Stetson "Nostalgia"? (now with pics)

[carldelo]

Any update on the Bencraft bound brim version of the Nostalgia hat? If it doesn't come in soon the felt season will be over and we will be able to get the new Stetson Whippet next fall. Will the new whippet be an open crown?

Hi Topdog - here's a recent thread where the fate of the Bencraft Nostalgia was discussed:

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37638

It sounds like Besdor sent their order back as flawed and declined to order more, but ordered the new Whippet for the fall. The Whippet appears to have the same pre-shaped crown as the Chatham. Actually to me, it looks like a bound-brim Chatham, but Besdor made it sound a little nicer. I have my eyes on a tan one when they come in.

 

[besdor]

I think the Whippet will be a much better seller than the Nostalgia. Most people dont want to shape their own hat today and the teardrop shape is very popular. When I saw the sample, I instantly bought it in three colors.
I cant wait for it to come into my stores.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[carldelo]

Which three colors did you pick?

 

[Dixon]

My New Nostalgia

Just got my new Nostalgia in last night! I'm loving it so far.
Went for a Maltese Falcon/Bogie Bash and I'd love some feedback.

Also, is there consensus on wearing these out in the rain?
I'm eager to try it.


D

<a href="http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3214xf4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/897/imgp3214xf4.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>
<a href="http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3209iv0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7826/imgp3209iv0.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>
<a href="http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3204tk9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6401/imgp3204tk9.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>
<a href="http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3206yv9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3893/imgp3206yv9.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>
<a href="http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3210jx4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3190/imgp3210jx4.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>
<a href="http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp3196lj7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/739/imgp3196lj7.th.jpg" border="0"/></a>

 

[ScionPI2005]

That Nostalgia definitely looks good on you Dixon! I have no idea about the rain, though I'm sure others have some ideas.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Looks great Dixon! Very sharp! Would that they made a thin-ribboned version.

 

[gtdean48]

Looks great Dixon! Very sharp! Would that they made a thin-ribboned version.

:arated:

 

[Matt Deckard]

Just got my new Nostalgia in last night! I'm loving it so far.
Went for a Maltese Falcon/Bogie Bash and I'd love some feedback.

Also, is there consensus on wearing these out in the rain?
I'm eager to try it.

I love the shape.

I've had one of the originals shrink on me, so for the new models...
All I can say is take it out in the rain and we'll see.

I stand with the felt being better than modern Borsalino and Akubra when it comes to durability.

Looks rad!

 

[grey ghost]

Love the hat Dixon.......

Where did you get it..:eusa_clap

 

[carter]

Here's mine received from Jimmy Pierce yesterday. New ribbon and bound edge on caribou/grey felt.

more pictures here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37638

 

[handlebar bart]

Carter, I am digging that Stetson. The bound edge makes the Nostalgia a winner and the new ribbon work is great and certainly give it some pizazz:eusa_clap

 

[Dixon]

I got mine at Aaron Hats.

I'll keep everyone posted on the rain question when I cross that bridge.
Thanks for the feedback!

D

 

[lc1484]

Dixon,

while working my Nostalgia, I noticed my fingertips got gray from the felt dye powder...and in the rain, while wet, some dye ran off my fingertips while donning and doffing...but after a couple of times it has gotten less...


the hat looks good on you!

Larry

 

[Bassman]

My experience with a Nostalgia in the rain was not a good one.
YMMV.
Great looking lid.
edit to add...
Dixon...your ribbon looks wider than the one that came on mine.

 

[jazzncocktails]

Has anybody had a Nostalgia long enough to notice if they shrink a bit?

I can't speak for the Nostalgia, but I have two modern Stetsons--the Saxon and the Chatham--and both were a bit big on me new, even though my head measures 59 cm and I bought the 7 3/8. I used a foam strip on the sweatband (courtesy Village Hat Shop), and as I've worn them around, I've discovered that they have become a bit too snug with the foam. So, with that removed, they fit perfectly. The leather has expanded a bit upon wearing, I suspect, and they've conformed nicely to my head. Try the padding on your larger hat and see if it gets used to your head, so to speak.

 

[jazzncocktails]

Nostalgia vs. Fed IV?

