Hat band gap - am I being overly critical?

[EdinLA44]

Hi folks,

I wanted to get an opinion on whether I'm being overly critical about my hat band. I just got my first straw hat today. It's a nice Cuenca with a 2 1/2" brim. I wore it for the first time today and I really like it. But then something caught my eye when I was looking at it in the mirror and now when I wear it, it always draws my attention.

There is a slight gap between the bottom of the hat band and where the crease for the brim starts. It's a tad over 1/8". I realise that the hat body to brim crease is not going to be a perfect 90 degree angle, but I'm wondering if this gap should be there. Shouldn't the band come all the way down and touch the crease? It does on my fedora.

I looked under the sweat band and the hat band is tacked with thread at 4 places around the circumference of the hat and the gap is consistent all the way around the hat so it doesn't appear to be a manufacturing error. Considering that this is my first straw hat, I was just wondering if this gap is a problem that should be fixed or if I should ignore it. I live in Los Angeles and I don't know of any hat repair folks that I'd trust so I'd probably try to fix it myself.

Ed


Here's a few photos:

[tonyb]

Couple of questions: How much you got into that hat? And, will anyone else ever notice that imperfection?
I'd notice it too, if it were mine, and it would bug me. Can the ribbon be persuaded to come down that eighth of an inch without restitching it? You know, just kind of push it down a touch? The thread should have a bit of "give," I'd think.
Oh, BTW, nice lid. Wear it in health. If I lived in LA, I wouldn't be seen without it, at least during Daylight Saving Time.

[EdinLA44]

It cost me a bit over $300. I doubt anyone else would notice it but I would. I guess I'm too much of a perfectionist.

I tried pushing the band down but it won't move. I might try to see if I can loosen it up a bit but I think that as I wear it, it would creep back up. I'd have to go in under the sweat band, clip the thread and then with a small needle, try to re-stitch it. The thread is very thin but I think I could do it. I'm not very good at sewing so I'm kinda apprehensive about trying it though.

Now that I've noticed it, it's starting to bug me and I'm worried that I will not want to wear it as much. It fits great and looks great too and I really like the hat so maybe I'll attempt the hat surgery this weekend. Anyone know of a good hat repair place in LA that could do this?

Ed

[feltfan]

It cost me a bit over $300. I doubt anyone else would notice it but I would. I guess I'm too much of a perfectionist.
(...)
Anyone know of a good hat repair place in LA that could do this?

Ed

At that price the party from whom you purchased it
should fix it. Mind if I ask who that was?

[Panamabob]

Are you sure that is a Cuenca? Is the brim folded back and sewn? I'd love to see a shot of the inside of the crown.

[DOUGLAS]

Nice hat. I would love to see it on you.

[tonyb]

I'm with feltfan on this one, EdinLA44. For that kind of dough, the vendor oughta make things right by you. I'm assuming that would entail sending it out of town and waiting some number of weeks for its return, a scenario that has little appeal, especially during August.
I took a look at my old Panama and there is indeed a slight gap between the bottom of the ribbon and the brim. The ribbon can be easily persuaded to move down, and even without that adjustment the gap is so small that even I hadn't paid it any mind. It makes we wonder if attaching the ribbon slightly high isn't standard procedure. Perhaps the thread stretches with use and the ribbon gradually moves south? And the hatters would rather the ribbon be slightly too high than too low? Heck, I certainly don't know that to be the case, and I kind of doubt it myself. Just speculatin', you know.

[Fedora]

If the ribbon is stitched in, at that height, it looks like a faulty ribbon attachment. Hatbands should always be pulled down to the brim break and secured. If you can push a needle in and out, you can tack it down to where it should be. I have never had a ribbon creep down, but have seen many creep up, with wear. Fedora

[Kaleponi Craig]

I agree. With a hat costing $300, the hatmaker should fix the problem. You sure it's not a Montecristi at that price?. Beautiful lid, by the way...KC