Summer Hat Suggestions?

Gilgamark · Mar 13, 2009

I went ahead and ordered a pearl teardrop Milan from Miller Hats and a Stetson Retro from Delmonico Hatters. That, with my panama from last year, should get me through while I keep trolling eBay.

Gilgamark · Mar 13, 2009

BTW, has anyone else bought a Panama from The Panama Hat Company of St. Augustine (www.perfectpanamas.com)? I bought one from them last year, and I like it a lot.

Bob Smalser · Mar 13, 2009

Bailey's Logging Supply in California and Tennessee sells the old, while cotton flat caps favored by loggers until hard hats became mandatory. I can't think of a cooler, more comfortable cap, even among Panamas. Washable, but I buy three new ones every year so I always have a fresh one for dressup. These are excellent quality. And at $6.95, it's hard to go too far astray.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=75000+LG&catID=121

Lefty · Mar 13, 2009

Gilgamark said:
BTW, has anyone else bought a Panama from The Panama Hat Company of St. Augustine (www.perfectpanamas.com)? I bought one from them last year, and I like it a lot.

I haven't purchased from them, but I've been to the shop and handled the hats. From what I saw, they sell a quality product.

Check out this thread for photos of the shop.

Forgotten Man · Mar 13, 2009

When it comes to warm weather, I break out the ol' Boater!

Or a linen newsboy cap! That's always nice.

Panama hats are always a good choice too! I have a vintage one that I need to restore... will be some time before that happens.

Woodfluter · Mar 13, 2009

Cardelo and John in Covina - love to ya both!

Leaving aside regional differences, and hearkening back to the original question, I think the issue of hat color is way overplayed.

I sure don't want to take up airspace in this setting, but interested parties might do some research with the keywords "black body radiation". Many diurnal desert animals have dark or black dorsal coloration; some Bedouins who spent (or spend) most of their time in the open and exposed to the sun have worn black wool garments.

Cutting to the chase:
(1) If the garment has low insulation value and will be in contact with your skin, lighter may be better. Conduction is the key element here.
(2) Otherwise (usual for hats) it's a wash - because convection and re-radiation counteract the differences. I've worn light tan and black hats in the hot western sun, and I sure can't tell any difference!

Sorry for playing the scientist here, but I can't help myself. From experiential evidence, I side with John in Covina - how you wear and manage your headwear, and the relative humidity factor, trumps most other considerations.

= Bill

P.S. Lefty, your Optimo milan is fantastic. I think the ribbon is perfect. Might you share the approximate cost?

carldelo · Mar 13, 2009

Hey Dave

davestlouis said:
I'm a new guy here with a tangent to this thread...I work in a cemetery, in a dark suit, and am tired of cooking my head on services during the summer. I need a dressy hat that will keep my head out of the sun, but it really needs to be a dark color to match the somber mood in the cemetery. Any thoughts?

I meant to post this, but couldn't find it until now. It's a black straw derby, if you can believe it. I think it would fit right in with the situation you describe - formal in shape and color, but cooler in construction. If this came in XXL I'd have one, but no luck for me - maybe it would work for you...

http://www.thefedorastore.com/Bailey-Quay-Straw-Merrick-Derby-Bowler-Hat-p/2008.htm

panama jack · Mar 13, 2009

Gilgamark said:
I went ahead and ordered a pearl teardrop Milan from Miller Hats and a Stetson Retro from Delmonico Hatters. That, with my panama from last year, should get me through while I keep trolling eBay.

Gilgamark,
I bought a Stetson Retro from Delmonico's last summer. I only live 30 minutes from the place.
I didn't want to spend a lot being this was my first fedora/straw hat. I thought I would work my way up to something of better quality once I got use to seeing myself in a hat.
It's a really nice hat for the price. I think you will like it.

pj

Gilgamark · Mar 13, 2009

panama jack said:
Gilgamark,
I bought a Stetson Retro from Delmonico's last summer. I only live 30 minutes from the place.
I didn't want to spend a lot being this was my first fedora/straw hat. I thought I would work my way up to something of better quality once I got use to seeing myself in a hat.
It's a really nice hat for the price. I think you will like it.

pj

Thanks for the info. It's the style fedora I like.

Gilgamark · Mar 13, 2009

New Question

Okay, Miller Hats is out of their pearl in everything except porkpies. They don't know when they'll get more. I changed my teardrop over to cocoa.

So now I'm looking for a light grey straw hat. I want fedora style, probably teardrop bash. About 2 1/2 brim, 4 1/2 crown.

