Good value Panama hats in London?

[Solari]

Hi all,

I'm aware of Lock & Co, Bates, Borsalino and Christys... but I'm interested in buying a nice, simple and good quality Panama hat in London without overpaying.

Any good recommendations?

 

[GBR]

Define "good" value!

One man's good is another man's extortion. Do you mean the cheapest which vaguely resembles a panama hat or what do you mean.

 

[Solari]

Well by good value I mean, say for less than £120 but...is made in ecuador, comes in different head sizes, has nice ribbon and a leather headband?

 

[comrade]

The Internet is your friend.

http://www.panamahatmall.com/en/montecristi-c-4804.html

http://strawpanamahats.com/index.html

This will give you an idea of prices and quality to compare with what
you would buy in London

 

[comrade]

How does one delete this?

 

[Andrew Holmes]

Solari - I'd concur with Comrade's advice to simply browse the web. London isn't necessarily the optimum source for a fine quality panama that is also good value for money.

That said, not living in London myself, I ordered one last year from Christys in London (their standard cream preset) at around £90 and found it to be pretty much the best quality you're likely to get at around that price range. Lock & Co are of course fine (if not the finest) quality but I think spectacularly overpriced. Mine was a close fit but needed a minor adjustment (pressing out / widening slightly), which was dealt with by my tailor.

Just don't overpay - in the last analysis, it just needs to be genuine and from a reputable house.

 

[Andy57]

Hi all,

I'm aware of Lock & Co, Bates, Borsalino and Christys... but I'm interested in buying a nice, simple and good quality Panama hat in London without overpaying.

Any good recommendations?

So, essentially, you want a cheap hat?

 

[Solari]

So, essentially, you want a cheap hat?

Yes precisely. Assuming, of course, that you consider Christys hats cheap? (Because their panama costs £89)

 

[Andy57]

Yes precisely. Assuming, of course, that you consider Christys hats cheap? (Because their panama costs £89)

Yes, that is a cheap hat.

 

[Solari]

Yes, that is a cheap hat.

There we go then- I want a cheap panama hat!

Any suggestions from your side Andy, besides Christys? I'm off to Goodwood in a couple of weeks and I want to blend in

 

[Kingstonian]

Marks and Sparks

Foldable Panama £49.50.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/foldable-panama-hat/p/p22364167?&mcptredirect

 

[Solari]

Marks and Sparks

Foldable Panama £49.50.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/foldable-panama-hat/p/p22364167?&mcptredirect

Good shout!

 

[Belfaborac]

You may want to have a look at Village Hats too. I see they have a reasonable selection of Panamas in the £50-75 bracket, by Olney, Christy's and Signes. I have no experience with Panama hats, but in general both Olney and Signes make excellent hats. Christy's too, I'm sure, but again I have no experience. The shop is UK based, ships fast and has always provided me excellent service.

 

[Kingstonian]

Trying on a hat is important.

It may not fit. You may not like it.

For that reason, I prefer a store to mail order.