Akubra Stylemaster instant favorite...but now a question...

[Tampahound]

A startling knock at the door late this morning was the mailman with a box from Australia! Welcome Akubra Stylemaster!

Love at first sight is possible, at least as far as hats go, but as I plan to order a Fed IV a decision looms. Do I get a standard or deluxe when I order?

The question: Is the felt of the Stylemaster more like the standard FedIV or more like the deluxe FedIV?

 

[Sargon]

Both the standard Fed IV and the Stylemaster are Imperial Quality felt. This being said the Fed IV ships open crown and is very easy to shape. Once shaped you can easily knock the dents out and re-bash if desired - something that would be very difficult with the Stylemaster. The deluxe uses an even softer grade of felt called Heritage.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I also wore my new grey Stylemaster for the first time yesterday, and I have to say I'm smitten too! For five years, I have felt that my Federation (III) was just a little too big, and the 2-3/8" brim and 4-1/8" crown (I just measured) on this Stylemaster suits me much better.

My other observation is that the felt feels a little thinner than my other Imperial-grade Akubras, and is softer and more pliable (my Federation has never really softened with wear). Without using steam or water, I made the front dents larger, going down all the way to the band, and the change held immediately. This hat also has a rusty gold colored lining, not the typical white Akubra lining.

Yes, the Mid-Grey (per Everything Australian)/Steel Grey (per Hats Direct)/Carbon Grey (per official Akubra site Stock Products Fashion section) - whichever it actually is, or all three if they're really the same shade - is pretty dark. The hat looks black in low light. But my Caribou Stetson Temple already has the light gray thing covered, so I'm okay with this dark shade.

It's a very elegant hat, and I'm definitely going to wear the hell out of it!

 

[jazzncocktails]

Color?

A startling knock at the door late this morning was the mailman with a box from Australia! Welcome Akubra Stylemaster!

Love at first sight is possible, at least as far as hats go, but as I plan to order a Fed IV a decision looms. Do I get a standard or deluxe when I order?

The question: Is the felt of the Stylemaster more like the standard FedIV or more like the deluxe FedIV?

Is that a mid-gray, Tampahound? I have a Moonstone on back order, supposed to be ready at the end of the month. I just received my Tawny Fawn Fed IV standard (oddly including a Deluxe leather sweatband, a bonus) yesterday. But the Tawny Fawn brown is much darker than I expected from the HD photos and the discussions with the sales team by e-mail. It looks like a great hat--haven't bashed it yet--but that Stylemaster's looking pretty sweet.

 

[Gilgamark]

I have my mid-gray Stylesmaster for about three weeks now, and it is a darker gray. It's a blue gray and the tones tend to pick up the colors around it.

How dark is that tawny fawn? I'm thinking of ordering a Fed IV in that. Also thinking of a moonstone Fed IV. I need a light gray, and moonstone looks like such a nice color.

 

[jazzncocktails]

I have my mid-gray Stylesmaster for about three weeks now, and it is a darker gray. It's a blue gray and the tones tend to pick up the colors around it.

How dark is that tawny fawn? I'm thinking of ordering a Fed IV in that. Also thinking of a moonstone Fed IV. I need a light gray, and moonstone looks like such a nice color.

I expected the Tawny Fawn to be more like a camel's hair blonde...this from the photo on Hats Direct's webpage and from the comparative description of it by the staff at HD--they were quite kind in helping me decide between the tawny standard and the Deluxe Heritage Fawn. For my money, the Tawny Fawn looks more like the Heritage Fawn's photo...which means the Deluxe Heritage is probably a bit darker.

Here are some out-of-the-box shots; it is as yet unbashed as I decide how to approach it:

In terms of color and tone, the photo of it still in the box above is probably the best representation.

This one gives a good sense of it outdoors without a flash, although it still looks a bit lighter than in person.

Also an outdoor shot that makes it look lighter; the most representative color, as I said, is the shot of the brim in the box above. Indoor shots, especially with a flash, make the color look yellower/golder than it is.

And that's my dilemma. HD staff suggested it had more yellow in the tone than the Heritage Fawn of the Deluxe. But I don't see that tone here really. Still, it's a beautiful lid...but I may keep that Stylemaster in Moonstone on order to see if that gray is lighter (despite the very painful meeting with my tax accountant yesterday...still smarting )

 

[jazzncocktails]

Apologies to Tampahound!

My apologies, Tampahound, if it looks like I'm hijacking your thread, above (or if I actually have)...didn't want to turn this into another Fed IV thread...just wanted to demonstrate the Tawny color, which I imagine is very like the Acorn that the Stylemaster comes in.

 

[carldelo]

Tampahound, your Stylemaster is looking good - makes me glad I ordered one. Dr. S. - I'm happy to hear the brim is on the low of side of 2.5". Hope mine has that peachy colored liner too. Tampa, I think you should get the Deluxe - it's more money, sure, but you'll probably appreciate it every time you put it on.

And thanks JnC, even if a slight hijacking, the color shots of your lid make me look forward to my acorn Stylemaster even more. May seems like a long time to wait.

 

[Tampahound]

Is that a mid-gray, Tampahound? I have a Moonstone on back order, supposed to be ready at the end of the month. I just received my Tawny Fawn Fed IV standard (oddly including a Deluxe leather sweatband, a bonus) yesterday. But the Tawny Fawn brown is much darker than I expected from the HD photos and the discussions with the sales team by e-mail. It looks like a great hat--haven't bashed it yet--but that Stylemaster's looking pretty sweet.

Thanks jazzncocktails and yes it is the mid-gray. In low light conditions it looks very dark, but seems lighter in other conditions. I have a Stetson Temple in caribou so a Moonstone Akubra will have to wait until after a dark brown one! My next will be a FedIV, but I could see me acquiring another Stylemaster in the future! It feels more like my vintage hats than like my other new ones!

I hope you enjoy your Moonstone, when that back-order gets filled, as I'm enjoying my mid-gray! I don't feel hijacked btw

And thanks to everyone for the kind words about my hat!

 

[jazzncocktails]

I could see me acquiring another Stylemaster in the future! It feels more like my vintage hats than like my other new ones!

Great recommendation...I'll keep my moonstone Stylemaster on back order on the basis of those words of praise alone. Thanks!

 

[Mid-fogey]

Lookin' Good...

...I'm thinking of a Stylemaster myself. I'm thinking of a darker brown. As it is, all of my hats have a raw edge and I'd like to get one with a bound edge.