Boater faction!

[Dubya]

Maybe this Friday I'll go to the local hat-shop in town and see what's for sale.

Good man!

I love wearing my Boater during the summer (well, what passes for a summer here in Blighty!).

Do it! You know it makes sense

 

[Shangas]

Good man!

I love wearing my Boater during the summer (well, what passes for a summer here in Blighty!).

Do it! You know it makes sense

Thanks Dubya. Yeah, the Australian summer can be unmercifully hot, and I really don't have a summer hat to keep the sun out of my eyes. I'm gonna head off to the big city today and see what's on offer at the local shop...

EDIT

Well, I went to the local hatter's yesterday in my summer best (the lady at the hat-shop seemed to think so, anyway), and asked to look at their boaters. They had a nice selection of them and I've figured out what my size is. But at $100 for a cheaper one and going up from there, I think I might wait for a sale before I plonk down the cash.

What's a reasonable price for a good-quality traditional straw boater?

 

[alanfgag]

Panama weave boater

Body and ribbon are in mint condition... sweatband almost completely severed from the fabric reed. A winter replacement is in order.

 

[Shangas]

Very nice, Alan. Is the sweatband salvagable in any way?

 

[cookie]

Very nice, Alan. Is the sweatband salvagable in any way?

+1

 

[David Conwill]

What's a reasonable price for a good-quality traditional straw boater?

My local hatter had Tesi boaters this summer for $135. I found vintage slightly cheaper, but I thought the quality looked good.

-Dave

 

[job]

I am going to be wearing a Tesi boater this summer. I have 2 other Tesi straw hats and I an very happy with them.

 

[alanfgag]

Very nice, Alan. Is the sweatband salvagable in any way?

Not really. The stitched edge is in rough shape and though it's a nice old thin sweatband with rolled edge, I think it will harden and crack from any contact with perspiration. There is a small fabric encased reed that is still in place - I might try to reattach the sweat to it using fabric glue. But in the end, a new sweat from Optimo is probably the way to go. The hat fits well and it was very reasonable.

 

[Joshbru3]

Incredible panama boater, Alan!! I have a panama boater that's very similar to this.....well yours is pretty much mint and mine is not. I can't get over the incredible condition of the straw. Even though the sweatband needs to be replaced, I think this is an incredible. It even has a beautiful ribbon with frayed edge. Its just fantastic. :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[alanfgag]

Thanks Josh... your panama boater inspired me on this one.

 

[Joshbru3]

Thanks Josh... your panama boater inspired me on this one.

I'm glad my boater could be of some inspiration. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of the sweatband replacement work.

 

[bowlerman]

It's great to see detailed photos of these Panama boaters-- very nice! Now there's a boater I don't think I'd mind wearing too much. Is it flexible like a Panama fedora?

I see that Miller Hats stocks them too, for pretty reasonable prices. I wonder what the weave is like.

 

[Edward]

Captivating photos! Everyone under an umbrella and you under a boater... guessing there is a good story that goes along with these pictures.

It bucketed down all day, but quite a few of us persisted with boaters. Fortunately i spent enough time under a brolly myself that it did no harm to the straw!

 

[Edward]

You can see it clearly in this video. It's a new look to me.

Looks more like a straw porkpie to me. I'm sure I can see pp in the crown shape.

 

[alanfgag]

It's great to see detailed photos of these Panama boaters-- very nice! Now there's a boater I don't think I'd mind wearing too much. Is it flexible like a Panama fedora?

It is more flexible than a straw boater, but doesn't feel quite like a lightweight Panama fedora. The body is blocked firmly to hold the boater shape. The top of the crown makes a nice drum sound when tapped. The sewn underwelt brim edge extends almost a half inch which, together with the thickness of the straw, helps to keep the brim perfectly flat. The hat weighs 3 ounces.

 

[skyvue]

Looks more like a straw porkpie to me. I'm sure I can see pp in the crown shape.

It wasn't a porkpie. Definitely a boater.

 

[Rabbit]

Stetson Standard Quality Boater 1930s

3.5" crown x 2.5"-2 3/8"-2.5" brim, 20 L black frayed ribbon

My first Boater! I finally decided to go for one. The crown/ brim dimensions and black ribbon are just what I had been looking for. It's a real bonus that I found a Standard Quality.

This one has the "Stetson Self-conforming" sweatband:
The crown has a reverse taper throughout (front/back and sides), resulting in some spare room of more than 3/8" behind the sweatband. The sweatband, being suspended on itself, is free to adapt to the headshape at least to some degree. I my case, it happens to fit perfectly.

Imprint reads: Sept 24th 1929 / U.S. Pat. No. 1729540

Note the reverse taper:

 

[alanfgag]

Lovely!

 

[Rabbit]

I knew you would like it, Alan.

By the way, this Stetson Standard Boater has the flexible-brim feature near the brim/ crown break. Fascinating piece of work.

 

[Dubya]

A superb Boater Rabbit!

Well done old horse! :eusa_clap