If a hat is too small, is there any way to make it fit?

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:02 pm

I just bought a used fur hat on the Internet. I am not much of a hat wearer, but it is a tad too tiny for me. I have never really worn real hats before (except the one I left at Midwest whips), so... am I just stuck, or are there some time-honored proper ways to make it fit a little better? It almost feels like it could almost fit just right after wearing it a while.

The hat is a size 58 and my head measures about 23 inches around about one inch above my ears.

I know that pics might help you see how it fits, but I don't own a digital camera. I just received this hat in the mail today and it sits pretty high up on my head and leaves a bit of a mark when I take it off.

cooncatbob · Post by **cooncatbob** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:08 pm

Mannie Bothans wrote:I just bought a used fur hat on the Internet. I am not much of a hat wearer, but it is a tad too tiny for me. I have never really worn real hats before (except the one I left at Midwest whips), so... am I just stuck, or are there some time-honored proper ways to make it fit a little better? It almost feels like it could almost fit just right after wearing it a while.

The hat is a size 58 and my head measures about 23 inches around about one inch above my ears.

I know that pics might help you see how it fits, but I don't own a digital camera. I just received this hat in the mail today and it sits pretty high up on my head and leaves a bit of a mark when I take it off.

Stretch it with a hat stretcher.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:09 pm

This thread might help a little, too.
viewtopic.php?t=32291

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:39 pm

The hat stretcher works great. Just put it in and apply light tension to the inside of the hat, then after a day or 2 a little more tension until the hat fits the way you want.

I forgot about wetting the sweat 1st and turning it back in, then put in the stretcher...thanks Oak!!! That way it won't stress out the stitching. Do a little tension at a time, but you can go up a whole hat size.

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:56 pm

Thanks, I didn't want to risk using a hat jack in case it was known to do bad things to the shape of the crown, brim, etc.

YARVTON · Post by **YARVTON** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:20 pm

Advice may vary from thread to thread. Where are you? Is there any real hat store around? I have a snuggy-fit fedora that I plan to take to a hatter in NYC -- they stretch them right out back. Sounds like you're a full size larger than your hat is. Before you try anything yourself I recommend a visit to The Fedora Lounge. Regards.

squidkidd · Post by **squidkidd** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:23 pm

If it's possible, get a haircut. My snugger hats always fit better after getting the ears lowered.

Regards,
Brian

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:27 pm

YARVTON wrote:Advice may vary from thread to thread. Where are you? Is there any real hat store around? I have a snuggy-fit fedora that I plan to take to a hatter in NYC -- they stretch them right out back. Sounds like you're a full size larger than your hat is. Before you try anything yourself I recommend a visit to The Fedora Lounge. Regards.

Doh! Right. The Fedora Lounge. Of course.

I live in Lexington, KY and the only real hat shop we had was just displaced by a new massive development. I'll try to see if they survived the displacement.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:29 pm

how small would you say it is? You could turn the sweatband out , wet it without wetting the felt. Fold it back in then put in the stetcher and leave it there until completely dry.

YARVTON · Post by **YARVTON** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:39 pm

How close is that to Cincinnati? Gus Miller makes his own fedoras and operates one of few old-fashioned hat stores remaining -- Batsakes is the name if I recall correctly.

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:45 pm

Thanks everyone. I was just in Cincinnati last week.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:46 pm

Well, if all else fails, maybe something like this may help...

YARVTON · Post by **YARVTON** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:52 pm

Call J Peterman. They (He) would know of anyone in or around Lexington.

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:02 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Well, if all else fails, maybe something like this may help...

That's perfect! My wife always said my head was too big for my own good.

Indiana MarkVII · Post by **Indiana MarkVII** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:09 pm

Yes, your head measurement of 23 inches is a size 59 (centimeters), not a 58. Close, but one size off. Good luck with the hat stretcher.

toobacat · Post by **toobacat** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:15 am

I've put shoe stretch on the sweatband when stretching it a lot. I'm sure this kept the sweatband from splitting. Unless you use a full crown stretcher, the crown may flare out at the bottom after stretching.

If a hat is too small, is there any way to make it fit?

If a hat is too small, is there any way to make it fit?

Re: If a hat is too small, is there any way to make it fit?

To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Re: To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Lexington, KY

one more suggestion

hat size