Stetson, the legendary American heritage brand that has been crafting headwear in the United States since 1865, has announced the launch of the USA 250 Collection, a lineup of five special-edition hats inspired by America250 and created exclusively to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. The collection arrives as Stetson marked its own 160th anniversary last year, a fitting reminder that few brands are as deeply woven into the fabric of American history.
As the only authentic Western hat brand featured in the official America250 licensing program, Stetson joins the national celebration with designs built the way all Stetson hats are built, by hand, in Texas, touched by more than 100 sets of hands before leaving the factory. Each style carries its own patriotic details. The four fur felt hats feature red, white, and blue satin liners, and select hats ship in a limited edition USA 250 hat box. While pins vary by style, from an American flag hat pin on the Skyline to a gold-tone USA branding iron pin with inset stones on the Range, Open Road, and Independence 20X.
The lineup spans Stetson’s most storied silhouettes. The 250th Skyline is a unique edition of the brand’s bestselling western hat, crafted from fur felt with a classic cattleman crown and a commemorative satin liner. The 250th Range offers the same quality in a slightly narrower brim, a little more city-ready, finished with a removable feather detail and USA branding iron pin. The 250th Open Road is perhaps the most historically resonant of the fur felt styles, introduced in 1937 and famously worn by LBJ on his Texas ranch, its lower crown and bound-edge brim move easily between country and city. The 250th Bozeman brings the collection outdoors in a crushable, water-repellant wool hat with a Stars and Stripes leather hatband, built to travel and hold up in any condition.
The centerpiece of the collection is the all-new Independence 20X, the only straw hat in the lineup and an exclusive to stetson.com, limited to just 400 pieces. Handcrafted in Texas from 20X quality shantung straw, prized for its lightweight feel and unbeatable resilience, it also features Stetson’s Wear Ready profile, which requires little to no shaping, and is finished with a custom saddle leather hatband and a matching leather sweatband.
“America’s 250th birthday calls for something lasting, and that’s what Stetson has always delivered. Our hats have been part of the American experience for over 160 years, worn by the people who shaped this country’s character. The USA 250 Collection is our way of marking this milestone, the only way we know how; with craftsmanship that stands the test of time,” said Robert Dundon, CEO of Stetson.
Image courtesy of Stetson
