Optimo shaped felt?

[AlanC]

While mooning over my new Optimo blocked Panama Bob Montecristi from Art, I was pondering whether the Optimo block has ever been applied to felt. I figure that felt shapes are often applied to straw, why not the other way around? Would felt just be too soft and pliable to hold the Optimo crease?

I think it would look sharp in Art's 'Silver Mist' or 'Mojave'.

 

[Art Fawcett]

OK...how did you find out???? ( checking for cameras or bugs in the shop)

Yes, it HAS been done Alan, in fact I finished a commission a couple of weeks ago for a client that wanted the ridge both front to back AND side to side. The effect was a cross at the center point of the crown. We then bound the brim and put in stitches in the brim at 1/4" intervals similar to the "Tom & Jerry". We did it out of the featherweight felt in Natural because the new colors hadn't arrived then (since corrected) and I have to admit, I liked it. I was pretty hesitant to make it because my taste runs to traditional design with more color in the details but this one actually worked.
I shouldn't have been surprised because my client has designed SO many hats and is usually spot on in his vision but I did fight him a little on this one.

I have pics but still in the camera. I'll try to post them for you in the next day or so if I can break away from everything else going on here.

 

[AlanC]

Uh oh. I was hoping you were going to tell me I couldn't do it. :eusa_doh:

I'm not sure about the criss-cross look, though, but I look forward to seeing it. I remain open minded.

Still, I just keep thinking how nice it would be to have a felt version of my Montecristi.

 

[AlanC]

Art sent me these for quick posting:

 

[AlanC]

Now my thoughts on it.

I think it looks great, although I think I would personally prefer a more traditional Optimo look applied to it. No cross crease, no brim stitching and a regular ribbon rather than the pugaree. Still, I do like that, and it certainly shows excellent vision to conceive of it. It might be nice vented on the side, too. I wonder if anyone has such venting capabilities...

 

[Dinerman]

That's a pretty cool looking hat. I like that brim stitching.

 

[duggap]

Nice work Art, I can see why you liked the end result. I know I wouldn't hesitate for minute to wear that hat anywhere I went. And that new lightweight is something.

 

[deanglen]

That's a very interesting hat. For me, I'd prefer a nice grosgrain to the puggaree.

dean

 

[Aerol]

seen it

I was at Optimo one day and got to watch Graham put an optimo type crease into a lightweight felt hat. It was designed for folding and packing.

 

[analogist]

MEA CULPA

Okay. I fess up to both designing and owning the natural felt with the optimo cross. I love it!

My name for this hat is "Casablanca" and to me it has the traits of apith helmet, French Foreign Legion kepi, or something a regular at Rick's might have worn while his champagne sat in the ice bucket.

As usual, Art did a masterful job and the hat is truly one of my very favorite hats in my small (not) collection. As for the pugaree, IMHO nothing conveys the thoughts of summer, the tropics, or the Casbah better than a pugaree.

I love to design hats and have been very fortunate and thrilled to be so
simpatico with Art. When the concept is born in my mind, and when the final product is ready to wear, it is always spot on.

Art's signature line states ;"you want me to do what?" I suspect I have pushed the envelope as much as possible, and it sure is fun.

One of the most fun parts oif being a hat fancier is tothink about what you think will work and taking the advice of someone like my good friend who will not steer you wrong.

analogist

 

[duggap]

OK Anologist, now that you have owned up, how about some pics of it on. I think the whole thing looks just splendid. Way to go.

 

[AlanC]

What's the brim width on the Casablanca?

 

[bolthead]

Great job, as usual Art....

I think I'd like it much better with the classic single Optimo crease, and no pugaree ribbon either. I love a nice pugaree, don't get me wrong...I just don't think it fits this hat, IMHO. I also would like to see the brim without the stitching as well.

I'm curious as to what the height of the crown is?

Beautiful color Art, what's it called?

 

[Art Fawcett]

Alan, the brim is 2 5/8 and Bolthead, the crown is 5" at the peak of the ridge.
So far the feedback is about what we expected if this was posted. Admitedly, it isn't a hat for everyone and that's quite alright as it isn't trying to be. For me, it was a chance to "play" and try to gain more skills by figuring out how to do things I hadn't done before. For Analogist, it was another chance to design a hat that you won't see on anyone else's head any time soon. I don't see this or any other Optimo style felt being world beaters so not to worry if it isn't your instant favorite hat.

Oh, the color is Natural Bolthead

 

[WEEGEE]

AA!!!

Art and Analogist...:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Feraud]

What an interesting hat. To be worn only by those dealing with letters of transit.
This is my favorite view. I would wear it with the brim down all around.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Interesting concept, the double Optimo crease is reminiscent of the Panama sported by Strother Martin in Cool Hand Luke, minus the c-crown. I hope one day to have a copy of said hat. The stitched brim seems to be rare, and while I have heard that it is reserved for cloth hats, I own a vintage Royal Stetson with just such a brim, so obviously that statement is false. (see photos below). As for the pugaree band, this treatment also is not only reserved for casual hats. I am holding a vintage Homburg with a pugaree band. I also own Milan and Panama hats with pugaree bands. Some seem to lock themselves into a very small box, and just because they have never seen or held something in their hand they do not believe it is. Is this hat for everyone? Probably not, but few are. If everyone wanted to wear the same hat, how boring would that be.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Okay. I fess up to both designing and owning the natural felt with the optimo cross. I love it!

My name for this hat is "Casablanca" and to me it has the traits of apith helmet, French Foreign Legion kepi, or something a regular at Rick's might have worn while his champagne sat in the ice bucket.

As usual, Art did a masterful job and the hat is truly one of my very favorite hats in my small (not) collection. As for the pugaree, IMHO nothing conveys the thoughts of summer, the tropics, or the Casbah better than a pugaree.

I love to design hats and have been very fortunate and thrilled to be so
simpatico with Art. When the concept is born in my mind, and when the final product is ready to wear, it is always spot on.

Art's signature line states ;"you want me to do what?" I suspect I have pushed the envelope as much as possible, and it sure is fun.

One of the most fun parts oif being a hat fancier is tothink about what you think will work and taking the advice of someone like my good friend who will not steer you wrong.

analogist

Wow -- don't know how I missed this thread the first time around...

Very cool, Analogist and Art. What I especially love is the notion that lid design can draw on elements of the past, yet still be evolving and fresh. That is really exciting to me. Kudos to Analogist for the inspiration, and to Art for the execution. Very well done!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Cheers,
JtL

 

[jimmy the lid]

That's a great looking lid, Bud!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[J.T.Marcus]

Bud, I've always had a soft spot for that deep burgundy, as well as for Homburgs. When I was in college, I had a burgundy blazer (sport coat, for those who can't remember 1965). Any chance you could give us a picture of that hat on your head?