Stetson Hats: Worth It? Classic Fedora & Cowboy Hat Review

#Stetson #hats #notsponsored

SHOP THE VIDEO:

GUIDES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: Tyler Domecq
→ Camera: Graham Zima
→ Editing: Jonathan Oster
→ Visual Supervision: Jack Collins
→ Produczioni Europee Associate
→ ABC
→ 20th Century Studios
→ Warner Bros. Pictures
→ BRANDMADE.TV
→ Yeo Yong Kiat
→ Lock & Co. Hatters

IMAGE CREDITS:
→ PABook
→ Explore PA History
→ The Stetson Mansion
→ International Poster Gallery
→ The Stetson Evening Post
→ Stetson
→ Disney
→ Stetson Stories
→ Gear Patrol
→ Scenic Hudson

Want to see more videos? Subscribe to our channel!

Become a part of the Gentleman's Gazette community - support us on Patreon!

Want to join our team? Take a look at our open positions!
Gentleman's Gazette

00:00 Stetson Hats Introduction

While classic style lovers have kept them alive in recent decades, there is no arguing that classic hats are something of a niche accessory in menswear today. Still, many once-ubiquitous brands have managed to maintain a reputation for high quality and are still putting out product today, including Borsalino and Stetson.

02:10 History of Stetson

Born in 1830, company founder John B. Stetson came from a New Jersey-based family of hat makers. Production of the hats rapidly expanded when Stetson opened up a factory in Philadelphia.

By the early 1900s then, Stetson had already established itself as an icon within the world of hat making; only really challenged in this respect by its European arch-rival, Borsalino.

06:03 The Stetson Ethos

Today, the Stetson Company holds the intellectual property and trademark rights to its name, but at least in part, licenses manufacture out to other companies, including RHE Hatco. The company today positions itself as something of a broader lifestyle brand for those who enjoy the Western aesthetic. “Urban Cowboys,” so to speak.

07:12 Stetson Hats: Western, Caps & Outdoors

08:38 Stetson Fedoras
→ The Whippet
→ The Temple
→ The Stratoliner
→ The Midtown
→ Straw Hats
→ The Ibarra
→ The Retro Panama
14:02 Other Stetson Hats
→ The Open Road
→ The Madrigal

15:17 Stetson Hat Construction

Stetson fur felt hats today are made at a factory in Longview Texas. Here, imported animal furs are refined and felted with the furs mixed and combed until only the fine down layers remain.

Quality control assures that there are no flaws or blemishes and that the finished hat is ready for use.

17:45 Assessing Stetson Hats

Regarding sizing, our observations are that the hat does fit true to size; though it is maybe just a hair large. The hat certainly feels comfortable and the material feels high-quality, luxurious, and soft to the touch. The mink coloring is rich and deep, and we find that the brim snaps nicely into place for a rakish style.

As far as finishing is concerned, things are generally neat and tidy. As to how the hat stands up to the elements, we can’t comment firsthand on this.

20:40 Are Stetson Hats Worth It?

While Stetson is perhaps no longer quite the powerhouse brand that it was in the early 20th century and before, they do still offer high-quality hats in general. In addition to their heritage, Stetson does still emphasize classic style and their hats do seem to be durable and have a good longevity over time.

24:23 Outfit Rundown

[MomfTwins]

Yes!!! Living in Texas and loving classic menswear, (after polling them the men in my immediate family) would love to see a video combining western and classic menswear. Don't forget a mention on more "formal" western wear, please.

[Volper]

God I wish I could afford a Stetson. As much as I love the classic styles of the Urban 20s through the 40s, my heart will always be in the western style. I would love to see you guys step into the wild west a little more as I feel it's a unique and still very classic style. That said, I love that you are bringing classic back. We need it.

[fumblerooskie]

I own a couple of Stetsons. They are by far my favourite hats. I also have a Borsalino, and several others, but I really love my original brown Stetson, which I bought many years ago from a ninety-year-old seller who took one look at me and correctly identified by exact hat size.

[newstyletelevision]

I have a Stetson hat. Bought it cheap without knowing it was from a heritage brand. I have it for years and I love it. One of the best clothing buys of my life.

[jacobberk]

Nice to see some love for the cowboy hat, finally! I've always championed it as a fair contender in the classic men's hats category, but most people ignore them entirely. I myself have a few (one felt, one straw, and one leather) and get compliments on them all the time! I don't even live in the Southwest or Texas.

[k.j.lindsey]

I am pleased to say that I do own a Stetson. It’s a gray, wool felt, Western style hat that I have had for several years. I am quite pleased with it.

[bobwallace]

I'm in Arlington so there are plenty of western wear and hat stores. Stetson is regarded as a premium brand. In everyone's closet you'll find two hats, straw for summer and felt for winter. You'll also see cowboy boots, especially for the women.

