So... straw hat suggestions?

[MattJH]

Honest to goodness, I have no idea what I should be looking for in a straw hat.

As I've stated ad nauseum, I'm between a 7 5/8 to a 7 3/4, so vintage may not be my best route for this (not to mention that I don't particularly like the idea of having somebody else's vintage sweat all over my hat, what with straw hats typically worn in warmer weather!).

Any suggestions for new straw hats that have your stamp of approval? Anybody have any vintage, albeit clean, straw hats in my size that they no longer wear?

Thanks!

 

[Orgetorix]

You might check out Panama Hat Works of Montecristi. The proprietor, Panamabob, is a member here, and a number of other members have spoken favorably of his hats.

 

[Rick Blaine]

You might check out Panama Hat Works of Montecristi. The proprietor, Panamabob, is a member here, and a number of other members have spoken favorably of his hats.

He also DBA "ecuador_art" on Ebay. I got one of his "Authentic Ecuador Panama Hat Mouse River Fedoras" for $20 delivered and find it more than satisfactory.

For a few dollars more I could've had one w/ a leather sweatband (this one is cloth) that looks quite high quality. Many many loungers have spoken volumes of praise about both his product & business practices. I can't wait to get another.

 

[riccardo]

PanamaBob

Hi,
I've bought a sweet montecristi from Bob last year.
I can't wait may 15th to wear it.
Bob has the best montecristi hats for the best price.
Best regards.
Riccardo.

p.s. panama in my avatar isn't a PanamaBob!!

(Bob'll understand )

Honest to goodness, I have no idea what I should be looking for in a straw hat.

As I've stated ad nauseum, I'm between a 7 5/8 to a 7 3/4, so vintage may not be my best route for this (not to mention that I don't particularly like the idea of having somebody else's vintage sweat all over my hat, what with straw hats typically worn in warmer weather!).

Any suggestions for new straw hats that have your stamp of approval? Anybody have any vintage, albeit clean, straw hats in my size that they no longer wear?

Thanks!

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Dumbjaw, one word of caution. When dealing with a vintage straw, it is quite common to get one only to find out when it arrives, the straw is dry and brittle. I purchased a vintage panama, with high hopes I opened the box and found a hat with 3 cracks. The seller assured me that there were no such flaws when she mailed it. I guess the mail gremlins did it. The point is, vintage straw off of ebay is a crap shoot. Just be informed.

 

[Dinerman]

I got lucky with my ebay panama, but quite a few of the straw hats I've seen in antique stores have big cracks or holes where the front pinch is, or alnong the edges of the bash, esp. if they have a teardrop crown.

Now- I haven't had problems with damage on the milan straw hats, but maybe I've just gotten lucky. The one's I've seen and had do seem to have a slight problem with shrinking, though.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

As a fellow "Big Noggin", and not very partial to traditional Panamas, I've grown quite fond of Milan straws, even contemporary ones, which seem to be a little tougher than the finer weaves. I recently picked up this hat -

at a hat shop in Hollywood in both sand and grey. It's a soft weave Stetson with a bound edge and works for me because I wear my brims up. It is also available here http://www.sacredfeather.com/straw.html in sizes up to 8. If you are looking for a wider brim, Dobbs also makes a nice C-crown milan straw. Try Dad's Hats or Aarons - they both carry 'em!

Good luck.

 

[mingoslim]

My biggest complaint with eBay Panamas . . .

I have purchased two "new" panamas from two different eBay bargain seller . . . One economy model and one mid-range. I generally liked the hats . . . and actually got good customer service the last time around when the hat I received was not what I had bid for.

What I have not been satisfied with is the quality of the leather sweatbands . . . They are terrible! Have I just been "lucky", or have others noticed this?

 

[Snrbfshn]

Panamas are great, but...

I've become a big fan of the Milan straws of the '50s and early '60s, like this golden Resistol:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762329106443

I prefer brims that are 2 1/4" up. It's hard to find them with 2 1/2" brims, though here's one that's among my favorites - copper-brown Resistol Venetian:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jtban1/album/576460762329106481

I've just gotten another Milan that I'll post as soon as I get pix taken.

 

[adamgottschalk]

I too have had trouble with vintage straws, from eBay, in particular with the non-leather sweatbands deteriorating (an extra expense I haven't found a hat yet worthy of). I shy away from many new, inexpensive straw hats simply because they come with pins in the ribbons (never found a pin that I could remove without wrecking the ribbon...again, another expense).

Anyone tried any straws from Miller Hats? I ask in particular because a) I don't want a white hat (Miller has various colors), b) I found last summer that I just don't wear a hat much when it's hot; this would be for dress-up nights, and c) Miller has a good selection of inexpensive straws, straw of different kinds, from, say, $45 to $70. What's the deal?

 

[Rick Blaine]

WARNING

I...Anyone tried any straws from Miller Hats? I ask in particular because a) I don't want a white hat (Miller has various colors), b) I found last summer that I just don't wear a hat much when it's hot; this would be for dress-up nights, and c) Miller has a good selection of inexpensive straws, straw of different kinds, from, say, $45 to $70. What's the deal?

DO NOT BUY THE MILLER GOLDEN COLORED STRAWS SUCH AS:

THE LOGAN.

A total POS, resembles nothing so much as a piece of crappy wicker furniture from Pier 1, Stiff, brittle, crackly & HOT i.e.- a total disappointment. I do not know what they treat these with to attain the color, but it renders them good for nothing but to hang on the wall, maybe... 'sides, sharpy says they are paper straw... dunno his source, though I know nothing of their Milans or non-colored panamas, but this one is to be avoided at all costs. In fact this weekend I plan to submerge mine in the same denatured alcohol that I removed stiffener from my recent Stratton with, I mean, what the hell, I sure can’t wear it like this!
... my .02

 

[RBH]

I love mine.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1331/stratostraw3ut.jpg" border="0" width="365" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[Marc Chevalier]

He is risen!

.

 

[RBH]

He is risen!

.

Hope I'm forgiven... I'm.. well now.
I could not stand it... I love hats, and most all of you.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1331/stratostraw3ut.jpg" border="0" width="365" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

He's back....:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[jimmy the lid]

He's back....:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Great news.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

He's back....:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

I didn't know he was gone! [huh]

 

[RBH]

As Dorothy Gale said:
There is no place like home.

And none more forgiven than the ones that care.

I need say no more.

 

[Duck]

Glad your back!!!!!!