Quintessential modern production fedora.

johnnycanuck said:

Lots of Stetson love here.
One question I have Is how does it fair with daily wear in wet or snowy weather?
Another is where does one buy them?
Johnny

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I got mine at Meyer the Hatrer in New Orleans. They recommended spraying it with scotchgard or something similar if I planned to have it out in the rain or snow a lot. I did spray it, which did not affect the feel of the felt, but I have not had it out on the rain enough to judge how it will hold up. (I think the current scotchgard is different from the original formula, which was phased out due to concerns about some of the chemical components.)

I unserstabd Akubras come pretreated with some kind of waterproofing. Either Stetsons don't, or the guy at Meywr wanted to make sure I wouldn't be able to complain about the hat getting ruined in the rain.

It would be interesting to know if Stetson's cowboy hats handle the rain differently than their fedoras.

They also sell them at JJ Hat Center in New York, but I assume their are numerous stores that do.

I have 3 of the current crop of Stetsons: a Stetsonian, an Excellent Quality Stratoliner (the green/tan number many of us saw on the Lounge), and a Boss Raw Edge re-issue.

The Stetsonian is one of my favorite hats. The felt is good quality and the dimensions are classic. I have it in tawny and would have bought a gray one as soon as they were available if it had any color ribbon other than black.

My Strat, as noted, is green with tan ribbon and trim. The Excellent Quality felt is easy to shape and lighter than most modern hats I own. I wear this hat frequently and get complimented on it nearly every time I do.

The Boss is a cowboy hat, so its felt is considerably heavier than either the Strat or Stetsonian. Mine is silverbelly with just a center dent, so it has very iconic Western look to it. It also garners compliments and admiring looks whenever i wear it.

I bought the Stetsonian and Strat from Delmonico Hats in New Haven and the Boss from JJ Hat Center in NYC. Both stores were a pleasure to work with.

All 3 of these Stetsons have been in the rain several times with no ill effects. However, my go-to rain hat is my moonstone (light gray) Akubra Federation IV. This hat is not as refined as the Stetsonian or Strat, but it is still very stylish and tough as nails.

So, if you are willing to spend 200-300 bucks on a new production hat, Stetson has a couple of great choices (the Racine, Grand Central, and several other models look just as attractive to me as the ones I own, but I have not had the chance to handle them in person). I love some of the more adventurous colors that Deckard put on the Stetsons in recent seasons.

If you are on a budget, you can't go wrong with Akubra. Their hats are incredibly durable and well worth owning on their own merits, plus they are quite affordable.

There are a number of good custom hatters who offer their wares in the same price range as Stetson, so I can see why many out there might question such a purchase. I felt like I wanted to support the grand old brand's efforts to revive its former quality and style and I have not been disappointed.

johnnycanuck said:

Lots of Stetson love here.
One question I have Is how does it fair with daily wear in wet or snowy weather?
Another is where does one buy them?
Johnny

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Johnny (and this is tongue in cheek from a countryman) - how can an Albertan ask - "where can I buy a Stetson".

You better hurry cause they just closed another one in Calgary.

makitright said:

Johnny (and this is tongue in cheek from a countryman) - how can an Albertan ask - "where can I buy a Stetson".

You better hurry cause they just closed another one in Calgary.

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You can buy a Stetson cowboy hat almost anywhere in the province. Fedora is another story. Also any American product usually costs 30% more in store than mail-order. Besides if I was to buy a cowboy hat it would be Smithbilt all the way it is Alberta after all.

Closed what?

Johnny

johnnycanuck said:

You can buy a Stetson cowboy hat almost anywhere in the province. Fedora is another story. Also any American product usually costs 30% more in store than mail-order. Besides if I was to buy a cowboy hat it would be Smithbilt all the way it is Alberta after all.

Closed what?

Johnny

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A Calgary shop selling all things western - name escapes me - just closed last week after 100 years or so (or close to it).

I agree with you, buying online from U.S. sellers makes more sense - even with our weak dollar. I get all my U.S. purchases sent to a holding warehouse just across the border and go down to pick up stuff 4 or 5 times a year. Free shipping in U.S. turns out to be $50 or $60 shipped across the border...plus all the taxes and duty adds another pile of cash. My memory sometimes falters when I head back home. My hatless head going in is somehow hatted coming home. Very strange.

Hate to say that the Fedora is not the quintessential fedora, but they seem to have a low crown and taper which leave me cold. Fed IV or CampDraft seem to fit the niche in my view. Squatter and Bushman are not far off the pace.

After these, I would go custom.

