Modern Stetson Open Road

[DougC]

Scooter--check out the Campdraft thread. But, yeah, the Campdraft is essentially the same dimensions as a vintage OR. The crown is a little shorter on a modern OR. AND, the Campdraft is a great hat--by reputation. I'm still trying to come to grips with tbe fact that I'll need to wait three months when I order one.

 

[monbla256]

Ok, now I have a question that some of you more learned fellows may think foolish, but I'll risk it. Other than the fact that they are obviously made by different manufacturers, are not a Campdraft and an Open Road, essentially the same hat? Nearly identical brim widths, and crown heights, same bound edge, could they not be bashed to essentially look identical?

A Campdraft is a renamed Open Road. Back in the 50s/60s Akubra made the Open Road for Stetson, in Australia to get around import duties at that time. The Stetson OR sold in Australia was an Akubra So you are correct, they are essentially the same hat. The Stetson OR made today though is made from a stiffer, shellaced felt and sold only as a pre-creased hat whereas the Campdraft is much closer to the older ORs in softer felt and sold as an open crowned hat. So, yes you could crease the Campdraft to look like a current OR.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Alright, here's another modern Stetson Open Road:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I think the hat looks great on you with the brim up. In the picture you have with it snapped down, I think it would look better when you and the hat are much older. Just my opinion. >

 

[frussell]

I'm taking a shot on one of these new ORs while I'm waiting for my Biltmore "Open Door" to come in a few weeks. I had one lined up in my size at the Resistol Outlet in Garland, then found out that Delmonico's free shipping and coupon (till 12/31?) made the overall price $4 lower than the outlet! Never done business with them before, but if their shipping and customer service are as good as their prices, I'll be back. Other posters in this thread seem happy with their service. If any other large head is looking, there's a 7 3/4 at the Garland outlet, $149 shipping included. Frank

 

[fmw]

My OR came from Delmonico. Their service and shipping were flawless. I too took advantage of the coupon and shipping. Highly recommended hatter.

 

[frussell]

I talked to the "CulturedCowboy" folks, and wasn't impressed with their awareness of what they had in stock. The lady tried to talk me into a 7 3/8, didn't seem sure what a 7 3/4 was. While we were talking, she remarked "Oh wow, I didn't know we sold a $4,000 hat. That's wild. Says it normally sells for $6,000." When I asked her to confirm the online price of $116 for the OR, she said "That's right, $162 is the price." She offered to order one in my size, but I had already lost any confidence I might have in their store. Too bad, that was a hell of a price, even if it wasn't real. Frank

 

[Jedwbpm]

I'm taking a shot on one of these new ORs while I'm waiting for my Biltmore "Open Door" to come in a few weeks. I had one lined up in my size at the Resistol Outlet in Garland, then found out that Delmonico's free shipping and coupon (till 12/31?) made the overall price $4 lower than the outlet! Never done business with them before, but if their shipping and customer service are as good as their prices, I'll be back. Other posters in this thread seem happy with their service. If any other large head is looking, there's a 7 3/4 at the Garland outlet, $149 shipping included. Frank

I have been buying at Delmonico's since 1981 when I moved to New Haven. It is one of my favorite stores in the world. I can't go in without coming out with a new hat. Mr Delmonico's son now runs the business and he has to be in his 70's. His father and Uncle were the best and he is too. Old Mr. Delmonico used to clean and block your old hat for free when you bought a new one. That was the best. I have to stop in next month to have them size my new OR (since I am a long oval (no charge)) and to reblock the brim on one of my older well worn Stetsons. I wonder what I will leave with?

Jeff

 

[danofarlington]

I have been buying at Delmonico's since 1981 when I moved to New Haven. It is one of my favorite stores in the world. I can't go in without coming out with a new hat. Mr Delmonico's son now runs the business and he has to be in his 70's. His father and Uncle were the best and he is too. Old Mr. Delmonico used to clean and block your old hat for free when you bought a new one. That was the best. I have to stop in next month to have them size my new OR (since I am a long oval (no charge)) and to reblock the brim on one of my older well worn Stetsons. I wonder what I will leave with?

