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Optimo south side mobsters

Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
It's a little distressing to read of Optimo paring back its services, especially in variety of styles.

I have been intending upon, and budgeted for, inquiring to Optimo about a featherweight fedora a little later this year as I'd like another warmer weather hat and have long been curious about owning one of theirs. The pictures in this thread do a good job of stimulating that curiosity; better even than the company's website. I really like the Brick felt that they recently added, but I prefer a wider brim than is there habit. The style that I had best liked was The Mitchum, which might be the same as the 52 block referred to here, but it no longer appears in their collection. (Pages for a Mint Mitchum and a Sterling one that is almost exactly the style that I'd like can still be found via search, but there's no link to it from Optimo's webpage) It seems that I might need to reconsider and find an alternative, either in their collection or elsewhere. (The latter, though a disappointment, would at least spare me from making a telephone call; I find doing that an anxious, unpleasant experience that I hope rapid text communication will as much as possible supersede)
I have inquired to Mike at NorthWest Hats about a lighter felt for spring and early summer wear up here. He advised that he does not stock a lighter felt but can make me one by extra pouncing on the crown to lighten the weight. I think I will go that route instead of searching out a light weight felt.
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
I have inquired to Mike at NorthWest Hats about a lighter felt for spring and early summer wear up here. He advised that he does not stock a lighter felt but can make me one by extra pouncing on the crown to lighten the weight. I think I will go that route instead of searching out a light weight felt.
Go for it. Maybe ask him about unlined?
 

Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,226
Location
Verona - Italia
An order for a 'Dearborn' in brick with a nicotine ribbon has been placed and should be fulfilled by the end of April, which is pretty good timing. I quite look forward to it.

I am very attentive to the production of Optimo as well as that of other hatters in the United States to understand the trend of the market outside Europe.
I think Optimo produces very elegant hats and oriented in most traditional European forms.
I would say there is a strong influence of the Italian classic production (Cervo and Barbisio).
I like moderately, especially admire finishing of felt, one of the few to vary its surface with different finishes, but I have some questions on Ribbon-Felt combinations proposed. He is certainly the hatter that most reminds me of home hats.

I did not find the selection on the web the hat 'Dearborn' you ordered, you may give me some guidance or photograph. Thank you
 

Delthayre

One of the Regulars
Messages
258
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Go for it. Maybe ask him about unlined?

I believe that is essentially the approach taken for Leon Drexler's welterweight treatement, which are described as a modification of the standard felt for a lighter crown, while maintaining the full weight in the brim for structure, complemented by an open-weave linen liner. However, cannot presently attest to any of its qualities myself.

I am very attentive to the production of Optimo as well as that of other hatters in the United States to understand the trend of the market outside Europe.
I think Optimo produces very elegant hats and oriented in most traditional European forms.
I would say there is a strong influence of the Italian classic production (Cervo and Barbisio).
I like moderately, especially admire finishing of felt, one of the few to vary its surface with different finishes, but I have some questions on Ribbon-Felt combinations proposed. He is certainly the hatter that most reminds me of home hats.

I did not find the selection on the web the hat 'Dearborn' you ordered, you may give me some guidance or photograph. Thank you

That puzzled me slightly as well. I was lead to the Dearborn by inquiring about the Mitchum, which I distinctly recall formerly being shown on their site. I gather that is is from the same block, or at least very similar. Much as I found with the Mitchum, some searching leads one to pages for a brown and a camel Dearborn that are not linked to directly by their site. My invoice refers to it as, ASSORTED VINTAGE * CELLAR COLLECTION," so perhaps it is a style that they can still provide upon inquiry, but don't display.
 

Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,226
Location
Verona - Italia
Thank you for your kindness.
Also I have noticed that some hats that were in the catalog are now gone, probably too many models shown may confuse the customer or generate some problems in work organization.
I look forward to seeing your "Dearborn" finished and ready to be worn.

