Stetson Royal Fur Felt Fedoras made in Mexico?

[Federersfedora]

Hi

Im new to posting on this site, but I have read many interesting discussions and I was hoping to tap into the brainstrust about Stetson Royal Fur Felt hats Made in Mexico.

I purchased one such hat online a week or so ago. The hat was very reasonably priced at about $60 Australian, which was a bit concerning, but I thought oh well, we'll see what tun's up. The hat seemed very sturdy and claimed to be fur felt, it was also very well lined. It seemed authentic enough until I read the label made in Mexico? I searched everywhere to try and find out if Stetsons are now made in Mexico or whether this was a fake Stetson. I couldn't find anymore information and I ended up sending the hat back thinking it was a fake.

Anyway two days ago I went into my regular hat shop and low and behold there it was the same hat (it was identical) only the price tag was close to $400 au. I quickly called the seller to repost my item which he did. It hasn't arrived yet so I can't show photos.

Is this real or fake?

 

[Frunobulax]

Well, without photos of the hat and a better description, it's impossible to tell. Is this a new model of Stetson? Or something older? I don't know of any contemporary Stetsons made anywhere except Garland, TX, at this point. But, jeez, what's the incentive for marketing knock-off Stetsons? I guess you could, but I'd put my energies elsewhere.

If it is a vintage hat, does it say it was made in Mexico, or is there a store stamp on the sweatband indicating it was sold in Mexico? We have seen examples of the latter from some of our members who reside south of the US border. I cannot recall if any vintage Stetsons were manufactured in Mexico, but it's possible.

Can you post a link to the site selling it? More information is needed.

 

[hatsRme]

Is this real or fake?

Yes.

But without photos, we have no real way of knowing which.

 

[Cornshucker77]

Yes.

But without photos, we have no real way of knowing which.

LOL!! Everyone's a comedian.

 

[Federersfedora]

Here are two photos of the hat. The only thing is, the felt appears a little more course in your hand than depicted in the photo.

 

[Frunobulax]

So where does it say it's made in Mexico?

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Federersfedora]

Well, without photos of the hat and a better description, it's impossible to tell. Is this a new model of Stetson? Or something older? I don't know of any contemporary Stetsons made anywhere except Garland, TX, at this point. But, jeez, what's the incentive for marketing knock-off Stetsons? I guess you could, but I'd put my energies elsewhere.

If it is a vintage hat, does it say it was made in Mexico, or is there a store stamp on the sweatband indicating it was sold in Mexico? We have seen examples of the latter from some of our members who reside south of the US border. I cannot recall if any vintage Stetsons were manufactured in Mexico, but it's possible.

Can you post a link to the site selling it? More information is needed.

I have posted two photos of the hat that was sent to me by the seller. Where it states its made in mexico is on a small white label sewn in behind the size label and another label indicating that it is fur felt.

If by vintage you mean is it second hand, no they are selling the hat as new. Please bear in mind I found the exact same hat made in mexico by my favourite retailer for $395au? I did ask if this was correct, as I know Stetsons are usually made in Philadelphia, he said "it must be" he then went on to say that sometimes hats are made elsewhere to get around using materials that may be band in the US.

 

[Federersfedora]

So where does it say it's made in Mexico?

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

it's a little white label just behind the size label. Unfortunately you can't see it in the photo I sent.

 

[Frunobulax]

I have posted two photos of the hat that was sent to me by the seller. Where it states its made in mexico is on a small white label sewn in behind the size label and another label indicating that it is fur felt.

If by vintage you mean is it second hand, no they are selling the hat as new. Please bear in mind I found the exact same hat made in mexico by my favourite retailer for $395au? I did ask if this was correct, as I know Stetsons are usually made in Philadelphia, he said "it must be" he then went on to say that sometimes hats are made elsewhere to get around using materials that may be band in the US.

Stetsons haven't been made in Philadelphia since about 1970. They're made by Hatco in Garland, TX. The tag you show says made in America. I guess that's open to interpretation.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Federersfedora]

Stetsons haven't been made in Philadelphia since about 1970. They're made by Hatco in Garland, TX. The tag you show says made in America. I guess that's open to interpretation.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Thanks for the reply, The label i'm referring to is not the paper tag that is attached by cord. It is just behind the label that states 7 1/4 sizing. As I stated earlier, you can't see it from the photo I sent. I m waiting for the hat to arrive before more photos can be made available.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I have posted two photos of the hat that was sent to me by the seller. Where it states its made in mexico is on a small white label sewn in behind the size label and another label indicating that it is fur felt.

If by vintage you mean is it second hand, no they are selling the hat as new. Please bear in mind I found the exact same hat made in mexico by my favourite retailer for $395au? I did ask if this was correct, as I know Stetsons are usually made in Philadelphia, he said "it must be" he then went on to say that sometimes hats are made elsewhere to get around using materials that may be band in the US.

Putting a timeframe on "vintage" is somewhat subjective, but around here I would say it's safe to assume most would define it in as 1950s/60s or earlier. To me this hat would appear to be 1990s or newer, but that is speculation on my part. Tags that include dual Imperial and metric sizing, UPC barcode, and universal wash instructions all indicate a modern production. The sweatband is black with gold trim and the crease almost assuredly is machine formed, so further evidence it is newer rather than older.

