The Adventure Begins (arrrrgh !)

[lpa53]

Well, I'm now learning what a purchasing adventure this "hobby" is going to be.

Wanting a dark grey fedora to wear with my overcoat in the Chicago winters, a week or so ago I ordered a Carbon Grey Fed IV from Hatsdirect. While I was out of town last week, it came (boy, and I thought Australia was on the other side of the world!)

It looks lovely, but unfortunately, whenI tried the hat on after getting home today, I discovered it to be a full 1/4" too big in both directions! The hat came with padding strips but it actually bends the tops of my ears (!) and I think doing that wouldn't really do the job correctly. Am I right?

Having measured myself as 22-1/4" in July when ordering a Keppler, and thinking that translated to a 7-1/4, I ordered the Fed size 57. I don't know if this is the reason, but I got a shorter-than-usual haircut a few weeks ago and will probably leave it that way.

I measured a very comfortable black fedora I own, a relatively inexpensive Stefano labeled only as a Medium. Inside the sweatband it measures 6-3/8" x 7-3/4".

What size would that translate to in US and in the Fed line?

Should I return the 57 for a 56 or even a 55?

Does anyone have experience with returning and exchanging Feds from the US to Hatsdirect? Do they respond to emails or offer sizing help if I send them the measurements above?

Argghhhh !

(now to write to Mr. Keppler to see if I'm getting the right hat size from him ... should have done one thing at a time I guess)

[gabrielle]

I wear just shy of 22 1/4" too and I would go with the 56. I think the Feds run large.

[lpa53]

I wear just shy of 22 1/4" too and I would go with the 56. I think the Feds run large.

Actually, my current re-measuring is producing 22" or 55.5 cm ...

That's why I'm wondering if I should go with the 55?

I just wrote to Hatsdirect to see what they think.

[Chewbacca Jones]

Well, I won't dispute Gabrielle, since she has the same size noggin. As for hats direct exchanges and service, I think you will find them quite excellent to deal with. Zip off an e-mail to Ron and tell him what's up. One of the biggest reasons hats direct is so popular is because of their customer service.

[lpa53]

... Zip off an e-mail to Ron and tell him what's up. One of the biggest reasons hats direct is so popular is because of their customer service.

I can believe it because the speed of their order fulfillment was astounding. I've written to them and will see what I hear back.

[Texan Scott]

Having measured myself as 22-1/4" in July when ordering a Keppler, and thinking that translated to a 7-1/4, I ordered the Fed size 57.

This may have been what tripped you up. I measure 58 cm, 22 3/4 inches and according to hatsdirect.com's web site, it translates to a 7 1/4. Maybe if you had reported cm's or inches, they could have nailed it for you? Then again, hindsight is always 20/20. A 56 may be your bag of tricks?

[jnicktem]

I think the Feds do run large. I measured 61.5 cms and ordered a 62, which fits me perfectly.

[lpa53]

I tried putting in the foam tape Akubra provided but even with the the brim touches my ears.

What is the "standard" height above the ears the fedora should sit?

[interbak]

IPA,

My noodle measures 22" spot on, which is a size 7, and a size 56 Fed IV comes in perfect. I got mine when they first hit the shelves and have been wearing it all summer. Akubra's do shrink a little, mine was a hair loose when I first got it and it shrunk to a perfect fit almost immediately. My original Fed III did the same thing, it just had a little further to go. The IV's are slightly smaller than the III's. I've never had to return one to HD, but the trick is to contact Ron and arrange to return it in new condition, don't shape it or steam it into a tight Raiders shape and expect them to take it back for a direct swap.

Brian

[lpa53]

LPA,

My noodle measures 22" spot on, which is a size 7, and a size 56 Fed IV comes in perfect. I got mine when they first hit the shelves and have been wearing it all summer. Akubra's do shrink a little, mine was a hair loose when I first got it and it shrunk to a perfect fit almost immediately. My original Fed III did the same thing, it just had a little further to go. The IV's are slightly smaller than the III's. I've never had to return one to HD, but the trick is to contact Ron and arrange to return it in new condition, don't shape it or steam it into a tight Raiders shape and expect them to take it back for a direct swap.

Brian

Mine's 22", too. I haven't bashed it at all - just had it out of the box.

Did you have to use the foam tape at all on the 56?

And does the hat shrink just with wear or does it have to get wet?

I wrote to the "Contact" email address on Hatsdirect - info@hatsdirect.com. Will that get me to "Ron" or is there a more direct email address?

[ichnob]

That's fine. If Ron's in, he'll usually get back to you within a day. Hatsdirect has very good customer service. And if you didn't bash the hat, you are fine for a return/exchange.

[lpa53]

That's fine. If Ron's in, he'll usually get back to you within a day. Hatsdirect has very good customer service. And if you didn't bash the hat, you are fine for a return/exchange.

Two days and still no reply from Hatsdirect ....

[darthbish]

Give'em time...
It was a public holiday in that part of Australia on Monday, I'm sure they'll get back to you soon.

[interbak]

IPA,

Didn't need the sizing strips. I tried putting a little of it in, and took it right back out because it would be too tight. I just wore the hat and it settled right in.

Brian

[lpa53]

IPA,

Didn't need the sizing strips. I tried putting a little of it in, and took it right back out because it would be too tight. I just wore the hat and it settled right in.Brian

Thanks. Now if I could just get hold of them.

Oh, and you said you got yours when they first came out ... when was that?

[interbak]

The Fed IV's came out last spring, around the end of April, I think. I know I had mine when the Indy IV came out at the end of May.

Brian