Panama Hat Thread

[Art Fawcett]

Could I have a toquilla straw body blocked to a 1930s tall straight look. I would hope in the process that I would lose a little brim. They are usually around 2 3/4 to 3" I would be happy with 2 1/2 brim.

On the rocks or straight up Sir?

I can't tell if you are playing or serious Job so I'll answer both ways. Yes, you can get what you want and it just needs to be calculated in the blocking.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Is there any chance to repair this at home? Those broken straws are probably due to that piece of polythene inside. Is this a usual way how are panamas made these days? Price was about $75

You might be able to wear it longer if you put some Super glue on the head of a pin & glue it down that way, being careful not to smear it around. Other than that there isn't much I can recommend, sadly.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Have one for me Art BTW, I'm a yellow dog Texas Democrat so I need to be in the BLUE corner

My condolences on your affliction Sir but that's my story & I'm sticking to it!!!

 

[irfan.wayang]

The thing to remember about Bob is that he doesn't really consider himself a full time retailer of high end retail products, he looks at himself as a guy who really loves Panama hats and wants to make a few bucks dealing with others who share his hobby. He hasn't really internalized the behaviors and methods of the retail industry, with the "always smile graciously at the customer no matter what kind of pain they are being" attitude that this requires. If someone is being difficult, he reacts at a personal level. That may or may not be good business, but if you can deal with it, you'll get really good hats at better prices than you can get anywhere else. Treat him like a fellow hat lover rather than like a shopkeeper, and you'll get better service.

I'm sure some of the competitors some posters mentioned would be better at dealing with a picky, conceited, know it all, younger son of a younger son of a British duke shopping for fashion accessories.

 

[Giftmacher]

Thanks Art for the help. I'll try it.

 

[job]

Thanks Art, I would love a 20s, 30s style felt hat in a Panama. I would like to keep the back woven part while keeping the brim size smaller than normal for this type of hat.

 

[Historyteach24]

Hey guys I just ordered my first hat from panama bob. The they were having their closeout special and it was hard to pass up for 15 bucks! I I was curious if you could tell me the grade of these sub fino? I below? All help is appreciated here is the link I got the cavalier www.panamas.biz/100.html

 

[job]

I would trust Bobs site. If it says sub fino then thats what it is. It will be a brisa weave hat. A baileys staw hat of equal quality would be around 80-100 dollars. You will be happy with it and you will also want to upgrade to the nicer ones because even though they are nice hats they are like the wool fedoras. You will soon want a higher grade straw just like you would want a nicer felt hat that will last.

 

[SHatfield]

Here is my Akubra

Steve

 

[Historyteach24]

I had all intentions of custom ordering one but money is right and 15 bucks seemed like a great deal. I have a similar weave hat that cost 75

 

[Ordinary Guy]

So early last spring I decided I wanted a Montecristi Panama that could handle the hottest days...

I asked Robert if he could have someone weave a hat for me that would be a semi colado and have most of the crown ventilated also...

On his trip this summer he did just that, after it arrived at his house I asked him to please send it to Tom Gomez for blocking and finishing...

Tom now does Video Conferencing with his clients who have that capability. I can't explain to you how much fun it was doing VTC and seeing him work on my hat ... Not having to wait for pictures to be taken and emailed etc etc...

I got to see his blocks and chose the one I wanted him to use on my hat right online.

I also asked if he had any Black Pugs but I wanted a thin Black Pug as I didn't want to block the ventilation or take away from the neat weave pattern with a wide one... He showed me a 1" Black Pug, I also asked for a pearl hat pin to be applied right where the bow would be on a normal ribbon..

I shamelessly stole this idea after seeing the Panama monbla256 posted... with my apologies sir but I thought that was the perfect finish for this hat.

Tom is a very nice guy to deal with and can do wonders with Panama's whether a Cuenca or Montecristi..

So after creating a hat in my mind early last spring, I now have that same hat in my hands right now.......

Here is the finished product.....

Thank YOU Robert & Tom.....

 

[job]

Now that is awesome. Same kind of hat I want.

 

[carouselvic]

nice

 

[Ordinary Guy]

Thank you for the kind words Job and Carouselvic

 

[JAVIER]

Hey guys I just ordered my first hat from panama bob. The they were having their closeout special and it was hard to pass up for 15 bucks! I I was curious if you could tell me the grade of these sub fino? I below? All help is appreciated here is the link I got the cavalier www.panamas.biz/100.html

I pulled the trigger too, TY for mentioning this sale.. hope it comes back as a good selection as we can't pick the brim or ribbon but at this price a deal is a deal but i did add the roan leather band hope it was worth it.

Cheers,
JAVIER

 

[Historyteach24]

I left amessage in my order asking for a 2.5 brim we will see if that works. The I didn't pay extra for leather I hope I don't regret that

 

[barrowjh]

Ordinary Guy, I really like that hat - you did well.

 

[Tomasso]

Lovely lid, OG!

 

[Ordinary Guy]

Thank you for the kind words barrow and AC.......

I am having a hard time waiting for summer......LOL

 

[ecp]

I pulled the trigger too, TY for mentioning this sale.. hope it comes back as a good selection as we can't pick the brim or ribbon but at this price a deal is a deal but i did add the roan leather band hope it was worth it.

Cheers,
JAVIER

I just ordered 2 myself. I bought 2 last year that had the cloth sweat and got many compliments on them. I decided to upgrade to the roan leather sweat and can't wait to see the difference. The warm weather can't get here soon enough for me.

OG - That is a great hat. Maybe one day I'll be able to order one like that for myself.