Fed

I would have thought that the Campdraft was going to walk away with this....
But the Stetsonian's amazing showing here is a surprise to me....wow!
A couple years ago, I would have thought the Fed IV would have dominated, but as of late there is so much love shown for the Akubra thin ribbon...and a bit of animosity towards new Stetsons....but this thread has definitely got me thinking, that I have to check out a Stetsonian....thats one I'm really not that familier with...

Bird Lives said:

I would have thought that the Campdraft was going to walk away with this....
But the Stetsonian's amazing showing here is a surprise to me....wow!
A couple years ago, I would have thought the Fed IV would have dominated, but as of late there is so much love shown for the Akubra thin ribbon...and a bit of animosity towards new Stetsons....but this thread has definitely got me thinking, that I have to check out a Stetsonian....thats one I'm really not that familier with...

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It is one of the best modern mass produced hats available today.
Not many modern Stetsons are much to speak of but the stetsonian knocks it out of the park.
.... Now it's alotta hat as far as fedoras go ... So if that is something you're not used to you might look elsewhere
I like me alotta hat

I can answer for the Italian production.
My knowledge of Akubra production is small and Australian hats that I had in my hand gave me an impression of acceptable finish and sturdiness. Nothing so special.
A part of the Borsalino production well worth the money to which it is sold.
You must be patient and choose well. In the upper price range from $ 250 almost everyone has superior quality.
The production of Cervo and Barbisio is, here in Italy is subject to profound changes in the quality, it is excellent especially for export hats. Some are sold in the United States in the medium-high prices.
Guerra 1855 builds good hats.
The current Panizza production is often medium-low end.
I had in the past weeks a contact with Spanish hats (Signes and others brands they sold) and they are real good.
It is clear that in a world market for hats continuously decrease is difficult to maintain a high standard in mass production.
To speak the use of the works of hatters requires a separate chapter .......

Fed in a Fedora said:

Hate to say that the Fedora is not the quintessential fedora, but they seem to have a low crown and taper which leave me cold. Fed IV or CampDraft seem to fit the niche in my view. Squatter and Bushman are not far off the pace.

After these, I would go custom.

Fed

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5 1/2" open crown, on par with many vintage hats I've had. Taper? I bit, I guess, but it's in my wheelhouse...

I'll throw another into the mix
These are modern Borsalino Alessandria .
These are the closest thing to vintage that I have felt as far as major manufacturer made hats.
Extremely soft ... Very thin felt...Especially the dark gray for some reason... You can see in the Monster Bash thread how light and soft it is.
They are pricey but worth every penny to me .
they wear very much like many of my lighter weight vintage hats ...





Sent from my iPhone while orbiting the earth in a sea foam green 1957 Cadillac

For good measure this is the Stetsonian in question...color - Mink






Sent from my iPhone while orbiting the earth in a sea foam green 1957 Cadillac

moontheloon said:

For good measure this is the Stetsonian in question...color - Mink

Sent from my iPhone while orbiting the earth in a sea foam green 1957 Cadillac

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The color and bash are outstanding,Moon.

RJR said:

The color and bash are outstanding,Moon.

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thank you sir

Frunobulax said:

5 1/2" open crown, on par with many vintage hats I've had. Taper? I bit, I guess, but it's in my wheelhouse...

View attachment 56121 View attachment 56122​

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Totally agree, Jim. I have a vintage Champ from the '40s. I set it next to my Akubra Fedora and am hard-pressed to tell them apart. Same sized crowns and brims. The Fedora's taper is looks on par with the Champ's.
That said, I agree with the others on the Stetsonian. Best production hat I own. The six-inch open crown is marvelous.

I wish I had waited to get the Stetsonian in Mink. I got the early run with the lighter brown, whatever it's called, but I'd prefer the Mink. That's a nice crease. Mine doesn't crease that well.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

The flow of interesting hats from Hatco seems to have dried up since Matt departed.

That mink Stetsonian is outstanding Moon! I thought mink was a dark brown colour but on my monitor it has rather a deep rust hue to it.
Your photos always make great use of natural light.

Riley and McCormick closed. Very sad. Another 7500 sq. ft. of vacant downtown retail space.
I have always wanted a Stetson from The 'bay. I have had many smithbilt and sorry to say, they kinda make crap products. My FIL, a cowboy and lifelong Albertan (85 years and just got a new F-150) has always worn Stetsons. When I asked him why he never wore Smithbilt he opined that they hadn't made a hat worth the name for fifty years.

DJH said:

The flow of interesting hats from Hatco seems to have dried up since Matt departed.

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I agree and that is unfortunate in my opinion.