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Which hat for Savannah, GA in February?

L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
I'll be in Savannah, GA from Feb 18-22 and am trying to figure out what I need as my "hat solution". I don't think I'll be able to go hatless for 4 days.

I only have fur felt hats at the moment since I live in Minnesota and have only been wearing hats since October or so. I've been planning on buying a Panama for when spring/summer roll around.

If I were to spend a week off here at home, I'd just grab my brown fedora, brown leather jacket and go about my business. But, Savannah's not hanging out in the 20F-30F range all day in February like Minnesota.

Due to the way I travel (carry-on only), I'm pretty much restricted to 1 hat: on my head. I'm trying to figure out whether I should just go with my brown felt and deal with it if it gets too warm or if I should buy my Panama right now and bring that. Is it too early in the season? I know that 60F is going to feel like swimming weather to me, but will I be odd (even more than just wearing a hat) with the Panama in February?
 
jamespowers

jamespowers

Messages
54,308
Location
Near the World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum
Well, speaking from personal experience here in California where it is in the 60s today; I would buy the straw if your were going to anyway. Supposedly they are cheaper around this time of year but I am not sure.
I wore my straw hat a few days ago so I am sure you can do the same there in Savanah. It is not exactly cold there around now or any time of the year for that matter. Very moderate climate. :cool2:

Regards,

J
 
F

Fedora

Vendor
Messages
828
Location
Mississippi
Hard to say what hat to wear, in the South. One day, it can be in the high 70's, the next day it will be in the 40's. But, I think you would be safe with a felt hat. regards, Fedora
 
L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
One day, it can be in the high 70's, the next day it will be in the 40's.
Click to expand...

What's funny is that we've gone from -30F to +50F in the last 2 weeks here, thus messing up my calibration pretty heavily. Yesterday it was 49F and I drove most of the way home with the truck window open and my overcoat in the passenger seat. We're pretty used to temperature swings (Minnesota has some of the biggest ranges anywhere), but most of them tend to go from frigid to cold by the standards of anywhere else in February.

That's why I was leaning toward the Panama. With my skewed perception of "warm", I didn't want to stick out even more like a tourist than my Minnesotan (pronounced with no "t") accent will already give away.

I didn't want to discover that no one wears straw until at least Easter or some other custom I wasn't aware of.
 
L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
After wearing felt this weekend with the temps in the low 50's and being close to uncomfortable, I think I'm going to go with the Panama for my trip.

After a discussion with Panama Bob, it doesn't look like I could get one of his wonderful hats in time. So, I'm going to get a cheap Panama for the trip (and things like mowing the lawn) and buy a better one from Bob when I get back for use this summer.
 
L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
Thanks for the link. I ended up ordering a Dobbs "Capri" in natural from MikeTheHatter.com. His site doesn't show it in natural, but this is what it looks like.

P_492132_1224524.JPG


It was one of very few that could be ordered in real sizes. I've had some issues with the S/M/L/XL/XXL type of sizing for hats and like being able to order in my actual size, even at the lower end of the pricing spectrum. Mike had it for $67
 
L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
OK. The hat arrived last night and looks good. The only problem is that it sits loose on my head. My felt hats did this too when they were new, but being more flexible than the Panama, they just sort of changed shape to fit my head after a couple of days.

I'm wondering what I can do to get the fit a little better and keep it from blowing off in a mild breeze?
 
S

SHARPETOYS

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,425
Location
Titusville, Florida
LetterJ said:
OK. The hat arrived last night and looks good. The only problem is that it sits loose on my head. My felt hats did this too when they were new, but being more flexible than the Panama, they just sort of changed shape to fit my head after a couple of days.

I'm wondering what I can do to get the fit a little better and keep it from blowing off in a mild breeze?
Click to expand...

Its not a good idea to wet a Cuenca hat most are machined block and have a stiffner added. I've seen them get soaking wet and fall apart and look like a pile of noodles.

You can put cork or foam behind the sweat band to adjust the size. I buy mine from Ace in the insulation dept. Only cost a dollar or so. :)
 
L

LetterJ

New in Town
Messages
41
Location
St. Paul
I was wary of anything steam/water related given the cheap nature of the hat. As I'm going to the hardware store anyway tonight, I'll look for a "shim" to make it fit better.
 
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