Summer Hat Suggestions?

[Richard Warren]

Coconut hat from Capas, can be got from Meyer the Hatter.

 

[laotou]

I'll 2nd Panama Bob and offer up an alternative with Sunbody

 

[Undertow]

Yep, nothing beats a panama in this heat. And Panama Bob has the market cornered on quality. I still need to scratch together a couple coins to pick up a PB.

 

[AlterEgo]

I've spent a good deal of time in the Crescent City for both business and pleasure--actually every visit involved a lot of pleasure--so I'm very familiar with the weather there.

It's both hot and very humid with frequent rain that seems to come out of nowhere with no warning. The problem is that any kind of straw hat, be it a Toquilla fiber Panama, hemp, milan braid, whatever, does not like water and will completely lose its shape and require a total reblocking if you are caught in even a light shower for over a minute or two.

A couple light coats of a breathable water repellent like Scotchguard Fabric and Upholstery Protector is an absolute necessity for straw hats in such climes, but even with that prevetive measure in place, run do not walk to the nearest shelter as soon as it starts to rain.

For straws, I'd suggest the natural color Akubra Hemp Range. I just got mine a couple months ago and love it because it's super-sturdy, has a vented crown yet still blocks the sun, and is made just like Akubra's fine fur felt fedoras--with a leather sweatband. For a bit dressier straw, you cannot beat the almost-white Feather-Weight Panama, an authentic Brisa-pattern Panama blocked and finished in Ecuador that weighs only 2 oz., is super flexible, and has a smooth back-woven brim edge and a cotton sweat.

Both feature a black cloth puggaree--a multi-pleated hatband--and are available at www.davidmorgan.com for $95 and $170, respectively.

For a less stylish expedition-grade hat that is the ultimate in both rain resistance and sunblocking yet still comfortable in very hot and/or humid weather, consider the nylon Tilley Airflow, $69 at the same vendor. Available in natural color with a green underbrim or khaki with an olive underbrim, it has mesh encircling the top of the crown sides that works much better at keeping you cool than the original Tilley with large brass grommets for that purpose. Tilley is so confident of its ability to take all the abuse you can dish out that it comes with a lifetime guarantee. If it ever wears out, he'll replace it free of charge.

 

[frussell]

Stetson Milan

I've got two Stetson Milan Lattes, one in Sand, and one in grey. I believe it is a poly-straw, which means it's not overly stiff, and you can get it wet. I like them both very much, and they have a cloth sweatband that is extremely comfortable. Bound brim, can be worn up or down. I'm happy with mine, especially since I have a history of being really hard on any straw hats that are at all stiff. These seem to hold up well in extreme heat and in humid or damp conditions. Frank.

 

[yardpup01]

I've got an Akubra Capricorn that I can endorse. It's also a poly-straw, which was fine with me because I didn't want to worry about ruining a hat in rain. I got it for around $60 I believe.

 

[150719541]

Straw hats

If you need some hat to summer time (clear, sun light heath and humidity):
Any straw hat is the answer (Milan, toquilla, coconout, sizol, shantung and others.) lol lol lol

 

[Yeps]

Try going over to Meyer the Hatter and seeing what they have, then ordering something online for a better price. They have a lot of straws right now, and having just been down there (great city by the way) I can't imagine wearing anything other than a straw (well, I wore a linen cap, but that is not really a hat).

 

[Tomasso]

THOSE ARE LOVELY! I'll take the one on top. Is it a P'Bob?

Nope. Optimo.

 

[1961MJS]

I just received a great new Panama hat from Panama Bob. It was very reasonably priced and, more importantly, is a wonderful looking hat. The Cuenca Brisa is not a super-tight weave so is quite comfortable, and I haven't had trouble with scalp burns...yet! I am wearing it during a week at the beach and it has been great.

If you check out www.panamabob.com, you can peruse the available styles. Feel free to send PM if I can help with the decision!

Hi

I was on Panama Bob's sight last week and put two hats in the cart, but didn't press buy, anyway the shipping cost didn't go up with two hats in the cart. Has anyone purchased multiple hats from Panama Bob? Those 3 or 4 $22.00 hats with $23.00 shipping are looking better and better for next summer.

