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Favorite Panama Hatmakers and/or stores

jptravels4fun

jptravels4fun

New in Town
Messages
26
Location
Brooklyn
I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
FL colorfix.jpg
 
Redfokker

Redfokker

Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
jptravels4fun said:
I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
View attachment 78470
Click to expand...
Love that look with the blue ribbon/band. One of the best ways to navigate a search on the vast catacombs of the lounge is to tie Fedora Lounge to your search word, such as Panama makers. I suspect everyone here has a favorite that they have posted at one time or another. And welcome to the Fray!
 
T

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I would add to what RJR says above that BB is probably one of the only successful dealers in that business. Other than him, there are a few dealers on Ebay that members have dealt with: some seem to have had good experiences with them and some not. As far as custom hatters go, the problem is not with their willingness to make them but with their inability to find trustworthy sources for the bodies. Art Fawcett of VS Hats (one of the very best hatters in the US) recently had an extremely nasty time with one unscrupulous dealer and, as far as I know, little success with the authorities of that country (Equador, I believe). Another importer on this forum was driven out of business for similar reasons. I know that Mike at Northwest Hats does some straws, but I'm not sure of the bodies he has access to right now.
That said, there are a number of alternatives to the traditional Panama that our custom hatters can help you with. For instance, Art Fawcett makes some absolutely beautiful Milan straws, Peters Bros. in Ft. Worth custom-make really nice (and reasonably priced) hemps in pretty much any style you like, and Tom Gomez on Etsy does gorgeous work. I'm sure other members will be chiming in with advice. Personally, I'm not at all a fan of the traditional Panama for a number of reasons, but to each his own. Best of luck.
 
Hats Matter

Hats Matter

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Oakland CA
When I was on a trip to Hawaii a few years ago I stopped in at Newt at the Royal At The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I had only brought an old baseball cap on the trip and with the sunlight I found this to be inadequate for my requirements. I purchased a moderately priced Panama which has served my needs over the years. The service was provided by Jim Tomasi and I was pleased. However, I don't know if the store is still open.
 
L

LeBois46

One of the Regulars
Messages
102
Location
Southern California
jptravels4fun said:
I do not know if this thread is anywhere but I would like knowing members' experiences with artists who make custom Panama Hats or great stores that sell Panama Hats.
I am in NYC and having a basic hat made by Brent Black.
View attachment 78470
Click to expand...
Brent Black's hats are exquisite. I have one that is the priciest hat I own. I wear it when going out for the evening or important social events during the day. Temps exceed 100 often here in SoCal and the hat feels and looks fine.
I also have a much less expensive one from St. Augustine that I wear more often. I am not as afraid of losing it. It looks great and dresses well. Great choices.
 
FedOregon

FedOregon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,134
Location
Oregon
My wife and I recently returned from Ecuador and a visit there to see her family. We made side trips to Cuenca and spoke with shop owners and weavers. While we met some good people, we still have a long way to go. We brought back some 20 hats and bodies. Some to keep for personal use, some to offer to hatters in the area, some for friends and others to offer for sale. If you've worked with Brent Black and perused his website, you know his hats start at $550 and the quality level can go as high as $25,000 for a handwoven paja toquilla straw hat.

It's mostly deciding what you want and how much you want to pay and who you decide to trust with your order. There are some great hats out there.

There is a Panama Hat thread and members have posted some beautiful hats there.
 
DJH

DJH

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,352
Location
Ft Worth, TX
Hats Matter said:
When I was on a trip to Hawaii a few years ago I stopped in at Newt at the Royal At The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I had only brought an old baseball cap on the trip and with the sunlight I found this to be inadequate for my requirements. I purchased a moderately priced Panama which has served my needs over the years. The service was provided by Jim Tomasi and I was pleased. However, I don't know if the store is still open.
Click to expand...

I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.
 
Hats Matter

Hats Matter

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Oakland CA
DJH said:
I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the information. I will probably be going back to Hawaii (Maui and Oahu) in the next few months so I will stop off at the Royal Hawaiian and see if the store is still there.
Click to expand...
 
bendingoak

bendingoak

Vendor
Messages
613
Location
www.Penmanhats.com
DJH said:
I have a Montecristi Panama from Newt at the Royal which is an excellent hat. It was made by Optimo in Chicago, another well known (if expensive) source for good Panamas. I wasn’t the original owner, mine was a good eBay find.

There seem to be some recent reviews around for the Newt store, so they might still be in business.

If I was in the market for a good quality Panama today, I’d look at Brent Black, Tom Gomez or Art Fawcett. Black Sheep Hatworks as well (I don’t know if Bob has an inventory of Panamas, but if he does you’d get a great hat.

Same with Penman hats, I believe John Penman sources his hat bodies from Brent Black.
Click to expand...


you are correct sir.
 
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