The Stratoliner Society {VINTAGE}

[1mach1]

I'd say that 7 1/8 is a fairly easy size to find, Greg (lucky you!). Just get ready to break out the checkbook!

 

[frussell]

My 2 1/2 year old, out on Halloween, wearing one of his two NOS Stratoliners as a cowboy hat. He also has one in grey, pretty near mint. I bought these for him before he was born, size 6 1/2, thanks again Benzadmiral for the heads-up. He has a great vintage cowboy hat I got from Alan, but it's a 7, and he's not quite there yet. Handmade chinks, real Levi's, Ariat boots, and a bison vest that I cut and stitched from scratch about half an hour before we went out, since he has trouble keeping his shirt tucked in. First time he's kept his hat on for more than a few minutes, so we were both happy. I had it in a Gus crease, but he likes to pull his hats down like a bronc rider, and always pops the crease out. Frank.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Lucky kid

 

[Rogera]

Lucky kid

+1! Great looking hat, great get up, lots of candy, that kid's got it made!

 

[1mach1]

Awesome outfit on the boy, Frank! :eusa_clap

 

[smoothsailor]

nice Tommy

 

[seabass]

The Kid is off to a great start, Stratoliner is a Great hat & outfit !

 

[frussell]

He's got a few more good ones, waiting for cooler weather. He already wore the Cavanagh Milan a bit.

 

[T Jones]

I've always wanted a Stratoliner but the prices for a nice vintage one seems to be out of reach for me. I know there's been discussion about whether or not Stratoliners and Open Roads were near cousins. I have a real nice early '60s Royal Stetson of obvious Open Road styling. I already changed out the OR cattleman's crease. If I were to have the brim re-flanged to a Strat style fedora curl would I then have something of a Stratoliner conversion? There's nothing on the inside of the hat that identifies it as any specific Stetson style. I thought a simple conversion would be the cheapest route for me to have a Strat, and it is the lighter weight Royal Stetson felt that the Stratoliners were, (although I would like to have one other than Silverbelly).

Here's some pics of the hat...

and another view of me wearing it...

 

[RJR]

TJ,it looks good to me as it is.

 

[mayserwegener]

TJ,it looks good to me as it is.

+1

 

[1mach1]

+2 Terry. Looks very nice.

 

[gtdean48]

I've always wanted a Stratoliner but the prices for a nice vintage one seems to be out of reach for me. I know there's been discussion about whether or not Stratoliners and Open Roads were near cousins. I have a real nice early '60s Royal Stetson of obvious Open Road styling. I already changed out the OR cattleman's crease. If I were to have the brim re-flanged to a Strat style fedora curl would I then have something of a Stratoliner conversion? There's nothing on the inside of the hat that identifies it as any specific Stetson style. I thought a simple conversion would be the cheapest route for me to have a Strat, and it is the lighter weight Royal Stetson felt that the Stratoliners were, (although I would like to have one other than Silverbelly).
...

Strats did come in other grades. I have a vintage Royal Deluxe Stratoliner.
I know Black Jack (John Walls) had a Stratoliner block & flange but he isn't doing hats anymore.
D bar J Hats, http://www.dbarjhat.com/ , may have same block & flange or access to Black Jack's.

 

[fedoracentric]

Strats came in quite a few "grades."

At the very least, they came in Premier, Vita Felt, De Luxe, and Royal.

 

[alanfgag]

I've always wanted a Stratoliner but the prices for a nice vintage one seems to be out of reach for me... If I were to have the brim re-flanged to a Strat style fedora curl would I then have something of a Stratoliner conversion?

It's a great looking hat despite the fact that it will never be an Open Road or a Stratoliner. This is far from a bad thing. There were many iterations of Stetson thin ribbon fedoras, many of them in finer grades (100s, 7XCBs, etc) and more desirable vintages than the bulk of Open Roads and Stratoliners that appear for sale on eBay. The difference between a Stratoliner and an Open Road is an 1/8 - 1/4" of brim and a small amount of scoop from brim flanging, logotype elements, a small silver airplane and marketing. The differences are more pronounced when considering the look and feel of two hats from different eras (1930s - 1945 vs. 1955 - 1965) than between an OR or Strat from the same period.

I would second enjoying this one for what it is and keep your eyes out for an early Stratoliner in good condition in your size. When you find a good one, buy it. Whatever the cost, it will be minor amortized over a decade of good wear. If you change your mind, selling it should not be a challenge.

 

[T Jones]

RJR, Harv, gtdean, fedoracentric, alan, Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments and the advise. It's a real nice hat and it looks good. I'll do as alan suggested and enjoy it for what it is and be on the look out for a vintage Strat. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick one up one day.

 

[VetPsychWars]

There are tons of them on ebay... if you don't mind paying.

I did pay about $300 for one on ebay... but it was practically new, and still plenty stiff.


Tom

 

[kingrat]

You'll find one Mr. Tjones What is your size?

 

[T Jones]

VetPsychWars, Strats go for big money. That's the reason they're out of reach for me.

kingrat, hey there buddy! I'm a 7 1/8 Long Oval, a kind of hard to find size. I lucked out when I found that OR style Royal Stetson. It's a 7 1/8 LO and it fits me perfectly. I've about given up trying to find a Strat that I can afford to buy.

What are the new Open Crowned Premier Strats like? Anybody have any thoughts on those?

 

[VetPsychWars]

What are the new Open Crowned Premier Strats like? Anybody have any thoughts on those?

The two that I have are decent hats. The not-premier Stratoliners are decent hats too, though some on here unfairly rip on them.

I think the Borsalino Alessandria is a better choice, though, with respect to the felt.

Tom