Stetson "Nostalgia"? (now with pics)

[dawgvet]

What is the general feel of the new Stetson Nostalgia vs the current Akubras? I have a fawn Camp Draft and really like it, especially for the price! How bout a head to head comparison?
Thanks
Jed

 

[scottyrocks]

What is the general feel of the new Stetson Nostalgia vs the current Akubras? I have a fawn Camp Draft and really like it, especially for the price! How bout a head to head comparison?
Thanks
Jed

Thats something Id like to know about, too. The Nostalgia looks good. What moves it down a notch for me is the reported shrinkage problem, though.

 

[dawgvet]

That and the dye coming off when it gets wet! What the ...? Don't they remember how they made them 50 yrs ago? Just do it that way again! I don't hear much complaining about the Feds.

 

[scottyrocks]

That and the dye coming off when it gets wet! What the ...? Don't they remember how they made them 50 yrs ago? Just do it that way again! I don't hear much complaining about the Feds.

Ya, thats right. Okay, I guess I no longer need to see that comparison.

 

[HATCO]

It's not dye. It's powder. The powder is used to give a uniform appearance to the hat and cover up any mottling and give it better shelf appeal. I have a couple of akubras that I've bought and they don't have powder, but they do have mottling.

 

[carter]

As noted elsewhere,

A light application of Scout Felt Hat Rain & Stain Protector makes a big difference in protecting the powder finish on your hat. It is available on-line as well at most western hat stores.

 

[CRH]

What ever happened to the Whippet resurrection idea? I can't seem to find one in my size at an affordable price [huh].

Oh well, I never liked the wide brim binding anyway . The only reason I don't own a Nostalgia is due to the wide ribbon - somebody hypnotize me PLEASE .

 

[carldelo]

Here it is

What ever happened to the Whippet resurrection idea? I can't seem to find one in my size at an affordable price [huh].

Oh well, I never liked the wide brim binding anyway . The only reason I don't own a Nostalgia is due to the wide ribbon - somebody hypnotize me PLEASE .

Here's the revived Whippet at the Stetson site - not sure who has it - searching Stetson Whippet just gives a truckload of vintage links. I know Bencraft will get it but it's not listed on their site yet - I think they were planning for the fall. The Roadmaster shown here looks nice as well.

http://www.stetsonhat.com/collections.php?prod_id=74

 

[avedwards]

Can I point out that the modern Whippet is nothing but a Chatham with a bound edge. Same felt quality, same dimensions and same precreased shape. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this hat as my current best hat is a Chatham and it has survived rain, but it is not the same as the 1940s Whippet.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Nothing against the Chatham, and it "discount" cousin the Downs (same basic hat), but I don't like the current Whippet. Which is odd for me because I prefer bound edges. But like the Chatham better.

If I want a modern Whippet clone, I'll buy a Nostalgia and have it bound. [huh]

 

[carldelo]

Hmmm, your comment is interesting NB, as I am actually considering having a bound edge added to my Chatham. The brim has become somewhat rippled with age and I don't have a flange to iron it properly. An under- or over-welt sounds cool also, but I'm not sure how much of the brim that would consume.

Stetson had a bound-brim, Sovereign quality hat called the Hampton, which was essentially a bound brim Chatham but with a silk finish. As far as I know, it was only offered in black, which is not a color I favor and the brim binding looks extremely narrow. I've heard it mentioned here favorably a few times - it appears Quality Hats has some remaining stock:

http://www.qualityhats.com/hampton.htm

 

[Bird's One View]

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.

This is a good comparison.

Here are both hats, new and open crowned (Stetson with feather):

 

[carldelo]

Alright, I'll do the honors - which hat is which?

 

[Bird's One View]

Alright, I'll do the honors - which hat is which?

Edited earlier post.

 

[Dixon]

Thanks for these pics.
I've got a Fed Dlx (Brown) and a Nostalgia. I've wondered how a the grey Fed would compare in color.

This is super helpful, thanks.

D

 

[Mr. Paladin]

Stetson had a bound-brim, Sovereign quality hat called the Hampton, which was essentially a bound brim Chatham but with a silk finish. As far as I know, it was only offered in black, which is not a color I favor and the brim binding looks extremely narrow. I've heard it mentioned here favorably a few times - it appears Quality Hats has some remaining stock:/QUOTE]

I have a Stetson Hampton in a tawny color similar to the color Stetson calls bark. It is a very nice hat, but the crown is not as high as the Nostalgia. Mine is higher than that of my Chatham however. Its a nice hat and I like it; very good quality I think.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Looks like the crown is a bit straighter on the Fed as well.

 

[Bird's One View]

The difference is exaggerated by the Fed's narrower ribbon; but yes, it is slightly straighter than the Nostalgia.

 

[Blackthorn]

Any updates on these hats?

How have they held up over the last year or two? Do they fall apart/shrink/colors run, or has Stetson solved that problem and now they are dependable?

I have a hat coming for Christmas. I just have to pick one out, now. I'm trying to decide between this:
http://www.getahaton.com/Stetson_Nostalgia_Fedora_p/tf320c0324.nostc.htm

and this:
http://www.jjhatcenter.com/index.php?productID=115

Both are open crown and come in gray, which is the color I will buy.

 

[HatRak]

How have they held up over the last year or two? Do they fall apart/shrink/colors run, or has Stetson solved that problem and now they are dependable?

I have a hat coming for Christmas. I just have to pick one out, now. I'm trying to decide between this:
http://www.getahaton.com/Stetson_Nostalgia_Fedora_p/tf320c0324.nostc.htm

and this:
http://www.jjhatcenter.com/index.php?productID=115

Both are open crown and come in gray, which is the color I will buy.

Personally, I'm liking the Biltmore. Besides, the Stetson must have been real popular. There's only one color (caribou) and two sizes left.