Hat aficionados: Anyone want to explain this hat to me from Kakkoii Mono?

[otacon]

http://vintage-clothing.kakkoiimono.com/944/vintage-charles-knox-hatters-straw-hat-size-7-12/

I don't know I've ever seen anything quite like it.

This site has some pretty neat stuff, honestly.

Bonus: Tell me this isn't beautiful
http://kakkoiimono.com/moreInfo.asp?ii=&t=35&k=&k1=&k2=&i=2076

 

[Jeff Costello]

Hi, I have a small collection of felt hats (used to have a cheap straw), myself. Both hats are nice, but I would advise that you try to search for similar styles on ebay (I got one from there two years ago, it resembles the one in my avatar), as they can be very expensive when sold on these vintage sites. Or alternately, you can have just about any type of felt hat (not western, I think) custom made by Art Fawcett for about the same price range as that homburg in the second link. I haven't bought anything from him, but he's very reputable.

EDIT: About that hat you posted in the first link. Looks nice, but despite my time at the Fedora Lounge, I don't think I could precisely date it for you. I think it could be 1940s or 1950s. This would be a good look to sport during the late spring and summer months. It looks like a milan straw fedora to me.

 

[otacon]

You know, custom hatters is something I've wondered about before. Thanks.

 

[Jeff Costello]

Although I'm not sure if he can hook you up with a style identical to the first one, Panama Bob makes good quality (authentic) Panamas. Also, John Penman can make great felt hats as well, if you're interested. There's more custom hatters out there, but these are the ones I can think of off the top. I've yet to try the custom process, myself, but I'm holding off on another hat purchase for a while. I've got to focus on other stuff, too.

 

[Typhoid Jones]

Hi,

I'm also a size 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 and that hat is not worth the price that they are asking. It is definitely NOT "a relative Holy Grail in the universe of vintage men's hats."

If you are in search of a nice straw hat, you should buy a Panama hat. Panama hats are actually handmade in Ecuador, but called "Panama hats" because workers building the Panama canal used them and later they were exported from Panama. Panama hats are recognized for the time and skill that the weaver(s) invest in their making. The best hats come from in and around the town of Montecristi, Ecuador.

Two online sites are: BrentBlack.com and optimohats.com

I am not affiliated with either site. I just like hats and thought both of them were informative and helpful. After I did a little online research, I went to Montecristi with my little brother to buy my hat.



^ This is a detail of my Panama hat. That is the tip of a needle to get an idea of the size of the individual knots.

I hope that this helps.
-M-

 

[Kakkoii Mono]

Otacon, thank you very much for the compliment on the site. It's a lot of work, and a nod is always appreciated.

Stopping by to say "hi" to the forum - there have been a lot of referrals to the site today from this board, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Today's blog posting might be of interest to those who dig vintage, and I hope it might shed some light on where vintage comes from. If nothing else, there are some photos of dapper dandies - can't beat that.
http://vintage-clothing.kakkoiimono.com/

Always lots to say, and you can find a lot of it on twitter.

cheers to all

 

[meister]



http://vintage-clothing.kakkoiimono.com/944/vintage-charles-knox-hatters-straw-hat-size-7-12/
I don't know I've ever seen anything quite like it.
This site has some pretty neat stuff, honestly.
Bonus: Tell me this isn't beautiful
http://kakkoiimono.com/moreInfo.asp?ii=&t=35&k=&k1=&k2=&i=2076

They have some great stuff but at big prices. The Milan straw (Italian in the 50s/60s as worn by Crankie Frankie) is one of the hot hats and is taking over from the Panama somewhat for aficionados. 7.5 is a hard size to find but this needs reblocking and is what is called a stingy brim. The better Milans are 2.5 inch brim. I have a nice Cavanagh one myself I just giot reblocked by Optimo Chicago.

 

[otacon]

Thanks for all of the further advice/info.

Otacon, thank you very much for the compliment on the site. It's a lot of work, and a nod is always appreciated.

Not a problem. Nice to see you here.

Welcome!

 

[Jeff Costello]

Otacon, thank you very much for the compliment on the site. It's a lot of work, and a nod is always appreciated.

Stopping by to say "hi" to the forum - there have been a lot of referrals to the site today from this board, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Today's blog posting might be of interest to those who dig vintage, and I hope it might shed some light on where vintage comes from. If nothing else, there are some photos of dapper dandies - can't beat that.
http://vintage-clothing.kakkoiimono.com/

Always lots to say, and you can find a lot of it on twitter.

cheers to all

After taking a good look at your website, you're written excellent posts regarding the history of vintage clothing, and have nice merchandise. Please excuse my previous generalities; the fact that you personally came here to register and post speaks volumes about your service. The hats and suits are very elegant as well.

 

[Kakkoii Mono]

Otacon & Jay -

Thank you for the warm welcome. Having had a website for over a decade, I have long stayed away from message boards and forums for a range of reasons. I'd like to say that I seem to have found myself in a thread of gentlemen : ) so we can already dispense with one of those reasons.

Have a lot of plates spinning at the moment regarding the website, including some redesign, as well as a project involving some new content development, shall we say, that I hope will be entertaining and informative. I just un-privacy-locked a little something so that I can share it here - may restrict its access again in the near future, as there are some ideas being developed.

As w/ most things on vimeo, it plays best if you click play, then pause, and let it fully load before playing. . The video shooting began after I'd already been on the road 5 days, and driven over 1k miles. *That's* where vintage comes from ; )

One of the reasons that I don't jump into forums is that I respect the divide between marketing and a marketing-free zone. I'm not here to do the former. I, of course, have a lifelong love of vintage and style, and am putting my enthusiasm on display.

Will check in from time to time, and hope to remain welcome here.