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[Frunobulax]

I think their strategy is ... hey lets make crappy hats at high prices so people think they are high quality and live off what our name used to be until they catch on

Now that Deckard's gone...yeah.

 

[moontheloon]

Now that Deckard's gone...yeah.

Even when he was there the majority of their offerings were highly questionable

There is no doubt that the projects he spearheaded where of their highest quality. But none of it is worth those price points

The NY for example... I could have Art Fawcett , Bob at Black Sheep or most any other hatter make me a much nicer custom for that price


Sent from my space aged handheld communication device and universal translator

 

[Frunobulax]

Even when he was there the majority of their offerings were highly questionable

There is no doubt that the projects he spearheaded where of their highest quality. But none of it is worth those price points

The NY for example... I could have Art Fawcett , Bob at Black Sheep or most any other hatter make me a much nicer custom for that price


Sent from my space aged handheld communication device and universal translator

Gus Miller at Batsakes stopped carrying Stetsons because of the quality. My local hatter (who is a friend of Deckard's) once told me that, though they carry Stetsons, they have to physically inspect every shipment, and often perform remedial actions on them, such as fixing ribbons and sweats. She also told me there is a nearly 50% return rate (from the dealer, not the consumer) on their hats.

I'm very happy with the few modern ones I have, but don't actively seek them out like I did a few years ago.

 

[moontheloon]

Gus Miller at Batsakes stopped carrying Stetsons because of the quality. My local hatter (who is a friend of Deckard's) once told me that, though they carry Stetsons, they have to physically inspect every shipment, and often perform remedial actions on them, such as fixing ribbons and sweats. She also told me there is a nearly 50% return rate (from the dealer, not the consumer) on their hats.

I'm very happy with the few modern ones I have, but don't actively seek them out like I did a few years ago.

You definitely lucked out with some nice ones... as did Bob

I've had a few decent ones ... but I picked them out of a stack of eh at hat shops

I'm convinced Hat Co.'s quality and price stubbornness is the reason Akubra moves the units that it does

They have found a formula where the price meets the quality




Sent from my space aged handheld communication device and universal translator

 

[Redfokker]

The Excellent Quality (go figure...) Stratoliner that Moon made available is probably an anomaly, it is a nice hat. I seem to remember him saying he had to go through the batch to get a good one. The only problem I see is the lack of a substantial quality sweat, and the cheap looking stamping. I'm happy with this modern Strat and wear it often.

My next test of the current status of the brand will be an order I have in at my Haberdasher for a Milan Stratoliner in gray. I am prepared to make him send as many back as needed to get a good one. The sweat band on the "special edition" (I know, Stetson is all over the place on nomenclature) was actually substantial, thick and worthy. He said something about this model not being available in gray, have to do more Stetson research.

Spend your money with our custom hatters, no brainer.

 

[Frunobulax]

The Excellent Quality (go figure...) Stratoliner that Moon made available is probably an anomaly, it is a nice hat. I seem to remember him saying he had to go through the batch to get a good one. The only problem I see is the lack of a substantial quality sweat, and the cheap looking stamping. I'm happy with this modern Strat and wear it often.

My next test of the current status of the brand will be an order I have in at my Haberdasher for a Milan Stratoliner in gray. I am prepared to make him send as many back as needed to get a good one. The sweat band on the "special edition" (I know, Stetson is all over the place on nomenclature) was actually substantial, thick and worthy. He said something about this model not being available in gray, have to do more Stetson research.

Spend your money with our custom hatters, no brainer.

I think the sweats on my Royal Deluxes and Excellent are just fine. I believe they were advertised as sheepskin.

As far as those Milan Strats, most of us went down that road a few years ago when they were introduced and most of us have since unloaded them or put them in the back of the closet. The hemp Milans seemed to be nicer. But even so, for a few extra $$, you can get a Peters Bros hemp Milan custom made.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Would never ever pay full retail for any Stetson. Custom beaver at a $250 price point wins every time. My 5 earlier recent production Stetsons that I purchased (when I first started wearing) were all bought on sale from internet vendors for less then $150. Some were NOS. Some had minor issues...
My 4 most current production Stetsons purchased recently (about 3 years later) from the Stetson/Hatco outlet cost between $90 and $125. Two were Royal Deluxe Quality and the other Excellent Quality. The fourth was a Stetson "grade" 8 Panama straw for abt $49. All were basically in great shape with no imperfections or production flaws. All these hats would have retailed between $200 to $300. Would I pay that retail? No. As I said custom wins every time but yes, I was lucky!
Now I will only purchase Stetson from the Outlet.

