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What hat are you waiting for today?
- Thread starter Jazzcat
- Start date
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
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- 4,370
AHP91
Practically Family
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- 944
Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little
- Messages
- 18,958
- Location
- Central California
1970s Stetson The Sovereign black homburg in 7 ¾:
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- 11,914
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- Southern California
I think you mean "was". Still seems a nice hat, even if it gets relegated to the "beater" stack.
Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little
Oh, I don't know. A little leather conditioner might bring it mostly back to life, and you'll have a nice cap for casual occasions.
Granville
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 195
- Location
- Long Beach, NY
I've been grabbing straw hats for decades, cheaper the better, because I live at the beach. The last couple of years, since I started getting into felts, I've been looking for nice 'around the town' summer straws (as opposed to beach lids), especially a nice Panama. I found a toquilla straw of the Cuenca style (herringbone weave), but it had a cheap sweat band and was cracked at the pinch. Then I picked up one that had the look I wanted (downward brim all around) and a leather sweat, but it was Shantung and shellacked. It has some vents so it breathes a little, but it's weird to wear such a stiff hat, even though it looks good (Larry Mahan brand). Lastly, I also been trying to find one with the crease down the middle. I think I got it now.
Above pic is not the hat I bought, but representative (same make and model) -- to show that odd crease down the front. Apparently that's 'the fold' line. But this hat has a leather sweat, so it is only an affectation, it can't be folded and rolled. OK by me. I think I'll work the brim to have a fedora snap look (raised in rear, down in front). I don't think this one gets a pinch, either.
Here's the actual hat I purchased:
Be cooler if it was white, but that's alright. Also, comes with a story. Seller says it was only worn once, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies, and been in a box since. I couldn't find a pic to verify, but the hat appears to be more than just tourist souvenir. Leather sweat embossed with the Olympic's Logo and Levi's brand; the factory label indicates Levi's may have sub-contracted Optimo as the manufacturer. Or maybe that's just the "style" name. Monte Cristo weave, but no mention of type of straw or country of origin.
Above pic is not the hat I bought, but representative (same make and model) -- to show that odd crease down the front. Apparently that's 'the fold' line. But this hat has a leather sweat, so it is only an affectation, it can't be folded and rolled. OK by me. I think I'll work the brim to have a fedora snap look (raised in rear, down in front). I don't think this one gets a pinch, either.
Here's the actual hat I purchased:
Be cooler if it was white, but that's alright. Also, comes with a story. Seller says it was only worn once, in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies, and been in a box since. I couldn't find a pic to verify, but the hat appears to be more than just tourist souvenir. Leather sweat embossed with the Olympic's Logo and Levi's brand; the factory label indicates Levi's may have sub-contracted Optimo as the manufacturer. Or maybe that's just the "style" name. Monte Cristo weave, but no mention of type of straw or country of origin.
TheOldFashioned
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,075
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- The Great Lakes
That crease is not a fold line nor is the hat associated with the store Optimo of Chicago. That is an Optimo style crease and it's a characteristic of a traditional block used to form Panama hats:
I believe the white color is due to a bleaching process used during the construction of the hat.
Good time to buy during the straw off-season. Nice get!
- Messages
- 18,958
- Location
- Central California
The style is called optimo or colonial. It’s a classic style
For Panama hats and one that I like more and more. Good looking Panama hat.
Granville
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 195
- Location
- Long Beach, NY
Thanks Brent and OldF. Can't beat the knowledge base here at the lounge. As for the story about the athletes wearing these lids on parade, I found video of both the opening and closing ceremonies and nobody was wearing anything looking like this. Still, it appears to be a quality hat. I'll post again in the New Hats thread when I get it in hand and let you know if it's covered in varnish or otherwise not what it seems to be.
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,648
Nah….a little Pecard’s and you’re good in both worlds.Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little
B
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A special edition Rand's? First one I've seen with embroidery on the crown. Not sure how I feel about it yet.
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I was after the Dorer Bar-50, (sold through Orvis -- like the one @Bamaboots has), but ended up with an Akubra Snowy River and another Longhorn.
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Then I got myself into this mess of hats.
- Messages
- 18,958
- Location
- Central California
Granville
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 195
- Location
- Long Beach, NY
I think that's bad ass! Back in my truck driving days I would have loved it.Prepare to bleach your eyes - this other side of the forum (for me). This one is coming to me. Maybe it belongs it the garbage, but for 15 bucks I'd like to own it for a little
- Messages
- 14,562
Beater Optimos -- is that a thing? I guess when they get to this state you have to call them "Oprimos".
I'm hoping the extra hair I'm sporting will allow these size 7-5/8 hats to fit without much added padding.
And who knew that Minnesota is ten times farther away in the Winter? I'm a bit worried about the shipping from that distance.
Also won this Mallory (but it is 7-1/4).
I'm hoping the extra hair I'm sporting will allow these size 7-5/8 hats to fit without much added padding.
And who knew that Minnesota is ten times farther away in the Winter? I'm a bit worried about the shipping from that distance.
Also won this Mallory (but it is 7-1/4).
- Messages
- 18,958
- Location
- Central California
- Messages
- 14,562
This is a new one for me ... Morrison Hats.
This is more familiar territory. A Dobbs Fifteen.
This is more familiar territory. A Dobbs Fifteen.
- Messages
- 18,958
- Location
- Central California
Mallory Fifteen.:
