I can’t let the year go by without acknowledging a very special birthday. This year, the iconic Stetson hat is turning 150 years old! In 1865, John B. Stetson set up a little shop in Philadelphia and began hand-making the classic “Boss of the Plains,” which became the favored hat for ranchers, cowboys and movie stars. There is evidence that he had been working on prototypes since 1860.
That means that, up until 1865, westerners wore an assortment of hat styles. The most common hat was actually the bowler, or derby hat. (Think Butch and Sundance.) Larger brimmed hats evolved from southern planter hats and sombreros worn by southwestern vaqueros. But it was John B. Stetson who is credited with the creation of the classic cowboy hat as we know it.
"The Boss of the Plains" |
The felt was made from a mixture of fur and water and then shaped into a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat that protected its wearer from rain and heat and cold. Later styles featured creased crowns and curled brims to suit each owner’s personality and needs. Click here for a cool video outlining the process of making a Stetson hat.
Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Will Rogers and Tom Mix all wore Stetsons. By the early 1900’s, Stetson owned the country’s largest hat factory. This popularity continued throughout the “flapper” and World War II eras, as Stetson released modified styles to suit changing fashion trends.
By the 1980s, it became more economical for Stetson to license other partners to make its hats. They also branched out into other products: fragrances, luggage, home decor items, and even bourbon.
The Stetson Hat Company continues to try new ways to keep “on top” of the mercurial world of fashion. The current CEO of Stetson is Izumi Kajimoto, a Japanese-born fashion executive who came up through the ranks of designer labels Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein. Kajimoto sees the brand appealing to the “hipster” demographic and European markets, since there is a shift toward more sophisticated dress. This year’s 150th Anniversary Collection includes both traditional western hats and smaller brimmed fedora types.
The Paragon 150th Anniversary Collection |
The Benchmark 150th Anniversary Collection |
Happy birthday to you, dear Stetson…and many, many more!
All the best,
Vonn
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All the best,
Vonn
Keep up with Vonn!
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Stetson has literally always been my brand. When I was a toddler my father bought us matching Stetsons, and we would wear them when galloping through the house whooping and shooting and yippee-kiyyiaying. When I first started selling I would treat myself to a new Stetson with every new contract. Yep. Still love 'em.
ReplyDeleteYou wear that black Stetson well, Frank. If you got a new one with every contract, you must have quite a collection!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Happy 150th Anniversary and thank you J B Stetson. Certainly my favourite hat - and I have a stack beside my desk.
ReplyDeleteA stack of Stetsons? That's impressive. Black, white, straw and...?
DeleteStetson and Resistol, once aggressive competitors, are both owned by Hatco now; both made in the same factory. Texans still fight over which brand is better, but my money's on Stetson. (Resistol is a relative newcomer--founded in Garland in 1927 [I think].)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Stetson! For 150 years old, you're remarkably well-kept. ;-)
Resistol and Bailey are perfectly respectable cowboy hats, but I'm with you. Stetson is the standard.
DeleteAll right, that's it. I'm officially declaring this day never happened. Too many people have agreed with me. That's just so wrong.
DeleteNo, Micki, I meant a stack of hats - bowler, top hat, assorted western hats, pith helmet, fez, trilby....etc. But my Stetson is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteWell, of course you do. I won't even ask what a trilby is.
DeleteI inherited three antique Stetsons, (and one antique Texas Hat Company hat) from a friend's father. When he passed away, Lynda got the hats and passed them along to me. Love my Stetsons.
ReplyDeleteThose are real treasures! If only hats could talk, right?
DeleteIt's a darn good thing they cannot talk. Mine could get me in serious trouble otherwise.
DeleteWOW, great post!! I love seeing hats ... on other people. For some reason, I'm just not a hat person. No idea why.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing until I stepped into a real millinery shop. The seasoned sales lady eyed me for a minute, and then fitted me with a little hat that I must admit was very flattering. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for the post, Vonn. Enjoyed it, and putting it in my research file.
ReplyDeleteNancy C