 

[DJH]

The only modern Stetson that I've ever owned, is an Open Road that I bought recently for my wife.

I believe this is Premier Quality, and I must say that the felt color, Sage looks great, I'd love to find a vintage OR in this shade for myself. The color is similar to my bluegrass Campdraft, but is much nicer than the Akubra felt.

The hat has a factory formed cattleman's crease, which was actually rather nicely done.

After having had the hat for a couple of weeks, she actually returned it to the shop because she decided she needed a smaller size. This had to be a special order so we are going to have to wait for a couple of months for HatCo to make it. Hopefully it will be as good as the original.


Cheers! David

 

[addison]

Hello friends,
I live in WI but will be in Minneapolis next weekend, so I get a chance to do some fedora shopping!
Any suggestions as to the best places for fedoras in the Twin Cities area?
Thanks!

 

[RJR]

Hello friends,
I live in WI but will be in Minneapolis next weekend, so I get a chance to do some fedora shopping!
Any suggestions as to the best places for fedoras in the Twin Cities area?
Thanks!

I'm sure Eric(short balding guy)will chime in with recs.

 

[Royalist]

Hello everyone,
I am a college student from a southern State that needs a quality but inexpensive boater hat rather badly. It doesn't have to be the best there is, but it is important that it looks decent and stands up to heavy use in a hot climate where perspiration is a given. The highest I could go would be 60$. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[splintercellsz]

Depending on size, I'm sure you could find one on EBay, craigslist, or other online markets. I've come across one or two in local antique stores as well.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[Edward]

Here in the UK, Olney is pretty much the only option going, around GBP45, which is probably, what, fifty USD these days?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Hello everyone,
I am a college student from a southern State that needs a quality but inexpensive boater hat rather badly. It doesn't have to be the best there is, but it is important that it looks decent and stands up to heavy use in a hot climate where perspiration is a given. The highest I could go would be 60$. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I think Jeremy Garner got a Scala brand boater for around that price recently. Chk out the Boater thread.

 

[Redfokker]

I think Jeremy Garner got a Scala brand boater for around that price recently. Chk out the Boater thread.

Jeremy's boater looks quite nice for the money.

 

[Redfokker]

Hello everyone,
I am a college student from a southern State that needs a quality but inexpensive boater hat rather badly. It doesn't have to be the best there is, but it is important that it looks decent and stands up to heavy use in a hot climate where perspiration is a given. The highest I could go would be 60$. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I'm going to endorse an Ebay search as well. Modern boaters are quite functional, but nothing beats patina! What size?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Jeremy's boater looks quite nice for the money.

I agree.

 

[FedOregon]

Hello everyone,
I am a college student from a southern State that needs a quality but inexpensive boater hat rather badly. It doesn't have to be the best there is, but it is important that it looks decent and stands up to heavy use in a hot climate where perspiration is a given. The highest I could go would be 60$. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I've seen several on ebay recently for around $45 - $60. Also on Etsy. What's your size? I've seen them from size 7-3/8 to size 7-5/8.

 

[FedOregon]

I don't know where else to put this...

Anybody got plans for the eclipse on Monday, 8/21? We get about 59 seconds of "totality" and the prosess takes about 2 hours from start to finish. My PhD bro from Cali is coming up for the weekend and wants to stay with us and then drive to an area that gets double the totality, about 2 minutes. I'm guessing he's just asking to get stuck in a huge traffic jam en route and will have to watch from his car in the middle of the road.

I think I'll stay home and watch (if it's not cloudy or raining)! Although, there's a small town down the road that gets about 30 seconds more than we do.... maybe a picnic in the city park???

I'm still thinking about what hat to wear.... so what's the best eclipse hat????

Maybe an Indy hat?

A straw hat?

A Disney just because of the huge circus it's going to be, or something festive to celebrate???

What's your pick for the best Solar Eclipse Hat for 2017?

 

[KarlCrow]

the lightest coloured felt, it cools down and in case someone needs tofind you in the dusk.