In praise of newer Stetson

[moontheloon]

Funny, I have a Stetsonian, I like the felt much better than the so called "premier" material of this repro Whippet. Seems to be different felt than Fruno's Stetsonian. The felt on mine is thin and a little floppy. Takes a bash, not great, but OK. I have a vintage Borsalino that is very similar, right down to the dimensions and the floppy felt. If this Whippet had been made from the same felt as the Stetsonian I have (as I was expecting it to be when I ordered it) it may have been a respectable hat out of the box. Odd, huh? As for the Stetsonian, it looks OK on the shelf, but its a big hat for a big guy, and looks ridiculous on me. Also have a Stetson Temple, one of my early attempts at finding a "real" fedora. Felt seems OK, but the tapered design is doofy IMHO. I'm not gonna be taking any more chances on modern Stetsons. Only if I can handle one in person would I consider buying another.

yeah ... definitely stay away unless you can handle in person

I recently bought and sold a Stetson NY LE in Excellent quality
the felt was absolutely amazing to be honest ... really super thin and super soft ... the kind you can just poke with your finger and have the dent remain .
I just could not get the proportions for work for me ... the crown was somewhat low and the brim was enormous looking ... just seemed off ... for me anyway
sold

 

[FedOregon]

I'm not gonna be taking any more chances on modern Stetsons. Only if I can handle one in person would I consider buying another.

I posted the very same thing back in July or August 2016. I was really disappointed in the only NOS Stetson I purchased.

 

[FedOregon]

yeah ... definitely stay away unless you can handle in person

My motto right there...

 

[Frunobulax]

Funny, I have a Stetsonian, I like the felt much better than the so called "premier" material of this repro Whippet. Seems to be different felt than Fruno's Stetsonian. The felt on mine is thin and a little floppy. Takes a bash, not great, but OK. I have a vintage Borsalino that is very similar, right down to the dimensions and the floppy felt. If this Whippet had been made from the same felt as the Stetsonian I have (as I was expecting it to be when I ordered it) it may have been a respectable hat out of the box. Odd, huh? As for the Stetsonian, it looks OK on the shelf, but its a big hat for a big guy, and looks ridiculous on me. Also have a Stetson Temple, one of my early attempts at finding a "real" fedora. Felt seems OK, but the tapered design is doofy IMHO. I'm not gonna be taking any more chances on modern Stetsons. Only if I can handle one in person would I consider buying another.

Given some of the opinions both you and I have posted recently, I think we may not know if the felt is different. I'd like to handle yours, and have you see mine, as well. I think we may have different interpretations of the felt qualities, even if the felt is similar.

No knock. Just an observation.

 

[RJR]

My motto right there...

+1

 

[belfastboy]

My knock against the Stetsonian is, even though the felt is quite good on both my Mink and Cariboo versions, is that they put the same generic black ribbon on both hats. I liked the hats enough to send them Mike @ NW for new ribbon treatment that I think the felt quality deserves. Pity that Stetson could not treat the hat with more respect and give it a ribbon treatment worthy of the felt.

 

[RJR]

My knock against the Stetsonian is, even though the felt is quite good on both my Mink and Cariboo versions, is that they put the same generic black ribbon on both hats. I liked the hats enough to send them Mike @ NW for new ribbon treatment that I think the felt quality deserves. Pity that Stetson could not treat the hat with more respect and give it a ribbon treatment worthy of the felt.

+1

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Reviving an old thread:

I have four Stetson Premier Stratoliners and I'm satisfied with the quality of the hats. The felt has a nice hand and it takes and keeps the crease I want with just a little work and a little steam. They have all also been very consistent with sizing; however, the felt has felt and behaved slightly different on all four.

I can fill a page with flaws or corners cut, but even with all the detractors I'm still pleased with them. Perhaps I went into it with lower expectations? You can't compare these hats to high quality vintage hats. Maybe the Excellent is comparable but not the Premier. I haven't found a Premier Whippet that I like in my size but I'd be willing to give one a try based on the Stratoliners. I'm not a lover of Hat-Co, but sometimes I feel like these hats get a worse deal than they deserve.

As to value, that's another kettle of fish. If for the same money as a Premier you can get into a custom than I'd say go custom as long as you are alright with the wait, but I've picked up most of my Stratoliners in the $100 range and for that money I like them just fine.

