OpenRoad Question

[undertaker]

Gentlemen,

I just purchased a new Stetson OpenRoad. I steamed it and reshaped the crown. I really like the way the hat turned out, but I wore it to church today with a dark double breasted suit and it seemed a little to casual. Is the OR considered a dress hat? Could it have been the dark suit? Or is it just new and hasn't grown on me yet? Please offer your opinions.

Regards,
JS

 

[scotrace]

Well,

This is my own feeling and opinion only (others will disagree), but it seems that a narrow ribbon goes with less dressy occasions (an Open Road is perfect for donning a Burberry or leather jacket), while a hat with a wide ribbon and nice bow is best paired with a suit.

 

[deanglen]

This is my own feeling and opinion only (others will disagree), but it seems that a narrow ribbon goes with less dressy occasions (an Open Road is perfect for donning a Burberry or leather jacket), while a hat with a wide ribbon and nice bow is best paired with a suit.

DANG! And I prefer the thin ribbon!:eusa_doh: Oh, well, I guess the thin ribbon OR provides a gentle softening to what admittedly is one of the most formal types of attire known to man which I wear quite often: a clerical collar.

dean

 

[undertaker]

This is my own feeling and opinion only (others will disagree), but it seems that a narrow ribbon goes with less dressy occasions (an Open Road is perfect for donning a Burberry or leather jacket), while a hat with a wide ribbon and nice bow is best paired with a suit.

Hello,
I think you may be correct. The first thing my wife said is that the ribbon is awfully narrow, maybe the problem. Thanks for the input.

Regards,
JS

 

[Johnnysan]

The Devil's advocate (so to speak)...

I agree with Scott that a narrow ribbon is more appropriate for less dressy occasions, but, given how most folks dress for church these days, a gentleman who takes that time to put on a suit and ANY hat would likely be one of the "best dressed."

 

[Baron Kurtz]

What colour is the OR? If light, it might be considered a bit too jaunty for church (depending upon the sombreness of your particular denomination).

bk

 

[deanglen]

What colour is the OR? If light, it might be considered a bit too jaunty for church (depending upon the sombreness of your particular denomination).

bk

My tan Open Road is seen regularly at the church I serve, but you've got a good point, Baron, some groups might prefer the darker shades.

dean

 

[epic610]

i agree with johnnysan...

the bar for men's fashions has been lowered so much that a suit and hat put you in the top 1 percentile of dressiness. at my church recently noticed women with shorts and exercise suits and ...ugh! ....a guy with camo 3/4 length cargo pants exposing his hairy calf. i would think that a suit with an OR of any color or ribbon width would be seen as almost over the top formality in today's environment.

 

[DOUGLAS]

I will second Epic610's thought, the fact that you are showing respect enough to wear a suit and hat is terrific.

 

[undertaker]

I would not think of going to church in any thing other than a suit and tie (I am the assistant pastor and they expect that out of me ). However I guess we must admitt that there are fewer and fewer with this conviction. It really is shame that people seem to care so little about thier appearence in church or otherwise. Many churches that I go to to preach seem to have no standards of dress, my dear old grandfather would roll over in his grave if he could see now. Thanks again for the feedback.

Regards,
JS

 

[Feraud]

I think your Open Road is appropriate for church undertaker.
Not to stray off topic but our church also suffers from the "comfortable dress" syndrome. I have wondered why the priests and pastors do not give a sermon regarding our appropriateness of dress before the Lord.
Some may say He does not care for these things but everyone appreciates a show of respect.

 

[undertaker]

Amen!

Feraud,
I am afraid there are to many pastors that are to worried about their jobs to take a stand on such "little issues" they are focusing on the "big things"., but the Scipture tells us that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines. Any way I will not preach anymore on that( well at least not in this entry ). We live in free country and are all entitled to our opinons and I will try to refrain from any deep theological discussions on this sight.

On the note of opinons, How would the OR look with a wider ribbon? Where would I find such a ribbon and bow?

Regards,
JS

 

[Dinerman]

Not bad- but it wouldn't look like an open road anymore.

 

[scotrace]

Quite so. The best thing may be to find a Stratoliner, or better, a Borsalino, for church.

That ribbon is a distinctive part of the Open Road. To change it changes the hat. Those of us who are still searching for an Open Road will thank you.

 

[undertaker]

I appreciate the advise. I will probably leave it alone. It will also give me an excuse to buy another hat .

Regards,
JS

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

I have a black OR that looks fine with a dark gray or black suit. A silverbelly might look okay with a blue suit. What do ya'll think?

 

[Joel Tunnah]

JS,

Can you post a pic of the hat after your steaming/shaping?

 

[NewMexExpat]

How "new"?

Gentlemen,

I just purchased a new Stetson OpenRoad. I steamed it and reshaped the crown. I really like the way the hat turned out

Hi JS. Pardon my asking, but in this place "new" is quite a relative term. Besides that, I am "New" to felt hats, and have no experience with the OR. The new (recently manufactured) ones I've handled in stores have stiffener (I assume) for the western bash. So if yours is that kind of "new", I wondered how much steam, time and patience you had to use. I'm eager to see what you've done with it.

I think the Silverbelly, Grays, or Tans go with almost anything because of their neutrality. And if that's you in the avatar, I know it will be a very dignified look no matter what you wear it with.

Regards,

- Mark

 

[undertaker]

Picture of the OR

Gentlemen,

Here is my OR. It is new in that it was recently manufactured. I would rather have an older one, but with my head size being what it is you woukld think they were made of gold. This is a 4X Stetson. It is rather stiff and had the western bash. As I said earlier it thurned out pretty well and I was pleased with it. Since then I have been looking at some of yours and I am not as satisfied . I spent quite a bit af time and steam on it. I read were someone mentioned wetting a hat and shaping it on another thread. Would I get a better result? Would it discolor this silver belly color?
Thanks Again for All of Your Help,

Allergy Season in Tenn. often results in swollen eyes and pictures worse than they take at the DMV
Regards,
JS

 

[John in Covina]

Western suit?

The Open Road with either the Cattlemans bash or a fedora type pinch is an outdoorsman hat.

You could pair it nicely with those Western style suit that have the piping and such.

For many, lighter hats call for lighter suits.

Although I am partial to an ivory, cream, or off white color fedora paired with a navy blue blazer and similar color ivory, cream, off white type trousers for a sporty look.