At the Dog Track... The Whippets

[randooch]

I think the twins are happy to be reunited after all these years!

Aawwww, how CUTE!

 

[LocktownDog]

Love it.

 

[bowlerman]

I know you love those contrasting ribbons, David, but that matching one is stunning. Love it! Mum and Dad must be so happy to have the twins reunited too!

 

[Txmason]

What's a whippitt? And where can I get one those are cool!

 

[Aureliano]

It's whippet and that's the name of a model put out by Stetson. As someone suggested you before in a different thread, most vintage hats--including the stetson whippet, stratoliner, flagship, Playboy, etc models as well as other hat brands such as Dobbs, Portis, Pilgrim, Knox, Borsalino, Adam, Lee, etc--can be found in antiques shops, online auction sites and here in the classifieds. Hope this helps you out, I've seen your posts inquiring about where to find hats, welcome to the lounge, now you know

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

What's a whippitt? And where can I get one those are cool!

What Ale said is true but also to remember to bring Loads of money to purchase one. Two to Four hundred dollars should do.

 

[Mario]

I still don't get that Whippet craze. Nuts... [huh]

 

[Benzadmiral]

I still don't get that Whippet craze. Nuts... [huh]

I don't get the idea of paying those kinds of bucks for one, either. But the hats -- and their cousins the Royal Stetsons -- are spectacular. I have two RSs; the dark brown is my all-time favorite hat, and the grey is almost as nice.

 

[RichardH]

I was lucky enough to go fishing in our favorite spot and catch myself the twin of my Bluegrass Whippet.

This one is light grey with grey ribbon and also has the OPS tag. Of the two, I think it must be slightly the older since it has the stars in the Stetson logo rather than the leaf - unless Stetson was just using up old inventory of liners.

I think the twins are happy to be reunited after all these years!

That whippet (the light grey one) is the most beautiful fedora I've ever seen!

 

[DJH]

Thanks Richard. This is certainly one of my favorites. Took a long time to find but I think it was worth the wait.

 

[DJH]

Been a while since there was a Whippet posted here.
I was lucky to be able to purchase another - in this case from fellow Lounger (and great hat maker) TonyB.

This one is grey with black ribbon, slightly younger than my other two, I'd say mid to late 50's, maybe 60's for this one. Stetson had transitioned the brim size from 2 5/8 to 2 1/2 when this Whippet was made. The new grey is a cooler and slightly lighter felt than my other grey Whippet.

Here's a new shot of the pack...

 

[Short Balding Guy]

David; Ruff, ruff! I add my barks of approval. It is a magnificent pack of Whippets. The colors are all sweet. If they were kenneled at my house I can easily imagine which clothing would demand which color canine fedora. Congrats sir! You should be styling!

The Whippet is an iconic hat. The dimensions, details and color sensibilities have combined to make it a classic hat. Folks can debate the reasonableness of the market price all day. But once that conversation is over, the hat wears stylishly. Yes the are classics. I so appreciate that you, David, as well as others showcase their hats being worn daily. Non-hat aficionadas always speak openly with comments about my Whippets or Whippet-esk fedoras. That suggests that the hat shape and characteristics are approved and well known.

By my observation, David, the crease that you most often use, center crease, offers the eye the best vision of the hat. It brings out the straighter crown block, with the slight tapering of the sides to the start of the crease. Structure, but the illusion of softness as it drapes into the crease. Love it!

Thanks for the observations regarding the felt differences in the different hats sir. Interesting variations.

From it’s introduction in the late 30’s thru today the Whippet is a classic. Your pics contribute to the showcase of these iconic hats.

Appreciating the pack, Eric -

 

[alanfgag]

Here's a new shot of the pack...

I share Mario's sentiment above, but you've creased these dogs beautifully. Well done, David.

woof woof!

 

[DJH]

Thanks, Eric and Alan.

I really enjoy wearing hats of the Whippet style. I think Stetson (and the other hat companies making very similar models) got something right in the balance of the design elements, something they have managed to lose today.

Are vintage Whippets worth the large amounts that people are prepared to pay today? I'm actually also with Mario on this one. When I see a good condition vintage Whippet it always strikes me that while a nice hat, it doesn't really compete with the S100, the 7XCB and other old Stetson models. Heck I think it was at the low end of Stetson's quality scale at the time.

I've been very lucky in that wearing a small size and being patient has let me acquire these hats at really good prices - I know that I bought all 3 for less than many have paid for just one.

I just checked Amazon and they are selling the modern "Whippet" for $175. That's about the total I paid for my two grey ones combined - I know which deal I prefer! To be fair, it isn't often I find an unworn O.P.S. tagged Whippet hiding in plain sight on eBay for $80 There is one on eBay at the moment with a $499 BIN price for a 6 7/8 size. Can't see that happening, but who knows!

Hopefully some other Loungers will find some fast doggies at good prices. It is always nice to see new ones posted here, especially in some unusual colours.

 

[seabass]

Djh
awesome whippet ! Color is fantastic.

 

[seabass]

""Whip-it""
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw

 

[cookie]

I still don't get that Whippet craze. Nuts... [huh]

When you wear one you will know why!

 

[Rudie]

I love the Whippet I bought from Alan one or two years ago. It's a small size and I got it for a decent price. But at the end of the day I usually find myself grabbing one of my two Borsos and the Whippet hardly gets any wear at all. I prefer the look and the floppier felt of the Borsos. I really don't get the craze either.

 

[fedoracentric]

I think I get why the Whippets are so expensive. They are a great looking style. Seems to me when someone thinks fedora and sees a Whippet, that's the perfect example of what they'd be thinking a fedora looks like in their head. Also, I understand the craze bidding. I've seen other collectibles go like that and many wonder what the heck is going on. Often, though, the high prices plateau and then often go down a bit (or even crash). So, I hope people paying tall cash for a vintage Whippet doesn't imagine tht their $400 hat will always be worth $400 just because that is what they paid for it!

 

[carouselvic]

Gray on Gray...Black on Black