[davidparker]

About three years ago I bought a vintage Stetson fedora at an antiques mall for only $12. The style is very much like the Temple but it is made of a woven fabric 35% wool, 50% acrylic, 15% nylon made in Sri Lanka. The crown is 4" high and the brim is 2 1/2" wide and is turned down. There is a 3/4" band around the crown that is the same color as the rest of the hat. It's the color that caught my eye, a heavy canvas like weave in black and white with very tiny specks of silver, yellow and pink. Because of the color this casual style hat goes with almost everything. In the fall and spring I wear it with a short gray canvas jacket and I get more compliments from people wanting to know where they can get one. I have no idea how old this hat is, any time from the 1950s to today for all I know. This hat started me buying vintage style hats. I now have 9 hats some new, most used or vintage, paid less than $20 each for the used or vintage. Great video as always keep 'em coming.

[KaiserShidler]

I would love to see y’all talk about classic western wear. I feel like in America especially, western wear has had a significant impact on menswear.

[Gravefalcon]

I'm Canadian and my mother took up Western dancing as a health activity in during her retirement. When we went to Texas I made sure to pick up a Stetson cowboy hat for her. Did it NEED to come from Texas? Absolutely not. Does the fact that I bought there make for a good story she tells when asked about it? You bet. Quite happy with the purchase

[ronaldpoppe]

Still wearing my grandfather's Stetson Fedora from 1948

[sipes]

As a resident of Wyoming, western wear is everywhere (and I do like it in moderation). I've got two Stetsons that I love. The straw fedora (whose model I've forgotten) was a great purchase. It stays cool on hot days and the brim snaps nicely. The other, an Open Road, is a bit newer to me, and it's great. It fits between summer (straw) and winter (Stormy Kromer time). It's just Western enough to fit in here, but not so extreme that I couldn't wear it elsewhere. They're both great value for money.

[TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

I love that hat/suit combination, Preston! You look amazing!

[MisterKnightly]

We definitely need a video on western clothing.
Keep the cowboy hat, but lose that leather jacket, wear tweed instead!

This is your best video this entire year.

[gypsyboomer]

Have a Stetson wool crushable fedora that I wear for three seasons, also am original owner of late '60's Stetson Cavalry Hat, gotten while in a foreign land. It has had several shapes over the years, but has now been restored to original style and retired. Thanks for the tips.

[CybrSynaps]

On a note about western aesthetics in a modern world; I wear cowboy boots almost every single day from Ariat. Inspired by the Yellowstone TV series I decided I finally wanted to give them a try. I found a local retailer of western apparel and equestrian supplies and spoke to someone knowledgeable about boots who helped me find a boot in my size that fits my style and budget. They were slight expensive at around $200 but they are the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned and can go with just about any other outfit. I can wear the boots to work in the yard, to my job in a business setting, to a wedding, to church, or just out running errands. They took a while to break in but after they did I will never go without a pair of cowboy boots in my wardrobe options.

[judystones]

I would love to see more about cowboy hats. I have a deep connection to western wear but always worry it doesn’t appeal to the standards of classic menswear.

[LlyleHunter]

Stetson Hats speak quality without looking at the labels. Anyone can see their quality without knowing anything about clothing.
When I bought my first fedora from Stetson it was from an off price store and I examined it very closely to be certain that it was free of flaws and I snapped it up immediately.
I wore it to a job interview with an Italian summer suit on Long Island in New York and landed the position immediately. I knew that the interview started off well when I walked into the broker’s office (real estate) and both the broker and broker of record’s eyes lit up when they saw my hat and then saw me remove my hat for the interview to when I sat down.
When I moved to Florida I went to another job interview wearing another Stetson fedora and the same thing happened.
Stetson’s success and reputation isn’t limited to the south or southwest. They’re not only known throughout the United States but international travelers buy them up when visiting the IS.

[garbo]

Had a friend that worked for Stetson Hats in Philadelphia back in the early 1970's. First day working they sent him home to get a hat. They made men wear hats to work everyday. Was a great place to work.

[America-Is-Doomed]

"Affording" a Stetson is a matter of priority. I love how people say "I can't afford" when in fact, they could but it's not a priority to them. They can surely afford their $1000 iPhone, $5 coffee every day or their monthly cable/internet subscription because it's about PRIORITY NOT the cost of the hat. I own 15 Stetson and Resistol Cowboy hats, some as expensive as several thousands of dollars, because as a rancher, it's a priority not a matter of cost. Lastly, the $440.00 Stetson Shasta you show towards the end of the video is my daily work hat which I have worn for almost 20 years. There is no doubt it is worth every penny considering that amortizes out to around $20 a year which way less than people spend on their iPhone and such.