Thought this might be useful for some of us other newbies. I ordered my first real Federation Regular on Friday after I got home from work. By 10 P.M I had TWO replies about sizing- and I didn't even ask them a question!
First response:
[[Hello Mark,
many thanks for your order.
We have had a high number of exchanges with the Federation style hat due to customers using advice and sizes not specific to Akubra and The Federation in particular. In order to avoid the disappointment of having to exchange and additional cost involved for both of us we ask that you double check your size.
Size instructions can be found here. http://www.hatsdirect.com/help/sizechart.html
A number of people have reported they have been advised by others to buy a size larger, have another brand of hat or simply used a conversion chart to determine size. This approach leads to problems more often than not.
Those who follow our instructions have very few problems. If there are any problems we are quick to resolve the problem via e-mail support or exchange.
If you wish to alter your size it is not a problem, simply let us know by return e-mail - do not re order your hat.
If you wish to discuss any issue regarding your head size please contact us - we respond to all e-mail within 24 hours.
As soon as we hear from you we will prepare your order for shipping.
Best regards,
Deb Leake
sales@hatsdirect.com]]
So I re-measured my head- I'm almost exactly 58.5 cm. here's the second response:
[[Hi Mark,
I've tested the 58's on a 58.5 block and they're all too firm. A 58 usually measures 58 and then shrinks 0.5 cm to fit. The 59 fits better on the block and will allow for the shrinkage.
I'll check with Ron on Monday but I think a 59 will be better.
We'll let you know when the hat is posted.
regards,
Deb]]
That's the best customer service I've enjoyed in quite a while...
Cheers
Mark
Fed sizing info and Hatsdirect.com service
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binkmeisterRick
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cooncatbob
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I received that same e-mail when I purchases my Fed. I use a tailors measuring tape that has inches on one side and is metric on the other. I remeasured my head anyway. My size 58 arrived in less then the 10 days advertised and was a bit loose. I used folded strips of paper towel as I didn't like the way the foam strips made the sweatband set. I have 2 Snowy River western style hats that I purchased years ago, they're size 57 and fit perfectly when purchased but tighten up over the years. Now that I have several hat stretcher I've returned them to a proper fit. Lots of e-bay hats don't fit to size, they've usually shrunk over the years so a hat stretcher is a must for anyone with a lot of hats.
Also my head shape ratio width to length is about half way in between a regular oval and a long oval. So hats will either be tight on the front and back or loose on the sides till the conform with my head shape.
Round oval is 5/8 inch longer than it is wide
Regular oval is 1 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Long oval is 2 1/8 inches longer than it is wide
X-Long oval is 2 7/8 inches longer than it is wide
XX-Long oval is 3 5/8 inches longer than it is wide
XXX-Long oval is 4 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Bob.
Also my head shape ratio width to length is about half way in between a regular oval and a long oval. So hats will either be tight on the front and back or loose on the sides till the conform with my head shape.
Round oval is 5/8 inch longer than it is wide
Regular oval is 1 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Long oval is 2 1/8 inches longer than it is wide
X-Long oval is 2 7/8 inches longer than it is wide
XX-Long oval is 3 5/8 inches longer than it is wide
XXX-Long oval is 4 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Bob.
I took michaelsons advice and emailed them my size in inches and let them tell me what size to order. Also in that email I told him it would be a black regular fed in long oval. When I replied to his return email telling me the size. I told him great I'm ordering right now. He emailed right back and thanked me for my business and said he already long ovaled it and would have it out on the next plane! Outstanding customer service! Just a side note , I've also ordered a camptown from jersey jones and I have to say his customer service is outstanding also!
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Last Crusader
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Re: Fed sizing info and Hatsdirect.com service
This is strange. My head is 58.4 (1mm less than yours), and there was no mention of a 58 being too tight. When my 58 arrived, it was large enough that I had to use all the foam they gave me. Now it fits like a glove, but a 59 may not have shrunk down enough to fit me. I'd be interested to hear how your hat fits when it arrives.fishmeok wrote:...I've tested the 58's on a 58.5 block and they're all too firm...
Of course, in my case, hatsdirect ovalised my hat, so it could be that had I not asked for this, the 58 would have felt too tight, because of the excess down the sides.
They really are very good aren't they?fishmeok wrote:...That's the best customer service I've enjoyed in quite a while...
Cheers
Mark
When I mentioned I was a long oval, they offered to put my hat on an LO stretcher for the weekend straight away. I'm sure if you asked them they would help you in the same way.Last Crusader wrote:Does Hatsdirect offer hats in long oval sizes?
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Chewbacca Jones
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The service from Hats Direct is one of the reasons I'd rather buy from them, even special order, than look for in-stock stuff in the States. I had a problem with one hat and Ron handled it without a fuss. Plus, I've never had a size problem. I used to wear a 7 3/8, but my head grew a bit. I'm actually still ordering 59's when I should be a 60 because the 59's ran slightly large. With the Federation, anyway. I tried a 59 Snowy River and it was too tight.
I noticed that Akubras are very round out of the box, and slowly conform to my head shape. But I imagine that for a long oval, they would be uncomfortable. I'm glad to hear that they were willing to throw a hat on the long block on request.
I noticed that Akubras are very round out of the box, and slowly conform to my head shape. But I imagine that for a long oval, they would be uncomfortable. I'm glad to hear that they were willing to throw a hat on the long block on request.
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Kt Templar
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I bought a Fed regular a couple of years ago and the shipping was very quick, this was in the December of the year and they even wrote Merry Xmas on the box! 
Now a question: How do you know you ARE a long oval, do you take a picture of the top of your head? I dont have any calipers handy. And how much difference between the front back measure and the side to side measure before you are deemd a long oval?
Now a question: How do you know you ARE a long oval, do you take a picture of the top of your head? I dont have any calipers handy.
And how much difference between the front back measure and the side to side measure before you are deemd a long oval?Aww, see they really are a sweet bunch.Kt Templar wrote:I bought a Fed regular a couple of years ago and the shipping was very quick, this was in the December of the year and they even wrote Merry Xmas on the box!
Well, a photograph is how I did it.Kt Templar wrote:...Now a question: How do you know you ARE a long oval, do you take a picture of the top of your head? I dont have any calipers handy.
But basically, everyone says that if you try on a hat, and it presses (perhaps uncomfortably) on the front and back of your head, and doesn't touch the sides of your head, then you're long oval.
Well, according to my picture, the width:height ratio for my head is 3:4. So I guess you could call that 75%.Kt Templar wrote:...And how much difference between the front back measure and the side to side measure before you are deemd a long oval?