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Size?: 34(56cm),36(57.5cm),38(59cm),40(61cm)
Material100% Beaver fur felt / lining : 100% Silk
Brim8cm
Crown12cm
The open crown design allows the wearer to freely customize the shape of the crown, a charming feature. The unique shape and height, unlike pressed crowns, exude a vintage feel.
The open crown is known as a representative hat style of STETSON. In 1869, four years after its establishment, STETSON released the bowler-shaped "BOSS OF THE PLAINS" for cowboys. Later, in 1910, the "OPEN CROWN" was introduced, featuring a higher crown that could be shaped by hand. With added durability and a new style, it gained wide support from cowboys and laborers.
Felt hats are broadly categorized into three types based on material: wool, rabbit, and beaver. Among these, beaver fur felt is considered the highest quality. This hat uses supple European beaver fur felt, characterized by its fine texture, beautiful sheen, and a somewhat thin, elegant appearance. Beaver fur felt is an excellent fiber that combines the lightness of silk with natural water resistance. Its natural properties effectively repel large amounts of water, even in rain, snow, or humid conditions. It is also highly durable, long-lasting, resistant to wear, and retains its shape well.
Beaver fur has been prized as a luxury material in Europe since the 16th and 17th centuries due to its softness, durability, and excellent warmth. Bowler hats and silk hats also have their roots in beaver fur. In Europe at that time, beaver hats were highly favored by the upper classes, including nobles, military personnel, and clergy. It was not for protective clothing like coats, but for hats that beaver fur was used. Europeans braved the Atlantic in search of beaver, the material for these hats. Beaver hats are deeply intertwined with the history of Canada and had a significant impact on the fur trade in North America. Although once endangered due to overhunting, beaver populations are now recovering.
Beaver fur has a double-layered structure: an outer layer of stiff, long hairs and an inner layer of soft, dense down ("inner fur"). Only this inner fur is used as the raw material for felt. By shaving this inner fur from the skin and applying steam and pressure, a process called "fulling" occurs, causing the fibers to interlock and form felt.
The brim is a wide 8cm flat brim. The bound edge brim gives a luxurious impression.
The ribbon is a special men's ribbon with finely shaped edges (commonly known as "ears"). It is a luxurious item that can only be woven at low speeds and requires the handwork of skilled craftsmen in many processes. Its beautiful finish has a unique presence that cannot be achieved with mass-produced items.
The crown is equipped with a rubber-fixed wind catcher. At the time, this was used to prevent hats from being blown off by the wind or falling off during movement, by buttoning it through the flower hole of a jacket or shirt. This wind catcher not only has practicality but also serves as a subtle accent, enhancing the overall impression.
The sweatband is made of tannin-tanned cow leather, a tanning method that involves soaking the leather with tannin (astringent) found in plant bark, trunks, leaves, and fruits. It is less prone to shrinkage, robust, and adapts to the shape of the head with use, developing a deep color.
*The crown is delivered pre-shaped in a front-pinch, teardrop style, with a convex bulge at the top to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
**A hatbox is included.