I have another curiosity to ask, since you've mentioned Leon Drexler, which of his hats, you have in your collection?
What do you think the overall quality of its production? You have some pictures to show me?
Thank you
 

Delthayre

One of the Regulars
Messages
258
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I have another curiosity to ask, since you've mentioned Leon Drexler, which of his hats, you have in your collection?
What do you think the overall quality of its production? You have some pictures to show me?
Thank you

I have, as recounted elsewhere, placed two orders with Stephen Temkin at Leon Drexler*, but likely won't have either of them until after Optimo sends my Dearborn to me. As such, I cannot say or show anything as to the quality of the work. I do, however, look forward to presenting in the appropriate place them when I can.

*Leon Drexler is the company name; derived from Mr. Temkin's father's give name and mother's surname.
 

Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,226
Location
Verona - Italia
I have, as recounted elsewhere, placed two orders with Stephen Temkin at Leon Drexler*, but likely won't have either of them until after Optimo sends my Dearborn to me. As such, I cannot say or show anything as to the quality of the work. I do, however, look forward to presenting in the appropriate place them when I can.

I'm sorry I did not take into account your previous intervention concerned Leon Drexler:rolleyes:
You made a great choice and I hope to see the hats for the late spring or summer start
My personal taste is more directed to Temkin creations, but it is only a personal matter.
The Stroller is one of my favorites.
 

B Balik

New in Town
Messages
6
Location
Iowa City
I'm new to the group. I bought International in nicotine a year ago. I love the hat. I just recently purchased three more Optimo hats to add to my collection. I think I may have a problem. Glad to see a support group online. I now know I'm not alone.
 

B Balik

New in Town
Messages
6
Location
Iowa City
image.jpeg

This is my new Panama. I believe it is blocked in Seville.
image.jpeg
 
Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
I'm new to the group. I bought International in nicotine a year ago. I love the hat. I just recently purchased three more Optimo hats to add to my collection. I think I may have a problem. Glad to see a support group online. I now know I'm not alone.

We are NOT a support group.....we are enablers of the worst sort!!!
 
Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
I'm sorry I did not take into account your previous intervention concerned Leon Drexler:rolleyes:
You made a great choice and I hope to see the hats for the late spring or summer start
My personal taste is more directed to Temkin creations, but it is only a personal matter.
The Stroller is one of my favorites.

I have an order placed at Leon Drexler's. He has other projects that will keep him busy until early Autumn. I have placed an order so I am in the queue but don't expect it until October. Having a hard time deciding between a Londoner and the Stroller welterweight for spring/early summer.
May get a Stroller knockoff from Mike at NorthWest as I am coming up quickly in his queue and I will have for this spring.
I love the black CDF homburg I received from you Daniele and decided one in the brown tones was needed!!
 

KY Crusader

A-List Customer
Messages
314
Location
Bluegrass State
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New Optimo Chicago arrived a few days ago. Brownstone with Nicotine ribbon. Original estimated ship date of 6 1/2 weeks turned into 10 1/2; but that's still not too bad. The color is terrific, although I was expecting something MUCH lighter (view Optimo's web site to see what I mean). When I raised this issued with Tiffany, she offered to take back the hat a make me something in a lighted tone; but I told her that there is no way I could think of parting with this baby. And while I have learned to appreciate the aesthetics of the high-crown, wide-brim classic, I must say, with all due modesty, that this modern-proportioned fedora looks pretty danged good on me. Must be the finely tuned proportions. Bottom line: very pleased with my first Optimo.
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
View attachment 47022 View attachment 47023 View attachment 47024 View attachment 47025 View attachment 47026 View attachment 47027 View attachment 47028 View attachment 47029 New Optimo Chicago arrived a few days ago. Brownstone with Nicotine ribbon. Original estimated ship date of 6 1/2 weeks turned into 10 1/2; but that's still not too bad. The color is terrific, although I was expecting something MUCH lighter (view Optimo's web site to see what I mean). When I raised this issued with Tiffany, she offered to take back the hat a make me something in a lighted tone; but I told her that there is no way I could think of parting with this baby. And while I have learned to appreciate the aesthetics of the high-crown, wide-brim classic, I must say, with all due modesty, that this modern-proportioned fedora looks pretty danged good on me. Must be the finely tuned proportions. Bottom line: very pleased with my first Optimo.
Looks so good with the brim up cuz your approaching cattlemen territory with that type of center dent and side pinches.
 

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