Club Obi Wan

Any advice would help. First got the hat 2 weeks ago, but was way too big. Other than size, was a nice hat. Sent back for resize. Fits great now, but got royally crushed on the trip back. Affected the the whole side of the crown to include a warping of the brim where it begins its swoop. Really frustrated!

Here is another pic of what I am talking about.

Matt

Just a thought, but how about calling Peter Bros?

Reshaping those is not too difficult. Dampen it (don't soak it) with clean cool water and try reshaping by hand. I know, it sounds counter-intuitive to use water on straw, but I got that advice directly from a good hatter, and it work on my PB.

Okay, folks, I cleaned out the unnecessary sarcasm. No need to get snippy at each other. Carry on in a civil manner.

I would take jlee562 advise and give PB a call before doing anything to that hat. Give them a shot to resolve that problem. If you tinker with it I would not blame them for not wanting to help fix it at that point. Just my 2 pennies.

Agreed 100%, BOak.

The crush was not PB's fault, but that of the shipper, so give Joe a call and see what can done.

Regards! Michaelson

Guys working there wanted me to send Joe an ema-l with the pics above. Asked them to have him call me. Its the luck of the draw with shipping. First time around the hat was perfect minus the fit. Now fits perfect but looks like the mailman stepped on it before he delivered it. Look forward to hearing from Joe and get his feedback.

That happens because of the shape of your head that is possible more round than oval.
It can be solved easy. PB should have one of these

They need to get the sape of your head and "rebash" the trim with that.

That's it. I know this, because that happens with all my hats
Regards,
-Alfonso

The hat looked like that out of the box. Looked perfect the 1st time they sent it, it was just too big. I have 2 Penmans and neither one looked like that. Sent to Joe yesterday and should have it by now. Hopefully have it next week.

Received my Indy CS Milan Straw had a couple of days ago. First of all, glad they sent via FedEx this time around. Seriously, this is a really fine straw hat.
The pluses:
The fit is great.
The bash remains true to CS.
The snap brim has the characteristics of an Indy fedora.
Customer service was great. They worked really hard to get the hat just the way I wanted it.

The flip of the coin:
The ribbon and bow work are average, but that is something that I don't normally get to picky about.

The minuses :
No dimensional cut. They told me it was not advised for a straw hat. I guess it could get pretty messy if attempted. Just wish it could have been done.

Haven't put it through the paces of the Florida weather. Any advice on caring for a hat like this. Specifically what to avoid.

I'll post pics when my wife brings home the camera.

Matt

In my experience with straw hats, you just wear 'em. I wouldn't be afraid of rain showers or hurricanes (Hey, its July, Hurricane Season is around the corner for us here). I would just wear it. In this heat, these straw hats are great. I wish I still had my straw Panama...my dogs ate it.

Dave

Can't add a thing to what Dave said. Just wear and enjoy.

GREAT review by the way! Honest and to the point. Thank you!

Looking forward to seeing the photos!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Here are 2 more pics. Really liking this hat. It has really "settled in " when it comes to the brim the shape and the sweatband. Would highly recommend, especially in the Florida summer
Matt

Hat looks great, Matt, and great on you. I will try and post pics of mine soon. Glad it worked out nicely.

Thanks,
Frank

WOW! That hat looks GREAT!! and you wear it well!

Enjoy it!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Thanks Michaelson. I have to say it was well worth the intial hassle of the fit and the post office . I have had several postive comments and inquiries as to wear I bought it. Hard to believe, but where I live in Florida, there just are not that many high quality straw hats to choose from. You would think the opposite in this hot/humid climate. Again, I highly recommend this straw hat to anyone in the market. You won't be dissappointed.

Matt

I totally agree with Matt. Worth the initial sizing issue. This hat is comfortable, nice looking, and does the job for the summer. My thanks to Peter Bros. (Joe, Karen, Javier, and Shane) for working with me on this one. I am enjoying wearing it. Wear yours in good health, Matt.

Thanks,
Frank

Nice looking hat and great pics. Love the Raiders bash. At least this gives people interested some variety to choose from. Glad the fit came out the way you wanted. Finally put a face to the guy I have pming the last couple of weeks. Frank and I bought these hats a day apart and both had similar issues with sizing, getting it by vacation (not), etc.

Matt

Yeah, did not get it for my Florida trip because of the sizing issue. I think they actually had to make a whole new hat due to how large the other was. It all worked out well, for both of us, so I am happy -- AND planning out my straw hat for next summer -- just don't tell my girlfriend, "ANOTHER hat!"