Jeff

I wish I lived nearby. I've got my eye on their Borsalino beaver 2 1/2 inch brim hat. I cannot afford it now, but I want to see how compelling it is on me. But alas, I live far away.

 

[Michaelshane]

I think the hat looks great on you with the brim up. In the picture you have with it snapped down, I think it would look better when you and the hat are much older. Just my opinion. >

I think an OR style hat snapped up is an older man look.Fedoras snapped up are for youngsters.

 

[T Rick]

I wonder what I will leave with?

Jeff

New Whippet? Then again, they make the Open Road in black too...

 

[The Good]

Hmm, the more I'm wearing this one, the more I'm liking it with the brim up all around... I still like it turned down, slightly to the front, though. What I did before was to try to accentuate brim curl, but these days it's a little less pronounced with the way I wear it. This is how it looks today:

In my opinion, wearing it brim up makes the crown look lower, which is probably good for me anyway. With this hat, I hope to continue keeping you updated here periodically, on the quality of the modern Stetson Open Road felt. Happy New Year, everyone!

 

[RBH]

Thanks JB, I still like it brim down best. But.. it does look good on you brim up.

 

[The Good]

No problem. I think I'll find myself getting back to that at some point soon. I like to do minor brim adjustments for a little variety.

Anyway, I was also wondering if you folks consider the modern Open Road a cowboy hat? I think Gtdean (spelling?) does, or did in another thread almost a year ago, but could this be something that'll be right at home, at say, a rodeo or other western function? Not that I really have one to go to any time soon, but Shepler's, the website I got this ordered from, considered it a "Cowboy Hat" in the product description. I know it's of western styling, but I'm trying to get the semantics correct for this thing. Or, is the modern Open Road still a fedora?

 

[fmw]

It has a cattleman's crease which is characteristic of cowboy hats but it has a narrower brim than other cowboy hats and it certainly doesn't have a cowboy curl to the brim. I think you can wear it to a rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming or for a stroll in New York's Central Park. It's a very flexible design, I think.

 

[The Good]

Thanks for clarifying that, flexibility is exactly what I need in a hat. I try to go for that in most everything I buy. Actually, there is a very slim chance me and the family will be going to Wyoming this summer, to attend a wedding (not sure if I'd consider wearing it "to" the wedding however) of a family friend. I'd figure it a good thing to take it along.

 

[Michaelshane]

That's why they call it a cattleman's crease.I would say a western dress hat.It would be fine at a wedding.Mine goes with me to church more than any other hat I own.

 

[The Good]

Well, if I'm known for wearing this hat frequently enough, I'm not sure if it will be qualified much anymore for formal wedding wear. From how often I'm wearing it now, it's almost become my "everyday hat," even though I do not in fact wear a hat every day.

 

[kyboots]

Thanks for clarifying that, flexibility is exactly what I need in a hat. I try to go for that in most everything I buy. Actually, there is a very slim chance me and the family will be going to Wyoming this summer, to attend a wedding (not sure if I'd consider wearing it "to" the wedding however) of a family friend. I'd figure it a good thing to take it along.

I would absoulutely wear it to a wedding in Wyoming; what more perfect place to wear it? It is a great look and I think a "dressy hat look". Because it is so commonly associated with LBJ, etc. I think it creates a really smart attire for a young man. Set's him off in a complimentery way.It's a given. -----John

 

[RBH]

That's why they call it a cattleman's crease.I would say a western dress hat.It would be fine at a wedding.Mine goes with me to church more than any other hat I own.

I agree with you MS, I would call it a western dress instead of just a cowboy hat.
Up until a short while ago I did not consider thin ribboned hats to be western styles at all, now I do.

 

[Neophyte]

I agree with you MS, I would call it a western dress instead of just a cowboy hat.
Up until a short while ago I did not consider thin ribboned hats to be western styles at all, now I do.

If you don't mind, I'm curious as to what changed your mind.