Bencraft Borsalino OR Stetson Nostalgia?

[Mr. Lucky]

Since I can never seem to win a decent vintage hat on THAT auction site, and since I've also taken to wearing wider brim, taller crown hats, I am going to buy a production model lid. Now, I've been looking at both - the Borso Allessandria in Taupe and the Nostalgia in Mink and I'd love to hear some opinions on both.

Thanks.

 

[Matt Deckard]

The Nostalgia felt is tougher and more pliable over time. The Borsalinos, modern ones from my handling tend to have color that rubs off on your fingers and felt that breaks down very quickly. Beware wearing them in the rain as the drooping is fast.

There is a thread here somewhere on Stetson versus Borsalino. or check out the Stetson in the modern day thread.


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=8571

 

[RBH]

Hey Lucky, why not try a Campdraft?
Or other Akubra?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Thanks, Matt!

Rusty - I had an Akubra Fed a couple of years back. While I liked the hat, it was stiffer than Viagra convention! And, yes, I am wearing wider brims, it seems 2 1/2 inches is about all I can pull off. BUT, I will examine the possibility again.

 

[kaosharper1]

Thanks, Matt!

Rusty - I had an Akubra Fed a couple of years back. While I liked the hat, it was stiffer than Viagra convention! And, yes, I am wearing wider brims, it seems 2 1/2 inches is about all I can pull off. BUT, I will examine the possibility again.

The Campdraft is much softer than the old Feds (I have both), and a much better value than a modern Borsalino. Once you get up into the $200 range, you should consider an Art Fawcett. If I were to have one great hat, it would be one of Arts.

I also understand that the Fed IV Deluxe is a softer felt.

 

[Damon Falzone]

You should check out Guerra Hats as well. I tried several on at Worth & Worth in NYC and liked them very much. In fact, I liked them better than new Borsalino. Lots of luck.

 

[besdor]

Guerras are nice hats except they arent made by them. There really is no Guerra factory. They "farm" them out to different factories all over Italy. The quality varies greatly from style to style.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[CRH]

The Nostalgia felt is tougher and more pliable over time. ...

That's good news.

 

[Richard Warren]

I have always been sort of a Borsalino defender. I also wanted to buy an Alessandria. I was in the hat store recently and saw one in the case that was great, but not my size. I could tell it was a few years old from the price tag. The salesman brought out some more recent models, and they were just not the same. The newer hats were much thicker, stiffer, and harder, and priced at around $100 more. I bought a Campdraft instead from Hatsdirect. Its nice but it also also a far cry from what Borsalino was making just a few years ago.

I would recommend contacting whomever you might want to buy an Alessandria from and having a candid discussion about the quality of what they are selling and what you expect.

 

[besdor]

Richard, it is true that the Borsalinos arent what they were even from 10 years ago , but neither is anything else . Stetson , Bailey , Biltmore hats have gone down in quality because the fur isnt what it used to be. But the hats are still made in Italy ,not China like alot of other manufacturers are starting to do.

Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Richard Warren]

While I am obviously not happy with the changes in the felt in the Borsalino, I cannot really say that it is not just something they think the customer wants (people complain on this forum that a Borsalino is too floppy). The Alessandria is still better proportioned than the Campdraft, which is very big, kind of goofy looking hat (on me at least).