Sizing for my first fedora

[The Ninja]

Hello all! You don't know me but I'm a long time reader, first time poster.

I've decided I need to purchase my first real fedora. For several years now I've had a poorly fitting, discolored Dorfman Pacific that I've finally gotten fed up with and I'm just about ready to replace it with a Federation IV. However, I want to be sure I get the right size the first time. (I've learned the hard way about hats that just don't fit.) Naturally, I'll probably write Hats Direct and see what they say, but I've heard they can have trouble with emails getting through and calling long distance to Australia at night is not the most convenient thing for me, so I thought I'd try and get a rough idea here first.

Anyway, to the meat of the matter. I've measured my head several times. With longer hair I'm 57 cm, but right after a hair cut I'm 56.5 cm exactly. So my question is, since I'll probably be in-between those measurements most of the time, will a Fed in size 58 (true size 57.5) fit, or will I need a Fed size 57 (true size 56.5)?

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to correct me on any details I may have wrong or that may be missing. I may have been reading for a while but I'm still new to this game!

[Indiana Bugs]

Welcome!

I measure exactly 23". I bought a 7 3/8, 59. It was a little big on th esides and a little tight front to back because Im a long oval and the hat is a regular oval. After a couple of sweatings, and a few pullings, the hat fits perfectly.

Id say get a 57. Going up another whole size will be way too big, especially with short hair, as youve described. But yes, if youre not sure, call HatsDirect and speak with them before ordering.

[BendingOak]

Best way is to have someone else take your measurements about 5 times. Take the average ad send it to whomever you decide to get a hat from. let them size you up as every hat chart is different. It shouldn't be but it sadly is.

[Joeyeah_right]

I am exactly 58.5cm and I have two FED IVs (Carbon Grey Regular, & Brown Deluxe) in size 59 and they start off slightly big, but with wearing the hat and using parts of the foam strip it fit perfectly and shrunk down to a very good fit, so I would say you should go for the 57. You will find it to be slightly big but it will shrink down. I wouldn't go to a 58 - that would probably be too big, but basically tell HatsDirect your exact measurements and let them get the right hat for you. I've also had no problems with communication from them as they have always answered my emails within a day or so.

Joe

[The Ninja]

Thanks for advice, everyone! I'm thinking that I'll probably go with the 57, but just to be sure I did email my measurement range to Hats Direct and I'll see what they say. Hopefully, if all goes well I'll be combing these forums heavily in a while looking for advice on a Raiders bash.

Thanks again!

[gwyddion]

No need for combing: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... 46&start=0

Regards, Geert

[The Ninja]

Wow, thanks! That'll make things a lot easier! (I didn't know they even had video guides for bashing.)

[BendingOak]

I don't know who " they" are but I do.

[gwyddion]

I don't know who " they" are but I do.

In this case, "they" is you John So tell me, how does it feel to be they? is it any good, or would you rather be one of "them"?

Regards, Geert

[BendingOak]

Nooooooooo not they

[The Ninja]

One of the benefits of being "they" is whenever anyone disagrees with you, you can tell them, "Well, that's what they say anyway…" and be completely right every time. "Them" can work too, but it can be a little trickier to work grammatically into an applicable sentence.

I was amazed by the speed of Hats Direct's response to my inquiry. The record now sits at 13 minutes from hitting send to receiving their reply! They also recommend a 57 so sounds like that's what it'll be.

One last question on the topic of ordering. I read in a couple of places that it's a good idea to ask Hats Direct to physically measure the hat they send you to make sure it's the right size. Their website, however, mentions that they "double check" every hat they send. Is this the same thing or should I ask for them to physically measure the hat?

Thanks once again,
The Ninja

[BendingOak]

Hats direct might be them but aren't they. I think I can beat the 13 minutes.

I would trust their claim. I would hope that if it's on their site that's their process.

John

[Indiana Jeff]

I would think "double check" and physically measuring each hat are two different things. Michaelson has repeatedly recommended asking Hats Direct to physically measure hats before they sent them to him and according to him every hat has fit perfectly since asking. I suppose Hats Direct could have added the measuring step in as a "double check" to their process, but better to ask specifically.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[The Ninja]

Righto, my order for a size 57 Fed IV has been placed and I wrote Jenny to ask for the hat to be measured. Now I just have to wait for them to return to the office from their weekend (got to love the international date line), pack it up and ship it.

Knowing me I'll have a time of it being patient as I wait for my hat to cross the Pacific, but if the hat's even half as good as the customer service I've had so far it will be well worth the wait.

EDIT:
Interesting note: According to Jenny it is now standard practice to measure all hats before shipping. I guess they must have seen the pattern of people following Michaelson's advice and decided to capitalize on the opportunity to provide even better customer service.

[The Ninja]

Got the hat today. Fits like a charm! Just put in a preliminary "Raiders"-ish bash. (Working on sharpening the creases.) Anyway, one thing that's been giving me a little trouble is getting the brim to snap down as far as I like. All of the guides I have found simply say to "snap the brim down", which for me only got the front to be flat. Is there some trick to this or do I simply need to keep working the brim until it takes that shape?

[jlee562]

You got a Fed? The brim takes some working to snap down. You might try a bit of steam, or some clean (preferably distilled) water in a spray bottle.

Just keep working on it....my fed didn't look quite right (to my satisfaction anyway) until it got hit with some rain once or twice. The Feds are fairly stiff hats right out of the box, but they will soften up in time.

[Indiana Jeff]

Glad to hear it fits well. Just keep working the brim until you get it to the shape you want. I would hesitate on steam or water right off, the felt just needs to be softened up a bit through everyday handling.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff