities and prices.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

Thank you, Tony. I had heard from another person that the hat bodies by Mahan, and by proxy Milano, were a wool body with a light coat of other furs worked in for visual appeal. I had been looking at these hats simply because I knew very little about them. I was confident the hat was of a wool nature. I wanted to make sure I was not being bias, because I am unfamiliar with the brand.

 

[tonyb]

Wise of you to inquire, WHW. When I see the prices of those upper-end Larry Mahan offerings (more than a grand, for some of them), I can't help but suggest you contact Mike and company at Buckaroo Hatters. I'd wager you'd get a better hat for a whole lot less money.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I followed up on the Larry Mahan collection with the local western, english, and tack store. The gentleman who handles renovating, cleaning, and blocking hats said that the Mahan hats, that he has seen, all have wool bodies with fur affixed to them. He did say he had not seen any of the high x Mahan hats, so he only spoke from what he had seen. He echoed your sentiments (Tony).

 

[gtdean48]

Saw lots of Larry Mahan hats in Shepler's in OKC this past week. All seemed low end, wool, wool blend models, right next to Stetson Buffalo models....

 

[tonyb]

Sounds like the guy at the tack shop is a straight-shooter, WHW. For that reason alone, you may wish to do business with him.

By the way, I got nothing at all against wool felt hats. I just wish that more retailers were like the fellow you dealt with -- a seller who gives the straight scoop. I fear that in most cases, the people selling hats really don't know hats all that well. They got jobs selling Western wear, and next year at this time they'll be working as cocktail waitresses and convenience store clerks.

 

[majormoore]

I have been to the Denver Market for the last several years, its the western show for all the retail stores , all the western stuff you could ever think of is shown there, with that being said every hat company is there, and I have touched them all, and yes the Milano Hat Co, does make a very nice high end hat, it's going to retail over $1200.

Seems most western wear retail locations stock the lower end hats , reason is most customers going there to buy a hat seem to want a western hat and the price level of around $175 and under, that will pretty much sums it up to wool western hats that they will sale.

I know some people in several larger markets that own alot of western stores and both owners have told me that the customer that comes in looking to buy a hat, doesn't want to spend over $175, so they stock what the customers want. And the price point needed they stock mostly wool hats. But they can order the higher end if a customer wants one. I am glad they don't stock many high end hats, that allows me and other hatters a chance to fill the void with better hats.

I am sure if you stopped in the ML Leddy store in Ft Worth, Texas, you would not find any wool hats, I know they have some beaver hats that they sale that are over $5000 each.

Its the same thing with good cowboy boots, most stock the lower end boots, its all due to the customer spending and wants.

Major Moore

 

[WesternHatWearer]

Tony: I feel the gentleman at the tack shop is fair. I am upfront with him; I tell him I will be doing my homework before purchasing anything. The fellow is understanding; along with this, he encourages me (and others) to come back and share what I (we) found.

Major Moore: I am all ears for anything you may have to share about the Larry Mahan Collection or Milano hats in general. I am not well versed in regard to the Milano Hat Company or Larry Mahan Collection. I am looking to learn more, so anything you may share is greeted with thankfulness.
I completely understand stocking at a price point the majority are going to purchase at, that makes sound business sense. As I said earlier, I am eager to learn more.

Thank you for all that has been shared.