NEW STETSON 2015 Dress catalog

[T Jones]

Stetson has only done regular ovals for years now but Resistol still does Long Ovals as well as Regular. Both done in same factory... Haven't seen XLO from Resistol in years.

Yup. That's my complaint. Stetson catered to the different size options at one time, but now what they produce are the same old cookie cutter full sizes. You would think that if Resistol is still making Long Ovals it wouldn't be much trouble for Stetson to make long oval sizes too, since both are done in the same factory.

I want a hat to where I don't have to jimmy around with stuffing strips behind the sweat band to try and make it fit. If I was going to fork out a hefty price for a hat I at least want it to fit me properly. I think for us LOs who want a proper fitting hat are either going to have to buy a vintage in that size or have our hats custom made.

 

[RJR]

I wonder what % of people are LO.I'd guess its significant.

 

[gtdean48]

Not sure what is meant by full size. Wide, regular, long & extra long oval are all the same hat size but shaped differently. Same circumference...

 

[T Jones]

Not sure what is meant by full size. Wide, regular, long & extra long oval are all the same hat size but shaped differently. Same circumference...

What I'm calling full sizes are 7, 7 1/8, 7 1/4,...ect, in example, that's just the best way I know to describe it. I wear a 7 1/8 Long Oval. 7 1/8 is way too tight for me. 7 1/4 is too big. 7 1/8 Long Oval fits me. For me, if I'm going to put money into a hat purchase I want the hat to fit me properly without having to work with it to make it fit. I already put stuff behind the sweat bands on a few of my hats and they still don't fit properly or comfortably. I can't even get a 7 1/8 on my head and I'm not having much luck with a stretcher on those. There're no issues with the Long Ovals that I do have.

 

[tommyK]

T.Jones I've found the new Stetsons to run a tad big and not super stiff in terms of fitting my long oval head comfortably. So you might be pleasantly surprised with the fit in your size even though it's not a long oval. Always best to try at a hat shop for sure.YMMV

 

[Slacker Drummer]

Does anyone know whether the new Biaritz is blocked differently from the Homburg or just creased differently?

 

[jlee562]

Considering that it's not marketed as an open crown hat, I assumed it was blocked that way.

 

[gtdean48]

T.Jones I've found the new Stetsons to run a tad big and not super stiff in terms of fitting my long oval head comfortably. So you might be pleasantly surprised with the fit in your size even though it's not a long oval. Always best to try at a hat shop for sure.YMMV

I'm an LO bordering on XLO. My prefered size is 7 5/8 LO but have had nice fitting 7 1/2 XLO.
The Premiere Stratoliner in Regular Oval 7 5/8 has been coaxed to fit me just fine.
I've got quite a few western Stetsons, all Regular Oval, that hat stretchers & band block have trained to a LO shape.
I love Resistols in 7 5/8 LO as well as vintage Stetsons in 7 5/8 LO but doesn't stop me from buying newer models in Regular Oval.
All my Akubras need similar training....

 

[tommyK]

Does anyone know whether the new Biaritz is blocked differently from the Homburg or just creased differently?

Looks slightly lower and more tapered than the Homburg along with the additional pinches.

 

[FedoraJones]

With the new Stetsons that i've bought (the Royal open road and Stetson Madison) I bought a size smaller 7 3/8 instead of 7 1/2 and my hat dealer of choice Del Monico's made them long oval for me...and if a hat could fit like a glove...these were it. I learned with the premium stratoliner which I ended up selling on eBay that the my normal 7 1/2 was too big and wide on the sides...so I took a chance with the smaller size long oval and luckily it worked for me.

 

[rclark]

With the new Stetsons that i've bought (the Royal open road and Stetson Madison) I bought a size smaller 7 3/8 instead of 7 1/2 and my hat dealer of choice Del Monico's made them long oval for me...and if a hat could fit like a glove...these were it. I learned with the premium stratoliner which I ended up selling on eBay that the my normal 7 1/2 was too big and wide on the sides...so I took a chance with the smaller size long oval and luckily it worked for me.

How do you like the Royal Open Road? I'd love to see some photos sometime if you ever get a chance to snap a couple of photos.

 

[FedoraJones]

Sadly, I sold it on eBay to justify buying a vintage Stetson Playboy...but out of all the Open Roads i've owned it was light and fit so nicely on my noggin' I really hated to part with it ...the leather band was very soft and the felt didn't do that weird wrinkle if you bent the crown... but having a few vintage Stetsons similar I had to say adios.

 

[rclark]

A Playboy is a good reason to get rid of quite a few things! Sounds like a smart move.

 

[SurfGent]

Gosh. I wish I had more heads. GRISSOM In turquoise Le CHIFFRE in butterscotch funky colors but I like'em, different. Imagine a Stratoliner in Sage ! Man ! My new green window pain sport coat would be in love. Would tell my sage temple "it's time we see other people"

 

[RBH]

Some really nice hats in the catalog.
Matt has done a good job.
But I am still holding out for a nice open crown Open Road....

 

[rclark]

Some really nice hats in the catalog.
Matt has done a good job.
But I am still holding out for a nice open crown Open Road....

+1 Although I am in for an Excellent Quality Strategy!

 

[DJH]

I agree, Rusty - Matt has done a fantastic turn around job at HatCo, I hope it is reflected in the sales numbers.

I'd also like to see a really good Open Road model. I prefer the OR to the Stratoliner and it would be great if Stetson made something that was as good as that Excellent Quality (as reported by Josh), in the OR style in a range of colours.

Wearing a small hat size, I can get vintage Silverbelly OR's with no problem, but I might be interested if there were some colour choices.

 

[Johnny J]

Matt should tell them to make a nice video showing the new line of open crowns and how you can easily bash them into different styles. Would be helpful and maybe even interest the newer customers that are not familiar with this.

 

[Jedwbpm]

How to Crease an Open crown hat
Good looking guy

Jeff

 

[tommyK]

Bravo Jeff!

Stetson should link your video to their website. Very well done.