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

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

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

Post by Mannie Bothans »

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

Post by cooncatbob »

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.
Image
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binkmeisterRick
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Post by binkmeisterRick »

This thread might help a little, too.
viewtopic.php?t=32291
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gabrielle
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Post by gabrielle »

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.

#-o 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.
Last edited by gabrielle on Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mannie Bothans
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Post by Mannie Bothans »

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.
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To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Post by YARVTON »

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.
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Post by squidkidd »

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

Regards,
Brian
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Mannie Bothans
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Re: To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Post by Mannie Bothans »

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.
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Post by BendingOak »

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.
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Lexington, KY

Post by YARVTON »

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.
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Mannie Bothans
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Post by Mannie Bothans »

Thanks everyone. I was just in Cincinnati last week.
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Castor Dioscuri
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Post by Castor Dioscuri »

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

Image ;) :P
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one more suggestion

Post by YARVTON »

Call J Peterman. They (He) would know of anyone in or around Lexington.
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Mannie Bothans
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Post by Mannie Bothans »

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

Image ;) :P
That's perfect! My wife always said my head was too big for my own good.
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Indiana MarkVII
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hat size

Post by Indiana MarkVII »

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.
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toobacat
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Post by toobacat »

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.
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