Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

How to Store Hats

mayserwegener

mayserwegener

Messages
17,247
Location
Maryland
>>
Old paper and cardboard from before the late 50's is most likely acid free. What is the source of the discoloration is hard to say, but it does not necessarily have anything to do with acid or degrading chemistry
>>

Did you read the article I posted regarding the lignin factor?
 
TheDane

TheDane

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,670
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
mayserwegener said:
Did you read the article I posted regarding the lignin factor?
Click to expand...
Yes and still: The manufactoring processes at the time were completely different. The problems arose with the developement of the chemistry industry in the late 50's and the 60's.

In my first post on the issue, I wrote: "Today, museum storage cabinets must be made from certified materials, guaranteed to be suited for archival purposes.". The words 'certified' and 'guaranteed' are quite important for museums, but I agree that it's hard to get certfication of the materials, used for hat boxes [huh]

Another important thing to remember: Century Boxes is a supplier, praising own products and processes. There are other suppliers, making just as truly acid free products. It's a nieche, but the products are still sought, and the manufacturers are out there ;)
 
mayserwegener

mayserwegener

Messages
17,247
Location
Maryland
I would assume lignin is present so as it degrades it gives off acid.

I have been using the Capas boxes for a few years now I don't see any issues with the felt hats I have stored in them. I have no idea if there are acid free.
 
Doc Glockster

Doc Glockster

One of the Regulars
Messages
199
Location
the ranch
I always thought it was best to store the hat in the box it came in. Is this not the case? I have some Stetson hat boxes left over from hats I gave to Goodwill, and I store my Akubras in them with hat jacks.
 
Jhoff_1979

Jhoff_1979

One of the Regulars
Messages
232
Location
Northern Illinois
I
Doc Glockster said:
I always thought it was best to store the hat in the box it came in. Is this not the case? I have some Stetson hat boxes left over from hats I gave to Goodwill, and I store my Akubras in them with hat jacks.
Click to expand...

I store mine in their boxes. Better than them being left out to gather dust and who knows what else. My opinion.
 
BobHufford

BobHufford

Messages
14,545
Location
Ragged Edge of the Grid / Missouri Ozarks
The wife said I need to clean out the office. Guess I need to rethink my hat storage...

78b703ebf367f7faad34091be47c82b8.jpg
 
-30-

-30-

A-List Customer
Messages
443
Location
TORONTO, CANADA
"The wife said I need to clean out the office. Guess I need to rethink my hat storage.."
Bob Hufford.

1975:
Question:
"WHY DID YOU EVER MARRY ME!!!"
Answer:
"Seemed like a good idea, at the time."
(The resulting hole in the Dinning Room ceiling, did not impress the Building's Superintendent.)

1977:
After the Divorce Proceedings, the resulting hole in the Supreme Court of Ontario's own ceiling ....
(Never did find-out as to what that Action had cost her.)

Regards.
J T
 
belfastboy

belfastboy

Messages
10,392
Location
vancouver, canada
My wife just reclaimed her side of the shelving in our walk-in closet so now I have a few homeless hats/boxes. I may have to build shelving in the garage but somehow that just seems a cruel thing to do to a good hat. Likely will hurt its self esteem to be banished so harshly.
 
E

Ed321

New in Town
Messages
5
A question on how to store a fedora--I don't mean for several months--I mean each night, overnight, until you pick it up and use it again the next day.

Various websites offer conflicting advice, each with an equal air of authority, each warning the reader that storing the hat in any other way will cause it to lose its shape. Some say store it crown down (I do that). Others say crown up. Some say hang it on a smooth peg or hat rack. And a few insist on a hat box, even on a daily basis.

So ... what about on a hat ring? Online, I have not found anything for or against this idea. I have several hat rings, made of clear plastic. If the hat were to be placed on a hat ring, crown up, wouldn't that be as safe as when on your head?

(I am both tempted and afraid to try it). Thank you for your thoughts.
 
belfastboy

belfastboy

Messages
10,392
Location
vancouver, canada
Ed321 said:
A question on how to store a fedora--I don't mean for several months--I mean each night, overnight, until you pick it up and use it again the next day.

Various websites offer conflicting advice, each with an equal air of authority, each warning the reader that storing the hat in any other way will cause it to lose its shape. Some say store it crown down (I do that). Others say crown up. Some say hang it on a smooth peg or hat rack. And a few insist on a hat box, even on a daily basis.

So ... what about on a hat ring? Online, I have not found anything for or against this idea. I have several hat rings, made of clear plastic. If the hat were to be placed on a hat ring, crown up, wouldn't that be as safe as when on your head?

(I am both tempted and afraid to try it). Thank you for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
When I am lazy I just toss it on the table, brim down. When I am being neat I put it away in a proper hat box with the insert, crown down. All my hats are stored in proper hat boxes as that protects them from dust and the lazy me does not have to brush them often. One thing I have learned about quality felt hats.....they are very hardy and really do not need to be treated with kid gloves.
 
jlee562

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,055
Location
San Francisco, CA
Putting the crown down can, over time, distort the shape of the crown.

The "rule" about not putting the brim down is mostly applicable to western hats where putting the brim down might affect the curve.

I don't see why there would be any risk in using those ring like stands that hat shops use, other than say, the ring possibly un-doing any conforming the felt has done to your head.
 
moehawk

moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,670
Location
Northern California
I put mine crown down on a table or back of the couch until the sweatband dries. Then most go crown up on a shelf until worn again. A few hang on the wall from wooden pegs. Those lucky enough ro have boxes stay in them. As long as they are stored with care, none seem to me to distort or lose shape any faster than the others, regardless of the storage method.
And if they do happen to get a little bent up or dented (the wrong way) , well, that's why the Jiffy steamer was invented.. :)
 
Abraham

Abraham

One of the Regulars
Messages
166
Location
California Coast
I have a couple of quick questions regarding hat storage an care.

- When you first put a hat on like a fedora, do your store it with the brim "flipped up", and then flip the brim down once you have it on, or does the brim always stay down -- if that's how you typically wear it?

- How do you store Campdrafts? Inverted like a cowboy hat or?

- How does one spot clean a silver belly felt hat?

Thanks much!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
How properly to recalculate my hat size due to new presence of hair?
Replies
3
Views
310
The Lost Cowboy
The Lost Cowboy
Joe45
Crushable Fedora Shape Help!
Replies
6
Views
684
Joe45
Joe45
Tanker
McLaughlin and Hayes.
Replies
4
Views
350
belfastboy
belfastboy
Popeye Doyle
Hat Fitment
2
Replies
20
Views
936
RBH
RBH
L
Vintage Reverse Pencil Curl Western?
Replies
3
Views
637
Who?
Who?

Staff online

Members online

... and 24 more.
Total: 5,586 (members: 74, guests: 5,512)

Forum statistics

Threads
107,276
Messages
3,032,866
Members
52,737
Latest member
Truthhurts21
Top