Akubra Stylemaster / Stetson Chatham comparison

[Duper]

Hi, I own a Chatham in the tawny colour. I was wondering about a Stylemaster but besides the bound edge they seem very similar to me.

Anyone have both?

Also can anyone compare the Akubra acorn fawn to Stetson's tawny colour?

 

[carldelo]

I had both

I had both, but just recently sold my Acorn Fawn Stylemaster. I took quite a few pics and posted the measurements - the thread is here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=45729

I have a sage Chatham, and haven't seen the tawny color in person so can't comment on color. Dimension-wise, the Stylemaster is bigger all around - wider brim by 1/8", taller crown by 1/2".

The teardrop on the Chatham is wider and deeper and I prefer it. The SM teardrop has a sharp edge around the inside, is narrow, and not deep. The Chatham appears to have a straighter crown, but I'm not sure it does - both are tapered hats. The Stetson felt is thicker and softer than the SM, although everyone says it will soften up nicely with wear and wetting. The brim on mine made an audible snap, and swooped too low over my eyes for my taste. My Chatham doesn't snap much at all anymore, so I plan to have the brim bound as a remedy. The Akubra sweatband is much superior.

I sold the SM because it seemed generally too big on me, but many here post that it's their favorite hat. It was definitely good value, and is worth checking out - if you don't like it, it shouldn't be hard to flip to someone else here. Mine sold in a couple of weeks. Cheers, Carl

 

[Duper]

Thanks carldelo, I appreciate the info and the link. The Christy's Marlborough also offers a wide variety of colours in a similar style hat.

I did inquire with Hats Direct and Everything Australian and both are willing to take orders for an open crown version of the Stylemaster.

Here is HD's response:

The Stylemaster is available in an open crown. It used to be made in the Superfine felt as Open Crown. This option is no longer available. It's now available in the Imperial quality felt in Acorn, Black, Bluegrass Green, Carbon Grey, Mid Brown, Moonstone Grey and Navy on Special Order.

And EU's:

You are welcome to order a stylemaster with an open crown, please note that this would mean it would not be ready for 3 months. If you would like to order a hat like this, simply put in the special comments section of your order "OPEN CROWN - CONFIRMED IN EMAILS"

 

[Brent Hutto]

I own a Christy's Marlborough that briefly belonged to carldelo. I'll be interested to hear his comments on how it matched up with his Chatham.

For my part, the triangle crown on the Marlborough sits too low and rides at atop the crown of my head.

 

[CRH]

Thanks carldelo, I appreciate the info and the link. The Christy's Marlborough also offers a wide variety of colours in a similar style hat.

I did inquire with Hats Direct and Everything Australian and both are willing to take orders for an open crown version of the Stylemaster.

Here is HD's response:

The Stylemaster is available in an open crown. ...

Hallelujah!


:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[carldelo]

I own a Christy's Marlborough that briefly belonged to carldelo. I'll be interested to hear his comments on how it matched up with his Chatham.

For my part, the triangle crown on the Marlborough sits too low and rides at atop the crown of my head.

The Marlborough and Chatham are pretty close in size - but neither touched the top of my head, so differences would be less apparent to me. The Christy's felt was smoother and softer than Akubra (by a little), but not as thick as Stetson. Finish levels are similar all around, the Christy's sweat is between Akubra and Stetson in quality, I think. I wonder if you could rebash the crown to give your dome some more room up there?

 

[marvelgoose]

I wonder if you could rebash the crown to give your dome some more room up there?

When Optimo did a clean and block on mine they raised the crown a bit by making the c-crown shallower.

Of the two hats, I liked my Stylemaster most until I got the Chatham back from Optimo with the ribbon change and brim binding. Now, I wear the Chatham more and save the Stylemaster for rainy days.

Excepting unforeseen downpours, of course.

 

[guillaumeb]

I can't seem to find the Marlborough on Chrisy's website. have they stopped selling it ?

 

[jlee562]

Seems to be a lot of old threads being resurrected for some strange reason?

That seems to be a safe assumption, Guillaume.