The Real Panama Hat

[Nosirrah]

I honestly had no idea, apart from the fact that what we call a "Panama hat" comes from Ecuador:

As is so often the case these days, both the raw materials and the knowledge are fast disappearing.

[Ridgerunner58]

Brent Black is probably at the top of that game. His website has lots of information.

https://www.brentblack.com/

I have 6 or 7 from him (no $25,000 hats) that are incredible.

[IndianaJustin]

I've been wanting a Brent Black hat for years. Wondering how they hold up. I've had some cheap Panamas over the years and they all break down after 2-3 years. I'm sure a BB panama is great but I don't want to spend $500 on something that may crack in a short while ..

[jlee562]

There are a few second hand BB Panamas floating around the Lounge, so as long as you treat it well, I'd imagine the odds of it falling apart on its own are slim.

Panama Hats Direct is decidedly not BB quality, but they offer customization options if you're in the market for a Panama. The real ones are much nicer than Shantung straw.

[Thunderspy]

Do we know who made the Panama for the film? Was it a Black?

[jlee562]

Black wasn't in business until 1988. If they were sourcing things in London, it could conceivably be a Christy's or Lock. Not sure if HJ historically sold Panamas, but probably?

[The Aviator]

Black wasn't in business until 1988. If they were sourcing things in London, it could conceivably be a Christy's or Lock. Not sure if HJ historically sold Panamas, but probably?

I couldn’t say for sure but I would think as a hatter in London HJ wouldn’t have missed the trick of doing some panama’s for the Summer season - cricket, races etc.

Gerry


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[Ridgerunner58]

I've been wanting a Brent Black hat for years. Wondering how they hold up. I've had some cheap Panamas over the years and they all break down after 2-3 years. I'm sure a BB panama is great but I don't want to spend $500 on something that may crack in a short while ..

If you take care of them they are pretty sturdy.

My most often worn one is a Hemingway, which is a Montecristi that he sells for less than the quality would otherwise dictate because of some minor flaw. I have worn it 7 summers without issues.

I also have a Gatsby that I wear quite a bit.

Where I live it's fairly dry so about once a year I run the shower on hot in the bathroom and let my good panamas sit in the humidity for an hour or so. I think that was somewhere on one of the "How to Care for your Panama hat" brochures he includes with his hats.