OPTIMO FALL COLORS 2004

[Andykev]

Here is the color sample for the Optimo line of felts for the 2004 Winter Season.

These are absolutely beautiful colors, and the felt is super, from looking at the sample patches.

The one I am leaning to is the Midnight Blue..it is wonderful. The Sable is a nice gray, but it is very long haired, fuzzy.

Wonderful choices.

 

[Matt Deckard]

What do you know about the signature line?

The chrystal... is that an off white?

I can't wait to get my swatches.

 

[Pen Collector]

Signature line...

Matt,

I called OPTIMO the other day and I spoke to Marlene and I asked the same question and she said that the Toffee is Graham's signature line. Apparently it is the top of the line of the new fall felts. The cost will be $600 for a hat made from that felt. I really don't know what makes that felt more expensive. Someone else may know a little bit more about it. I did not get a chance to speak to Graham to ask him more about it.

I received basically the same swatches from Graham and the Toffee Signature Line swatch does feel very very smooth. It is a very nice brown color. I am also leaning towards the Midnite Blue being that I have a lot of blue in my wardrobe.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[Andykev]

Colors

Matt, the Crystal color is kind of a very very light beige..kind of like what many of the Stetson Open Road hat colors were. The Toffee (signature line) looks to be extremely dense, tight felt. Still, I think the Midnight Blue is what I am leaning to. The Powder Blue is close to the "Mouse"color I got a year or so ago.

 

[Andykev]

Comparisons

OK I just checked the color samples to my two prior Optiom's.

The Midnight Blue is much darker than the Phantom Blue from last season. It is much richer in the blue, and more formal. Midnight blue is what tuxedo's are made in as they look blacker at night and under artificial light than black.

The Powder Blue is much more pastel blue than my Mouse, which is a more silver grey..(kinda mousey).

The Shale grey is very similar to my lightweight Graphite grey from previous season, but slightly different tint.

The Chinchilla is similar in texture to my Optimo NUTRIA from last year, but the Chinchilla is much darker.

Wow! Choices? I'm leaning to the Midnight Blue.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Just got my set of swatches, and the Toffee is like 3 times smoother than the rest. Signature line ay?

The Crystal is pretty much like my Bone colored Borsalino. leans more toward the grey than the yellow.

I really like the fact that Graham's felts are colored old school. With the fur dye being put in before the body is made.

This is going to be a hard decision.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

I have reserved a Crystal for myself. I am debating on whether I should get a Homburg in Midnight Blue, though.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'd love a suit and hat in that Toffee color.

Sort of like Billy Zane in the phantom

 

[Kentucky Blues]

Originally posted by Zohar
I am debating on whether I should get a Homburg in Midnight Blue, though.

Not 'till you're 30 Nathan, not 'til you're 30

 

[gcollins]

I too have been waiting to see these colors. A couple of questions, Kevin:

1. Is that Toffee signiture the felt he uses for hats that he sells through that high society clothing store in San Fran? I hear those hats sell for $700+ retail there.

2. That's it? Graham had told me that he was getting a number of khaki-ish and olivish colors in with the new lot.

thanks for sharing the colors, Kev!

G

 

[Nathan Flowers]

There are a few olives and khakis on the sample card I got. I can't remember the names right now, as my card is in my car right at the moment. Maybe one of the other guys can help you out with a name.

I remember one Olive colored swatch that looked great. Really rich looking.

 

[Andykev]

Major Markup

I have heard different things on the line he sells to Wilkes Bashford in SF. Supposedly it is a "special line" only for them. I don't know. They charge $700 because Optimo doesn't cut the price...they buy at what you can direct, and then add their markup.

I am now looing at the Crystal......hummm.

With a nice dark brown contrasting ribbon, this could be a nice hat!

ANY PICS ON YOUR recent VS hats GC?

 

[Matt Deckard]

putting it against my bone Borsy, the color of the Crystal is very very close... just a shade darker.

 

[gcollins]

Kev:

You are always in the know, my friend.

Saw Art yesterday to pick up the hats and to hang out with him for a while in the hat shop. Always a pleasure hanging with Art--he's such a class guy and easy friend, chatting away on all things hats while he plays around in the hat shop. Would have been better if you had showed up like last time though. I still want to see your work hat.

And the moss Collegiate with the vintage olive ribbon is incredibly soft! Hard to believe! It was a bit big, but has since molded pretty much to the shape of my head. Softest hat I own. Smaller brim than my other hats at 2-3/8, so I can be cool like MK in his bogie. I have to tell you, Art's 40's blocking style and the awesome collegiate welts look sweet! So smooth and perfect, and it's a lot of work.

Art did a fabulous job, and I am proud to own the very first commercial Collegiate! Save it for the museum, baby. I'll get some photos when I get back home.

G

 

[Nathan Flowers]

Re: Signature line...

Originally posted by Pen Collector
Matt,

I called OPTIMO the other day and I spoke to Marlene and I asked the same question and she said that the Toffee is Graham's signature line. Apparently it is the top of the line of the new fall felts. The cost will be $600 for a hat made from that felt. I really don't know what makes that felt more expensive. Someone else may know a little bit more about it. I did not get a chance to speak to Graham to ask him more about it.

I received basically the same swatches from Graham and the Toffee Signature Line swatch does feel very very smooth. It is a very nice brown color. I am also leaning towards the Midnite Blue being that I have a lot of blue in my wardrobe.

Decisions, decisions!

From the mouth of Graham, the Toffee Signature Line hat is 100% clear beaver.

 

[Andykev]

Re: Re: Signature line...

Originally posted by Zohar
From the mouth of Graham, the Toffee Signature Line hat is 100% clear beaver.

Then that is great! I ordered a Toffee signature line, as well as a Midnight Blue.

OK, it is a sickness. I hope there is no cure.

 

[Quigley Brown]

Some of you guys will actually pay $600 for a hat? Whew!!! I like to be unique with my style, too, but I have to put a cap on my spending limit.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

It's only $50 more than the GH "sterling beaver".

I wasn't planning on getting one, but my Dad offered to get each of us kids something nice with his recent winnings, so that's what I went with.

 

[gcollins]

what's the difference between 100% beaver and 100% CLEAR beaver?

 

[Nathan Flowers]

I couldn't tell you for sure. I suspect it's just a better grade of fur.