2015 Stetson Excellent Quality GREEN THIN RIBBON (Preview & Review)

[tonyb]

Congrats to all who have received their hats. Wear them often and enjoy the ride.

With all due respect, pictures in post #193 look almost exactly the same as my 2 Campdrafts. Yes, I understand the whole quality of the felt/sweat thing, but is this new model really worth $325? Maybe for us hat geeks, but will the general population of hat buyers really understand the difference? I would expect that if a buyer is presented with a side by side comparison of excellent vs premier, they would be hard pressed to accept paying a $100 bonus for the excellent model.

Agreed, it’s a good effort on Hatco’s part to up their game, and I wish them success, but in the long term, they may be playing to a very small audience.

Well, that's it in a nutshell, eh?

Let's hope, for the sake of all with a stake in this effort, that an audience can be grown. Often, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.

That long-touted hat "comeback" appears to be not entirely mythical. Goorin Bros. sells Bollman-made woolies for $150. And they sell lots of them.

 

[Frunobulax]

Additionally, by making improvements in their quality line, it's entirely possible that the felt quality will improve on all of the models and lines, just by improving processes and workmanship.

As a side note, I dropped off an old Dalton at Batsakes Saturday for a refurb/reblock, and asked Mr. Miller about the Fall Stetson line and the newer quality hats. Boy, I got an earful. I don't think I'll be buying my 150th Anniversary Stetsons from Batsakes, because they won't be there.

 

[hatophile]

Well, seeing that the Ebay vintage hat prices are rising astronomically, $300 for a brand new hat or a little more for a custom doesn't seem that bad.

 

[89quattro]

You are correct about educating customers, but in this case they (guess it’s Stetson, not their contractor Hatco) are creating a situation where they are presenting customers with competing products. In such a case, the vast majority will not appreciate the difference, will take the more affordable option, and will most likely totally enjoy their purchase.

If they want to help in the effort to support a “hat comeback”, Stetson must really step up their game by taking a hard look at their overall marketing strategy, and work to position themselves better in the fashion merchandising world. If they get the word out, people will come, sales will increase, and they will have more capital to invest in new products and hopefully, better overall quality for their entire product line. In the end, all would benefit.

Goorin Brothers woolies? Look at the company, they have over 30 retail stores positioned in the best retail locations. People see the product, they buy the product.

 

[Thunderball]

I hope the quality of the "excellent" is way above the quality of the "premier". I bought a premier Strat and gave it to my son. I was less than impressed. Out of blind patriotism, I would most likely buy a Silverbelly excellent open road IF they make one.

 

[hatsRme]

General pop ain't buying & wearing hats. Might as well cater to those that are.

You're right, I think, Tom. That's the idea!

 

[tonyb]

...

Goorin Brothers woolies? Look at the company, they have over 30 retail stores positioned in the best retail locations. People see the product, they buy the product.

That's about the size of it. Their stores with which I am familiar are in rehabilitated historic districts -- Larimer Square, across from Pike Place Market, etc. -- which draw locals and tourists alike, and where people with some money to throw around like to be.

And these days, 150 bucks ain't all that much. They see, they try on, they buy.

 

[jlee562]

That's about the size of it. Their stores with which I am familiar are in rehabilitated historic districts -- Larimer Square, across from Pike Place Market, etc. -- which draw locals and tourists alike, and where people with some money to throw around like to be.

And these days, 150 bucks ain't all that much. They see, they try on, they buy.

Their original store is in North Beach here in SF...I've driven by (terrible parking), but never been in. They even apparently have a resident hatter at the North Beach Store. Lots of hats sold out of their Haight st shop too. The clerk there was very taken with my Cavanagh Homburg the last time I was in....poor guy knew nothing about hats.

Marketing is the next step for Hatco. Look at a gallery of folks from the Coachella festival this weekend...definitely an event with folks who go to be seen, so to speak. Pretty good amount of hats (black felt hat in the dessert? I don't need to make a fashion statement that badly...). Between Pharrel and Bruno Mars, hats are definitely continuing to grow in popularity. At least around my city.

 

[triple-d]

Well, seeing that the Ebay vintage hat prices are rising astronomically, $300 for a brand new hat or a little more for a custom doesn't seem that bad.

True....probably all relative to the times and income. 20 bucks back in the 20's or 30's might be more than 300 bucks is now.

 

[triple-d]

Time to update... This afternoon I met Jeff and the gang at DelMonico's and took delivery of my Excellent Quality Stratoliner...
View attachment 27739

Happy, HAPPY, HAPPY!!! The felt is real.

Sweet lid Charlie..........I keep coming back to check this puppy out............:eusa_clap

 

[Joao Encarnado]

True....probably all relative to the times and income. 20 bucks back in the 20's or 30's might be more than 300 bucks is now.

What cost $20 in 1920 would cost $233.74 in 2014 ($234.72 in 2015).
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2014 and 1920,
they would cost you $20 and $1.50 respectively.

