New VS Vintage Stetson Hats

[jkingrph]

I purchased 3 new Stetsons over the last year. First is a fedora, their Dexter model in navy, labeled as an Imperial Stetson, ultimate finish. It seems to be a nice mid weight soft felt.

Second hat was a 4x Open Road, nice looking and very stiff, compared to a vintage hat in the same model that I found.

Last was a 20X Open Road I picked up a couple of months ago. Nice and soft, holds shape very well.

My take is that they still make some quality hats, just not as many and the price is up there on the really good ones.

 

[150719541]

Hi New2hats ¡¡¡ Yes, all Stetson, Fedora and Western have same size, I use 60 in both ¡¡¡

 

[Benzadmiral]

Time for me to get the Temples out of their boxes and give 'em some head time. I'll see about doing some pics, too. You all know what the hats look like, but you might be interested in the colors, Nougat and Mist Gray, that Stetson no longer offers in the Temple.

 

[new2hats]

Well I ordered a Firenze in Tawny. I tried to get the company to do a custom job on it, but to no avail (at least I tried!).

Looking forward to it. There are not a whole lot of pictures of Tawny Firenze hats, so I hope it is what I think its like. That's the problem with ordering online without handling the hats, and I feel it is one downfall of fedora hats today.

I felt like I needed to get a Stetson to see what the ranting and raving is all about for or against them. It will be a month from now they say, as the hat is per order.

 

[The Good]

From the online pictures, the tawny Firenze looks like a nice Stetson. When it comes, show us the pictures when you get the chance, too!

 

[dawgvet]

So I was thinking I needed a new hat (yeah, right) and just stumbled across the Stetson New York model. How does this hat stack up against other modern hats? My main hats are Akubra CampDrafts and I have one Stetson Nostalgia. The CampDrafts are much nicer hats than that particular Stetson. I was wondering about the New York model and if it was worth messing with? How does it compare to a Premier Stratoliner?
Thanks,
Jed

 

[jlee562]

The excellent quality felt is 100% beaver and easily the best Hatco has produced in some time. Much softer and more malleable than an Akubra.

 

[moontheloon]

are they still offering the NY ?

that is a Matt Deckard creation and I thought I remember him saying that they took all of his hats off the line

the NY has the best felt of a modern hat that I've handled

the dimensions are a little odd but the felt is great

 

[UnclePete]

For that price go custom with Art Fawcett @ VS Custom Hats,or Mike Miller @ Northwest Hat Co..

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have two of the New York LE hats. (Thanks to Anthony’s recommendation). The felt is great. It is worlds different from the Campdraft. I think it has been discontinued, so if you want one you better move fast. I’ll also echo the observation that the dimensions are not my favorite. If the crown was another 1/2 inch it would be just about perfect. I’ll also add that the felt is far nicer than my VS, Gannon, Phoenix, etc. custom hats. I’m not saying I like it more than those customs, but the New York has noticeably nicer felt.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

For that price go custom with Art Fawcett @ VS Custom Hats,or Mike Miller @ Northwest Hat Co..

I agree for the custom dimensions and build quality, but I have 100% beaver customs from both those hatters (and others) and the felt on the Stetson New York is just sooo much better if you like soft pliable vintage like felt. I will add that my phantom gray is nicer than my tobacco, but they are both keepers.


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[Gazman G.]

Interesting reading,I'm just starting my journey of the styles of Stetson. Pick up my second Stetson recently,it's a Stetson Turin made late 50s/Early 60s. Haven't seen another yet so I'm thinking they might have been a limited edition of some sort?? New and learning.

 

[Gazman G.]

Latest find bit rough but OK I guess for a project. Still on the adventure. Not sure of its age but hey.

 

[SteveFord]

A bit of a zombie thread but I'm fortunate even to own quite a few Stetsons - everything from pretty old to brand new. If the question is do they still make high quality hats the answer is yes. I've never had one that I thought "what a cheap piece of junk", they've all been really good.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A bit of a zombie thread but I'm fortunate even to own quite a few Stetsons - everything from pretty old to brand new. If the question is do they still make high quality hats the answer is yes. I've never had one that I thought "what a cheap piece of junk", they've all been really good.

You’re lucky. Stetson certainly has sold some poorly made hats. I too like some of their newer hats, but I own some Stetsons that I’ve been very disappointed in.

The hat that I wanted Stetson to make during the Deckard era was a Stetsonian using the Excellent grade beaver felt. That would have been some hat!


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[BobHufford]

Latest find bit rough but OK I guess for a project. Still on the adventure. Not sure of its age but hey.

This appears to be the Open Road made by Akubra under license from Stetson. It evolved into the Camp Draft. I think @Hurricane Jack has one and would have more info about it. Cool hat!

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

You’re lucky. Stetson certainly has sold some poorly made hats. I too like some of their newer hats, but I own some Stetsons that I’ve been very disappointed in.

The hat that I wanted Stetson to make during the Deckard era was a Stetsonian using the Excellent grade beaver felt. That would have been some hat!


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Brent, they did make an Excellent Quality Stetsonian during the Deckard time. I got one from Matt made for the 150th Anniversary or maybe it was just for himself. Idk, but it is a nicely felted piece.

Of note is the leather for the sweatband is a quite nice quality, much the upgrade from their disappointing sweatband material?? used for years.
B

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Brent, they did make an Excellent Quality Stetsonian during the Deckard time. I got one from Matt made for the 150th Anniversary or maybe it was just for himself. Idk, but it is a nicely felted piece.

Of note is the leather for the sweatband is a quite nice quality, much the upgrade from their disappointing sweatband material?? used for years.
B

I’ve never seen an Excellent quality Stetsonian. All I’ve seen are the Premier Royal De Luxe hats. Now I have a quest!


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[belfastboy]

Brent, they did make an Excellent Quality Stetsonian during the Deckard time. I got one from Matt made for the 150th Anniversary or maybe it was just for himself. Idk, but it is a nicely felted piece.

Of note is the leather for the sweatband is a quite nice quality, much the upgrade from their disappointing sweatband material?? used for years.
B

I have 2 of the 150th Anniversary Stetsonians and both of them are the Royal Deluxe grade. Wonderful felt and I love the hats. My only gripe was that both came with the horrid, generic, cheap, black ribbon work.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have 2 of the 150th Anniversary Stetsonians and both of them are the Royal Deluxe grade. Wonderful felt and I love the hats. My only gripe was that both came with the horrid, generic, cheap, black ribbon work.

I have a couple of those too, but I’ve never seen one in the Excellent line. Those dimensions in Stetson’s 100% beaver is quite compelling.


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