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There was a link to an "explanation" of the costs, but I got a 404. Does anyone have an explanation of why anyone would value hats this much? Are they a collect

There was a link to an "explanation" of the costs, but I got a 404. Does anyone have an explanation of why anyone would value hats this much? Are they a collector's item, just rare, some kind of American Psycho style "my hat is embossed with singed ryegrass" status thing?

pas 3y ago
it's entirely hand-made, the process takes months, involves 5-6 people, etc. yes, of course it doesn't make sense unless you really think it matters or have quasi-unlimited money. see: https://www.brentblack.com/montecristi-panama-hat-prices-explained.html https://www.brentblack.com/montecristi-panama-hat-prices-exp... and https://www.brentblack.com/pages/tour2_page_01.html https://www.brentblack.com/pages/tour2_page_01.html
esquivalience 3y ago
He goes into great detail about the fine-ness of the weave, and projects and business practices designed to reward good craftsmanship and promote the art (and craft) of weaving. It's a joy to read because he writes well about something he loves.
tiffanyg 3y ago
Several points: 1) Crafting some of these hats require an incredible level of human skill and time - i.e., a sort of fixed cost in time for someone to reach that level, and then a variable cost in crafting one hat with that skill. This page lists, for example, "18 Master Weavers who could actually weave one, and it would take months to do it." for the category of Super Fino. Thousands of dollars for such a hat sounds quite reasonable. 2) These are actual physical items with real function and form. Some of the function is in the form. Some of the function is in the intangible "status symbol" realm that nevertheless has a direct impact in the real world. Whether cultural, subconscious, etc., individual "presentation" can make a difference in business dealings (getting a contract vs. not), attracting the interest of desirable partners for romance &/ family formation, etc. 3) Our economics are always screwy ... the drive for efficiency is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's great (focusing purely on provision for humans, in needs and perhaps a bit further along in, say, "Maslow's hierarchy") to be able to produce more goods and services (perhaps, there are further issues there I'll avoid for now) less expensively, so more people can have needs and wants and all that met. But, of course, the flip side is that there are fewer jobs available (at some point, another complexity I'll sidestep going into non-germane to primary point depth on). This can drive a more extreme "bimodal distribution" to prices - those who continue to use "traditional methods" have to charge not only more, comparatively (and in light of general inflation), but, more in a more absolute sense due to lower volumes, etc. 4) Of course, some of this is also likely getting into the realm of items like NFTs, iPhones, etc. - the purposeful (market) positioning by those selling as "luxury" or "status" items. I.e., more intentional, where, of course, comparisons to Barnum and general derision by people "on the outside" is a normal sort of "organic" byproduct that perhaps seemingly paradoxically can actually further the symbolism and strength of marketing / "story". 5) Apparently, these types of hats bear some resemblance to trees. Next time I see someone wearing one, I might cut their head off so I can "count the rings" (inside the hat). ;) J/k on the last point. Probably. Kek. Edit: my random number generator (aka, "brain") informed me in the past several minutes that it is required (as regards "the service") for me to add this take on marketing from the great Bill Hicks: https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0?si=TPnIwP0HymFYZZkC https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0?si=TPnIwP0HymFYZZkC - which, of course, gave the universe another opportunity to give me the finger (why yes, I DO want to know about how I can meet the one for me "on Bumble", ugh). 'And thus ends the lesson' and general kvetching session, with this video that fairly well captures my feelings these days. Enjoy!
denton-scratch 3y ago
> Does anyone have an explanation of why anyone would value hats this much? A good-quality panama wears much better than a cheap one. Cheap ones crack.

pas 3y ago

it's entirely hand-made, the process takes months, involves 5-6 people, etc. yes, of course it doesn't make sense unless you really think it matters or have quasi-unlimited money. see: https://www.brentblack.com/montecristi-panama-hat-prices-explained.html https://www.brentblack.com/montecristi-panama-hat-prices-exp... and https://www.brentblack.com/pages/tour2_page_01.html https://www.brentblack.com/pages/tour2_page_01.html

esquivalience 3y ago

He goes into great detail about the fine-ness of the weave, and projects and business practices designed to reward good craftsmanship and promote the art (and craft) of weaving. It's a joy to read because he writes well about something he loves.

tiffanyg 3y ago

Several points: 1) Crafting some of these hats require an incredible level of human skill and time - i.e., a sort of fixed cost in time for someone to reach that level, and then a variable cost in crafting one hat with that skill. This page lists, for example, "18 Master Weavers who could actually weave one, and it would take months to do it." for the category of Super Fino. Thousands of dollars for such a hat sounds quite reasonable. 2) These are actual physical items with real function and form. Some of the function is in the form. Some of the function is in the intangible "status symbol" realm that nevertheless has a direct impact in the real world. Whether cultural, subconscious, etc., individual "presentation" can make a difference in business dealings (getting a contract vs. not), attracting the interest of desirable partners for romance &/ family formation, etc. 3) Our economics are always screwy ... the drive for efficiency is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's great (focusing purely on provision for humans, in needs and perhaps a bit further along in, say, "Maslow's hierarchy") to be able to produce more goods and services (perhaps, there are further issues there I'll avoid for now) less expensively, so more people can have needs and wants and all that met. But, of course, the flip side is that there are fewer jobs available (at some point, another complexity I'll sidestep going into non-germane to primary point depth on). This can drive a more extreme "bimodal distribution" to prices - those who continue to use "traditional methods" have to charge not only more, comparatively (and in light of general inflation), but, more in a more absolute sense due to lower volumes, etc. 4) Of course, some of this is also likely getting into the realm of items like NFTs, iPhones, etc. - the purposeful (market) positioning by those selling as "luxury" or "status" items. I.e., more intentional, where, of course, comparisons to Barnum and general derision by people "on the outside" is a normal sort of "organic" byproduct that perhaps seemingly paradoxically can actually further the symbolism and strength of marketing / "story". 5) Apparently, these types of hats bear some resemblance to trees. Next time I see someone wearing one, I might cut their head off so I can "count the rings" (inside the hat). ;) J/k on the last point. Probably. Kek. Edit: my random number generator (aka, "brain") informed me in the past several minutes that it is required (as regards "the service") for me to add this take on marketing from the great Bill Hicks: https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0?si=TPnIwP0HymFYZZkC https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0?si=TPnIwP0HymFYZZkC - which, of course, gave the universe another opportunity to give me the finger (why yes, I DO want to know about how I can meet the one for me "on Bumble", ugh). 'And thus ends the lesson' and general kvetching session, with this video that fairly well captures my feelings these days. Enjoy!

denton-scratch 3y ago

> Does anyone have an explanation of why anyone would value hats this much? A good-quality panama wears much better than a cheap one. Cheap ones crack.