What is Your Favorite Hat Brand, and Why?

[splintercellsz]

As the title states, what is your favorite Hat Brand & Hat from said company, and why?

For me, my favorite hat brand would have to be Stetson. The reason being is that my Grandfather wore Stetsons when he was younger, and he is the reason I started wearing hats. That, and the fact that there is so much history to the company, my thirst is never quenched, as I am always learning something new!

My favorite Stetson is my 1900s Expo.

What are yours?

 

[gtdean48]

Brand = Stetson
Model = Wanderer

 

[hatsRme]

Okay, Splinty, I'll play... But I simply can't pick just one brand! Each has its own special qualities, or properties; be that style, materials, details, whatever. Sometimes its simply the rarity of the hat(s). Of the present-day hat makers accommodating my style, I guess Mr. Fawcett is the current favorite based on the several VS hats I own. But like all things of fashion, this could change... or not. He does continue to reinvent and broaden his line enough to keep our attention (I.E. FINE Milans!!).

 

[Banky]

I guess this question gets compartmentalized for me. I.E.: Vintage: Stetson, Modern production: Akubra, Modern hand made: Gotta stick with Brass rooster customs followed closely by Art.

 

[T Jones]

Interesting thread...nailing down one particular favorite hat brand is going to be tough, especially after seeing so many nice lids on this forum. Of course Stetson is going to be on the list. I have a Bradford LTD. OR clone that I like really well. Neither of my Stetsons come close to touching it.

 

[winter_joe]

I've always like the styling of Disney and my first vintage is a Disney. And as for favorite hat it my VS whippet clone in oxblood always the most comfortable hat I put on

 

[John in Covina]

J.C. Penny's Marathon

In the modern hats I remain very happy with Akubra as a brand that has a balance of quality at an affordable price.
I have several old hats including a Bosalino, Dobbs, Champ, Adams, but for an all around hat the J.C. Penny's Marathon seems so right.

 

[hatophile]

I like 'em all, but since I have more Stetsons by far than anything else, it'd have to be John B.

 

[elveston]

Unfortunately, I don't yet have at least one of each brand. But, I'm working on it!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I only own Stetsons and Resistols...

 

[splintercellsz]

Why fellas, why!! What are your reasons for honing in on certain brands? for me, like stated above, I enjoy Stetsons due to my Grandfather wearing them.

 

[Missouri Mason]

I vote for Akubra, hands down. They are by far the toughest hats I've ever owned, damn fine looking lids too. I would venture to say that Akubra offers the best price to quality ratio in the hat business.

 

[mayserwegener]

J. Hückel´s Söhne
P. & C. Habig Wien
A. Peschel
Pre 1940

Really any Austrian or German make from the early 1900s.

 

[fashion frank]

The Dobb's Hat company hats because I like the quality and style .
I now have about 4 or 5 Dobbs that all "look" alike as far as the style but of course in different colors .

As other posters already stated it is hard to just nail it down to one brand .

Justin we are all going to miss you my man , you have been a big part of this Forum and your a great guy !

All the Best , Fashion Frank

 

[splintercellsz]

I agree with how hard it is to nail it down, but I am just curious to see what everyone goes for!

Frank, thank you, Sir! 19 days and counting!

 

[Brian Niebuhr]

Easy for me to nail one down. Akubra. The only dang one I can afford! If I were rich I'd be checking out VS. That reminds me, I was going to buy a lotto ticket on my way home tonight. Well, Akubra it remains.
Ok so it's not only price. I think they use crack somewhere in the felting process as well. I just can't seem to get enough!

 

[GamaH]

I have Stetsons, Borsalinos, and Optimos. Optimo hands down.

 

[DougC]

Stetson...I'm from Texas...enough said.

BUT, I like my Optimo, Borsolino and Akubra...not necessarily in that order.

 

[Banky]

Ah yeah, I neglected the why portion of the question. Vintage stetsons because they have some iconic designs I really love. Modern Akubras because I feel they're price to quality ratio cannot be matched by any other modern production hat. BrassRooster hand made customs because I help make them and Art because they're some of the finest hats available at a very reasonable price by someone who is very pleasant to conduct business with.

 

[gtdean48]

Let's revisit this:
Current modern factory brand = Akubra, tough, well-made, good value
Custom hatter brand = Vintage Silhouettes, extremely well-made, exquisite attention to detail, reasonable price point, perfect fit
Vintage factory brand = Stetson, synonymous for hat, wish they made them like they used to...had good competition from Lee, Knox, Disney, Champ, etc.