Optimo south side mobsters

brim = 2 7/8"
crown = 5"
ribbon = 1 1/2"

 

I copied this from Optimo's Facebook page. This is in Cobalt Blue with an S shaped crease. I have never seen anything like it. It was listed as size 60 for $795

 

This sounds like a great hat. If you wanted to post an outdoors picture, I wouldn't look away I am a big fan of Optimo long hairs. I'd love to see more of the blue. It looks like you have nailed it when it comes to brim and crown size. Congrats.

 

Having fun in a great hat. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

I found this link that shows images and descriptions of Optimo Hats. I learned a lot about many colors that I had questions about. Hosted partially by Optimo. Perhaps it is common knowledge, but it was news to me.

https://www.pictame.com/user/optimohats/1207855324

 

Don't know about pictame but the photos there ther are from their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/optimohats/

 

Thank you. And also from their facebook page I have found...

https://www.facebook.com/pg/OptimoHats/posts/

 

Passed by Optimo last night on the way to the train station just to admire the window displays:

 

Dibs on the Camel in the background.

 

I realize this is a very subjective question but as I have yet to visit Optimo and see one in the flesh how do their hats stack up to the custom hatters represented here in The Lounge? Is their pricing 'worth' that extra or is it somewhat paying for the name and exclusivity of their colour palette?

 

I have, or have had, A Gannon, A Northwest, an Optimo, and a VS. All 100% beaver standard, not the fine belly beaver, and They are very close. I would give my VS the highest score of the ones I have or had. I did not think the Optimo was worth any more. There are differences in the sweatbands but none of those stands above the other. My Optimo would be from 2006 as I recall and the VS is probably 10 years old. The other two are 2-3 years old. I do not know if Optimo std 100% beaver is better, the same, or worse. I have handled a VS that was circa 2018 and it had the feel that mine does. I think you'd be well served to do a road trip and see the three guys across the border and down the road from you.

 

I want to preface this by saying that nothing in my opinion on Optimo should be construed as being at the expense of any of the custom hatters, nor Winchester felts for that matter. It's not that other hatters can't or don't offer a very personalized phone consultation, just to point out that Optimo does it really well.

They market themselves as a luxury brand and they take that very seriously. Tiffany is great at her job. When I asked for a straighter crown on my Dillinger, she said no problem, they'd block it on a #52. I also spoke with the guy who was going to block and/or finish my specific hat about ribbon choice. And they have an excellent stash of vintage ribbon.

My Optimo is one of the wild hare/beaver blends before they switched to all beaver. It's a very nice modern felt, even nicer now that it's 'aged' a bit. I agree that their finishing is as good as any.

so I guess in a round about way, I would say the premium is for color exclusivity and brand name. But they deliver a top notch product. Their hat boxes are a bit of a step up from the corrugated cardboard ones that are out there too. And the colors are gorgeous.

 

Yes, I have multiple hats from the 3 hatters closest to me and from another 6 hatters spread over North America and Europe. All are great quality and bring something special to the table. And from that springs my curiosity about how much better could a hat be? And then the question of justifying the extra cost. One day soon I will venture forth to Chicago and check them out.

 

Personally I made quite the opposite experience. I ordered and got my hat last year. It was ordered custom but Tiffany told me that they can't adjust the crown. Only the styles available on their website is possible. And it was advised to me to shape it myself. So I ordered the Dearborn.
I don't know if they changed during the years.
I still want to say that the Optimo Silverbelly is one of my best hats. Very expensive but worth it for me.

 

I have custom hats from Optimo, Gary White "the custom hatter", and Art Fawcett. I value them in that order. IMO. Your mileage may vary.

 

Love the belt width size ribbons on them hats!

 

What was Gary White's turn around time when you ordered?

 

Dennis was a primo customer. He might have had good success with prompt turnaround. I had a Borsalino hat in Gary's shop for a ribbon replacement for three months or so before I went over and took it back. He has been hard to reach via telephone for us in recent years.

 

I found Art to be quite personal over the past years refurbishing my vintage hats. Gram came from money. I been told by persons in position to know it was family money who set Gram up in the hat business. Now Gram is a smart businessman and he made a go of it in the hat business using businessman ethics. My one face to face dealing with Gram he brushed me off, perhaps I am just bitter. I also understand Gram blocks his hat using a press. Maybe preferred customers will get some hand blocking or finial shaping. My information is not first hand but comes from someone who worked for Gram and currently well known in the hat trade.

 

Hi Alan, I have not spoken to Gary White in about 6 years maybe? I was wondering how he was doing. I know he still has his website up. That's all I know. He did make 7 customs for me. Great success. 2 mink/beavers and 5 beavers. Maybe not so much now?? Lately, I have been adding to my Optimo beaver herd. I got one today! Best hat I have ever had !!! Words cannot express my happiness. I'll get some pictures posted soon.
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belfastboy: my memory is so bad I really don't remember the turn around time. No more than a month I am sure. Optimo is a month.