Repairing a 1940's-50's Panama with wavy brim

[Allenworsham]

I finally got back my Grandfather's 1940's-50's Panama that I was having cleaned up and having a new ribbon put on it as the original ribbon was not salvageable. This was 1 of 5 hats that had been found in my sister's garage all stuffed in an old hat box as my Grandfather died in 1959. Overall the Panama turned out pretty good along with the new ribbon. The biggest problem with the Panama was that it was crushed in the hat box and had a crease going front to back in the brim and the crown.

(no flash on these 2 photos)




So while the hat shop guy steamed and blocked the hat and shaped the brim the best he could, he could not straighten out the brim which is still wavy and uneven with peaks and valleys due to being crushed in the box.

(Flash used on these 2 photos)





So is there any way to even out the brim on this Panama from my end or is this pretty much the best it can be considering that it is a 60+ year old hat?

 

[T Jones]

Panamas can be a bit tricky to mess with. It would probably be best to have a professional hatter fix it for you, especially since the hat belonged to your Grandfather. There's a few hatters on the Lounge who may be able to help you out. Gomez Hat Co. comes to mind. He can be a bit pricey but Panama hats are his specialty. Since it's something you treasure, spending the extra cash to have it done right by a specialist may not be such a bad idea....

http://www.gomezhatcompany.com/

 

[Brother cavefish]

i am no expert but i would think a brim soak in hot/warm water (as to penetrate) and steaming the wrinkle while massaging it out might be worth a try

 

[alanfgag]

Was this hat folded in storage? Or is this a remnant of an older fold in the straw body before it was blocked? If the latter, it will be difficult to remove without sending the hat out to be reblocked and restored. If the sweatband needs to be replaced, that might be a worthwhile option. I would not hesitate to wear it as it is. Straw hats react to wearing and the warm months and develop a life of their own. In this way, straw hats are like cats. It is best to learn to live with their independence rather than try to control it.

 

[tonyb]

STOP!

Get ahold of Tom at Gomez Hat Co. and show him your pictures. I'm confident he can reflange that brim and replace that ribbon (again).

I take no pleasure in telling you this, but that ribbon work leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not gonna trash the person who did it, as putting ribbons on straws is much more challenging than re-ribboning felt hats. That's among the reasons I don't do straw hats. But Tom Gomez has equipped his shop and learned the skills necessary to refurbish Panama (and other straw) hats. He does felts as well, but he and Art Fawcett are among the few who really know their way around a straw hat.

 

[pbekkerh]

I would have the hatband fixed(I'm no expert but just looking at it I'd say the stitchings are visible, it sits too high, indicated by the nonfaded part of the rim) but leave the rest as is. It will look like you have been wearing that Panama all your life, that'll give "street cred" within the hatting community ;-)

 

[T Jones]

I can certainly appreciate the good intentions of Lounge members who are trying to be helpful. But you would do best by following some of the previous advice and send your hat to a professional who specializes in restoring Panamas. They're very tricky to work with. That hat can be totally trashed in the hands of someone who doesn't have the expertise...and since it was your Grandfather's hat that would be the best advice for you. Try contacting the Gomez Hat Co. He specializes in Panamas....

http://www.gomezhatcompany.com/

 

[Allenworsham]

The guys there at the Vintage Men's Store are really nice guys but they don't have the technical skills to do more than the basics and this hat needs more than they can handle. My cost was $40 to have the work done on the Panama, so it is not a financial hardship and I have learned lesson through it. I have messaged Gomez Hat Company and will wait for a reply. His phone number on his website is listed as 951 area code which is the same as mine so he lives local to me so that will make things easier.

Thanks.

 

[RJR]

Going to Gomez is the right move.

 

[Brother cavefish]

yea i just saw a close up , that ribbon, is not quit right---there is another thread and it appears this hat has the same issue
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?28145-Post-New-Hats-Here!/page2622


post 26215

 

[Allenworsham]

I gave Tom Gomez a call and got to chat with him for awhile and talked about the hat and various other things as well. I will be stopping by his place on Saturday with the hat as he lives about 30 minutes or so from me.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[T Jones]

I gave Tom Gomez a call and got to chat with him for awhile and talked about the hat and various other things as well. I will be stopping by his place on Saturday with the hat as he lives about 30 minutes or so from me.

Thanks for the advice.

Would definitely be interested in the updates, especially with before and after photos of the hat.

 

[Allenworsham]

My wife and I drove over to Tom Gomez's home/shop and spent about 90 minutes chatting. Got a good education on Panama Hats as well as learning more about each other. Tom is a very talented craftsman and a genuinely nice guy. Tom Is going to rebuild my Grandfather's Panama so I should get it in a couple of weeks.