 

[triple-d]

What cost $20 in 1920 would cost $233.74 in 2014 ($234.72 in 2015).
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2014 and 1920,
they would cost you $20 and $1.50 respectively.

I figured there was an economist on here somewhere................lol

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I figured there was an economist on here somewhere................lol

Not really. I just googled "inflation calculator" and tried the values on two just to check.
So no, a $20 item in 1920 wouldn't be more than $300 today, not even $250.
Playing with years:
For 1913 it would be $474.19!
For 1920 it would be $234.72
For 1930 it would be $281.10.
For 1940 it would be $335.32.
For 1950 it drops to $194.79!

 

[jlee562]

There won't ever be a huge market for a $300 hat. But in a world where Optimo has two brick and mortar stores; pop culture figures ala Pharrel Williams are donning hats; and even Levi's is selling a $200 pair of jeans, Hatco can sell some lids if they can be marketed well.

 

[LuvMyMan]

There won't ever be a huge market for a $300 hat. But in a world where Optimo has two brick and mortar stores; pop culture figures ala Pharrel Williams are donning hats; and even Levi's is selling a $200 pair of jeans, Hatco can sell some lids if they can be marketed well.

I have not yet parted with the money to buy anything new from Hatco (stetson) but I would be tempted to do so, yet I sure do not mind at all to spend more than $300.00 on a TonyB or a super clean vintage. So, I can think your viewpoints are 100% accurate and a valid point made. If what these new excellent model hats are well made, there is no reason for anyone to not want to own one.

 

[JoeyC]

I would say that there is a cultural as well as age difference between the Goorin hat wearers and the Stetson/custom wearers in general . There is also a wide disparity in quality. I have been fortunate enough to have purchased or won on ebay vintage Stetsons and other quality makes new or mint for far less than or, slightly more than what Goorin asks for a wool hat. Iv'e come almost full circle, remembering quality hats of the 40's and 50's to once again seeing quality hats today. Inflation aside, while I need more hats as much as I need a third armpit I nonetheless continue to buy, much to my wife's chagrin. If Stetson wants to step up their game, I say good on them. Let's hope they can do a good job of marketing so that they can sustain making quality hats. In the last 4 months I have purchased 4 new Stetsons, That's more than I would have purchased in the last 4 years (aside from vintage) because of their return to producing better hats. Also have 1 custom in the works.

Joe

 

[89quattro]

Interesting discussion, good comments by all.

I'm sure the group would like to hear some feedback from the retail side...perhaps our friends at Delmonico's and Bencraft could share their comments.

 

[triple-d]

Interesting discussion, good comments by all.

I'm sure the group would like to hear some feedback from the retail side...perhaps our friends at Delmonico's and Bencraft could share their comments.

Really, the only thing I want to hear from my retailer is that my hats are in..........then I will happily pay, at which point the retailer will make a profit on said hats.....

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Charlie; Thanks for showing your new fedora sir. The pics confirm your glowing summary of the 2015 Strat. OP, Josh, and your hat look mighty fine! Wear it proudly sir.

As to the accompanying posts as to who, how will purchase the new Stetson - I say let Stetsons sales speak for the hats. Speculation about the companies strategy is just that ,speculation. Make a quality product, excellent changes, provide to well informed retailers, create a buzz and the customers will come. I believe it is prudent for Stetson not to "go big" and make enormous production runs. Their branding (hats/fedoras) has been created over a long time. The changes will take some time, but, with buzz and creation of the need, increased sales will follow. I see and hear a lot more buzz about Stetson fedoras from my non-hat wearing or seldom hat wearing acquaintances in my "neighborhood." I have a coaching buddy who has a 2015 fedora that he proudly wears when I have seen him the past 2 months. He is a hat wearer starting 2014. My example is not anything near a market sample, but he has been influenced by the Stetson branding/marketing.

Will sales be current hat wearing or new hat wearing clients? We shall see. I am enjoying the Stetson buzz.

Best, Eric -

 

[JoeyC]

Charlie; Thanks for showing your new fedora sir. The pics confirm your glowing summary of the 2015 Strat. OP, Josh, and your hat look mighty fine! Wear it proudly sir.

As to the accompanying posts as to who, how will purchase the new Stetson - I say let Stetsons sales speak for the hats. Speculation about the companies strategy is just that ,speculation. Make a quality product, excellent changes, provide to well informed retailers, create a buzz and the customers will come. I believe it is prudent for Stetson not to "go big" and make enormous production runs. Their branding (hats/fedoras) has been created over a long time. The changes will take some time, but, with buzz and creation of the need, increased sales will follow. I see and hear a lot more buzz about Stetson fedoras from my non-hat wearing or seldom hat wearing acquaintances in my "neighborhood." I have a coaching buddy who has a 2015 fedora that he proudly wears when I have seen him the past 2 months. He is a hat wearer starting 2014. My example is not anything near a market sample, but he has been influenced by the Stetson branding/marketing.

Will sales be current hat wearing or new hat wearing clients? We shall see. I am enjoying the Stetson buzz.

Best, Eric -

Well put.