I need a light/medium grey fedora, and since I have two modern Stetsons already (both in browns), I'd been considering a Federation IV, given the raves many on this board have posted. The Fed IV will cost less...but between the two, which would you choose, the Nostalgia or the Fed IV? Or do you have another open crown in mind?

(I'd considered the 7 1/2 Schoble that JohnnyPhi has on auction, but the starting bid price seems a bit high to me...not to mention that I'm a 7 3/8).

 

[handlebar bart]

I need a light/medium grey fedora, and since I have two modern Stetsons already (both in browns), I'd been considering a Federation IV, given the raves many on this board have posted. The Fed IV will cost less...but between the two, which would you choose, the Nostalgia or the Fed IV? Or do you have another open crown in mind?

(I'd considered the 7 1/2 Schoble that JohnnyPhi has on auction, but the starting bid price seems a bit high to me...not to mention that I'm a 7 3/8).

If it was my choice to make I would go after the Schoble. The cav edge alone would seal the deal for me, but the Schoble, in my opinion, is a much nicer hat than your other two choices. Alittle temporary padding and you will have a lid that will soon enough conform to your noodle.

 

[Dixon]

Larry,
I didn't have any dye come off on my fingers at all while working the hat. Perhaps the color will hold in the rain, but we'll see.

Also, in response to:

I need a light/medium grey fedora, and since I have two modern Stetsons already (both in browns), I'd been considering a Federation IV, given the raves many on this board have posted. The Fed IV will cost less...but between the two, which would you choose, the Nostalgia or the Fed IV? Or do you have another open crown in mind?

Jazz, I was deliberating between these very two hats and went with the Nostalgia for the uniform brim size. I wanted a gray hat w/o the dimensional cut the Fed has.

Best,
D

 

[JohnnyB53]

I need a light/medium grey fedora, and since I have two modern Stetsons already (both in browns), I'd been considering a Federation IV, given the raves many on this board have posted. The Fed IV will cost less...but between the two, which would you choose, the Nostalgia or the Fed IV? Or do you have another open crown in mind?

If it comes down to the Nostalgia vs. the Fed IV, make the comparison against the Fed IV Deluxe to put them in the same price range.

For that $140, the Nostalgia has a softer, slightly more luxurious feel, a uniform brim width, and wider ribbon. The Fed IV sacrifices a little bit of felt feel and finish for assured durability and weather- and shrink-resistance, dye that won't run, a 1-5/8" ribbon (very nice mid-width ribbon), and slightly dimensional brim.

The Deluxe has a nice, smooth, uniform felt finish in its own right, and is more finely finished and sanded than the other Akubras in the Heritage series. I like the dimensional brim, because it's not really noticeable, yet it provides more brim to shade the eyes and enlarges the hat profile while keeping the face a little more accessible when viewed from the front.

I'm not saying to get the Fed IV Deluxe necessarily, but I have one in moonstone and am familiar with its strengths. I like the feel, look, and color of it very much, and I'd never be hesitant to wear it in the rain, something that even the Nostalgia aficionados are cautious about. The Deluxes have a nicer sweat band than you're likely to encounter in another sub $200 hat. I have two open crown Akubras with the Deluxe sweat band, and the hats feel like you're hardly wearing anything at all.

 

[jazzncocktails]

If it comes down to the Nostalgia vs. the Fed IV, make the comparison against the Fed IV Deluxe to put them in the same price range.

I'd never be hesitant to wear it in the rain, something that even the Nostalgia aficionados are cautious about. The Deluxes have a nicer sweat band than you're likely to encounter in another sub $200 hat. I have two open crown Akubras with the Deluxe sweat band, and the hats feel like you're hardly wearing anything at all.

Thanks for the great advice, Handlebar Bart, Dixon, and JohnnyB53. Bart, I'll be mulling over that Schoble during the day today...and I may take Johnny's advice and pursue the Akubra eventually, if only for the ability to wear it without concern in the rain AND because I already have two modern Stetsons. I'm with you, though, Dixon--I've found my Stetsons quite satisfactory so far, despite some of the naysaying from others on the board who aren't fans of them.