Changed from felt to straw today

[Topgumby]

I'll go back and forth with the weather, but I think this is the week when the straw will win out for the next few months.

Anybody else have a day they use, or is it all climate controlled now?

It used to be a big deal...even caused riots in New York.

 

[JDV]

Back when I wore hats everywhere except in the house, I'd go from felt to straw as soon as the weather started to get warm. It was usually May or June, and then back to felt towards the end of October as cooler weather started creeping back in.

 

[AndrewGWU]

I'll go back and forth with the weather, but I think this is the week when the straw will win out for the next few months.

Anybody else have a day they use, or is it all climate controlled now?

It used to be a big deal...even caused riots in New York.

I changed to straw this past week, but if not for just receiving my first panama then I would have done it much sooner. Here in NC it has been pretty warm for quite a while and today was in the mid 90s.

Glad I have a good straw now (from Panama Bob). There is no way I could have made it in felt today.

 

[luvmysuper]

I forgot and left my Straw Fedora in Manila

Looks like I'll have to pick up a replacement

 

[pdxshave]

In Portland we've finally had sun, so the straw won. I've been caught in the rain and my winter hats up to today.

Yes, weather is the deciding factor for me, although I did get out my summer weight jackets May 1, even with cold weather@!

 

[hrnfrg]

I've been wearing my boater for a few months now, but we've had a really hot Spring. I can't wait to feel how hot Summer will be.

 

[Stubblefield]

It used to be a big deal...even caused riots in New York.

I thought the rule was "never before Memorial Day," or something like that . .

Guess I can break out my white bucs now . . .

 

[hrnfrg]

I thought the rule was "never before Memorial Day," or something like that . .

It depends on where you live. Living in the South the "general rule" is "never before Easter."

 

[Phog Allen]

Ah, the straw hat. I have never worn a Panama or a boater but have owned a few western straws in my day. Usually a Stetson Cattleman or the only slightly different Rancher and I don't even know if the latter was an honest Stetson model or not but western stores sold them as such. I love hats but rarely wear them. Two big issues plague me. One is just a function of fit. I wear a 7-1/2 or 7-5/8 in production hats depending on the maker. Add in I am a long oval head shape and things get interesting. I have had red marks and hat band imprints on my forehead before from ill fitting hats. I would absolutely love to wear a normal 7 or 7-1/4 sized hat. Oh to have a roundish head! But I deal with what I can. This leads to my second issue and that is sweat. I sweat pretty heavily. And what's more, easily. No kidding, I can soak a shirt in 60F weather if I am doing anything strenuous at all. I hate it. I am fortunate in that I don't have BO and I don't stain clothing. It is just irritating. I would love to wear a broad brimmed hat in the summer time but as I get older the heat just kicks my arse. After an hour or so my head feels like it is on fire if I wear a hat out in the sun. A pity because I like the style a hat brings to a chap.

Regards, Todd

 

[luvmysuper]

That's an odd affliction, I sympathize.
A good Panama is loose enough to allow air in to the head, but tight enough to keep the sun off, so for me, it's a great summer topper.

Ah, the straw hat. I have never worn a Panama or a boater but have owned a few western straws in my day. Usually a Stetson Cattleman or the only slightly different Rancher and I don't even know if the latter was an honest Stetson model or not but western stores sold them as such. I love hats but rarely wear them. Two big issues plague me. One is just a function of fit. I wear a 7-1/2 or 7-5/8 in production hats depending on the maker. Add in I am a long oval head shape and things get interesting. I have had red marks and hat band imprints on my forehead before from ill fitting hats. I would absolutely love to wear a normal 7 or 7-1/4 sized hat. Oh to have a roundish head! But I deal with what I can. This leads to my second issue and that is sweat. I sweat pretty heavily. And what's more, easily. No kidding, I can soak a shirt in 60F weather if I am doing anything strenuous at all. I hate it. I am fortunate in that I don't have BO and I don't stain clothing. It is just irritating. I would love to wear a broad brimmed hat in the summer time but as I get older the heat just kicks my arse. After an hour or so my head feels like it is on fire if I wear a hat out in the sun. A pity because I like the style a hat brings to a chap.

Regards, Todd

 

[redwing]

straw since mid-may;

but what to do with rain as you leave work?
cant wear the straw; and with it hot/humid i dont wear felt, so what do you guys do?

 

[Topgumby]

In the rain/sun world of Seattle, the Akubra plastic straw hats work great!

 

[Sullybob]

Just like sleeves up or sleeves down, its based on the weather for me.

 

[AZShaver]

Ah, the straw hat. I have never worn a Panama or a boater but have owned a few western straws in my day. Usually a Stetson Cattleman or the only slightly different Rancher and I don't even know if the latter was an honest Stetson model or not but western stores sold them as such. I love hats but rarely wear them. Two big issues plague me. One is just a function of fit. I wear a 7-1/2 or 7-5/8 in production hats depending on the maker. Add in I am a long oval head shape and things get interesting. I have had red marks and hat band imprints on my forehead before from ill fitting hats. I would absolutely love to wear a normal 7 or 7-1/4 sized hat. Oh to have a roundish head! But I deal with what I can. This leads to my second issue and that is sweat. I sweat pretty heavily. And what's more, easily. No kidding, I can soak a shirt in 60F weather if I am doing anything strenuous at all. I hate it. I am fortunate in that I don't have BO and I don't stain clothing. It is just irritating. I would love to wear a broad brimmed hat in the summer time but as I get older the heat just kicks my arse. After an hour or so my head feels like it is on fire if I wear a hat out in the sun. A pity because I like the style a hat brings to a chap.

Regards, Todd

7 5/8 long oval myself. Yes, it is an affliction.

I did go into a saddle shop (Arizona after all) and was pleased to find 3 hats. As I was paying for my purchase, a man came in and asked if the had any size 8. Bless them, they did.

Oddly, in AZ cowboy hats are easily available, but not Panama hats. I hate a "hard" hat.

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I have been wearing mine for about two or three weeks here in southern missouri...but i have a back up fedora at the desk in case of a afternoon down pour...

 

[Carolina Kiltman]

Here in the Sandhills of NC, we have four seasons; not quite summer yet, summer, still summer and Christmas.

I usually change from a felt to a "gambler's" straw hat around Easter Sunday, the weather is usually pretty hot by then. I never have had the nerve to spend the money for a Panama, but I may just try it next year.

 

[mparker762]

I'll go back and forth with the weather, but I think this is the week when the straw will win out for the next few months.

Anybody else have a day they use, or is it all climate controlled now?

I switch to straws at Easter, and Felts at Halloween. But I live in Texas which tends to be a bit hot, and the outside isn't air conditioned. I don't go back and forth though, the felts and straws switch places in the hat-boxes and go back up into the closet till Halloween/Easter.