Biltmore Eleganza vs. the Stetson Chatham

[Blackjack]

I'm tossing a coin here to decide which one to buy, or the Stetson Downs. Does anyone have some first hand experience with the Biltmore E????

 

[B.J. Hedberg]

I can’t offer advice on the Downs, but I can say I prefer the feel of Biltmore’s Eleganza felt to that of my Stetson’s. It’s also seems to hold a re-bash well, but is a little thin on top. Of course my advice should be taken with a grain of salt, as all three of my Stetson’s are only Royal quality.

 

[carldelo]

Sovereign felt feels significantly softer than Royal felt, if that's what you like, so my Chatham has a more refined feel than my Ashlands (the Ashland is essentially a Downs with a underwelt brim, sold by Bencraft). My Chatham brim has rippled a bit from my neglect and I may have it bound. The Ashlands have held up very well and are daily hats for me - I really like the underwelt brim.

The Eleganza is a silk-finish, so is completely different in appearance. I tried one on and it was too shiny for my taste. If a silk finish is of interest, there is the Stetson Hampton (discontinued, but there are some out there). It is the same shape as the Chatham, with a silk finish and a bound brim. I have one in graphite that is really nice, much more dressy than the Chatham. I'm not sure why it seems less ostentatious than the Eleganza, but it does.

 

[Blackjack]

That and I understand the Chatham has a rather low crown. I wish I could see a picture of someone actually wearing one...

 

[carldelo]

That and I understand the Chatham has a rather low crown. I wish I could see a picture of someone actually wearing one...

Well the Chatham, Downs, Ashland, Hampton and the new Whippet are all exactly the same size and shape of crown, 4" to the center dent. That shape looks low on some, perfect on others (myself, for instance). The differences are felt quality, brim edge treatment, ribbon size and available colors. The brims are usually 2-3/8, except the Ashlands are 2-1/4. Also, note that Bencraft offers their own version of the Chatham with a 2-3/4 brim (unique to them).

As I recall, the Eleganza crown is not noticeably taller than a Chatham, but I didn't measure it. The brim is 2-1/2, so also in the same ballpark. If you're looking for a taller crown in a similar classic teardrop fedora, you might consider an Akubra Stylemaster - it has a noticeably larger crown than my Stetsons, to the extent that I sold mine, but only because the proportions didn't look right on me. It's a nice lid.

 

[B.J. Hedberg]

I second carldelo's statement on crown height. The Eleganza is definitely a low crown hat.

As I recall, the Eleganza crown is not noticeably taller than a Chatham, but I didn't measure it. The brim is 2-1/2, so also in the same ballpark. If you're looking for a taller crown in a similar classic teardrop fedora, you might consider an Akubra Stylemaster - it has a noticeably larger crown than my Stetsons, to the extent that I sold mine, but only because the proportions didn't look right on me. It's a nice lid.