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Summer hats

shoeshineboy

Practically Family
Messages
500
Location
s/e missouri
Hello everyone....I am one of the new guys and I need some guidance.

My name "Mark the shoeshine boy"...even though I don't shine shoes no more I can still mark Forrest Gump's Drill Instructor smile with the luster on my shoes.

But I am no longer in that profession, and for the past 26 years I have been in the automotive world selling cars and trucks. Somewhere along the way, my forehead has grown and the good Doctor has told me to wear sunscreen and a hat this year or grow the greater risk of skin cancer.

So I am looking for a hat to wear during sunny weather. I have checked out Panama Bob collection and even PM Zach about his hat for sale. I am sure you can come up with all the jokes about "car salemen" and I can laugh at them too. My major concern is I will be the only person in a real hat for probably 30 miles.

I live in S/E missouri wear camoflage ball caps are the norm on most people.

What would look good for this profession ??? Am I asking the right questions ? I don't want to look like Al Capone on the lot.

Any comments or additional questions would be greatly appreciated.

Plus, I am a member of badgerandblade.com ...a shaving forum...

Thank you,

Mark the shoeshine boy
 

scotrace

Head Bartender
Staff member
Messages
14,392
Location
Small Town Ohio, USA
A Montecristi Panama hat is probably even easier to find acceptance than a felt fedora, I find, and I'm also in Camo Country. You really can't go wrong with a Panama.
 

50 Gold

Registered User
Messages
13
Location
East Tennessee
Welcome to the Lounge, get comfortable and you'll have a good time. I would definitely go with a Panama Hat (with a black silk headband). You'll look great without coming on too strong with the headgear. A Montecristi would be ideal. If for some reason, you are cash challenged (as I am), you can order a nice looking Panama Cuenca from Ecuador for $48.00. That was my first Panama. It has a sewn in leather headband, fits beautifully, and does the job. Oh, and normally Cuencas tend to be bleached and they are a very bright white. The company had some private stock on hand that had been darkened and he pulled one for me at no charge. It's the same color as a Montecristi so folks have to look close at the weave to see the difference. I bring this up only because I would hate to see you invest in a Montecristi and have some irate customer run over it or the wind take it off your head, etc. It's all in what you want. If you want to know more, Private Message me and I'll give you the details. Good luck and by the way, I'm looking for a good deal on a Volkswagen Diesel.........:rolleyes:
 

Panamabob

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,012
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private stock and darkened Panama? What a great way to sell. I'll have to remember that. Why do these guys persistently lie? It isn't hard to get a natural Cuenca at all. It isn't hard to get one in any of 256 colors, unbleached, half bleached, or bleached. I'd love to see a photo of the private stock.
 

riccardo

Practically Family
Messages
516
Location
Sicily - Italy
Montecristi Panama Hat

Hi Mark,
don't wait enough, let buy a Montecristi Panama Hat, you could try your own choice. So you'll take the sun out of your eyes and out your head...don't forget Montecristi Panama Hat are the best summer hat.
There is here PanamaBob, he could help you to found the right hat for you.
How my friend says: "never go wrong with a Panama Hat".

Wellcome a bord.
Riccardo.
 

TOM BLAINE

New in Town
Messages
9
Hi Mark,
You can't go wrong with a panama hat. Choose one with a backwoven brim insteas of folded and sewen. I have two Montacristis and a Cuenca. The Cuenca I wear doing yard work. You might want to consider something like a white linen Gatsby. There are many options but pleeeze stay away from ball caps.:beer:
 

50 Gold

Registered User
Messages
13
Location
East Tennessee
Sorry

Jeez, I didn't mean to get everyone's ire up by suggesting the option that a Cuenca Panama could meet Mark's needs. I have one, it is what it is (a work hat) and I'm #@*! proud of it. It was just what the vendor told me it would be, he was very helpful (I was on the phone with him several times), and it arrived on the exact day he promised he would. And by "Private Stock" he only meant that they had experimented with some cuenca's to darken them. I just happened to be one newbie trying to help another. So,Mark, please forget what I said and drop $300-$400 for a Montecristi. One day perhaps I will be a wealthy expert like PanamaBob and therefore gain the priviledge to offer advice. Until then l, I shall take a vow of silence like a good newbie should and only observe. Good Luck my friend:cheers1:
http://strawhatsdirect.com/Cuenca-Hats.htmhttp://panamahatsdirect.com/Cuenca.htm
 

Panamabob

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,012
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
50 Gold. Forgive me for offending you in some way.

I had no idea who you bought the hat from. Now that I know it was Casey, I'll stand by my choice of words. He fits the definition of liar quite well.


You don't need to drop $300.00 or $400.00 for a Montecristi and just about everyone here knows that. You can get a good one for $50.00.

You are far from the truth by calling me wealthy. I'm a teacher. I make about $30K a year. I do know all about Montecristi and Cuenca Panama Hats though. I know all about the lying vultures that shill about what they are selling. I do understand their "private stocks." I would consider myself as somewhat of an expert, though, since I did actually live there for nearly 3 years of my life.
 

Zach R.

Practically Family
BTW, if I don't sell my hat, I need to do something about the brim, I just can't get it to do what I want.

Is there a good way to shape the brim? Does the old steam trick work like it does with Fedoras? I don't want to steam it all up and find out that I've ruined it.
 

scotrace

Head Bartender
Staff member
Messages
14,392
Location
Small Town Ohio, USA
Sharpetoys or Bob are better advisors

But I put it on the ironing board, drape a dry washcloth over it, then use the low steam setting to iron the brim smooth. It then shapes pretty easily when it's warm. You won't hurt it this way. But I wouldn't iron directly on the straw.
 

shoeshineboy

Practically Family
Messages
500
Location
s/e missouri
I want to thank everyone that has posted a message and PM'd me about my summer hat. I believe I have found the one I want, but next is what shape I want it to be.

I know this is a matter of personal taste. I am thinking about a "C" or a teardrop.

Any suggestions for the ol' shoeshine boy.

Mark
 

riccardo

Practically Family
Messages
516
Location
Sicily - Italy
...my first Panama was a " C" Crown.
Now I'm waiting my new 5oo wpsi Montecristi Optimo by PanamaBob, blocked and finished by Art.
And....this will not be the last.
Riccardo.
 

riosfernando

New in Town
Messages
18
Location
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Panama hat is the best choice...

Hi Shoeshine, Glad to have you here. I bought my first panama hat from panamabob in ebay, before I ever know about this wonderful forum. He can find you a real Montecristi for a good and sensible price.

You can not loss with a Panama hat, au contrary, you will set the diference among the others,and that my friend in your sales career is a benefit.

Good luck.
 

adamgottschalk

A-List Customer
Messages
405
Location
NewYork/Florida
The right shape

shoeshineboy said:
I want to thank everyone that has posted a message and PM'd me about my summer hat. I believe I have found the one I want, but next is what shape I want it to be.

I know this is a matter of personal taste. I am thinking about a "C" or a teardrop.

Any suggestions for the ol' shoeshine boy.

Mark

I think the teardrop shape, when not pinched too sharply in front, has a nice somewhat-casual look that would be great for your job.
 

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