The Stratoliner Appreciation Club {MODERN}

[RBH]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone know if the new Stetson Stratoliner is available in Europe / Germany ?

I would prefer to buy in a shop if at all possible.

Any help on this would be great.

Thanks !

What size are you David?

 

[danofarlington]

For what it's worth, I saw a pretty old-looking Stratoliner this week in size 7 1/4 at a Falls Church, Virginia antique store called "Antique Annex." Whoever might be interested can call them at 703 241 9642.

 

[kaiser]

Hi RBH,

All of my modern hats ( I do not have any vintage ones ) are either 59 or 60. The last one I bought was Camp Draft and it was 60.

 

[Chepstow]

Stetson Excellent Stratoliner, produced in germany under License ( maybe from Wegener )
I have no guess Vintage or Modern! Stratoliner was written on the paper label under the sweatband!

 

[mayserwegener]

Manfred, I believe this hat is from the mid to late 1950s and made by Mayser who had the Stetson license for Germany starting in 1954. Similar to this Stetson / Mayser 3X Beaver Quality Homburg of mine.

http://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/3-mayser-hutfabrik/#entry189

 

[Chepstow]

Steve, thank you for the Info, then I could say I have a Vintage Strat!

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes it appears so. Very rare one too! Would it be possible to post a close-up photo of the Stetson logo in the German - Austrian thread?

 

[Chepstow]

Steve, yes, gladly! But it will be tomorrow with the photos!

 

[Jetset]

New Stetson Stratoliners?

Please feel free to shoot the newbie if this has been already covered, but what do you guys think about these?
I stumbled upon it just a few minutes ago when I was looking up the name of my own Stetson so that I could post it here. (how embarassing!)
I've lurked here for a while to have seen a lot of talk about vintage Stratoliners and have learned what they are and how cool they are to own,
but if a vintage one is out of the question, is a new one worth it? They even have an airplane pin! (not sure if it's the vintage-accurate TWA...but airline pins!)

Modern Stetson Stratoliner in Carabou Grey

Thoughts?

Again, sorry if I am beating a dead horse or anything.

 

[jlee562]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?58325-The-Stratoliner-Appreciation-Club-MODERN

 

[Meterman]

New to the lounge, but have been wearing fedoras for almost 30 years. I am looking to make a new purchase, but I am torn between the new Stetson premiere Stratoliner or a Borsolino Como/Alessandria. Can anyone attest to the differences in felt quality and shapability between the two. I understand the Como is not open crowned, so felt quality is the only concern here. Also, how accurate is the representation of the cornhill color depicted on the Delmonico website? Thanks in advance.

 

[fedoracentric]

I'd go with the new Stetson. Their new offerings are wonderful.

 

[Landman]

Welcome Meterman. Here is a thread on the new Stetsons.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?72165-Open-Crown-Stetsons-A-Call-(Plea)-to-Retailers!!

 

[DougC]

Meterman-if you are torn between the new Strat and an Alessandria, I'd go with the Borsalino. I have both and the Borsalino (admittedly, and older model from Meyer the Hatter) is one of the best hats I own, and, I've got a lot of hats! But, the Premier Strat is VERY nice too...thicker felt and a nice hand! You can't go wrong with either!

 

[tommyK]

the Stetson Premier Stratoliner is thicker, stiffer and needs a little steam to shape. It takes the weather well and has a very comfortable/good quality leather reeded sweatband as well. It's a sturdy hat and is ready for anything. they seem to be coming a little large for their size so order accordingly if you can't try it on first.

The Borsalino Alessandria is a much thinner/lighter more clay-like moldable hat. It's one of the modern Borso's with an unreeded sweatband which some do not like. It is more delicate and perhaps less durable than the Stetson. It's also a little more expensive (get it from Bencraft they seem to be the cheapest). Many more colors available than the Stetson at this time. they seem to come a little small for their size.

The Borsalino Como is a different style all together, smaller brim with whipstitch instead of banding, modern tapered crown, ribbon etc. Similar unreeded sweatband.

I've worn both in the pouring rain and neither has suffered from it.

 

[tommyK]

Both my Como and Alessandria came with a centerdent and wide pinch but you can literally reshape them by hand to anything you want. A little steam will "lock in" the shape.

the Stetson comes open crown and can be shaped by hand to a point but will need steam to create certain shapes.

 

[tommyK]

Stetson Stratoliner, Borsalino Alessandria for size and shape comparison. the stetson has a centerdent and the Borso has a teardrop so they are shaped slightly differently. I think the borso does have maybe a little more crown height before shaping.


Example of all 3 Stratoliner, alessandria and como on the end.

 

[jlee562]

I really like my Premiere Strat...can't comment on the modern Borsos, other than the very general comment that they don't make em like they used to. Of course neither does Stetson, but my strat is head and shoulders above all the modern hats I've seen as of late.

 

[Meterman]

Thank you so much for the pictures, that is exactly what I was looking for. Is the color on the Stratoliner mink?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Mink has not been made
Yet we are waiting for it