way OT - Panama hat

[bdhold]

summertime - time to cover our heads from the sun and heat

If you ever wanted a high-grade Panama, these guys do it right - their $100 hats exceed the quality of most you can find for $250
http://www.ultrafinopanamahat.com/store ... sfid=92278

[jfg_4]

I will second that! I got one from them several years ago and it has held up well.

[Ray Newman]

Or, do you remember the song:

A terrific old-style Jive song by the woman with the smiling voice. The lyrics are lots of fun, along the same styling as "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" or "Purple People Eater." The original by Dodie Stevens was Billlboard's number 3 hit in 1959.

Song Lyrics:
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh man
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

Now I've got a guy and his name is Dooley
He's my guy and I love him truly
He's not good lookin', heaven knows
But I'm wild about his crazy clothes

[Chorus:]
He's got tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh man
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

He takes me deep-sea fishing in a submarine
We got to drive-in movies in a limousine
He's got a whirly-birdy and a 12-foot yacht
Ah, but thats-a not all he's got

[Chorus]

Now Dooley had a feelin' we were goin' to war
So he went out and enlisted in a fightin' corps
But he landed in the brig for raisin' such a storm
When they tried to put 'em in a uniform

He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

Now one day Dooley started feelin' sick
And he decided that he better make his will out quick
He said

"Just before the angels come to carry me
I want it down in writin' how to bury me."

A'wearin tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Give me tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

And a big Panama with a purple hat band!!

Read all 'bout it:
http://www.dancesportmusic.com/songs/al ... laces.html

Or hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gFOzaSQY6Q

[RKrodle]

That's a good looking hat. I picked up an Airway(?), imported by Stetson, earlier in the spring and like it, the crown is fairly open to let the breeze in and the heat out. But it don't look as well made as yours.

[Bruce]

Fellas, I have worn some quality hats in my time, mostly western style Stetson types. For my money, there is nothing that beats the Tilley. Look at their warranty and guarantee and try to beat it. I have a few of them right now and they are all I wear. I have one that is over five years old and I wash it every few weeks and you can not tell it. I actually want to wear one out, but have not succeded. I wear one all day long.

http://tilley-hats.com/

[Rusty]

I just bought a straw Stetson from Cabelas but I don't see mine listed online now. I like the looks of the Panama hats but I talked to a guy in St.Augustine a few years ago and he made it sound like they were fragile. Told me you can't pinch the crown in front when putting it on or off or the hat will break down. well I thought I'm not paying that kind of money for a hat I have to handle with white gloves to make it stay intact.
Thanks Bruce I might consider a Tilley next time, I didn't know they had more than one style.

[bdhold]

I have a Tilley hemp, been through many Resistols and Stetsons, and even a couple of Milanos, and have an order for an Akubra hemp that is being made.
I like hats.
But the quality of my recent hand-made Panama (I bought a Gatsby for $100) blows away any hat I've ever owned.
here's one of the Milanos

Russian River, AK

It's true, you don't want to pinch the crown on a Panama, but do you want to wear a hemp or canvas hat every time you go out into the hot sun? For kayaking the Gulf coast, yes, but not to walk around at a picnic, or even to shoot.

Ray, thanks for the Dodie Stevens song - a bit before my time, but very fun.
That being said, I'm a great fan of 60s R&B.

[jeepnik]

Hmm. Never saw myself in a Panama hat. I usually wear a "booney" style. Old habits die hard, I guess. Still, those are some fine looking hats, and I have been seriously thinking about a new hat style. For that price, I might give one a try.

[jfg_4]

Don't sell the short on durability. A well made panama is fairly rugged. I have beat the heck out of mine. Roll em up, shove em in a suit case, head to the islands and bring it out and party!

[iceman]

Thanks alot Ray Newman! Your writing down of the words to that song gave me a worm ear. I have been walking around whistling or humming that song all day. Not really a bad thing, I have been in a good mood all day. People sort of looked at me funny wondering what the song was, but that is their problem.

[Ray Newman]

Iceman: yup in the late 1950's - early 60's there were a number of "unusual" nut catchy tunes. "Flying Purple People Eater" was another along with "Love Potion No. 9."

[bdhold]

ok, she looks better in it than I do

[BAGTIC]

A good place to find song lyrics is www.leoslyrics.com

[TMair]

I love a good panama hat, and those look great, but if I ever spent $100.00 on a straw hat I would never have to wear a cup again, my wife would see to that
Terry