Looking for hat information?

[Willebe]

I'm new to the site...
I'm ready to purchase my first "nice" fedora...
I'm ready to pay between $150-$250...I'd like something in the brown/tan color family and not at all rigid...very soft that will keep it's shape.
I have been looking at the Stetson Stratoliner...but I'm unsure about it.
I want something in a wide brim like the Stratoliner...I wear a 7 3/8 in most hats and I'm wondering if most fedoras run true to size.
Any suggestions out there?
Thanks!

Welcome to the lounge, fellow Kentuckian. There are plenty of knowledgeable folks on the lounge who will be able to help you out. I have enjoyed my Akubra Federation IV, and it fits the bill for what you are looking for. I have read that many do not care for the modern Stratoliner, but I have no first hand knowledge of owning one. I have held them in the store, and I prefer my Fed IV in comparison.


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[Joao Encarnado]

CUSTOM.

You are worst than me, scarring the man away in less than 20 minutes.

 

[Bob Roberts]

CUSTOM. NO COMPARISON. Northwest Hats will make you a custom beaver for your price point of exactly $250. A higher quality better finished, exact replica of a Stratoliner if you should so desire. The Stetson Stratoliner is made from rabbit felt. Beaver is considered a much better higher quality hat body. And it will fit perfectly.

 

[Bob Roberts]

You are worst than me, scarring the man away in less than 20 minutes.

Yes. In many ways.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Yes. In many ways.

Thank god!

 

[RJR]

Welcome to the lounge, fellow Kentuckian. There are plenty of knowledgeable folks on the lounge who will be able to help you out. I have enjoyed my Akubra Federation IV, and it fits the bill for what you are looking for. I have read that many do not care for the modern Stratoliner, but I have no first hand knowledge of owning one. I have held them in the store, and I prefer my Fed IV in comparison.


Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I believe that Willebe's advice is spot on and welcome to the Lounge.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I believe that Willebe's advice is spot on and welcome to the Lounge.

I don't.

 

[RJR]

I don't.

What is it you don't agree with,Bob,that we both recommend FED IVs or that neither of us is impressed with the modern Strat?

 

[Bob Roberts]

What is it you don't agree with,Bob,that we both recommend FED IVs or that neither of us is impressed with the modern Strat?

Ha! I'm disagreeing with everybody today. A custom beaver at his stated price point delivered (especially with his fit concerns) compared to a Akubra rabbit at maybe close to $175+ landed (not to mention their fit and sizing issues...) or a Stetson and their inherent quality issues and ridiculous overpricing. Yes, I humbly and with all due respect disagree. He got the bucks and should consider getting a perfect fitting, high quality, well made beaver custom. Though I love my Fed as much as anyone here.

 

[jlee562]

If you buy a Stetson, I would highly recommend doing so through a reputable hat shop such as JJ Hat Center, Delmonico Hatters, Bencraft Hatters, Meyer The Hatter, etc. Hatco quality is hit or miss. With Stetson, you're paying more for the brand name than anything else.

Akubras are well made hats, but I find that the finish on them is often much rougher than a modern Stetson or Borsalino. They'll be far more durable towards the weather, but their sweatbands are mostly bonded leather that shrinks up. Akubras are somewhat notorious for shrinkage.

Custom is certainly an option if your budget is topping off around $250.

 

[Uhu]

I'd recommend a Akubra, wear it a while, see how you like it. If you commission a custom hat later, you'll have a better idea what options to order from your hat maker. I wouldn't recommend a new made Stetson, and definitely not mail order. My experience was poor. I like my Akrubra, quality-wise there's no comparison to a vintage hat, but I wear it when the weather is too inclement for a vintage hat. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Kentucky Kidd]

I appreciate all of the input guys...
Unfortunately, I live in a pretty rural area...no hat dealers close by...
No dealers in combination with my ignorance with not knowing the right questions to ask equal a pretty scary process...it's hard to talk to a hat shop over the phone when you don't really know the terminology, etc.
I would spend another $50-$100 to get something great that I like...I'm just tired of watching YouTube videos and getting even more confused.
That's why I'm seeking advice from you guys in where to start...sounds like a couple of you all take a different stance on where to start.
But that's understandable...everyone has a personal preference and opinions.
But I truly do appreciate the input...I guess I still have some homework to do.
Thanks again for the responses!

 

[Bob Roberts]

I appreciate all of the input guys...
Unfortunately, I live in a pretty rural area...no hat dealers close by...
No dealers in combination with my ignorance with not knowing the right questions to ask equal a pretty scary process...it's hard to talk to a hat shop over the phone when you don't really know the terminology, etc.
I would spend another $50-$100 to get something great that I like...I'm just tired of watching YouTube videos and getting even more confused.
That's why I'm seeking advice from you guys in where to start...sounds like a couple of you all take a different stance on where to start.
But that's understandable...everyone has a personal preference and opinions.
But I truly do appreciate the input...I guess I still have some homework to do.
Thanks again for the responses!

Call Mike Miller at Northwest Hat Co. He will hold your hand and walk you through every step of the process. He is readily avaliable by phone, loves to talk hats, and will gladly answer all yer questions and help you deal with any concerns you may have. It's exactly how I got my first custom beaver.

 

[jlee562]

In defense of "off the rack" hats...

We're all kind of hat snobs here. My comment about the "rough" finish on Akubras? Most folks won't notice a difference, unless they themselves are a serious hat wearer.

