Open Crown Stetsons: A Call (Plea) to Retailers!!

[gtdean48]

Thanks Jeff.
I see prices for regular OR at $199. Where are these Premier ones price wise?

 

[DougC]

Thanks Jeff. Can someone refresh my memory? Is the Camp Draft's crown around 5 1/2 inches? If so, I'll take a Stetson.

 

[Dear Nemo]

Dear Fedora Lounge associated Stetson retailers, and Stetson retailers at large,

Recently, the bug for a modern production Stetson Stratoliner hit me. However, being one who likes to shape his own hat, I hit the wall. The hat is made with a factory crease only. Matter of fact, all of the modern Stetson dress hats I've seen have a factory crease. Nothing wrong with that, but the option of having an open crown is one that I think should return to the Stetson lineup!

Enter a photo I saw on Facebook this morning that made my jaw drop.
View attachment 1708
THAT is a modern, open crowned Stratoliner made on an original block, and I think it looks amazing!

They do exist, or at least can exist!

Following up on this pic, I was told by someone at Stetson that these CAN be made, but that retailers haven't expressed interest in selling them, so Stetson hasn't! That's a terrible shame! Retailers, why not strongly consider ordering some open crown options for your customers?! I, for one, would pledge my patronage to you and Stetson if this would happen! I know others would jump on this, too!

And now, fellow Loungers. Please add your voice to mine in saying to our vendors "WE WANT OPEN CROWN STETSONS!"! If enough people say they want them, and retailers step up to order them, it can happen!

The bottom line is, Stetson is ready willing and able to make these, all it would take is orders. So please, retailers, order already!!

Yours sincerly, an unusually empassioned,

Randy

This hat I would gladly buy !!!

 

[gtdean48]

Thanks Jeff. Can someone refresh my memory? Is the Camp Draft's crown around 5 1/2 inches? If so, I'll take a Stetson.

Slightly bigger, more like 5 5/8...

 

[VetPsychWars]

Thanks Jeff. Can someone refresh my memory? Is the Camp Draft's crown around 5 1/2 inches? If so, I'll take a Stetson.

Based on the two Campdrafts I have, the Stetson is by far a better hat. I basically just wear the Akubras when I know it's going to rain. I know some people think they're really nice, but the felt on the new Stratoliners are nicer.

Tom

 

[Jedwbpm]

Thanks Jeff.
I see prices for regular OR at $199. Where are these Premier ones price wise?

I would think they would be the same as the Premier and Stetsonian @225.00


Jeff

 

[tommyK]

Based on the two Campdrafts I have, the Stetson is by far a better hat. I basically just wear the Akubras when I know it's going to rain. I know some people think they're really nice, but the felt on the new Stratoliners are nicer.

Tom

I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't gaga over Akubras, I have 4 of them. I bought them early on because of all the buzz here on the lounge. They are a descent working hat at a good price but the felt is too thick to shape the way I'd like. However, I don't find the new Stetson's much better. They do have a nicer finish or pouncing but they are much more expensive. If they do a better job on the crown thickness/stiffness I may buy more, if not, I won't.

 

[g.durand]

Jeff--the Royal OR is referred to on the Delmonico website as part of the new line that includes the Premier Strat and the Stetsonian and is listed at $199. So is that indeed the newer, higher quality OR?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[VetPsychWars]

If they do a better job on the crown thickness/stiffness I may buy more, if not, I won't.

Do you want more stiffness or less? The two Premier Stratoliners I have now, they come soft and when you hit them with the steam, they get stiff. (That sounds dirty but it's not.)

I like this because it will hold the shape you put into it but isn't so stiff it can't take a knock or two without "permanent" damage.

I would like to point out that the NOS Stetson hats I've bought have always been quite stiff. When you see those old pictures of a funky lumpy crease it's because they were just punched into the stiff hat.

Tom

 

[g.durand]

VetPsychWars--I bought two Premier Stratoliners, one in Mink and the other in Caribou. The Mink is soft and shapes easily with steam like those you mention, but the Caribou has a thick, stiff crown and it's difficult to shape. It's apparent they added too much stiffener to the crown. They really are different hats. I posted some comments in this thread several months ago about it, with my observations about how Hatco does not have the best quality control. Still, the Mink hat is getting some wear.

 

[alanfgag]

I would like to point out that the NOS Stetson hats I've bought have always been quite stiff. When you see those old pictures of a funky lumpy crease it's because they were just punched into the stiff hat.

Tom

Or perhaps they weren't so stiff to start.

 

[tommyK]

Do you want more stiffness or less?

Tom

Primarily I want less thickness to the felt as this is the biggest impediment to getting a sharp crease. Less shellac or stiffener would be nice as well but I don't think it is as critical.
For example here is a late fifties Royal Deluxe Open Road that I steamed and ironed back to an open crown. Not as good as new but close.
View attachment 20001
I then gave it a new shape.
View attachment 20002
This hat was very stiff, almost cowboy hat stiff but the felt was thin enough that I could give a sharper or tighter crease than I can achieve with these modern Stetsons.
So, I think if they thin up the felt enough they might take a very good crease and satisfy vintage owners enough to buy more of these.

 

[VetPsychWars]

Ah, for something like that (your attachments don't work, by the way) you can get a Borsalino Alessandria. Thinner felt for sure.

Tom

 

[DougC]

I have a Alessandra-nice hat! It was a gift from my wife. I also have a premier Stetson strat. Also a nice hat. The strat holds shape better. The borso if the nicest felt I have handled including vintage Stetsons.

 

[VetPsychWars]

These last few posts are a good illustration of my point. People don't have the same criteria as to what makes a "good hat". A new hat or a NOS vintage hat is what it is and is costs a lot, comparatively speaking. In fact, a decent hat costs about the same as a good pair of shoes. Not that we all agree what a good pair of shoes are. (Just for the record: Allen Edmonds, Red Wing, Chippewa, Eastland USA collection.)

My friends down at the Brass Rooster will have a new collection based on some vintage hoods from the late 50s... well aged! They have made a few so far, very nice. They will be making new hats to your spec, it'll cost some, but worth it. I'll get mine within the next year.

In any event, you have the hoods you have. They do the work they can do to make it into the hat they offer. You have a small variety of makers available.

I just think people need to spend less time being negative about what they can't find and more time being positive about what they can find.

Right?

Tom

 

[VetPsychWars]

The new one is still in the middle.

Tom

 

[RJR]

Good pic,nice to see a side by side comparison.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Hello gentlemen. New to the Lounge and just wanted to mention that if there's any Stetson Windham fans out there that Hats.com had assorted sizes in mink color for $107. I paid $125 a few months ago and thought that was a good price. Also waiting in a CD Silverbelly from Ben at E A and I hope I enjoy it as much as the Windham. Opinions?

 

[Dear Nemo]

Any questions feel free to ask here or call the shop
Jeff

Hello!
Please tell me this is Stetson stratoliner color mink?
2 1/2 brim
5 1/2 crown
Sincerely, Alexander!

 

[tommyK]

Looks lighter than my mink Strat but that may just be the lighting.