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Milan Mania

Altiori

One of the Regulars
Messages
112
Location
Savannah, GA
IMG_0580.JPG
 

Altiori

One of the Regulars
Messages
112
Location
Savannah, GA
I know this is an old thread; I've been on and off the Lounge myself these past few months. I am listing a Milan I received today from Art. I posted the same photo on the VS thread earlier today. The hat is beautiful. I also have a Biltmore cream colored porkpie Milan which is also quite fun. The weather in Savannah is always warm, mostly pleasant but not always. My Felts from when I lived in the Northern Virginia area are not used much here in The Hostess City. Straw is my future.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I know this is an old thread; I've been on and off the Lounge myself these past few months. I am listing a Milan I received today from Art. I posted the same photo on the VS thread earlier today. The hat is beautiful. I also have a Biltmore cream colored porkpie Milan which is also quite fun. The weather in Savannah is always warm, mostly pleasant but not always. My Felts from when I lived in the Northern Virginia area are not used much here in The Hostess City. Straw is my future.
I didn't realize this was old thread until just now: I was going to alert the OP to Art Fawcett's Milans, of which I have two, and then I saw the comments and photo above. As far as I know, Art's the only maker using the real Milan straw. I haven't seen anything else that even comes close to it, and the best thing I find about mine is that they age beautifully, darkening to a golden brown and creating a striped effect.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I know this is an old thread; I've been on and off the Lounge myself these past few months. I am listing a Milan I received today from Art. I posted the same photo on the VS thread earlier today. The hat is beautiful. I also have a Biltmore cream colored porkpie Milan which is also quite fun. The weather in Savannah is always warm, mostly pleasant but not always. My Felts from when I lived in the Northern Virginia area are not used much here in The Hostess City. Straw is my future.
I also just noticed your buddy there behind the table. He's either considering a future in alcoholism or your straw as a food source. Either way, he bears watching. Btw, I visited your city a few years back and really admired it. Cheers.
 

mikespens

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,913
Location
Tacoma, Wa
I didn't realize this was old thread until just now: I was going to alert the OP to Art Fawcett's Milans, of which I have two, and then I saw the comments and photo above. As far as I know, Art's the only maker using the real Milan straw. I haven't seen anything else that even comes close to it, and the best thing I find about mine is that they age beautifully, darkening to a golden brown and creating a striped effect.

Optimo also offers genuine milan weaves. There is also a more current and extensive milan thread:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/milan-mania.30949/
 

Altiori

One of the Regulars
Messages
112
Location
Savannah, GA
I also just noticed your buddy there behind the table. He's either considering a future in alcoholism or your straw as a food source. Either way, he bears watching. Btw, I visited your city a few years back and really admired it. Cheers.
Great note. My buddy is a good friend. He prefers Powers or Redbreast Irish Whiskey (lotsa PotbStill) but drinks Pinot with dinner. Savannah is a beautiful city and welcomes you and other hat lovers. Come with your VS and/or Optimo straws.....suitable at least ten months of the year...the other two are Filson wax coated rain hats.
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
I just got one myself. Garage sale find. No idea about it at all. Leather sweatband states Southland Hats on the left, Western Texas Wear High Quality on the right and 10x made in Mexico on the front. It's a nice pork pie western number. Tried steaming it while in the shower and it didn't soften at all. Probably synthetic.
Johnny
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
I've posted these pics in the "Photos of Hatter's Tools" thread already due to the acquisition of the Willcox & Gibbs straw braid sewing machine, but this also seems an appropriate thread for posting. I must admit that I have never been too keen on Milan or other types of straw braid hats, until, of course, I decided to learn to make them. Now it's turned in to something of an obsession. Imagine that, a hat guy with an obsession. Well, here are my first two efforts. The first is a natural Milan straw "Downton Abbey" type hat for a lady friend who will use a silk scarf for the hatband for a turn of the century style. The other is a natural hemp braid in tobacco brown just for me. The learning curve to make these hats is steep and I definitely have a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in their manufacture.
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moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,841
Location
Northern California
I saw this Brent pop up on Etsy last Saturday morn, just had to hit the buy button. No wembling, no waiting for questions to be answered, etc., because at 20 dollars plus 8 and change to ship, I knew it wouldn't last long. Arrived today. Had a wonky brim that an ironing on my flange cured, and a dry sweat that responded well to a liberal slathering of Lexol. Other than that, in great shape.

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The innards:

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Brim 2 1/2", crown 4 1/2" as creased. 114g.
A fairly fine braid for a house brand.


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And a head shot.

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I'm going to make a guess of mid 50's. Any input welcomed as usual.



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