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A Major Collection of New-Old-Stock Stetson Hats Is Coming to Clement & James

ClementJames

New in Town
Messages
13
Location
Charlotte, NC
Friends,

I’m excited to share that Clement & James has acquired a major retailer's collection of more than 1,200 new-old-stock (NOS) Stetson fedoras and Western hats from the estate of a former major hat retailer.

We are still gathering, counting, and inventorying the collection, but it already includes more than 1,200 new, unworn Stetson hats, still in their original Stetson boxes. The inventory comes from a retailer that closed approximately seven to ten years ago and includes a remarkable range of Stetson dress hats, classic fedoras, and Western hats.

There are current and discontinued styles, older production runs, uncommon colors, and difficult-to-find sizes throughout the collection. For anyone who has spent time searching for a particular Stetson model, an earlier production version, or simply a size that is rarely available, there should be some very interesting hats here. On the western side, one example are several El Patron 50x Straw hats that are both rare, and unlikely unavailable new anywhere else in the world.

Once the collection is fully cataloged and placed into circulation, Clement & James will have an unusually broad selection of new-old-stock Stetson hats available from a single specialty hat shop. I believe it will be the largest in America. These hats will be an important addition to our growing selection of premium fedoras, dress hats, and Western hats in Charlotte, North Carolina.

TLDR:

For my friends here at The Fedora Lounge, what makes this collection particularly interesting is that these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons: original retail inventory that was never sold, never worn, and preserved in its original boxes. That creates the possibility of finding discontinued Stetson fedoras, older Western styles, uncommon colors, and hard-to-find sizes in genuinely new condition.

The Stetson collection will join the premium fedora brands coming to Clement & James, including Borsalino, Fernández y Roche, Christys’ London, and other respected American and European hatmakers.

About US:

Clement & James is opening in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a premium hat shop and custom hatter specializing in fedoras, Western hats, European dress hats, custom hatmaking, hat shaping, cleaning, and restoration. We are building the shop for people who appreciate well-made hats — whether they are collectors, longtime hat wearers, or simply looking for the right hat for the first time.

There is much more to come as we finish receiving, organizing, photographing, and cataloging the collection. I look forward to sharing some of the more unusual pieces with you along the way.

--------------------

If you would like to learn more about them as they are released, please sign up at the www.customhatter.com

Clement & James
Charlotte, NC
 

blewnote

One of the Regulars
Messages
282
I would agree with Robert. Also I don't think he used the word vintage, so probably not super old, lol.
I agree, he didn't use it directly. But he did place it next "new old stock" in the tldr section. I also am thinking a retailer that closed in the last 7-10 years would not have hats from the 1950s and earlier that most of us would be most interested in, but I know a lot of y'all have some more modern hats as well, so maybe there are some folks that will be excited by this. Either way, can't be disappointed by a new hat store opening, especially one offering restorations (if they're done well).

"these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons"
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,710
Location
NJ
I would agree with Robert. Also I don't think he used the word vintage, so probably not super old, lol.
he said... and I quote

"these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons"

To me that says they are NOS vintage hats... or whatever this person perceives at "vintage"
 
Messages
11,451
Location
vancouver, canada
he said... and I quote

"these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons"

To me that says they are NOS vintage hats... or whatever this person perceives at "vintage"
His statement can be interpreted in two ways. I read that they are not previously worn vintage hats. Meaning that they are neither vintage hats, nor previously worn. That is my interpretation, you can have yours. But let us see what the answer is. a bit of patience rather than being right about it.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,710
Location
NJ
His statement can be interpreted in two ways. I read that they are not previously worn vintage hats. Meaning that they are neither vintage hats, nor previously worn. That is my interpretation, you can have yours. But let us see what the answer is. a bit of patience rather than being right about it.
who's impatient?
I asked a question for clarification.
To me that quote said... these aren't worn vintage hats they are NOS vintage hats.
Who calls a modern hat "new old stock" ?
wouldn't that just be stock ?
NOS refers to old merchandise
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,710
Location
NJ
I agree, he didn't use it directly. But he did place it next "new old stock" in the tldr section. I also am thinking a retailer that closed in the last 7-10 years would not have hats from the 1950s and earlier that most of us would be most interested in, but I know a lot of y'all have some more modern hats as well, so maybe there are some folks that will be excited by this. Either way, can't be disappointed by a new hat store opening, especially one offering restorations (if they're done well).

"these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons"
why not ?

I played a club in Houston once that was a department store about 15 years earlier.
The green room was up in the attic which used to be the stock room.
There were probably 500 pairs of 1940s and 50s womens shoes in boxes on shelves from the floor to the ceiling.
It was incredible.

Another example ... a friend of mine moved into a warehouse in Brooklyn where we found boxes of 1950s mens dress shirts untouched in the plastic wrapping and another box of gift boxes for the shirts.
This stuff is 100% out there.
 
Messages
11,451
Location
vancouver, canada
who's impatient?
I asked a question for clarification.
To me that quote said... these aren't worn vintage hats they are NOS vintage hats.
Who calls a modern hat "new old stock" ?
wouldn't that just be stock ?
NOS refers to old merchandise
Well, regardless, the fellow that posted is a legit hat guy with great intentions. He is opening a legit, destination, full service, hat shop and in that he deserves praise. I have sent him a note asking him to clarify his statement so we are clear. Let's withhold judgement until we gain clarity
 

ClementJames

New in Town
Messages
13
Location
Charlotte, NC
Friends,

I’m excited to share that Clement & James has acquired a major retailer's collection of more than 1,200 new-old-stock (NOS) Stetson fedoras and Western hats from the estate of a former major hat retailer.

