Stetson Brewster review

[carldelo]

Received my Stetson Brewster from Sterling Leather yesterday - took some pictures this morning:

First impressions - overall the build quality is very good. The felt is thin, very soft and pliable - nicer and finer quality than my other Sovereign hat (Chatham). Much nicer than my Royal quality hats and Akubra Stylemaster. The crown is not stiff like my other Stetsons. The brim is 2-1/2", wider than the 2-3/8" advertised. The brim break is very sharp, the seam in the brim binding is almost invisible. The white 'stitches' in the binding are actually not stitches - it is sewn on with almost invisible dark thread. The fabric sweatband is extremely comfortable, and contributes to the hat being very lightweight. The liner is dark brown. The grain of the felt is pretty clear up close, at a medium distance it appears a bit shiny and the color changes with the light. The color is a light tan/khaki. The whorl in the crown is a little off-center (a bit annoying). My wife says she finds it a little ostentatious and is not sure she likes it - I like it quite a bit but wish the brim was narrower. Haven't worn it yet, so no other comments to report - more later.

Here it is next to my Stylemaster in Acorn Fawn:

More pictures here:
http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l234/carldelo/Brewster/

 

[ScottF]

That's a beautiful hat. I 'handled' one at the local hat shop the other day and was very impressed. According to the owner, the design is the same as the Chatham. As you said, very light.

 

[Jauntyone]

Looks like a nice hat. I'll bet the fabric sweat is comfy. Thanks for taking the time to review your hat!

 

[avedwards]

Does anyone know which quality the Brewster is? And also, how well will it hold up to the elements?

 

[carldelo]

Does anyone know which quality the Brewster is? And also, how well will it hold up to the elements?

I thought I read somewhere that it is Sovereign quality, but don't remember where, and there is literally nothing on the sweatband. It feels softer, more pliable and thinner than my Sovereign Chatham. Can't say about the durability, obviously, but it is fur felt after all - time will tell.

Here's the sweatband, which is indeed extremely comfortable - feels like a nylon material with a cotton canvas feel to it:

And a closeup of the felt, ribbon and brim binding:

 

[ScottF]

I thought I read somewhere that it is Sovereign quality, but don't remember where, and there is literally nothing on the sweatband. It feels softer, more pliable and thinner than my Sovereign Chatham. Can't say about the durability, obviously, but it is fur felt after all - time will tell.

Here's the sweatband, which is indeed extremely comfortable - feels like a nylon material with a cotton canvas feel to it:

Of course it feels nothing at all like the Chatham - it is different felt, much lighter, has a bound brim, furrier, totally different color.

By 'design', the store-owner meant the taper, crown height, block, brim, factory bash. In other words, if the Chatham looks good on you, colors aside, this one should as well.

Snap the brim, put it on, and show us a pic that gives a feel for the nice felt color (like your 2nd pic in the original post). I was very impressed with this hat, but with my Chatham experience I'm still leery about purchasing another new Stetson.

 

[carldelo]

Of course it feels nothing at all like the Chatham - it is different felt, much lighter, has a bound brim, furrier, totally different color.

By 'design', the store-owner meant the taper, crown height, block, brim, factory bash. In other words, if the Chatham looks good on you, colors aside, this one should as well.

Snap the brim, put it on, and show us a pic that gives a feel for the nice felt color (like your 2nd pic in the original post). I was very impressed with this hat, but with my Chatham experience I'm still leery about purchasing another new Stetson.

True what you say about texture, etc. Truth is, we should be talking about Stetson Profile 10, which is their standard 4" tall teardrop crown - this includes Chatham, Downs, Brewster, Ashland, Hampton and more, with different felt grades, brim widths and brim finishes. Based on the feel of my own Chatham, I have no doubts about the quality of the Brewster - it's in a different (better) league.

I'll try to get a noggin shot, but I've had bad luck with that in the past. I'm unhappy with the wide brim - I'm much better served by a 2-1/4" brim. Also, not sure I like the shiny quality of the felt - it's beautiful and extremely soft (like a cat), but it may be too dressy for me. I wish I had known Besdor had this hat before ordering it, I much prefer to try before I buy.

 

[ScottF]

Please post a link to the Sterling website - my searches have yielded nothing.

Thanks

 

[4and1]

I think Stetson should have made a little effort to minimize the appearance of the hatband stitches. Also, is that a logo tag at the bow. I'd take a razorblade to that right away!

 

[carldelo]

Please post a link to the Sterling website - my searches have yielded nothing.

Thanks

http://www.sterlingleather.com/stetsonhats-10806-TF3410Brewster.html

4 weeks less 1 day from order to delivery. Bencraft has it in stock, but at a higher price point.

 

[carldelo]

I think Stetson should have made a little effort to minimize the apperance of the hatband stitches. Also, is that a logo tag at the bow. I'd take a razorblade to that right away!

The stitches are about as obvious as the stitching on the Stylemaster. And, I concur completely, the logo will go PDQ if I decide to keep it --- I advertise for no one...

 

[hatted]

Looks pretty sweet, but I don't like the bow much. More color options would be nice too.

 

[ScottF]

http://www.sterlingleather.com/stetsonhats-10806-TF3410Brewster.html

4 weeks less 1 day from order to delivery. Bencraft has it in stock, but at a higher price point.

Thanks - that hat looks SO much better in person.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

I haven't seen anything like this at the Outlet yet, but I'll keep a lookout ofr one. I am not sure I like the shiny finish or the white pseudo-stitch on the binding either, but I would like to see it in person and handle it first. I do like that brim width though; I think it looks good on almost everyone-not too wide and not too stingy.

Thanks for the review and preview!

 

[carldelo]

I haven't seen anything like this at the Outlet yet, but I'll keep a lookout ofr one. I am not sure I like the shiny finish or the white pseudo-stitch on the binding either, but I would like to see it in person and handle it first. I do like that brim width though; I think it looks good on almost everyone-not too wide and not too stingy.

Thanks for the review and preview!

My pleasure - FWIW, the brim binding is well done and looks great in person. The shiny finish, I'm not so sure about.

 

[besdor]

The sweat is called a Von Baur sweat. It is good for lightweight hats and straw hats. The hat has been a great seller for us. We just reordered it for our stores.
The quality is between royal and the higher Soverign quality. Probably Stetsons nicest hat in a long time.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[ScottF]

...

Probably Stetsons nicest hat in a long time.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

Agreed - it looks like a perfect Summer felt fedora.

 

[carldelo]

Coda

Well I wound up returning the Brewster --- the brim was just too wide and the silk finish was too shiny for my taste. A beautiful lid, but it wasn't for me. So, there's a size 7-3/4 Brewster in stock now at Sterling Leather - they were great to deal with, by the way.

 

[besdor]

So come down to the store Cardelo , and we can show you the Stetson Ashland . Its the same shape with a smaller brim in a smooth felt finish. We may even have some 7 3/4 sizes in stock.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[carldelo]

So come down to the store Cardelo , and we can show you the Stetson Ashland . Its the same shape with a smaller brim in a smooth felt finish. We may even have some 7 3/4 sizes in stock.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

An excellent suggestion --- I say that because in fact, I have 2 Ashlands from you already. One in dark brown that my wife picked out in the store, and a caribou I picked up later because I liked the first one so much. To be fair, you weren't in the shop either time so we haven't met, and you wouldn't know that. I am interested in a tan hat, so think I will bring her along and try on a tawny new Whippet at some point to see if she wants to give it to me for x-mas. See you soon I hope, Carl