Personally, I'd be more concerned of being charged $395AUD as opposed to being made in Mexico.

 

[BobHufford]

The tag you show says made in America. I guess that's open to interpretation.

Looks like it says "Made of America" ... open to even more interpretation. Now what materials would be illegal and from Mexico? This hat is not made of hemp.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Hi

Im new to posting on this site, but I have read many interesting discussions and I was hoping to tap into the brainstrust about Stetson Royal Fur Felt hats Made in Mexico.

I purchased one such hat online a week or so ago. The hat was very reasonably priced at about $60 Australian, which was a bit concerning, but I thought oh well, we'll see what tun's up. The hat seemed very sturdy and claimed to be fur felt, it was also very well lined. It seemed authentic enough until I read the label made in Mexico? I searched everywhere to try and find out if Stetsons are now made in Mexico or whether this was a fake Stetson. I couldn't find anymore information and I ended up sending the hat back thinking it was a fake.

Anyway two days ago I went into my regular hat shop and low and behold there it was the same hat (it was identical) only the price tag was close to $400 au. I quickly called the seller to repost my item which he did. It hasn't arrived yet so I can't show photos.

Is this real or fake?

Greetings and welcome to the lounge Ff.
Wanting to know what you bought before you get it is something we all have been through. Getting the answer, a different story as you can see.
If you want your answer now, before you have hat in hand, i suggest you go to your local hatter again and look at the label and see where made. You can even take more pics and post if it’s the “exact” hat as stated and go from there.
Otherwise, upon arrival let us see what ya got.
Again, welcome.
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Looks like it says "Made of America" ... open to even more interpretation. Now what materials would be illegal and from Mexico? This hat is not made of hemp.

Ha. I saw what you did!

 

[Federersfedora]

Putting a timeframe on "vintage" is somewhat subjective, but around here I would say it's safe to assume most would define it in as 1950s/60s or earlier. To me this hat would appear to be 1990s or newer, but that is speculation on my part. Tags that include dual Imperial and metric sizing, UPC barcode, and universal wash instructions all indicate a modern production. The sweatband is black with gold trim and the crease almost assuredly is machine formed, so further evidence it is newer rather than older.

Personally, I'd be more concerned of being charged $395AUD as opposed to being made in Mexico.

I hear you, I was shocked to learn that was how much they were selling them, but Stetsons have always fetched a high price in Aus, it's why I normally stick with Akubra.

When I saw the price tag in store, I instantly decided to recalled my item cancellation from the seller. As for vintage, your assessment would be pretty much my assessment also. This hat is a much a newer Stetson. It should be arriving today so I will have more photos to post later on.

The other thing I noticed is that it does not have a name other than a royal fur felt hat, So its not stating temple, chatham, Saxon and so on. Not sure if this matters.

 

[Federersfedora]

Greetings and welcome to the lounge Ff.
Wanting to know what you bought before you get it is something we all have been through. Getting the answer, a different story as you can see.
If you want your answer now, before you have hat in hand, i suggest you go to your local hatter again and look at the label and see where made. You can even take more pics and post if it’s the “exact” hat as stated and go from there.
Otherwise, upon arrival let us see what ya got.
Again, welcome.
B

Thank you for the welcome and I appreciate all the advice thus far. When I saw the hat in store the first thing I did is looked at the label and found made in Mexico. Look at an earlier response I posted as to what the seller advised.

The hat should be coming today so I will have more photos to post shortly.

 

[Federersfedora]

Looks like it says "Made of America" ... open to even more interpretation. Now what materials would be illegal and from Mexico? This hat is not made of hemp.

The hatter stated that carcinogenic's is one such illegal substance but I don't know why you would use that in the making of hats?

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I hear you, I was shocked to learn that was how much they were selling them, but Stetsons have always fetched a high price in Aus, it's why I normally stick with Akubra.

When I saw the price tag in store, I instantly decided to recalled my item cancellation from the seller. As for vintage, your assessment would be pretty much my assessment also. This hat is a much a newer Stetson. It should be arriving today so I will have more photos to post later on.

The other thing I noticed is that it does not have a name other than a royal fur felt hat, So its not stating temple, chatham, Saxon and so on. Not sure if this matters.

I'm sure you're probably aware but Akubra held a license for a while to produce Stetson for the Australian market. The Camp Draft is based on the Open Road. These Aussie Stetsons are rare to find over here, although I think one recently popped up in the past week or two in a thread.

It will definitely be interesting to see more pics when your hat arrives. Please carefully check for any labels behind the sweatband and liner, as these often provide the best clues for helping to identify and date a hat.

 

[Federersfedora]

I'm sure you're probably aware but Akubra held a license for a while to produce Stetson for the Australian market. The Camp Draft is based on the Open Road. These Aussie Stetsons are rare to find over here, although I think one recently popped up in the past week or two in a thread.

It will definitely be interesting to see more pics when your hat arrives. Please carefully check for any labels behind the sweatband and liner, as these often provide the best clues for helping to identify and date a hat.

Thanks will do.

 

[Federersfedora]

I just received the hat, here are the additional photos