We are still gathering, counting, and inventorying the collection, but it already includes more than 1,200 new, unworn Stetson hats, still in their original Stetson boxes. The inventory comes from a retailer that closed approximately seven to ten years ago and includes a remarkable range of Stetson dress hats, classic fedoras, and Western hats.

There are current and discontinued styles, older production runs, uncommon colors, and difficult-to-find sizes throughout the collection. For anyone who has spent time searching for a particular Stetson model, an earlier production version, or simply a size that is rarely available, there should be some very interesting hats here. On the western side, one example are several El Patron 50x Straw hats that are both rare, and unlikely unavailable new anywhere else in the world.

Once the collection is fully cataloged and placed into circulation, Clement & James will have an unusually broad selection of new-old-stock Stetson hats available from a single specialty hat shop. I believe it will be the largest in America. These hats will be an important addition to our growing selection of premium fedoras, dress hats, and Western hats in Charlotte, North Carolina.

TLDR:

For my friends here at The Fedora Lounge, what makes this collection particularly interesting is that these are not used or previously worn vintage hats. They are genuine new-old-stock Stetsons: original retail inventory that was never sold, never worn, and preserved in its original boxes. That creates the possibility of finding discontinued Stetson fedoras, older Western styles, uncommon colors, and hard-to-find sizes in genuinely new condition.

The Stetson collection will join the premium fedora brands coming to Clement & James, including Borsalino, Fernández y Roche, Christys’ London, and other respected American and European hatmakers.

About US:

Clement & James is opening in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a premium hat shop and custom hatter specializing in fedoras, Western hats, European dress hats, custom hatmaking, hat shaping, cleaning, and restoration. We are building the shop for people who appreciate well-made hats — whether they are collectors, longtime hat wearers, or simply looking for the right hat for the first time.

There is much more to come as we finish receiving, organizing, photographing, and cataloging the collection. I look forward to sharing some of the more unusual pieces with you along the way.

--------------------

If you would like to learn more about them as they are released, please sign up at the www.customhatter.com

Clement & James
Charlotte, NC

Friends -

As a point of clarification, this is new old stock. Some are current models, some are discontinued models. Since I wrote the original post, it appears some boxes may date 15 years. I am still investigating. The usage of “vintage” to describe the lot was a poor word choice. Thank you for seeking clarification.

That being said, there will be some true vintage (1960s) offerings as part of the store opening.
 

Onomea

New in Town
Messages
26
Location
Portland, Oregon
…NOS refers to old merchandise
FWIW, I think new old stock means brand new products that have been in storage, “new in the box,“ as it were, for an extended period of time, have been recently redicovered or recently come to light, and are being being put on the market.

I suppose the definition of “extended period of time” is open to interpretation, but especially models that are no longer being fabricated as before, or colors that are no longer available would qualify, I think.
 

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,286
Location
San Francisco, CA
So 15 years old is not prime vintage obviously. But within that range would be the open crown hats made for the 150th Anniversary that were the result of the work done by one of the Fedora Lounge OGs, Matt Deckard. Those would be among the best modern Stetsons you could buy. I don't think I can remember them all, but there was the Stratoliner, Stetsonian, Racine...I feel like there was maybe a New York? There might have been a Whippet.
 
Messages
11,451
Location
vancouver, canada
So 15 years old is not prime vintage obviously. But within that range would be the open crown hats made for the 150th Anniversary that were the result of the work done by one of the Fedora Lounge OGs, Matt Deckard. Those would be among the best modern Stetsons you could buy. I don't think I can remember them all, but there was the Stratoliner, Stetsonian, Racine...I feel like there was maybe a New York? There might have been a Whippet.
There was the LE, 100% beaver released in 2015. Great felt. I have one but cannot recall if it was specifically a 150th anniversary release. I have 2 - 150th Stetsonians. They too are great hats. The one thing I did was change out the generic black polyester ribbon that they put on both the Cariboo and Mink colours.
 

Judgmentalist

One Too Many
Messages
1,111
A report? How do I get I’m on that email list lol.

I’m very much looking forward to figuring out how to give these guys my money. I would dearly love for a hat store in the CLT area to thrive.
 

EL-Jimenez74

One of the Regulars
Messages
200
Location
Fort Mill, SC
I totally agree. I signed
A report? How do I get I’m on that email list lol.

I’m very much looking forward to figuring out how to give these guys my money. I would dearly love for a hat store in the CLT area to thrive.
I totally agree! I signed up for their email list and haven’t heard a peep. Also their IG account has no posts. That being said it does look like they are somewhat active on Facebook…. Which I do not have an account on… ‍♂️
 
Messages
11,451
Location
vancouver, canada
I totally agree. I signed

I totally agree! I signed up for their email list and haven’t heard a peep. Also their IG account has no posts. That being said it does look like they are somewhat active on Facebook…. Which I do not have an account on… ‍♂️
Joel (the owner) is now a friend. He is getting close but it is such a major undertaking with lots of moving parts. Progress is being made.
 

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