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Optimo south side mobsters

drmaxtejeda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,329
Location
Mexico City
From Optimo. Manhattan in Heirloom Mustard.
I wanted one yellow hat...
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Altiori

Familiar Face
Messages
98
Location
Savannah, GA
Friends:

My much better half and I recently took a much needed trip from the Hostess City to The Second City for a much needed break. You all know the kind of year and a half it’s been—for many of us. She visited museums and shopped; I saw the Cubs play at Wrigley. As a St. Louis Cardinals fan, watching the Cubs play the Reds in the Friendly Confines was a trip close to hell but the field, the Chicago hot dogs, and the wonderful fans made it well worth it.

I went to Hat Mecca.

I went to Optimo.

I bought a Mundo.

It is a wonderful hat. The proportions are perfect, the beaver felt is firm yet light and pliable, and the open crown makes for an easy change of style. The hat is impressive but it is matched by the Shop’s excellent customer service. Brady, the GM at the shop was both knowledgeable and professional. He took the time to have a personal conversation, to demonstrate the features of the hat, and to show me several times how to roll the hat properly for travel.

It is a beautiful hat, a wonderful example of Graham Thompson’s firm commitment to high quality. This quality is enhanced by Brady’s courtesy and patience.

This is my second Optimo hat. I purchased a Montecristi several years back and it is still in wonderful shape. I wear it 9 months a year here in Savannah. While expensive, these hats deliver high quality and a sense of permanence seldom found in many things so many of us own.
 

Hats Matter

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Oakland CA
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to Optimo regarding the dimensions of the Austin and the Aficionado. This is the response I received.

Our apologies for not having the specs on the email. We have our new website launching in the coming month but wanted to get this offering out to our insiders before it went live.
The specs on these two hats are as is:
The Aficionado
Belly Fur or Lightweight Felt
Standard Crown
Fedora Crease
2 3/8” Brim with a blind stitched binding
3/4” Ribbon with Half Fly Bow
The Austin
Lightweight Felt
Tall Crown
Fedora C Shape slope crease(can be changed on request)
2 1/2” Brim with a Narrow Ribbon Binding
1/3” Ribbon with a Dragonfly Bow
Let me know if you have any other questions David.
Best

Brady Leaf
Optimo
406.200.1840(cell)
312.922.2999(work)
 

marzony

New in Town
Messages
11
Does someone know what is going on with their upcoming models and felts? Their website seems to be stuck in old models. My understanding is that the update is long overdue.
 

Hats Matter

One of the Regulars
Messages
210
Location
Oakland CA
Optimo has finally updated their webpage. I need to keep exploring it as the content has changed a bit. Prices seem to have increased substantially and it is not clear if they offer multiple colors per style
 
Last edited:
Messages
18,915
Location
Central California
First of two Optimos arrived today. 2 3/4” brim measured after the curl and a 5 1/2” open crown. The build quality is great, and the felt is buttery soft. The dimensions are smaller than I’d have them if I was ordering the hat new.

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I’m also not a fan of the more tapered blocks favored my Optimo, but it wouldn’t really bother me on this hat if the crown and brim were both 1/2” larger.
 
Messages
10,344
Location
vancouver, canada
First of two Optimos arrived today. 2 3/4” brim measured after the curl and a 5 1/2” open crown. The build quality is great, and the felt is buttery soft. The dimensions are smaller than I’d have them if I was ordering the hat new.

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I’m also not a fan of the more tapered blocks favored my Optimo, but it wouldn’t really bother me on this hat if the crown and brim were both 1/2” larger.
I agree with your comments on the dimension but it is still a great looking hat. I think it deserves a better leather band or ribbon. The stock one just does not do the hat justice. I do love the brim curl on it.
 
Messages
18,915
Location
Central California
I agree with your comments on the dimension but it is still a great looking hat. I think it deserves a better leather band or ribbon. The stock one just does not do the hat justice. I do love the brim curl on it.


I’m not at all sure that the leather hat band is original. I was loose in the box and is held in place by friction. If I decide to keep it, I’ll have the band replaced with some grosgrain
 
Messages
18,915
Location
Central California
A day behind came the second hat: 5 1/2” open crown and the overwelt brim is between 2 1/2 and 2 5/8 inches.

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The felt has a wonderful buttery softness, but I don’t think it’s any better than yesterday’s hat with the older liner. The felt is what I’d consider winter weight dress; certainly not lightweight felt. The condition is as new. The hat isn’t proportioned right for my tastes (I like big hats) so it’s going on the block. PM me if you’re interested.
 

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