monbla256
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,239
- Location
- DFW Metroplex, Texas
Actually, I've already sent Panama Bob a purchase request for a specific on-sale hat last night. One of his selling points was his acquisition of legitimate hats from Ecuador, so it wasn't too difficult a choice to make.
My question posed was more a clarification as to whether other types of straw hats could legitimately be called Panamas or not. I guess the answer is no.
I would say that unless a firm has a record of selling "real" Panama's , such as Stetson who I believe still sells one model, I would have to say no. A reputable firm will many times use a phrase such as "Panama style" in describing a non Panama hat made of the paper straw. But most "real" Panamas are sold by firms that sell ONLY "real' Panamas. Stick with firms you see refernced here on the Forum, remembering that those hats shown as "vintage" are just that, and may not be available from the modern version of that firm. That's where fols like Art Fawcett and Optimo come into play. Dig deep in your pockets and they will MORE than satisfy your need for THAT Panama
Onward thru the Fog