Having the luxury of living in VHS's home town San Diego I stopped in to the shop today to look for the "perfect" new panama fedora... [this being no small... more...
Original Price: $89.00
Sale Price: $70.00 The "Z" is named for Jaxon Designer Bruce Zales - the "Z-Man" around here. Bruce not only designs the Jaxon line, but he names the styles. Trust me, he would not name this hat the "Z" if he did not believe it in. This is a new Grade 8 style for 2008. The Grade 8 Panama is defined as weave density, or number of straws less 10 that run in a one inch measurement. Handweaving a Grade 8 takes an average of 10 to 12 days, a few hours in the morning and evening, when the air is cool as the straw may crack in the heat of the day. The 2" brim is a nice middle ground between a stingy and a conventional brim width - the snap lends itself well to either be flipped up (more hip) or snapped down (more conventional). [Note to conventional wearers. Have a couple drinks and flip it up.] The crown block is very new - something that is not commonly seen. At 3 1/2", the crown height reads kind of low in the front. Overall, the hat is not overpowering, more in keeping with the smaller and hipper styles for this season.
Available Color: Natural Panama.
Available sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. [Note: The hat is stiff and will hold its shape well. This is not a Panama for rolling or crushing.]