 

[Rockwater]

I have vintage Strats from The 40’s, several 50’s, 60’s Strat clones and several modern Royals and this Premier, which was bought used, and is several years old. They are all very different of course.
This Premier is thick, soft and comfortable. And sure is cozy in cold weather.

 

[srq2002]

I'm not entirely sure what possessed me to do this, but JJ Hat Center has a sale, and I just ordered Premier Stratoliners in Black, Cornhill, and Silverbelly, with a side order of Stetsonian in Tawny. Will this be a delight, or will our hero be disappointed. Stay tuned...

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I'm not entirely sure what possessed me to do this, but JJ Hat Center has a sale, and I just ordered Premier Stratoliners in Black, Cornhill, and Silverbelly, with a side order of Stetsonian in Tawny. Will this be a delight, or will our hero be disappointed. Stay tuned...

I think your reaction will be based on your expectations. I like the Premier Stratoliners and I'm still looking for one in caribou to add to my collection. The Stetsonian is a great hat that I wish they didn't discontinue. If all you've ever had were pristine pre-war beaver felt hats you will be very disappointed; however, if your accustomed to Akubras and Hat-Co hats you should be pleased.

And now you having me checking out the sale at JJ's.

 

[srq2002]

A Stetsonian and a trio of Premier Stratoliners, along with my first tentative dry crease of the Stetsonian; my word, what a wonderful hat!

 

[srq2002]

Question for the experts: with something modern like a Premier Stratoliner, is it best to get one that initially fits a trace loose, to allow for shrinkage? Or is one that fits perfectly out of the box a safe buy?

 

[Redfokker]

Question for the experts: with something modern like a Premier Stratoliner, is it best to get one that initially fits a trace loose, to allow for shrinkage? Or is one that fits perfectly out of the box a safe buy?

Your size is all you need to know. Don't mess with success.

 

[hatsandcanes]

I am a long time reader but a first time poster. I am a long time fedora wearing man with way too many hats. LOL I have a few vintage but I am one of the few on here that seems to like the modern Stetsons. The lower front C crown just suits my face better. Anything over a 4.5 inches will make my face look longer than old Abe...
I purchased the new Stetson Bogie last week at sale price of around $250 and free shipping which seemed to be a decent price for a full beaver fedora. The price was $315 before the sale price and they also blocked it long oval for me free of charge. This hat falls under Stetson's new excellent quality.
I was pleasantly surprised with the new hat. The detail is somewhat short of my custom hat but for a mass produced hat I was well pleased. It is a nice medium felt with the brim a little on the stiff side is as all Stetson's are. I tend to wear my brim up in the front so that is okay with me. All of my stetsons are stiff at the beginning but with wear they all soften up.. It has a much nicer and softer head band and is very comfortable. It has a wind cord which is also a nice vintage addition. It is not custom; however, I had it 3 days after ordering it. One other thing I would like to say... many talk about the color running on the modern stetson's. I have 7 of the modern ones from the past 6 years and not a single one has ever bleed in rain or shine. I just wanted to offer a choice of a nice beaver fedora that you can have on your head in a few days. My next hat will probably be another custom but with the sale price I am happy I pulled the plug on the Stetson Bogie. Thank you and have a nice day!

 

[jlee562]

The excellent quality felt is the best Stetson/Hatco has produced in some years. Sounds like you got a good deal, enjoy your new hat!

 

[belfastboy]

I have 2 modern Stetsonians, the 150th anniversary editions and am most pleased with the felt quality. Both great hats. My bitch with Stetson is that regardless of the price point or quality of the hat they put on that same damn generic black ribbon. You would think for $300 ++ they could spend an extra dollar or two and put on decent ribbon work.
I picked up both on sale and on receipt sent them to my hatter to have better ribbon work......in a quality that matches the felt.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Finding a hat that you enjoy is a terrific feeling. Thanks for sharing the story of your hat adventure. I look forward to your sharing wearing pics.

Tip of the brim your direction, Eric -

 

[hatsandcanes]

I am a little confused about one point on the Stetson Bogie. It did come in a 150th anniversary box and I have only seen this hat for sale in the new Fall collection. I am a little confused about that!

 

[belfastboy]

My Stetsonians had a metal 150th pin/badge attached to the bow and I think that was a feature of all 150th edition hats. If your Bogie did not have the badge perhaps they used up excess 150th boxes