Reducing hat size

Walter Neff1940 · Nov 27, 2014

Everything says 7 3/8. I measured around the inside and it is exactly 23 inches. My head measures a small fraction over 22 5/8th. If I lay a 1/4 piece of foam (about 4 inches long around the front sweatband ,not on the under side as it puckers the band, but on the outer side of the sweatband), it fits nice and snug and the hat doesn't fall off when I bend over. Is reducing from 23 inches down to 22 5/8 too much to reduce and still look and function good? Should I exchange for a 7 1/4? Sorry for all the repitition but woudl like to ahve one to wear.

Walter Neff1940 · Nov 27, 2014

I have decided to return for a refund. Don't watt to buy a hat where I have to make these mods to obtain a fit.

fedoracentric · Nov 27, 2014

I often find that I run toward the small end of Stetson sizing. In some manufacturers I wear a 7-1/8, but invariably a Stetson size 7 fits me best.

Walter Neff1940 · Nov 27, 2014

I do beleive the 7 1/4 would have been better. No natter how many pads or spacers I would use for the 7 3/8 it just didn't feel right. The sweatband puckers.
What is frustrating , is that I have to spend the money to send it back. I would not not have minded to absorb the return postage but they are the ones recommending I get the 7 3/8 and that is after I told them my head size is 22 5/8.
I guess a lesson learned in trying to buy a hat through the mail.

fedoracentric · Nov 27, 2014

Walter Neff1940 said:
I guess a lesson learned in trying to buy a hat through the mail.

This is a FACT of life. No matter what, you'll never know the comfort and fit of any hat until it is sitting on your head. "Sizes" are just a suggestion, a starting point from where to figure the best hat fit.

Bolero · Oct 7, 2015

Quick Fix for a Too Big Hat

Get yourself a roll of adhesive backed Sticky Tape, the Non-Hooked side...

and cut about 4 - 3" sections then stick them onto the interior band for a reduced size effect...

Works well.

hatsRme · Oct 7, 2015

What size did this hat start out; end up?

Joao Encarnado · Oct 7, 2015

I wouldn't do that...

Lotsahats · Oct 7, 2015

Joao Encarnado said:
I wouldn't do that...

I'd be nervous about putting adhesive on the sweatband myself.
A

Moviehats · Oct 7, 2015

Putting them under the sweatband works best.

LeBois46 · Oct 7, 2015

RJR · Oct 7, 2015

Bob Roberts · Oct 7, 2015

Under of course.

Nyah · Oct 7, 2015

Strips of felt will stay put under the sweatband without any adhesive. Add/subtract until you get the right amount.

moontheloon · Oct 7, 2015

Bolero said:
Get yourself a roll of adhesive backed Sticky Tape, the Non-Hooked side...

and cut about 4 - 3" sections then stick them onto the interior band for a reduced size effect...

Works well.

View attachment 36312

I highly recommend putting the reduction tape under the sweat if you do this kind of thing

Ginseng · Oct 7, 2015

The only problem I've found with putting foam, or any other padding material, behind the sweat is that it can cause the sweat to buckle up from the shimming. When the hat is within 0.5-.75 cm or thereabouts, thin foam stripping placed at strategic locations around the perimeter can snug up the fit without buckling. For me, this is typically 2-3" at the sides and up to 2-3" at front and rear.

Luis · Feb 15, 2017

what is the best way to get a bowler down from 3/4 to 5/8? Or is it even possible on bowlers?

hatsRme · Feb 15, 2017

Luis said:
what is the best way to get a bowler down from 3/4 to 5/8? Or is it even possible on bowlers?

Hi, Luis, Good to see you posting again, sir!
If you have a 7-3/4 vintage bowler, you really should consider selling it, and getting the proper size. Is it a long oval? I know a young guy (Lounger) who has been searching for one for quite some time now, and the likelihood of you finding the 5/8 is far, far greater than him finding a 3/4. I take a 7-3/4 XLO, and have only seen two vintage bowlers in that size in ten years.

Luis · Feb 15, 2017

hatsRme said:
Hi, Luis, Good to see you posting again, sir!
If you have a 7-3/4 vintage bowler, you really should consider selling it, and getting the proper size. Is it a long oval? I know a young guy (Lounger) who has been searching for one for quite some time now, and the likelihood of you finding the 5/8 is far, far greater than him finding a 3/4. I take a 7-3/4 XLO, and have only seen two vintage bowlers in that size in ten years.

Hi hatsRme, thanks for your welcome again.
My size is actually a 6 5/8 ~ 53cm and it's extremely hard to find anything that fits so I just end up going custom but I was wondering if I could pull off putting some felt in a 6 3/4 hat since the vintage ones are so much cheaper than customs.
I see that the 6 3/4 is about 54 cm, would that be too much to shim with some felts? 1 cm = 0.393701 in.
Would have a ton more hats if my head was average size... or not since all the average sized ones would be bought up haha.

hatsRme · Feb 15, 2017

OOps, Luis! I was thinking on the other end of the size chart. Well, the one HUGE advantage you have is that there were many more guys your size a couple of generations ago. So, I do agree, padding will create LOADS more options for you. The "shim stock" material (my own term) can be felt, cork, or the age-old standard, which is also useful to future generations trying to establish the age of the hat, newspaper. I don't know how many times one of us has received a vintage hat, turned down the sweatband, and found folded up newspaper from decades ago. Pad the back first. If more is needed, the front second, then lastly the sides. I personally think it's best not to use any adhesive or adhesive-backed products for this. Properly placed on the backside of the sweat, they will be there forever. Good luck!!

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