My Phantom Blue Indy Optimo

Zohar · 09-27-2003, 03:28 PM

I've had it a few months, but I got it during the summer, and haven't had much chance to wear it. The brim definitely needed to be tweaked when these pictures were taken. I just took it out of the box, and put it on my head.

Here's some shots of when I first got it.

Here's pictures from today.

Yes, I need a few hairs cut.

Sergei · 09-27-2003, 04:15 PM

Very cool fedora. The Phantom Blue is on the top of my list for the "next one". I can see the differences in the brim curl from the first day to today. I can tell the the photos were taken on separate days too. The grass by the pond needs a cut too!!

Just, giving you a hard time.... :-)

-Sergei

Zohar · 09-27-2003, 04:21 PM

If you're interested in the color, you'd better get a hold of them. I think this was the last cone they had in this color, and since it was run two years in a row, it may be a while before they run it again.

Yeah, I don't mow around the ponds very often. It's very rough ground, so I have to use the tractor and bushog, as my lawnmower won't cut it.

The brim definitely needs work. I'm just going to keep trying to pull it in the way I want it to go. It doesn't have ripples, but it doesn't curl correctly.

Sergei · 09-27-2003, 04:40 PM

On the Optimo brim curls, this is what I do. I either put the Optimo right over a "Western Straw Hat". I gently push it down until the sweatband engages with the crown of the straw hat. I push it down again to get the brim to curl. I then curl the brims the way I like it and just let it sit, to build that felt to memorize the curl. Then I alternate to the "hat retainer" device. Just enough tension to snag the leather swearband and then a little more to get the brim to curl. I shape the curl's again and let it rest.

Just keep it doing it and eventually they should be trained. I have done this with all my Indy Fedora's with the exception of the PBII's. The PBII's have so much stiffner on them, that there is no way they will loose shape.

Also, when you wear it on your head, just gently curl the brim with the palms of your hands. You know the way you see Harrison do it on the "Making of Raiders".

My .02.....

-Sergei

Zohar · 09-27-2003, 04:59 PM

I haven't seen the Making of Raiders, but I understand what you mean. I have it sitting on top of my Fed right now. Hopefully it'll do the trick. Thanks a bunch!
-z

Matt Deckard · 09-27-2003, 07:49 PM

Those pictures rock.

and you can't beat the new Avater. looks awsome.

Good job and great hat.

Williamson · 09-30-2003, 09:12 AM

I recently saw Zohars Optimo hats and I must say they are quite nice. His Phantom Blue takes on a variety of different shades in different light and gives it an almost chameleon like appearance. From gray to blue, it really is a unique hat. The shape of the brim and curl are just perfect. Regards. Williamson.

Zohar · 09-30-2003, 09:19 AM

Thanks for the all of the kind comments. Indeed, it does seem to change color depending on how the light hits it. This is what I like most about the hat, and it's definitely the one I wear most often. It doesn't quite have the sheen of the new Indy Brown with the nutria in it, but it still looks great.

It is actually a bit thicker than the new nutria/beaver felt, and seems to hold its shape better. As for the brim, I believe I have trained it to swoop correctly now, using Sergei's technique. I don't know when Optimo is going to run this color again, but I highly recommend it as a nice addition to any hat wearer's collection. It's one of the most unique colors I've come across.

Rundquist · 09-30-2003, 09:55 AM

Great hat. One of the cool things about Optimo hats is how they change colors. That's by design. There are different color hairs put into their felts that aren't the primary color. When I wear my spice green Manhattan indoors for instance, everyone thinks that it's a gray hat. Cheers

riccardo · 06-12-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zohar

I've had it a few months, but I got it during the summer, and haven't had much chance to wear it. The brim definitely needed to be tweaked when these pictures were taken. I just took it out of the box, and put it on my head.

Hi Zohar,
great hat, very beautiful...i see it just today..
but i am charmed by the wonderful place where you take the photoes...thanks...
With compliments.
Riccardo.

