Optimo report: travel folding so far so good

[JeffOYB]

I bought a $40 (total) roll-up Optimo from eBay from panamahatsdirect just before going on my trip. It comes right from Ecuador.

I folded it and gently packed it in my carry-on and it has popped back into shape quite well. It takes a few hours to tidy up and relax and lay right after being folded. But really it isn't as sharp as it was. This is a soft hat. But I like the look all right. We'll see how it breaks in and how I break in to it.

I stopped by the Berkeley hats store in the Bay Area a few days ago---I saw some nice high end Panamas. Lots of hats in general there. Mens and ladies. Wigs, too.

 

[RBH]

What general shape does this rollup have? Center dent , teardrop or optimo?
I have a cheap optimo style that rolls and looks very good, the only problem was it has shrunk a few sizes.

WE NEED PHOTOS!!!!

 

[JeffOYB]

I'm on the road! But I guess I could finagle this borrowed computer to upload a pic...maybe if something scenic happens.

We had dinner at the Tam'o'Shanter tonight---circa 1922.

My new hat is an optimo style.

But here's a tie-in to the "when to wear a hat" part of an older thread...my older uncle BRIDLES at the idea that I'd wear my Panama "sun hat" out at night. A fedora would be OK. I can't type what he thinks about someone who'd wear a baseball hat inside a restaurant but I did hear about it... : )