I've got a Premiere Stratoliner from Stetson. Nice hat. Not the Cadillac of hats by any means, but it's also not a Pinto! It's a good looking lid though. I don't wear my Stetsons any less than my more expensive hats, in point of fact, I've been wearing my Stetson Fortune and Glory more frequently than any other lid as of late. And don't let Bob fool you either, he has his fair share of modern Stetsons!

The argument against going for a custom straight out of the gate is that you may find that the style looks different in hand and on your head than the 2d picture did on the internet. A retailer can work out an exchange with you. A hatter can tweak your hat by changing the ribbon and such, but there's additional labor there.

But it's true from a price standpoint, that you can get an overall better value by going to a custom hatter. Northwest Hats has beaver felt hats at $250, the quality of which will surpass a Stetson at the same price point. Art Fawcett will do a rabbit felt for $275, which won't quite have the durability of a beaver felt, but will again surpass the quality of an off-the-rack hat at a similar or lower price point.

 

[Bob Roberts]

In defense of "off the rack" hats...

We're all kind of hat snobs here. My comment about the "rough" finish on Akubras? Most folks won't notice a difference, unless they themselves are a serious hat wearer.

I've got a Premiere Stratoliner from Stetson. Nice hat. Not the Cadillac of hats by any means, but it's also not a Pinto! It's a good looking lid though. I don't wear my Stetsons any less than my more expensive hats, in point of fact, I've been wearing my Stetson Fortune and Glory more frequently than any other lid as of late. And don't let Bob fool you either, he has his fair share of modern Stetsons!

The argument against going for a custom straight out of the gate is that you may find that the style looks different in hand and on your head than the 2d picture did on the internet. A retailer can work out an exchange with you. A hatter can tweak your hat by changing the ribbon and such, but there's additional labor there.

But it's true from a price standpoint, that you can get an overall better value by going to a custom hatter. Northwest Hats has beaver felt hats at $250, the quality of which will surpass a Stetson at the same price point. Art Fawcett will do a rabbit felt for $275, which won't quite have the durability of a beaver felt, but will again surpass the quality of an off-the-rack hat at a similar or lower price point.

Yer right. Yes, I love my Stetsons from the outlet. None cost more then $124.00 My other recent production Stetsons were all bought on sale from larger Internet Vendors. All under $140. No way would I pay $250 to $300 for a current/recent production Stetson when I could get a custom beaver made and designed to my own specs or an exact copy of a production hat that I wanted made.

 

[DJH]

My very first hat was an Akubra Campdraft - current price is about $130 shipped from Everything Australian.

The felt was rather stiff when I got it, but after a few years it softened up really nicely.

I've worn it in rain, snow and extreme Texas sweatfests and it's still as good as new.

Excellent first hat if you like the thin ribbon style.


Cheers! David

 

[Kentucky Kidd]

LOL!!!
I can't even have a half way intelligent conversation about hats!!!!
I didn't even realize how little I knew!!!!
Just out of curiosity...in a nutshell....what's the cool thing about vintage hats?
Is that something maybe I should look into or do that take some seasoning?
Typical price range on a really cool middle of the road vintage (that's probably a really stupid question!!)?

 

[Bamaboots]

LOL!!!
I can't even have a half way intelligent conversation about hats!!!!
I didn't even realize how little I knew!!!!
Just out of curiosity...in a nutshell....what's the cool thing about vintage hats?
Is that something maybe I should look into or do that take some seasoning?
Typical price range on a really cool middle of the road vintage (that's probably a really stupid question!!)?

If you know your size, and it's apparent you know what your looking for, go to ePrey and check the sold listings for a little education on the madness that is vintage hats.

Having said that, patience and perseverance pays off as many of us here have found some great deals (at least to us) on vintage hats we've been on the hunt for.

As to what makes a vintage hat cool, it's hard to explain feel, density, hand, finish and history until you've got it in hand vs. a modern production hat.

 

[jlee562]

Caveats abound to blanket statements about vintage items, but generally speaking the quality of the felt was higher back then. Prior to say, the late 50's early 60's, most hats were sold "open crown," that is, they looked like a dome when you got them, unshaped. The haberdasher and wearer creased the hat to fit the proportions of one's face. The majority of hats sold today come with blocked in creases (that is, the finished shape of the hat is made in the manufacturing phase). My personal hypothesis is that the decline of felt quality is tied to the rise of blocked-on creases, as the felt no longer needed to be as malleable.

Also, there are some styles that aren't available anymore (The Stetson Playboy, being a notable example). Certain finishes, in particular the long hair and melusine variety, just aren't done by most manufacturers anymore, and when they do, it doesn't match the quality of vintage. The ribbon is also different nowadays.

7 3/8 is a harder size to scoop up in vintage, just because the smaller sizes are more common, but definitely not impossible. The eBay hunt takes more legwork, but can be very rewarding. I've scored a number of nice vintage lids for $100 or less.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Welcome to the lounge, fellow Kentuckian. There are plenty of knowledgeable folks on the lounge who will be able to help you out. I have enjoyed my Akubra Federation IV, and it fits the bill for what you are looking for. I have read that many do not care for the modern Stratoliner, but I have no first hand knowledge of owning one. I have held them in the store, and I prefer my Fed IV in comparison.


Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

A Fed or a Campdraft. You just can't beat akubra, the dollah' is doing well and you can get one to your house in a week or ten days, for about $130 (campdraft, little more on the Fed).