Akubra Stylemaster thoughts and opinions

[ninman]

So I've kind of gotten the hat bug now, and for my next purchase I'm looking at something a bit more conservative, so I thought the Akubra Stylemaster might be a good one to try out. How do people rate it?

The other question is, should I branch out and buy other brands, like maybe a Stetson Whippet, or even a Borsalino? I'm not too inclined to do that because I know that Akubra make good hats that can stand up to the weather (it rains a lot where I live), and I don't want to buy a hat, wear it in the rain and have it shrink and warp like crazy.

I mean, how is the felt on a Stetson hat? Is it durable and good in the rain?

What do you guys think, should I go for a Stylemaster?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Stylemaster has too much crown taper for me.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Question for you? You didnt get a Penman Raiders cuz of the bucks correct? The Whippets and Borsa are almost as much, arent they...?

 

[ninman]

Question for you? You didnt get a Penman Raiders cuz of the bucks correct? The Whippets and Borsa are almost as much, arent they...?

I thought a Whippet was only around $175 USD, which is around £125. The major reason I don't want to get a hat from the US is that I got badly burned by that last time having to pay import duty and way too much for shipping.

 

[LuvMyMan]

I thought a Whippet was only around $175 USD, which is around £125. The major reason I don't want to get a hat from the US is that I got badly burned by that last time having to pay import duty and way too much for shipping.

If you decide to buy an Akubra, you will have a good hat. Yes the Stylemaster has some real taper to the crown, BUT the Campdraft does not! You also can check out a few hats that Esther Weiss makes, she is in Belgium and can give you a custom made hat for close to the price of a Stylemaster. You can find her posting some place around the "hats" part of the forums here.

 

[ninman]

If you decide to buy an Akubra, you will have a good hat. Yes the Stylemaster has some real taper to the crown, BUT the Campdraft does not! You also can check out a few hats that Esther Weiss makes, she is in Belgium and can give you a custom made hat for close to the price of a Stylemaster. You can find her posting some place around the "hats" part of the forums here.

Yeah, but I like the traditional fedora look. You know the gentleman with a suit and his fedora, or a detective with a trench coat and a fedora, that kind of look. I thought the stylemaster had that nice sort of really smart, gentleman, suit wearing look to it.

 

[Knotten]

Given what you've described, I would go for an Akubra Sydney, instead, which also goes by the name Fedora when sold in Australia. It's got a little taper, but not like the Stylemaster, and it comes open crown, so you can have the fun of shaping it to your liking. It's a smart-looking hat for about the same price as the Stylemaster, and it handles any kind of weather.

 

[addison]

I am interested in the Stylemaster (or possibly a Whippet or Borsolino alternative) also, but I am in the learning stage like you, so I'll just tag this thread for awhile...I do think you are wise to make a priority of getting one that is "weather-worthy." The Akubra is a strong choice for that reason.

 

[johnnycanuck]

It is as good as any Akubra hat. It does have a low and tapered crown. If you are fine with that, enjoy. Out of my casual Akubra hats I prefer my Coolabah over the cattleman because the taper looks good on me with the wider brim. But that's just my opinion.
Maybe check out Northwest hats. Have a hat made up to you liking. Very reasonable and you can check out his work on his Facebook page.
http://www.northwesthats.com/site/de3931aa00ca474687e4492ca162c5ee#2774
Johnny

 

[ninman]

Given what you've described, I would go for an Akubra Sydney, instead, which also goes by the name Fedora when sold in Australia. It's got a little taper, but not like the Stylemaster, and it comes open crown, so you can have the fun of shaping it to your liking. It's a smart-looking hat for about the same price as the Stylemaster, and it handles any kind of weather.

I'm not sure I really want an open crown hat though, because the only style I know how to do is a centre crease pinch front. What's wrong with having a hat with a bit of taper on it?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Great hat, looks great on everyone, matches with anything. Better made than hats costing lots more. And tough as nails - after nine years of rain and snow, mine still looks brand new.

The Stylemaster has long had my default recommendation for folks looking for a classic fedora who aren't hung up on the whole taper thing. It's not dauntingly large to neophyte hat wearers like the Campdraft or Federation can seem. Understated and elegant!

 

[Doctor Strange]

The anti-taper thing largely comes out of the Indy crowd who insist on fedoras with stovepipe-straight sides. There's nothing wrong with some taper, and it can look great with the right face/head shape.

 

[LuvMyMan]

I'm not sure I really want an open crown hat though, because the only style I know how to do is a centre crease pinch front. What's wrong with having a hat with a bit of taper on it?

Hello. I guess it is all a matter of personal taste in hats. You know if you could try on some fedora hats it may give you a "feel" for what looks best on you. No matter what however, an Akubra hat has a super good track record for making good quality hats. As to a Campdraft, yes they are a thin ribbon hat, but you can also check out the hats they make that look like an Indiana Jones style hat! There are so many options open for you. My best to you for you to find what you love to wear and then enjoy!

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Oh dear.....does this mean we can look forward to some new threads on how to shape a 'Stylemaster' because you can't get it as you want it...

How about getting in some wear time with your Adventurer & Fed IV before considering a new hat.

 

[ninman]

Oh dear.....does this mean we can look forward to some new threads on how to shape a 'Stylemaster' because you can't get it as you want it...

How about getting in some wear time with your Adventurer & Fed IV before considering a new hat.

What's wrong with wanting to have a bit of variety in my wardrobe?

 

[LuvMyMan]

So I've kind of gotten the hat bug now, and for my next purchase I'm looking at something a bit more conservative, so I thought the Akubra Stylemaster might be a good one to try out. How do people rate it?

The other question is, should I branch out and buy other brands, like maybe a Stetson Whippet, or even a Borsalino? I'm not too inclined to do that because I know that Akubra make good hats that can stand up to the weather (it rains a lot where I live), and I don't want to buy a hat, wear it in the rain and have it shrink and warp like crazy.

I mean, how is the felt on a Stetson hat? Is it durable and good in the rain?

What do you guys think, should I go for a Stylemaster?

I should add for you, I am not too sure how the newer Stetson hats handle rain. I can say the vintage Stetsons seem to do fairly well, but that is only feedback I observe from others as crazy as it may sound, we here do not wear our Fedora Hats out in bad weather, we "baby" them too much!

 

[ninman]

Out of interest, what hat does Humphrey Bogart wear in Cassablanca?

 

[moontheloon]

The anti-taper thing largely comes out of the Indy crowd who insist on fedoras with stovepipe-straight sides. There's nothing wrong with some taper, and it can look great with the right face/head shape.

I believe it comes from those who enjoy the look of a late 30s and 40s style hat when the diamond bash became popular and gave even somewhat tapered hats a boxy look.... I know all those old movies have made an enormous impression on me

I don't mind seeing taper on folks ... just don't like it much on me

 

[LuvMyMan]

What's wrong with wanting to have a bit of variety in my wardrobe?

Go for it! Most of us have a good variety of different Fedora hats!

 

[LuvMyMan]

Out of interest, what hat does Humphrey Bogart wear in Cassablanca?

I am sure someone here can answer that, as it has been debated about a few times. I am not sure but maybe a Cavanagh hat?