New Panama hat

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Please Matt, do post pictures of your Panama. Where did you get it?

I have two. One from Optimo and one from Panama Bob. Only the Optimo one is at my place right now; the other one is in the desert. I will take a picture if I have time today. If not, it will be the end of the week.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by AlanC

. . . Dopey, in what style did Art block your Panama?
I don't know if the style has any name, but it is a high round crown, with no dents. The crown has only a center crease at the top, which is fairly shallow. The brim has a gentle shape, which enables a soft snap down in front. The overall effect is fairly formal and since the hat requires more care (like taking it in and out of a box) than my regular Panama, I only wear it on more dressy occasions.

 

[AlanC]

Dopey, it sounds lovely. Any possibility of pictures?

Originally Posted by iammatt

I have two. One from Optimo and one from Panama Bob. Only the Optimo one is at my place right now; the other one is in the desert. I will take a picture if I have time today. If not, it will be the end of the week.

Who blocked the one from Bob? How do you compare the two?

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Dopey, it sounds lovely. Any possibility of pictures?



Who blocked the one from Bob? How do you compare the two?
Art did. I don't know that I am enough of an expert to give a good comparison, but I would give the edge to the Optimo one. The edge is a bit less wavy and the overall weave, while not as fine, it more consistent. More than anything, I think that for somebody who really like a distinctive hat Art probably makes a better shape. Optimo makes something that fades a little more into the background, which I personally like. So, as of now the edge goes to Optimo, but I may grow to like the other more. It is a bit more advanced.

 

[AlanC]

I'd like to get a Milan weave from Optimo sometime, but I fear the price is beyond my reach at this point.

 

[lakewolf]

my montecristi is the Havana Fedora, I like the shape best... the greenstreet shape doesn't work for me

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by AlanC

I'd like to get a Milan weave from Optimo sometime, but I fear the price is beyond my reach at this point.
I believe the Milan straw are all $350.

 

[AlanC]

That's less than I imagined. I may have to look into one next year.

 

[AlanC]

My apologies for resurrecting my own thread, but this Apparel Arts ad from 1934 is relevant to the discussion on snap brim Optimos:

 

[AlanC]

Rather than start a new thread, I figured I'd post this here. I basically wanted a felt version of the Panama Bob Montecristi that Art blocked for me over the summer (see earlier in this thread). I conceived it as the sort of thing a Southern gentleman might wear when the temperatures drop a bit, and in keeping with my avatar I have dubbed it 'The Faulkner'. I gave Art some idea of what I wanted with the ribbon, and as always he took that and made it better than I imagined. The felt is dress weight Mojave, the brim is 2 9/16", crown 4 1/4".

With its sister hat:

 

[happy hooligan]

This one isn't new but it is a Panama hat... I didn't want to start a new thread...

this is my Cavanagh Panama Fedora....

I have more pics on my blog...