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Borsalino v. Stetson

post #1 of 21
1/16/11 at 5:37am
Thread Starter 
All of my fedoras (I've worn many!) to date have been Borsalinos. I'm used to Borsalino and while I am aware that they aren't perfect, I feel comfortable with the models I've chosen over the years. Last week, however, I saw a fur felt Stetson (I believe the model is Temple) for sale at a Brooks Brothers store (it was made for BB) for 80 dollars. It looks and feels nice, but it's very, very different, in style and in feel, than a Borsalino. I'm wondering how the brands compare and whether the hat is worth the money I spent for it.









On a separate note, does anyone know about the hats for sale here?
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post #2 of 21
1/16/11 at 5:45am
Honestly, most of what brooks stocks with hats is in SMLXL sizing, rather than proper hat sizing, and that's not that great. One expects better from a retailer like Brooks, though with the lack of hats these days, you shouldn't be too surprised. At least they're not selling BB logo baseball caps. Stetson is making a decent product these days in general, and that is a good price (probably due to the lack of sizes), so if you wear a size that falls on a multiple of a quarter, you're probably fine.
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post #3 of 21
1/16/11 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 
It's an XL. I could use larger, but it's okay.
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post #4 of 21
1/16/11 at 9:53am
Why not try an Akubra?
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post #5 of 21
1/16/11 at 10:23am
I have one Stetson fedora -- a modern reproduction of the old Whippet. It's a good hat for the money (even if it bears only a slight resemblance to its namesake apart from perhaps the ribbon-bound edge). The binding and the grey color also make it only suitable to wear with a dark suit, but it makes for a good combination when required.

My one complaint is that it's more of a 7 3/8 than the 7 1/4 it says it is. Don't know if that's a common issue or just my hat, though. I've solved it in the interim by putting folded-up newspaper under the sweatband so it actually grips my head and doesn't fly off in the wind.
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post #6 of 21
1/16/11 at 12:10pm
Stetsons have held up quite well for me. Didn't know they switched to SMLXL. Maybe because I haven't bought one in 10 years.
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post #7 of 21
1/16/11 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master Squirrel View Post
Stetsons have held up quite well for me. Didn't know they switched to SMLXL. Maybe because I haven't bought one in 10 years.

I believe they only use the SMLXL sizing on the hats they make for Brooks. The current Stetson offerings are quite nice.
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post #8 of 21
1/16/11 at 12:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by harvey_birdman View Post
I believe they only use the SMLXL sizing on the hats they make for Brooks. The current Stetson offerings are quite nice.

I believe this is true. We sell Stetsons and they come in actual diameter sizes.
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post #9 of 21
1/16/11 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
I believe this is true. We sell Stetsons and they come in actual diameter sizes.
Harvey and you are correct. I looked up a few hats at Miller hats and they had regular sizing.
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post #10 of 21
1/16/11 at 12:58pm
The Fedora Lounge is the place to go for in-depth discussion of hats. I believe that there are approximately and equal number of contemporary Borso and Stetson fans, but the consensus is that no current large production maker compares favorably to vintage. There are, as I have stated elsewhere, some amazing current custom hat makers. Art Fawcett (Vintage Silhouettes) is my preferred vendor. His hats are 100% beaver fur felt and fit your noggin precisely. They run a little north of $300.
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post #11 of 21
1/18/11 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 
I decided to keep it. Debut in WAYWN later tonight. Thanks for the responses!
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post #12 of 21
1/18/11 at 8:42pm
would also consider penman hats
john penman is very communicative and made a nice custom fedora for me
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post #13 of 21
1/18/11 at 8:58pm
You might want to take a look at what the Beaver Hat Company has to offer. They make some nice hats and you can have them customize any hat they make. If you want 100% beaver fur felt on any of their hats they'll do that too.
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post #14 of 21
1/18/11 at 9:23pm
generally I'd say that Borsalino is better but I'm sure any Stetson made for Brooks is probably pretty good. I wore my Stetson Stratoliner today. It's beyond nice but then again, it's 60 years old.
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post #15 of 21
1/18/11 at 10:58pm
I understand Kid Rock wears Borsalinos. So obviously Borsalinos are the way to go.
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