Looking into the future toward the summer

[jbucklin]

I love Fall and Winter (and early Spring) because I get to wear my felt hats. I've tried wearing them in the Summer but just a few short months ago it was 111 degrees here in the DFW area. So, I am already looking ahead toward those brutal, scorching days and thinking of a really nice straw hat. I have three cheap ones that I bought from the Hatco Outlet in Garland. They're okay and I have definitely worn them in the past, but I keep going back to this page:
http://optimohats.com/mobile/#!/hats/28
Either that or one of Art's custom VS straws. Any comments or suggestions? I have ruled out expensive Panamas since the really nice ones are, well---really expensive!

 

[jbucklin]

Hmmm. I see that the link doesn't take you directly to the page with the hat I want. Click on "Styles" and it's the second to last hat on that page: The Classic Fedora Milan Straw in the root beer color. I tried copying the photo but no cigar.

 

[alanfgag]

I've seen and handled Optimo's panama and milan weave hats... they are exceptional. I'm sure that Art's offerings are excellent as well. If you know your size and enjoy shopping vintage, there are great straw hat bargains (especially milan weave) to be had on ebay. 111 degree weather is going to be hard on any headware. In this heat, you might feel a little more relaxed wearing a fine hat that you purchased for $40 over a fine new hat that cost $400 and up. But of course, your mileage may vary. happy hunting!

 

[randooch]

What size are you, jb? Rodkins is offering a beauty right now:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ral-Italian-Milan-7-3-8-ELO-with-Original-Box

. . .and you might consider a WTB posting in the classifieds.

 

[jbucklin]

That's a very good point Alan, and one that I will keep in mind. Perhaps I could reserve the expensive straw for night-time outings. I'm a gigging musician and folks are so accustomed to seeing me wear hats while playing that I never play without one. I tried wearing felt hats on gigs this last summer but it was unbearable, even indoors with a/c. So, what I'm thinking is something nice, mainly for the purpose of indoor gigs at night. However, the $40 straws I have are pretty nice and have served me well so far. I'll also keep my eye out for vintage ones too, as you've suggested.

 

[RBH]

I dont think you will go wrong with one of Arts milans, just tell him what you want and he can fix you up.
My problem with vintage ones is finding a crown and brim like I want. And then there is the size.

 

[jbucklin]

What size are you, jb? Rodkins is offering a beauty right now:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ral-Italian-Milan-7-3-8-ELO-with-Original-Box

. . .and you might consider a WTB posting in the classifieds.

That is a beaut! That would also be the second hat I've purchased from Rodkins in a week! Only thing is, if I were to buy another hat right now my wife might shoot me! And I'd probably deserve it!! :/

 

[jbucklin]

I dont think you will go wrong with one of Arts milans, just tell him what you want and he can fix you up.
My problem with vintage ones is finding a crown and brim like I want. And then there is the size.

I checked those out on Art's hall of fame thread. They look great. Got any head shots of them?

 

[DJH]

I'd love an Optimo Panama (on my Grail list!), but realistically, the best deals around are from Art, with his milans, or from Tom Gomez with his Panamas.

I got one of Tom's hats last year and love it. I'd have ordered another by now, but his suppliers in Ecuador seem to be giving him a runaround on the pricing right now.

 

[RBH]

I checked those out on Art's hall of fame thread. They look great. Got any head shots of them?

Here ya go J...

Here is a late summer shot of my Barnstormer.

And one of the honey brown milan.

 

[jbucklin]

Here ya go J...

Those are indeed fine hats. I'm already convinced that Art is the way to go. No surprise, since I have two VS felts he made for me. And yes, there is nothing like a hat that fits perfectly and has the dimensions the way I want them.

 

[barrowjh]

Rusty, those are two really nice hats!

 

[Iyor]

I also started to look for straws early. Luckily Garret listed a nice mallory panama and I found the perfect dimension disney milan on ebay which I'm still waiting on. I'm going to give panamabob an order now because of the discount now and then I won't need anymore hats.

 

[Ordinary Guy]

and then I won't need anymore hats.

ROFL,, I wish I had a dollar for every time I said that .....

 

[Iyor]

Yeah, I know. I wish I had a hat for evrytime I said that.

 

[jlee562]

Those rootbeer Optimos are gorgeous. Wish I could justify purchasing one...

I went a route similar to RBH, and had Bob @ Black Sheep Hat Works make me an OR styled Milan in his hand dyed "Black Walnut"

 

[seabass]

jbucklin
check out this art milan.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...Hall-of-Fame&p=1372922&highlight=#post1372922

 

[mayserwegener]

Here ya go J...

Here is a late summer shot of my Barnstormer.
And one of the honey brown milan.

Rusty, That is a really fantastic photo!

 

[alanfgag]

Rusty, That is a really fantastic photo!

It is great!Thanks for giving me a second look... I missed the mist first time around.

 

[jbucklin]

It is great!Thanks for giving me a second look... I missed the mist first time around.

+1!!! Stunning portrait Rusty. Who was the photographer?