Frank

Thought I'd ask for some advice. BTW, already got email back from Joe. I got caught in the rain the other day with my Indy Milan. It got no were near being soaked. However, when it dried all these white spots showed up. Thought it was maybe the dye or the stiffener. Joe said probably not the dye. He recomended to wipe it down with a damp sea sponge. I still have to get the sponge. Has anyone had this experience?
Matt

I had the same thing happen last year. Funny thing, I accidentally left my PB straw in my car one summer afternoon and the heat, I'm surmising, redistributed the stiffener and the spots disappeared. I normally wouldn't recommend leaving any fine hat in a hot car but I've "removed" rain spots like this twice. Unconventional yes, but effective. I've had no other problems with the hat after this. However, you might want to follow Joe's advice because he'll know these hats better than I. Haven't tried the damp sponge technique, mind you. I guess in a round about way I'm trying to say that the problem can be solved in some way. Hope you enjoy your straw as much as I've enjoyed mine.

NDJones

Sorry, but I have to chime in here. I would NOT recommend leaving your hat to dry in a hot car. If you do this, do so at your own risk. Leaving a damp hat (or even a dry one) in a very hot car for a length of time might shrink your hat or leather sweatband severely. Think about it, would you put your hat in a slow bake oven? It may have worked for NDJones, but I've read multiple stories of folks who ended up having a hat which shrunk up or no longer fit them because of leaving their hat in a blazing hot car, whether accidentally or on purpose. Results may vary on the hat, type of felt, and other variables, but you won't catch me trying that trick!n Just be aware!

Just to follow up after being made to feel like a chump for offering any advice....I would never recommend anything that I thought would ruin anyone's hat as I have several cherished fedoras of my own. I WOULD NEVER ADVISE ANYONE TO DRY THEIR HAT IN A HOT CAR OR OVEN. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIED MINE AT ROOM TEMP. McManm said the hat was dry when the spots appeared. I had exactly the same experience. Also, MINE WAS DRY when I ACCIDENTALLY left it in the car the first time about a year ago; THE SPOTS DISAPPEARED. It wasn't in the car all day, IT WAS NOT PLACED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT, and it has seen a whole lot of Southern sun and humidity since. No shrinkage. Sorry, my last post was my first and I was just trying to help since I was very distressed by the rain spots myself when they appeared on my hat last year.........I happened to find my solution serendipitously. McManm, if the sponge technique doesn't give you the desired results, you might just try wearing it out one of these sunny summer days and see if you get the same results.

Just thought I'd put in my two cents worth and, in any case, I wish you the best of luck correcting the problem! BTW, your hat looks great on you in your earlier snapshots!

NDJones

No problem. Figured I would try the sponge technique first. However, I have no issues with putting it in the car. In August, the Central Fl heat should only take 30 minutes . I'll follow up when if/when I see results.

Matt

NDJones wrote:Just to follow up after being made to feel like a chump for offering any advice....I would never recommend anything that I thought would ruin anyone's hat as I have several cherished fedoras of my own. I WOULD NEVER ADVISE ANYONE TO DRY THEIR HAT IN A HOT CAR OR OVEN. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIED MINE AT ROOM TEMP. McManm said the hat was dry when the spots appeared. I had exactly the same experience. Also, MINE WAS DRY when I ACCIDENTALLY left it in the car the first time about a year ago; THE SPOTS DISAPPEARED. It wasn't in the car all day, IT WAS NOT PLACED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT, and it has seen a whole lot of Southern sun and humidity since. No shrinkage. Sorry, my last post was my first and I was just trying to help since I was very distressed by the rain spots myself when they appeared on my hat last year.........I happened to find my solution serendipitously. McManm, if the sponge technique doesn't give you the desired results, you might just try wearing it out one of these sunny summer days and see if you get the same results.

Just thought I'd put in my two cents worth and, in any case, I wish you the best of luck correcting the problem! BTW, your hat looks great on you in your earlier snapshots!

NDJones

ND, I assure you, NO one was trying to make you 'look like a chump'. As you say, that was your very first post, and until we get to know you and realize we're all on the same page, sometimes it's best to 'err' to the side of caution and post alternative opinions when what has been posted could be considered damaging to gear. In a re-read of your post, it still reads like you recommended tossing a wet hat into a hot car to even out the spots. It's now realized that was not your 'message', but keep in mind, this is a two dimensional medium, so sometimes assumptions are incorrect, and we've read more horror stories by folks who misunderstood what was being said, and in some cases completely destroyed the item of gear they were trying to 'fix'.

So, don't think you were being attacked in any way. You were honestly not, and we really appreciate you taking the time to clear things up with your second post.

