I just received this hat and it was not what I expected at all. When I opened the hat box, I found it upside down, with a foam band around the ribbon to keep the hat slightly raised so that the brim was not touching any part of the box. The hat was wrapped in paper and inside a plastic bag. Ultrafino really packed the hat well. I carefully unpacked the hat and got it in my hands. Wow! I am used to seeing people wearing straw hats that are made with thick, stiff, heavy straw. The straw on this hat is so thin and fine. The top of the hat is plenty stiff enough to hold its shape and yet the brim is very soft and flexible. The brim was shaped perfectly and the packaging kept it that way. The weaving of the straw looks to be flawless. I cannot find any imperfections and I looked closely. I have found no sharp pieces of straw. I thought a leather head band would be better, but the soft cloth headband is very comfortable. The hat is so light that it feels weightless when I put it on. I was expecting something much thicker and heavier. What a pleasant surprise!

This is my first straw hat. I have never been a hat person before, but I started shaving my head on 2011-July-4 and managed to get through the summer with a couple of caps and plenty of sunscreen. Then came fall and I found that I needed something to keep my head warm. I decided I needed something with some style to go with my black leather trench coat, so I ordered a fur felt Indiana Jones Fedora from Scala. I am getting so many compliments on that hat that I decided to start shopping for a straw hat to keep me cool when the warm weather gets here. I looked at a lot of hats and decided that the Gatsby was a really nice looking hat. The pictures here do not do this hat justice. It is much nicer than I ever expected. It is almost winter now, so I placed it back in the box, but I can hardly wait for warm weather, so that I can wear it with pride.

If you are considering this hat, all I can tell you is "Buy it!." You won't be disappointed.

Now, I just have to find a nice feather to add to it. Maybe several, so that I can swap them out.

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UPDATE: After owning this hat for a year, I felt the need to add that I am just as happy with it as the day I got it. It has kept my head cool in the summer and it is so light-weight, that I tend to forget that I have it on. The stretchable cloth headband turned out to be very comfortable and much better than a leather band in warm weather.

To the reviewer talking about all of the compliments, he was not kidding. Everyone notices the hat and compliments it. If I had a nickle for every time I have heard the words, "Nice hat!", I would have enough money to buy another one. ;-)