Any suggestions?

jazzncocktails · Mar 14, 2009

Woodfluter said:
Cutting to the chase:
(1) If the garment has low insulation value and will be in contact with your skin, lighter may be better. Conduction is the key element here.
(2) Otherwise (usual for hats) it's a wash - because convection and re-radiation counteract the differences. I've worn light tan and black hats in the hot western sun, and I sure can't tell any difference!

Sorry for playing the scientist here, but I can't help myself. From experiential evidence, I side with John in Covina - how you wear and manage your headwear, and the relative humidity factor, trumps most other considerations.

= Bill

Thanks for sharing those insights, Bill--very helpful. It could well be that the problem is psychological...we've always been told that darker equals hotter, whatever the material or its make-up. It'll be worth experimenting with this summer...

xigxag · Mar 14, 2009

Gilgamark said:
Okay, Miller Hats is out of their pearl in everything except porkpies. They don't know when they'll get more. I changed my teardrop over to cocoa.

So now I'm looking for a light grey straw hat. I want fedora style, probably teardrop bash. About 2 1/2 brim, 4 1/2 crown.

Any suggestions?

http://www.thefedorastore.com/Bailey-Billy-Stingy-Brim-Fedora-Mens-Dress-Hat-p/81670.htm

Maybe this is something for you.[huh]

RBH · Mar 14, 2009

Gilgamark said:
Okay, Miller Hats is out of their pearl in everything except porkpies. They don't know when they'll get more. I changed my teardrop over to cocoa.

So now I'm looking for a light grey straw hat. I want fedora style, probably teardrop bash. About 2 1/2 brim, 4 1/2 crown.

Any suggestions?

They also had no more of the natural color in my size.
I went for the cocoa too, I wonder what the grey looks like?
I have to tell you I like the pearl I have, the blueish tint has grown on me and I think I can get some use out of it this summer.

RBH · Mar 14, 2009

Here is another nice looking hat... I like at least a 2 5\8s brim. But this one has a nice look to it.
http://www.dadshats.com/stfguncl.html

Woodfluter · Mar 14, 2009

jazzncocktails said:
Thanks for sharing those insights, Bill--very helpful. It could well be that the problem is psychological...we've always been told that darker equals hotter, whatever the material or its make-up. It'll be worth experimenting with this summer...

Your welcome, Jazz. I don't discount the psychological factor - I have a red wool Filson coat hanging up in this room, and it makes me feel warm just to look at it! I can turn down the thermostat 5 degrees. And my light-colored straws make me feel cool :cool2:

Gilgamark · Mar 14, 2009

RBH said:
They also had no more of the natural color in my size.
I went for the cocoa too, I wonder what the grey looks like?
I have to tell you I like the pearl I have, the blueish tint has grown on me and I think I can get some use out of it this summer.

Your photo of your pearl made me want one. I wanted a light gray anyway, but your pic looked great.

The gray looked a little dark to me. The customer service rep I spoke to also said it's dark. Previous discussion on this thread notwithstanding, I'm not sure I want a darker hat during a Tennessee summer. I'm not sure it would go with much of my lighter colored summer attire either.

Gilgamark · Mar 14, 2009

RBH said:
Here is another nice looking hat... I like at least a 2 5\8s brim. But this one has a nice look to it.
http://www.dadshats.com/stfguncl.html

I really like at least a 2 1/2 brim.

kaosharper1 · Mar 15, 2009

Woodfluter said:
Your welcome, Jazz. I don't discount the psychological factor - I have a red wool Filson coat hanging up in this room, and it makes me feel warm just to look at it! I can turn down the thermostat 5 degrees. And my light-colored straws make me feel cool :cool2:

That's a big part of it. I have a black Akubra Sydney and it just doesn't feel right wearing it in the Summer in Pasadena where its sunny with no clouds and 90 degrees.

CRH · Mar 15, 2009

kaosharper1 said:
That's a big part of it. I have a black Akubra Sydney and it just doesn't feel right wearing it in the Summer in Pasadena where its sunny with no clouds and 90 degrees.

So, like, I haven't learned anything useful in this tread. What you need here in Iowa when it's 90 F and 90 hum. is a good Swoopy brim to cut through the thick air rain or shine!

We wear bandanas under our brims and sweat bullets - seriously, I have to case the yard with old four legs before I mow to pick up the bullets I sweat out the last time...... seriously......we have laws you know. You could be charged with:

"Accidental Use of a Lawnmower As a Firearm Within City Limits".

BinkieBaumont · Mar 15, 2009

HatShack

browse!

http://www.eshedmarkets.com.au/

Summer Hat Suggestions?

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

Practically Family

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

New in Town

Practically Family

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

One Too Many

Call Me a Cab

Rude Once Too Often

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics