I was at Art Fawcetts shop today picking up a reblock and mentioned that the weather is getting sunny and my Felt Hats are feeling a bit warm for summer. The talk turned to Panamas and Art showed me some hat bodies. He showed me the difference between Cuenca hat bodies and Montecristis.Showed the difference in weaves and in straw quality and color. I watched and learned and was hoping that something would click for me in selecting something.
All the Panamas looked very light colored ( particularly the Cuencas) and I was wondering if there was anything maybe in a slightly amber color, just a little darker but a decent weave. Nothing too expensive, just a moderately woven basic panama.Well, my eye went to a slightly darker half finished Montecristi in the pile and Art told me "this is a very fine Montecristi. but sort of messed up the color by heating it too much". I looked at the fineness of the weave and the shape of the block, popped it on my head and loved it immediately! It was my size, a great block and brim size and the color that I was looking for (if *slightly* uneven in shade).Now this was a hat that was a waaay finer weave than anything in my price range. I asked Art if it was for sale and how much. When he quoted me a price I couldn't say no. I won't quote the price without his permission but lets just say that it was an offer that I couldn't refuse! This hat was of beautiful and fine quality weave and I knew that this was going to be my hat. I've never owned a Panama Hat before and won't have to compromise with a lower grade to save money. It should be finished in a week and I am very much looking forward to the final product and will be sure to post pics when it is done.
All the Panamas looked very light colored ( particularly the Cuencas) and I was wondering if there was anything maybe in a slightly amber color, just a little darker but a decent weave. Nothing too expensive, just a moderately woven basic panama.Well, my eye went to a slightly darker half finished Montecristi in the pile and Art told me "this is a very fine Montecristi. but sort of messed up the color by heating it too much". I looked at the fineness of the weave and the shape of the block, popped it on my head and loved it immediately! It was my size, a great block and brim size and the color that I was looking for (if *slightly* uneven in shade).Now this was a hat that was a waaay finer weave than anything in my price range. I asked Art if it was for sale and how much. When he quoted me a price I couldn't say no. I won't quote the price without his permission but lets just say that it was an offer that I couldn't refuse! This hat was of beautiful and fine quality weave and I knew that this was going to be my hat. I've never owned a Panama Hat before and won't have to compromise with a lower grade to save money. It should be finished in a week and I am very much looking forward to the final product and will be sure to post pics when it is done.