IN MY OPINION, and for ME PERSONALLY (obvious emphasis), CHEAP straw hats are the way to go. Felt hats can be re-blocked if you sit on them. Straw hats, not so much. I just sat on a 5 year old Sunbody, and glued it back with fabric glue. I'm also going to Hatman Jack's after work to pick up a new Sunbody Fedora and order or buy a Sunbody Campaign hat. The old one is wearable, but isn't as good looking anymore.

Oh, and PLEASE tell us what you end up with.

Later

 

[Richard Warren]

Try going over to Meyer the Hatter and seeing what they have, then ordering something online for a better price. They have a lot of straws right now, and having just been down there (great city by the way) I can't imagine wearing anything other than a straw (well, I wore a linen cap, but that is not really a hat).

I recommend going to Meyer the Hatter to see what they have (that is to say, asking lots of questions, getting just the right size) and then buying it from Meyer the Hatter. Chances are they will bully you into it anyway.

 

[Nyah]

I need help on summer-specific hats in the Long Oval shape.

I don't have any non-felt fedoras that I'd want to wear in public so, it's time for me to consider getting one. My experience tells me that I need the Long Oval shape but, that's about the extent of what I know. Can someone summarize for me, how summer (straw, leaf, grass, shantung, etc) hats are pressed? In the context of the Long Oval shape, would a summer hat be made on the same blocks as a felt hat?

What kind of summer fedora can I get with the following characteristics?
• Ventilation around the crown.
• Biodegradable material.
• Brim width of 2.5" preferred. I guess I could go up to 2.75".
• Long Oval shape.

I really like the following hat but don't know where to get one. It's the first panama hat (if that's indeed what it is) I've seen with ventilation around the crown.

 

[ManofKent]

Nyah - a semi-calado panama might suit your needs. Have a browse through here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?49245-Semi-calado-madness

 

[Nyah]

I don't have any non-felt fedoras that I'd want to wear in public so, it's time for me to consider getting one. My experience tells me that I need the Long Oval shape but, that's about the extent of what I know. Can someone summarize for me, how summer (straw, leaf, grass, shantung, etc) hats are pressed? In the context of the Long Oval shape, would a summer hat be made on the same blocks as a felt hat?

What kind of summer fedora can I get with the following characteristics?
• Ventilation around the crown.
• Biodegradable material.
• Brim width of 2.5" preferred. I guess I could go up to 2.75".
• Long Oval shape.

I really like the following hat but don't know where to get one. It's the first panama hat (if that's indeed what it is) I've seen with ventilation around the crown.

Nyah - a semi-calado panama might suit your needs. Have a browse through here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?49245-Semi-calado-madness

You're right, Richard, those look to have good ventilation. Thanks!

Now I hope someone can address my primary question: Can a summer (straw, leaf, grass, shantung, etc) hat be blocked to the Long Oval shape or, would that cause the brim to ripple?

I'm not sure this thread is an appropriate one for mine to have been transplanted into. I need tips on getting this type of hat fitted for a Long Oval headshape.

 

[RBH]

Not perfect but a start.

Regular oval to long oval

 

[TheDane]

Hehe ... yes, that is a nice little toy, Rusty

 

[Nyah]

Not perfect but a start.

Regular oval to long oval

So would it be properly assumed that woven hats are typically made to regular oval shapes only, that trying to form a woven hat blank into a Long Oval would result in the same problem one faces when trying to do that with a finished hat made of felt - rippled brim?

 

[Nyah]

Hehe ... yes, that is a nice little toy, Rusty

Where would this site be without your 'helpful' input?

 

[TheDane]

So would it be properly assumed that woven hats are typically made to regular oval shapes only, that trying to form a woven hat blank into a Long Oval would result in the same problem one faces when trying to do that with a finished hat made of felt - rippled brim?

Yes, when you force a hat onto a head, that is longer than the hat's oval, the brim will flare. If you find a hat, made closer to your oval, it will flare less. Straw hats are made in "regular" and "long" oval, just like felt hats. A custom hatter will measure your exact head shape and make the hat accordingly.

Where would this site be without your 'helpful' input?

Definitely not where it's at

 

[RBH]

Where would this site be without your 'helpful' input?

There was nothing smart or untoward in my post.
Cant say the same for yours.