How much size stretch?

[Indydawg]

Got a question about the lid, guys...

About how much "natural" stretch can be expected with a good fedora?

My old PB custom moved, over the years, from around a 6 7/8 to about a 7 1/8....approx. 1/4 size....just with wear and placement on a hat size keeper. As my hair length fluctuates, the thickness made the hat stretch...

Is 1/4 size too much stretch to naturally expect a hat to move over time? Is it conceivable that an individual could stretch a hat from a 7 to a 7 and 1/4 without trouble?

Just how much movement can take place with a hat?

Regards!
Indydawg

[binkmeisterRick]

Some of it depends upon the quality of the felt. For instance, there's a reason they tell you not to leave your hat in a hot car on a summer's day. It could very well shrink up depending upon the felt quality. Also, it could be due to the leather sweatband shrinking over time due to heat, oils left on the sweat, or just drying out. It is possible to stretch a hat up a size if done right, but from 7 to 7 1/4 is actually two sizes up (7 1/8 between them) and then things get more difficult, if not near impossible.

[Indydawg]

Cool...I'll pass this along to the individual who was asking...