Personally I've never attempted that with my PB straw...but mine seems to be a lighter colored brown that what I've seen posted lately. Did Joe darken his Indy straw hats from the originals? Mine has been caught in rain as well, and I've never experienced that 'look' that has been mentioned here.

Regards! Michaelson

That's a STRAW hat???? WOW! Looks great! I never knew they could look so good.

NDJones, sorry if I made you feel like a chump. That wasn't my intent, especially if that was your first post on the boards. It's not the kind of welcome I like to give. After a while on the boards, you will find that some folks purposely do some pretty extreme stuff to their gear in order to get a certain effect or to "rectify" a problem. Eventually, someone else will follow suit and inevitably destroy or irreversibly damage their gear, getting quite angry in the process. THAT'S why you'll see some of us putting in the caveat to do these things at your own risk. What works well for one person doesn't always work for another, even if the original event was accidental. Heck, I found that out the hard way before! So no hard feelings, okay?

Hey all,
Oh yes, no hard feelings Bink!! None at all! I just didn't want anyone here to think I was crashing in on the site and suggesting something to purposely lead someone astray and ruin gear. I don't want to have somone doing a lot of hard work on their gear "only to lose the idol to Belloq". I could definitely see how some bad advice could quickly sour dialogue on a topic. So sorry! After thinking about the first post, someone could read it that way and I'm glad you, Michaelson, and other COW folks are looking out for one another. Kinda crowd a fellow wants to be in good with . I guess I've been on this great website almost every day since discovering it last year and I've gotten to know you folks really well....you just don't know me. But, hopefully you will and I look forward to being a part of the club.

BTW, to answer Michaelson's question about the PB straw, I don't know if the color is darker compared to your hat. I've not seen any of the earlier PB straws. Mine is the same color as McManm's. I just knew I had to have one when I first came across the PB website last summer. Great hat and Joe's great to work with as well.

Michaelson, I take it you've worn yours in the rain and not had the spots? Also, just curious if anyone's tried water repellant as well on these straws? I haven't.

Thanks Bink and Michaelson; glad to clear that up!
Best,
NDJones

NDJones wrote:Michaelson, I take it you've worn yours in the rain and not had the spots? Also, just curious if anyone's tried water repellant as well on these straws? I haven't.

NDJones

Yes I have, and have not seen any spots at all. Mine is more of a mocha brown than a dark brown, though, so maybe they just don't show up on that color as readily as the darker version.

I've never tried a water repellent either.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote: Mine is more of a mocha brown than a dark brown, though...

Leave it to you to describe your colors in terms of coffee.

FYI, the sea sponge did the trick in taking out the white spots on the crown and brim. Thanks again Joe. BTW, any advice on a good stiffener for down the road. Really want to keep the nice flange Joe put in the brim, especially on the sides.

Matt

Any advice on a good stiffener for milan straw? Still haven't heard back from Joe. Really want to keep the flange on the brim looking great.


Matt

From what I gather, felt hat stiffener can be used. I've also read that spray starch is a good option.

Thanks. Ill try the stiffener 1st. Have a western outfitter in town. I know they sell hats. Figure they would have somthing for felt or maybe for straw hats as well. I assume just clean like idid before, let dry, then apply and hold till dry.

Matt

Hey COWer's,

Here is an update on what to do when you need to add stiffener to you PB Milan straw. Joe recommended Aqua Net Super Hold Unscented hair spray as a great stiffener. He recommended that I cover up the sweatband/ribbon (paper towel) and apply a liberal amount inside the crown and on the underside of the brim. Let completely dry before applying multiple coats. Have to say it worked like a charm. Feels like it did when it came out of the box. Reminder to clean the straw with damp sea sponge before applying the stiffener. Hope this helps.

Matt

That's what we used to use on the inside of our fur felt fedora crowns to replace lost stiffner (liner removed, of course).

Just be sure not to apply the product around an open flame.

Thanks for the update!

Regards !Michaelson

Your welcome. Would definitely go with PB again for a straw. Does Joe do somthing similar with Panama straw?

Not that I recall, but then I've never looked for one. Either ask Joe, or check out their website.

Regards! Michaelson

I realize you might not have set out to do so, mcmanm... but thanks for starting this thread on the subject of both this kind of hat and this particular Vendor.
It's been very helpful and informative and helped me make up my own mind about getting one of these hats someday.
Cheers,
Mitch

Thanks. Ill post pics of the post cleaning/stiffener tonight.

Matt

Since this is turning into a gear care thread now, I'll move it to the correct section.

Regards !Michaelson

Here are some pics after the sea sponge cleaning and an application of Aqua Net. Enjoy.

Matt