Open Road Popularity

[thunderw21]

Twice within roughly a month while wearing my vintage Open Road out in public I've had older gentlemen stop me and ask where I got it, both of them saying their fathers wore hats just like them. None of my other hats with similar large dimensions have recieved the same attention.

My grandpa, near the end of his life, wore an Open Road with a cattleman's crease.

Was the Open Road more popular than other fedoras back in the old days? Why does mine get so much more attention than my other fedoras I wear more often than my OP? The style? The thin ribbon? The attitude?

What draws people toward the OP and why doesn't that happen with other hats?

 

[Spatterdash]

My opinion is, based on older photos, the Open Road style hats were considered a fine hat because they could be city or country. They were a nice middle ground between a wide-ribboned fedora and a 4-inch brimmed cattleman's hat.

I've seen a couple of photos in older cafes and steakhouses showing groups of men in Open Roads or Stratoliners. Some have a sidepinched center dent like LBJ, while others have fedora styles. I once saw a photo where a guy was wearing one open-crowned.
I guess he was either undecided, or was just prepared for whatever came his way.

 

[KY Gentleman]

I don't know the answer to your question but I know my dad wore a Stetson Open Road when I was growing up and thats why I wanted to wear one. Back in the '60's-'70's in Kentucky, State Troopers wore them, I see in movies a lot of Troopers across the country wore them, too. Presidents Truman and Johnson wore them as well. I'd say it has been a pretty solid hat with authority figures and "Good Guys". But thats just my two cents. I like them still and just got a new one this week!

 

[mingoslim]

BUYER BEWARE!

There have been a lot of newer members talking about buying their first hats, etc. of late . . .
And there have also been a number of threads waxing eloquently about the Stetson Open Road . . .

Well, I love the OR . . . But if you are newer to vintage hats, be aware that the OR has been around for a long time, and the quality of the product has varied a lot through the ages . . .

I have recently seen Open Road hats on a well-known auction site that are touted as being "vintage" and "rare" 1930s and 1940s models. They are, in fact, much newer.

One is up right now, in fact, claiming to be a 1930s OR . . . Now I am not saying the seller is being dishonest . . . it is probably not his or her area of expertise . . . But from the pictures I can assure you that it is much newer. In fact, I am willing to bet that it is no older than the 1970s, and probably a far cry from the quality of a true vintage 1940s or 50s OR.

 

[PhilS]

What are the characteristics to look for?

I understand that quality varies over the years. When are the golden periods? What distinguishes them from others? How does one distinguish the great from the good from the mediocre?

 

[thunderw21]

I understand that quality varies over the years. When are the golden periods? What distinguishes them from others? How does one distinguish the great from the good from the mediocre?

One thing to look for is a brown sweatband if you want a pre-1960s hat. During the 1960s they switched from brown to black.

The 1920s-1950s was the 'Golden Era' of fedoras. After 1968 the quality of felt went downhill. Feel the felt of any hat you're looking to purchase.

Also look for tall crowns (4 1/2" or taller) with little to no taper and medium to wide brims (2 1/4" or greater).




As for the original topic, I think it very possible that the thin ribbon has something to do with its popularity and identifiability. Like Spatterdash pointed out, it added a 'country' taste to a city gentleman's fedora, creating a sort of middle ground. And the thin ribbon makes the hat appear more streamline and the dimensions larger though still nicely balanced.

Agree? Disagree?

 

[PhilS]

Thanks for the tips

On that certain computer sale site there is an open road in my size (7 3/8) which looks quite nice but I am uncertain of where it stands in the timeline. Your suggestions are helpful.

 

[epic610]

Just buy the sucker ....and enjoy it

it you really come to enjoy Open Roads, you will probably end up owning quite a few. in fact, as others on this forum may attest, you may have to own at least 3-4 before you can begin to appreciate the fine points of workmanship.

 

[thunderw21]

it you really come to enjoy Open Roads, you will probably end up owning quite a few. in fact, as others on this forum may attest, you may have to own at least 3-4 before you can begin to appreciate the fine points of workmanship.

This rings true to me. I owned 3-4 vintage lookalikes from other companies before I got an OP and it was then that I saw it for what it is.