Which came first, Stetson Whippet or Akubra Stylemaster?

[Blackthorn]

Since these two hats are similar in appearance, and since I read a couple of years ago (here on FL) that the Stylemaster has been around since the Thirties or so, which one came first? I like my Stylemasters a lot, and have thought of getting a modern Whippet because they are pretty too. The only caveat is the powder used to color the Stetsons.

 

[DJH]

Hey Blackthorn, I have no idea as to the Stylemaster history, but the Whippet has been around since the 30's for sure.

See this 1937 Stetson ad posted by Robert:

Aureliano has a 1930's example, possibly the nicest Whippet on the Lounge.

The Whippet was also made under license in Australia at one time, presumably by Akubra. Eric (Short Balding Guy) has an example, I think.

If you can find a vintage one in your size (easy for me to say wearing 7 or 71/8 ) you'll find it a much better hat than the modern version. As with many Stetson hats, the older the better!

Oh, I love that Casino model in the ad - love to find one of those!

 

[Blackthorn]

What a cool ad, DJH! I'd love to own a vintage Whippet, but for the price I could probably buy a custom copy from one of our great makers here. But having the history in a hat would be so cool......

 

[job]

On Akubras site I see they offer a Stylemaster in loden. Thats new for the Stylemaster I think.

 

[DJH]

What a cool ad, DJH! I'd love to own a vintage Whippet, but for the price I could probably buy a custom copy from one of our great makers here. But having the history in a hat would be so cool......

Yes, a custom "Whippet" is always a good idea.
The two Art has made for me from his ArtLite felt have way better felt quality than my early 50's Whippets, indeed other than the lack of "history" (and the fact there were more interesting colours back in the day) I'd say they were better in every way.

 

[Kirk H.]

From what I have read about the Akubra Stylemasters they came out in the 1950's...for some reason 1955 is sticking in my head. I know that Akubra expanded their line in the 1950s when they won a license from Stetson to produce them in Australia. Akubra also has a hat called the Whippet on their website but it has a stingy brim. The biggest difference I see between the current Stetson Whippet and the Akubra Stylemaster is the side dents. The Whippets appear deeper. And the Whippet is bound.

[/IMG] The modern Whippet

[/IMG] The Stylemaster.

Kirk H.

 

[Blackthorn]

The Stylemaster has a nicely bound brim, too, Kirk (I have 3 of them). But all the rest of what you say may well be right. I wish I knew more.

 

[Kirk H.]

The Stylemaster has a nicely bound brim, too, Kirk (I have 3 of them). But all the rest of what you say may well be right. I wish I knew more.

You are right. I have one myself, don't know what I was thinking. What colors do you have? I have the acorn as well as several Fed IVs. I have always wondered if the Stylemaster was their license built coppy of the Whippet since the Campdraft was a coppy of the Open Road. Either way The Stylemaster is a great hat, I just wish more colors were available. I would love to see a blue grass color.

 

[cookie]

Hey Blackthorn, I have no idea as to the Stylemaster history, but the Whippet has been around since the 30's for sure.

See this 1937 Stetson ad posted by Robert:

Aureliano has a 1930's example, possibly the nicest Whippet on the Lounge.

The Whippet was also made under license in Australia at one time, presumably by Akubra. Eric (Short Balding Guy) has an example, I think.

If you can find a vintage one in your size (easy for me to say wearing 7 or 71/8 ) you'll find it a much better hat than the modern version. As with many Stetson hats, the older the better!

Oh, I love that Casino model in the ad - love to find one of those!

eBay has been full of Whippets lately in all colours in predominately 7 1/4

 

[job]

everythingaustralian.com has them in bluegrass green.

 

[Peregrine]

everythingaustralian.com has them in bluegrass green.

Yep, I have one on order...three month wait though :-(

 

[Blackthorn]

You are right. I have one myself, don't know what I was thinking. What colors do you have? I have the acorn as well as several Fed IVs. I have always wondered if the Stylemaster was their license built coppy of the Whippet since the Campdraft was a coppy of the Open Road. Either way The Stylemaster is a great hat, I just wish more colors were available. I would love to see a blue grass color.

The first color I got was the acorn. Then last year I got a moonstone. And just a few weeks ago I got a black one (which I love...it goes great with my grey suit). I'd love to see a bluegrass color too.

 

[Blackthorn]

Hey Blackthorn, I have no idea as to the Stylemaster history, but the Whippet has been around since the 30's for sure.

See this 1937 Stetson ad posted by Robert:

!

I was so intrigued by this ad that I went to Ebay and found one for sale, and got it. It'll make a nice framed addition to my travel room.

 

[jbucklin]

everythingaustralian.com has them in bluegrass green.

What a frustrating site that is! I could not find the bluegrass green Stylemaster anywhere!

 

[Peregrine]

What a frustrating site that is! I could not find the bluegrass green Stylemaster anywhere!

Yer tiz: https://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=535

 

[Duper]

Check John Helmer Haberdasher in Oregon. He used to carry the bluegrass green Stylemaster.

 

[jbucklin]

Yer tiz: https://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=535

Thanks Peregrine. I unkowingly omitted the .au in the url! :/

 

[gtdean48]

What a frustrating site that is! I could not find the bluegrass green Stylemaster anywhere!

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=535

Look at colors in drop down menu

 

[jbucklin]

Check John Helmer Haberdasher in Oregon. He used to carry the bluegrass green Stylemaster.

I checked John Helmer's site and they have "green" as a color option. I'm assuming that's bluegrass green. I might have to get one of those. No three month wait!

 

[Atticus Finch]

It has probably been mentioned before, but this ad introduces great evidence that Stetson used the Open Road name prior to WWII...but, in those days, it was attached to a hat that only barely resembles the iconic Open Road of the fifties and beyond.

I guess I have always wanted to believe that the OR was invented...or "born"...in the form we know it today. The truth is, though, it evolved from something or somethings else.

AF