Montecristi Custom Hat Works

"Your New Hat Is Already Legendary"

Welcome to Montecristi Custom Hat Works. We guarantee you will find the perfect hat for your needs.

A Montecristi Hat is a unique, handpicked treasure of flawless craftsmanship and classic style that is custom designed and fitted to your exact head shape and size. Your hat will be a truly unique treasure that you can cherish for many years to come.

To this perfect marriage of the finest weaves and expert hand finishing you may add personal elements such as exact brim width to create your own signature style. Finally, choosing from our wide selection of beautiful hat bands will ensure that your Montecristi Hat will in no way resemble the mass produced hats that other companies offer.

Panama Hats

The straw in Panama hats comes from the leaves of the carludovica palmata or "paja toquilla", a type of palm indigenous to Ecuador. The art of weaving the straw has flourished along the Ecuadorian Coast since the 1600's. Over generations, master craftsmen perfected many of the delicate weaves we see in only the finest Panama hats. The exemplary Panama must be nearly flawless, of good color and consistent weave, exhibiting numerous enjiras, concentric or spiraling patterns radiating outward from the center of the crown. The body must be supple and delicate, yet strong. Unfortunately, the masters of this craft are now passing into old age and due to modern Ecuadorian economy, few are taking their place.

Fur Hats

We believe this collection is made from the finest fur felt material available in the world. We have spent three years sampling and acquiring this material. With the exception of the 1000X, which is beaver and mink, all the hats are pure beaver. There are two types of material. One is dress weight, which is thinner, lighter and more supple. The other is western weight, which is thicker and more rigid. I suggest one of each! Hats can be ordered in different colors, wider or narrower brims and with different bands.