The Stratoliner Appreciation Club {MODERN}

[Hurricane Jack]

You did good.

Thanks Bob. I know they don't get much love around here but I don't let that bother me. It's pretty soft, in fact the brim is almost too soft & floppy for my tastes.

I'll have to start a thread for costume & clown hats.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

To confess my sins, I've never owned a Stratoliner. I've shied away from thin ribbon hats altogether. As my hat collection has grown I now think I need to make room for a Stratoliner (the Open Road remains a bridge too far). I was only looking at silverbelly, but the walnut is really starting to grow on me. I get it's not a fair question to ask without you knowing my wardrobe, but which color is the more versatile? I'm also fine with Hatco Stetsons as I don't find the quality as poor as some folks do. Any advice?

 

[Michael R.]

A lady told me taupe was one of the most versatile colors , but I'd say cornhill , walnut , silver belly , and black are very versatile .

 

[Redfokker]

I brought my Sage Excellent Quality Strat to the coast this weekend. The sage is a wonderful color, but definitely not what I would call versatile. I would also suggest seeking at least Stetson's "Excellent" level (what ever that means.) This one I got from @moontheloon is very nice. But he did dig through a pile to get a good one. I'm happy it came my way.

 

[KarlCrow]

I brought my Sage Excellent Quality Strat to the coast this weekend. The sage is a wonderful color, but definitely not what I would call versatile. I would also suggest seeking at least Stetson's "Excellent" level (what ever that means.) This one I got from @moontheloon is very nice. But he did dig through a pile to get a good one. I'm happy it came my way.

View attachment 86938

It is a great colour

 

[RJR]

It is a great colour

+1

 

[deadlyhandsome]

That hat in that color does indeed look great on you. I'll admit to being Leary about green hats since I bought a beautiful green Homburg. I love everything about that hat other than the color. I've never worn it out of my house.

I'll try to reserve judgement and see the sage color before I decide. I guess I'm looking for a solid hat I can wear anytime I feel like sporting a narrow ribbon. I don't want a black hat, and my only reservation with Silverbelly is my fear it will show the slightest smudge. Does anyone own one in walnut who might want to give an opinion?

 

[Redfokker]

That hat in that color does indeed look great on you. I'll admit to being Leary about green hats since I bought a beautiful green Homburg. I love everything about that hat other than the color. I've never worn it out of my house.

I'll try to reserve judgement and see the sage color before I decide. I guess I'm looking for a solid hat I can wear anytime I feel like sporting a narrow ribbon. I don't want a black hat, and my only reservation with Silverbelly is my fear it will show the slightest smudge. Does anyone own one in walnut who might want to give an opinion?

I would agree that Sage is not your go to color for versatility. I forget and go out wearing blue tones and realize, my wife points out this is not going to work. Lighter browns may be a better choice.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Does walnut qualify as a lighter brown? It's not as dark as my brown Akubra Fed IV, but it's nowhere near tan.

 

[Scooterz]

Walnut is a really nice color. A rich medium brown.

 

[Scooterz]

Here is a hat I picked up at the outlet. Not sure what it is. Like a Franken Whippet or something. An unusual leather band instead of a ribbon. Not sure what the color is. Kinda of light brown, close but not quite cornhill, lighter than walnut. In some light is looks a little olive. No tag or model info. Brim is a tad over 2.5", 2 9/16". Just indoor light so color is hard to capture but its a little more olive. The brim is pretty good at holding whatever shape I try with it.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

You will find lots of variations in modern hats on Silverbelly. Stetsons current variation has a lot of tan undertones & most of the time they trim it in either brown or a gold like ribbon. Other's Silverbelly tends to be too off-white or cream colored. You can't seem to find anything in a new felt in a color like Silverbelly used to be.

 

[Scooterz]

They had a white one in my size with a similar leather band, I liked it's hat band better. The white one also had a thinner binding on the edge like a strat. It was a little dirty on the pinch. Should have probably had them clean that hat and see if it came clean. Two of the white ones were nice felt they also had some other white hats that were similar but much with stiff felt. The brown one I picked seems like decent quality felt. I looked up colors of whippets & they make a tawny color and that may be what I have.

 

[FedOregon]

I brought my Sage Excellent Quality Strat to the coast this weekend. The sage is a wonderful color, but definitely not what I would call versatile. I would also suggest seeking at least Stetson's "Excellent" level (what ever that means.) This one I got from @moontheloon is very nice. But he did dig through a pile to get a good one. I'm happy it came my way.

View attachment 86938

I'm pretty sure the Excellent Quality hats are pure beaver fur felt. That's a gem, Red!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

I'm pretty sure the Excellent Quality hats are pure beaver fur felt. That's a gem, Red!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

Another feature to look for in the Excellent, Special Edition, Super Duper or Captain Fantastic... or what ever Stetson names their better hats is the sweat band. The quality is worth the premium. They still have cheap looking stampings, but they are more supple and thicker.

 

[Jhoff_1979]

They had a white one in my size with a similar leather band, I liked it's hat band better. The white one also had a thinner binding on the edge like a strat. It was a little dirty on the pinch. Should have probably had them clean that hat and see if it came clean. Two of the white ones were nice felt they also had some other white hats that were similar but much with stiff felt. The brown one I picked seems like decent quality felt. I looked up colors of whippets & they make a tawny color and that may be what I have.

That is in fact tawny. I own a Royal Deluxe Whippet in that exact color.

 

[jkingrph]

I just received one of the Stratoliners in Sage. I like the contrasting brown ribbon and binding, making for a more casual look. I am liking the green colors more, although this one is a bit dark. I think my favorite is the Arkbura in Bluegrass Green.

I also have a Stratoliner on order in Cornhill, which should be a far more versatile color.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I also have a Stratoliner on order in Cornhill, which should be a far more versatile color.

Cornhill is a nice color & appears to be slightly lighter in color than Akubra's Taupe Fawn. Michael R. has both. Check the Campdraft thread for pics of his Cornhill Strat & TFCD.

 

[Rockwater]

Does anyone have a clue where to purchase a Sage Excellent Quality Stratoliner?

 

[Bob Roberts]

Does anyone have a clue where to purchase a Sage Excellent Quality Stratoliner?

Try the Stetson/Hatco Outlet in Garland Tx.