09-27-2003, 03:28 PM	#1
Zohar Head Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Catfish Creek, South Carolina Posts: 2,769	My Phantom Blue Indy Optimo I've had it a few months, but I got it during the summer, and haven't had much chance to wear it. The brim definitely needed to be tweaked when these pictures were taken. I just took it out of the box, and put it on my head. Here's some shots of when I first got it. Here's pictures from today. Yes, I need a few hairs cut.

09-27-2003, 07:49 PM	#6
Matt Deckard Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: A devout capitalist in Rosemead CA. Posts: 8,624	Smurf blue Indy Those pictures rock. and you can't beat the new Avater. looks awsome. Good job and great hat. __________________ Matt Deckard Apparel Deckard's Guide Looking for my Emma Peel. END OF LINE

09-30-2003, 09:12 AM	#7
Williamson New in Town Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 31	A nice set of hats....... I recently saw Zohars Optimo hats and I must say they are quite nice. His Phantom Blue takes on a variety of different shades in different light and gives it an almost chameleon like appearance. From gray to blue, it really is a unique hat. The shape of the brim and curl are just perfect. Regards. Williamson.

09-30-2003, 09:55 AM	#9
Rundquist One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 265	Great hat. One of the cool things about Optimo hats is how they change colors. That's by design. There are different color hairs put into their felts that aren't the primary color. When I wear my spice green Manhattan indoors for instance, everyone thinks that it's a gray hat. Cheers __________________ The wine you drink has never seen a grape.

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09-27-2003, 04:15 PM	#2
Sergei "A" List Customer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southern Belarus Posts: 406	Very cool fedora. The Phantom Blue is on the top of my list for the "next one". I can see the differences in the brim curl from the first day to today. I can tell the the photos were taken on separate days too. The grass by the pond needs a cut too!! Just, giving you a hard time.... :-) -Sergei

09-27-2003, 04:21 PM	#3
Zohar Head Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Catfish Creek, South Carolina Posts: 2,769	If you're interested in the color, you'd better get a hold of them. I think this was the last cone they had in this color, and since it was run two years in a row, it may be a while before they run it again. Yeah, I don't mow around the ponds very often. It's very rough ground, so I have to use the tractor and bushog, as my lawnmower won't cut it. The brim definitely needs work. I'm just going to keep trying to pull it in the way I want it to go. It doesn't have ripples, but it doesn't curl correctly.

09-27-2003, 04:40 PM	#4
Sergei "A" List Customer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southern Belarus Posts: 406	On the Optimo brim curls, this is what I do. I either put the Optimo right over a "Western Straw Hat". I gently push it down until the sweatband engages with the crown of the straw hat. I push it down again to get the brim to curl. I then curl the brims the way I like it and just let it sit, to build that felt to memorize the curl. Then I alternate to the "hat retainer" device. Just enough tension to snag the leather swearband and then a little more to get the brim to curl. I shape the curl's again and let it rest. Just keep it doing it and eventually they should be trained. I have done this with all my Indy Fedora's with the exception of the PBII's. The PBII's have so much stiffner on them, that there is no way they will loose shape. Also, when you wear it on your head, just gently curl the brim with the palms of your hands. You know the way you see Harrison do it on the "Making of Raiders". My .02..... -Sergei

09-27-2003, 04:59 PM	#5
Zohar Head Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Catfish Creek, South Carolina Posts: 2,769	I haven't seen the Making of Raiders, but I understand what you mean. I have it sitting on top of my Fed right now. Hopefully it'll do the trick. Thanks a bunch! -z

09-30-2003, 09:19 AM	#8
Zohar Head Bartender Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Catfish Creek, South Carolina Posts: 2,769	Thanks for the all of the kind comments. Indeed, it does seem to change color depending on how the light hits it. This is what I like most about the hat, and it's definitely the one I wear most often. It doesn't quite have the sheen of the new Indy Brown with the nutria in it, but it still looks great. It is actually a bit thicker than the new nutria/beaver felt, and seems to hold its shape better. As for the brim, I believe I have trained it to swoop correctly now, using Sergei's technique. I don't know when Optimo is going to run this color again, but I highly recommend it as a nice addition to any hat wearer's collection. It's one of the most unique colors I've come across.