Boater or Panama?

[dhermann1]

I'd like to see a pic of that flexible boater. Mine, and every other one I've ever handled, is as stiff as a board.

 

[David Conwill]

I'd like to see a pic of that flexible boater. Mine, and every other one I've ever handled, is as stiff as a board.

Here you go:

I’m not saying it’s buttery supple like an expensive Panama (I hear they’re almost like linen), but it’s definitely not cardboardy like it seems some posters are implying. The crown on mine has a definite springy quality to it and isn’t in any respect less comfortable to wear than a panama.

I just don't want people to get the impression these are like wicker furniture. They're hats, not helmets.

-Dave

 

[Oldsarge]

There is something about a boater that absolutely screams for a bow tie. I don't wear bow ties. Got nothin' against them as does but I don't. Only in formal wear or evening garb would I put on a bow tie and that don't happen much, at all!

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Dave, that's the term I wanted to use and couldn't work out. Wicker Furniture. It was like wearing a straw helmet.

Later

 

[TCMfan25]

Hi Dave, that's the term I wanted to use and couldn't work out. Wicker Furniture. It was like wearing a straw helmet.

Later

I rather like the stiffness... my #1 Boater is a vintage Lock & Co. < very stiff, very comfortable (floating sweatband), I had a piece of $%@! Scala < very flexible, awkwardly fitting, sometimes hot...

In modern boaters at least, flexible comes with lower quality (Jaxon, and Scala), Stiffness is higher Quality (Olney, Lock & Co.).

 

[David Conwill]

Hi Dave, that's the term I wanted to use and couldn't work out. Wicker Furniture. It was like wearing a straw helmet.

Later

It sounds like maybe the hat just didn't fit you. Are you a long oval, maybe?

-Dave

 

[Tomasso]

In modern boaters at least, flexible comes with lower quality (Jaxon, and Scala), Stiffness is higher Quality (Olney, Lock & Co.).

The only vintage boater I've ever handled was my grandfather's which came from Worth & Worth c.1930. It was stiff as a board.

 

[TCMfan25]

The only vintage boater I've ever handled was my grandfather's which came from Worth & Worth c.1930. It was stiff as a board.

Old Boaters are normally stiff.

 

[TCMfan25]

Here you go:

I’m not saying it’s buttery supple like an expensive Panama (I hear they’re almost like linen), but it’s definitely not cardboardy like it seems some posters are implying. The crown on mine has a definite springy quality to it and isn’t in any respect less comfortable to wear than a panama.

I just don't want people to get the impression these are like wicker furniture. They're hats, not helmets.

-Dave

You should switch those out for circular ones!

 

[Luckytop]

Well said skyvue! David Conwil, you look quite dapper in the boater. I enjoy wearing one too, as well as a panama. What well dressed man doesn't have both for summer?

 

[David Conwill]

You should switch those out for circular ones!

I assume you mean glasses. I'll pass unless I lose another ten pounds. I used to wear round frames, but my face shape is/was too round for them.

-Dave

 

[TCMfan25]

I assume you mean glasses. I'll pass unless I lose another ten pounds. I used to wear round frames, but my face shape is/was too round for them.

-Dave

http://www.persol.com/USA/collections/optical/PO2379V/956#b < how about these?

 

[David Conwill]

That's very similar to what I wore from 5th grade until high school, actually. I'm pretty happy where I'm at, though. Thanks.

-Dave

 

[TCMfan25]

That's very similar to what I wore from 5th grade until high school, actually. I'm pretty happy where I'm at, though. Thanks.

-Dave

Just a thought

 

[Edward]

I like both. A few years ago, I'd have been reluctant to don a boater, but have really taken to them in recent times. I have a couple of the 'soft' types - more fancy dress than anything. I now have two good boaters - an Olney I bought new (black band), and a Christies (I think). The latter is really nice. I don't know the true age: it was sold as "vintage" on eBay, but that only means "second hand" to the average person these days. Nice and solid, dark blue ribbon, and a slightly (half an inch or so) deeper crown than the Olney. I'm a big fan of a boater with black tie or other more formal occasions in the Summer, though I'm more likely to opt for a panama or similar day to day when I'm likely to want to set the hat down somewhere. Sharp as a nice, solid boater is, they're also fragile to some degree. Wouldn't want to wear one somewhere it might get sat on or thrown around....

I too am amused at the idea fo anyone in these parts considering a boater "dated".

 

[Tomasso]

 

[hatophile]

Lasses on a Lid.

 

[dhermann1]

Very cool image. The Straw Hat Review opened on Broadway in 1939, and featured such future super stars as Jerome Robbins, Imogene Coca and Danny Kaye. It was produced by Max Liebman, who went on to produce Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows in the early 50's, and the writing was by Danny Kaye's wife, Sylvia Fine. It was a spin off of the original Catskill comedy shows, that evolved into early television comedy. A very seminal show (you should pardon the expression).
OOOOHHHH, to have been a fly on the wall for that show!
Errr . . . back to our topic.

 

[softouch]

Got an alert from Panama Bob yesterday. He has returned from the wilds of South America and he has a "boater" listed at a very good price. Check his Ebay store or his website. Not sure if I can post an Ebay link here, but you know how to find it.

And this is a shameless plug for Mr. Robert "Panama Bob" Weber who is getting me my second Montecristi.

 

[Hal]

I too am amused at the idea of anyone in these parts considering a boater "dated".

I'm afraid I have always associated boaters with either posh "public-school" (in the UK sense) types, or with butchers and fishmongers - and even at my advanced age am still having to learn that such associations should not be a reason for not adopting the garment concerned.