gcollins
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 270
- Location
- Shanghai, China
Hey fellas:
Thought I'd share some pics and assessment of my new optimo nutria natural. Been in India for a while, so haven't had a chance to take photos.
Specs: size 7, brim 2-3/8, crown front 4", side 4-3/8. White liner, brown sweat. 1-7/8" black ribbon. Underwelted brim.
My assessment:
First, the purpose: this was to be my most flexbile hat, THE travel hat--one that I'd wear in small India villages; with suits in Shanghai jazz clubs; with more casual gear to play flute in my Irish jam sessions in Tokyo.
The felt is awesome and dense and soft--note the nice texture in the color. Hard to believe that this is the lightweight Optimo felt! Very sensibly stiff, yet soft. It's a little too fuzzy though, and I guess I thought it would be sanded or pounced a bit more as a fine custom hat. But the natural color is great, goes with anything and the color changes depending on clothes and the light source. Quite cool.
I re-bashed the pinch and front of the crown as the hat arrived with a barely noticable right side front dimple and a bit too much uncertainty in the front crown--the hat apeared as if it needed direction as to what kind of hat it should be. But it looks pretty cool now, at least I think so, and that's as important as anything else.
As my first custom felt hat, I can see the advantage of going to see the hatter yourself and getting a proper conform fitting. the hat doesn't fit the way a custom hat should fit as the crown came out a bit shorter than I would have liked and the hat feels a bit "shallow" for my head--A good wind in Seoul would blow this baby right into the Han River. But differences in expectations should be no surprise when you order a fine hat over the phone--and your head has not met the hatter in person.
The craftsmanship and stitching are first rate--very even, uniform and with fine materials all around. Love that floating bow!
Nonetheless I like the hat, but nothing worse than a hat you love that doesn't fit--and you're in China thousands of miles away from the hat maker. But I can get to the US and Chicago at some point soon, so I'll take it to Graham to see if he can re-work it a bit. And, as has been said many times, Graham is a superb guy and we have many common interests to work on in Asia. He'd have no issue if I were to return this hat and have him re-work it or exchange it. But I'll wear it and wait till I can get to chicago for a proper fitting.
But anyway, it is what it is. Here are some pics.
Thought I'd share some pics and assessment of my new optimo nutria natural. Been in India for a while, so haven't had a chance to take photos.
Specs: size 7, brim 2-3/8, crown front 4", side 4-3/8. White liner, brown sweat. 1-7/8" black ribbon. Underwelted brim.
My assessment:
First, the purpose: this was to be my most flexbile hat, THE travel hat--one that I'd wear in small India villages; with suits in Shanghai jazz clubs; with more casual gear to play flute in my Irish jam sessions in Tokyo.
The felt is awesome and dense and soft--note the nice texture in the color. Hard to believe that this is the lightweight Optimo felt! Very sensibly stiff, yet soft. It's a little too fuzzy though, and I guess I thought it would be sanded or pounced a bit more as a fine custom hat. But the natural color is great, goes with anything and the color changes depending on clothes and the light source. Quite cool.
I re-bashed the pinch and front of the crown as the hat arrived with a barely noticable right side front dimple and a bit too much uncertainty in the front crown--the hat apeared as if it needed direction as to what kind of hat it should be. But it looks pretty cool now, at least I think so, and that's as important as anything else.
As my first custom felt hat, I can see the advantage of going to see the hatter yourself and getting a proper conform fitting. the hat doesn't fit the way a custom hat should fit as the crown came out a bit shorter than I would have liked and the hat feels a bit "shallow" for my head--A good wind in Seoul would blow this baby right into the Han River. But differences in expectations should be no surprise when you order a fine hat over the phone--and your head has not met the hatter in person.
The craftsmanship and stitching are first rate--very even, uniform and with fine materials all around. Love that floating bow!
Nonetheless I like the hat, but nothing worse than a hat you love that doesn't fit--and you're in China thousands of miles away from the hat maker. But I can get to the US and Chicago at some point soon, so I'll take it to Graham to see if he can re-work it a bit. And, as has been said many times, Graham is a superb guy and we have many common interests to work on in Asia. He'd have no issue if I were to return this hat and have him re-work it or exchange it. But I'll wear it and wait till I can get to chicago for a proper fitting.
But anyway, it is what it is. Here are some pics.
