How big should a hat really be?

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

I’m buying my first hat and I went shopping for hats with a friend. We were looking at some hats that come in sizes M, L, XL rather than numbered sizes. I’m about a 7 ¼. The L hat sits really low on me and is clearly big around the head. It only doesn’t cover my eyes because the top of my head reaches the top of the crown first. The top of my head is what is holding the hat from covering my eyes, not the sweatband. The brim stops just about ½” above my eyebrows. But this could be solved by adding the Kleenex trick under the sweatband. What bothers me is that the hat looks oversized in my head, in my opinion.
The M looks better in my opinion, but it seems to be a tad too small. The sweatband really hugs my head. Nothing uncomfortable, just enough so a wind wouldn’t blow the hat easily off. But I think it could be a bit loser. My head never reaches the top of the crown, unless I stick the hat down, but in that case it really stretches the sweatband/hat and feels uncomfortable.
The hats are fedora C crown with a 2” 3/8 brim.
I have read the guidelines over miller hats and the posts on the matter here in the Lounge, but I’m still not sure.
What do you guys think? May the hat is supposed to look that big.

Thanks.

metropd · Sep 14, 2007

If the size is labeled s,m,l DO NOT BUY that hat!!!!Generic sizing says A HUGE amount about the quality and craftsmanship of the hat not just the size. Hope this helps.

Edward · Sep 14, 2007

Usually cheaper hats are that sort of generic sizing, though I've also found some great hats like that. Mostly casual caps in my case, but still... if you're experimenting with tas for thed first time and don't want to outlay a whole lot on your first one, cheap can be good.

I'm also a US size 7 1/8" (UK 7; 57cm), and mostly I tend to be a medium (save a couple of flat caps in which the medium was cut just too small and I had to go up to a large). It sounds to me like you've probably answered your own question re the large being too large - if it looks too big, chances are it probably is. You have to be comfortable in your hat if you're gonig to enjoy wearing it, but it sounds to me like the fit of the medium you describe is about right - you don't want a wide brimmed hat sitting too lightly on your head, as believe me it's less than dignified and a right pain to boot to be running down the street after a hat that has been lifted by the wind (fit a lapel cord / wind trolley!! See separate threads on this...). Believe me, that will happen, that's the way it is with wide brims.

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

Thanks guys. I managed to upload a picture of my friend trying the hat. Forgive the pixilated quality of the picture. It is a mobile phone picture and I had to zoom in a lot to get it that size.
Here: http://www.freewebs.com/datasharing/hats.htm

He also think it looks too large for him. What do you think?

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

By the way, I still can’t understand the difference between a snap brim fedora and a normal one. In searching the forums I found these definitions:

Andykev said:
..it is a term where the front brim of the hat is "snapped" down to shade the eyes. Like the upturned brim in the back, the front is "snapped" down upon donning the hat.

J.T.Marcus said:
My understanding of "snap brim" is that the brim can be worn either turned up or down, and when you go from one to the other it "snaps" into place.

But can’t all fedoras be worn that way?

Also are there any bad things or limitation to snap brims?

Thanks

Feraud · Sep 14, 2007

A hat should fit comfortably on your head. Not too tight or loose. If the S,M, and L sizes are not comfortable consider finding a shop that uses better head measurements in terms of 7, 7 1/4, etc.

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

Feraud said:
A hat should fit comfortably on your head. Not too tight or loose. If the S,M, and L sizes are not comfortable consider finding a shop that uses better head measurements in terms of 7, 7 1/4, etc.

Thanks. Looking at the picture in the link provided, would you say that hat is too big?

Feraud · Sep 14, 2007

retrofashion said:
Thanks guys. I managed to upload a picture of my friend trying the hat. Forgive the pixilated quality of the picture. It is a mobile phone picture and I had to zoom in a lot to get it that size.
Here: http://www.freewebs.com/datasharing/hats.htm

He also think it looks too large for him. What do you think?

There are two questions to answer here.

Sizing - No one can tell you how well the hat fits on your head. It is all about what feels comfortable to you. Some prefer a loose fit while others prefer snug. I go for snug fits but have some that are not.

High crown, brim length - A person who is new to wearing fedoras will usually find certain crown heights and brim lenghts too big for their face. Most people need to get used to wearing a brimmed hat.

The hat in the above link looks fine to me.

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

Feraud said:
There are two questions to answer here.

Sizing - No one can tell you how well the hat fits on your head. It is all about what feels comfortable to you. Some prefer a loose fit while others prefer snug. I go for snug fits but have some that are not.

High crown, brim length - A person who is new to wearing fedoras will usually find certain crown heights and brim lenghts too big for their face. Most people need to get used to wearing a brimmed hat.

The hat in the above link looks fine to me.

So you don't think it looks oversized at all? If it looks fine, better then. It‚Äôs not much the brim but I thought the crown was too big and high. The brim somewhat too, but not as much. I guess it really has to do with being used to a hat. I have to admit that the first time I put a fedora hat on a couple of weeks ago I thought I didn‚Äôt have a hat face. But now it‚Äôs growing more and more on me.
But the fit can be adjusted with the Kleenex trick I guess. Just the visual is the issue. Thanks for your input.

J.T.Marcus · Sep 14, 2007

When buying a wool hat with the SML sizing, fit is often a problem. These hats usually have fabric sweatbands, which coupled with the wool body, allow for a fair amount of stretch. It also allows for shrinking over the next year, or so. Remember that these hats were stacked, on top of each other, before sale. This tended to stretch the crown larger, but it will shrink. If you are intent on buying such a hat (You can get some good use out of it.), then it's best to get the one that feels slightly big. Put some shims (felt, paper, foam weatherstrip) under the sweatband, so it will fit now. Then, take them out as the hat shrinks.

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

That's good advice J.T.Marcus. Thanks.
I have heard that steem brings a wool hat back to it's original shape. If they were stretched by being stacked over ech other, would steem bring them back(shrink) to the orinal size?

By the way, does anybody have any advice on where to get a nice fur felt fedora without breaking the bank?

J.T.Marcus · Sep 14, 2007

retrofashion, If you want to go really cheap, on fur, you might look for a Burlington Coat Factory. Beyond that, you need to figure that $100 (plus or minus) is not breaking the bank.

fatwoul · Sep 14, 2007

duggap said:
There are quite a few comments regarding this dealer. Save you money and heartache and stay as far away from this one as you can.:rage:

Oh my goodness yes - I hadn't even checked the link until I read what you posted, duggap. I know about that guy's reputation, and I didn't even join the forum until years after he got banned!

Feraud · Sep 14, 2007

Has anyone used one of the online retailers and can recommend a quality, budget minded fedora?

Inquiring minds want to know!

carter · Sep 14, 2007

I've had some success with Hatsdirect.com and DavidMorganHats but I much prefer buying a hat I can hold in my hands and try on prior to purchase.

If I had it to do again, I would never buy a Sm, M, L, XL sizing. Way too much variation.

There is at least some element of control in knowing your proper hat size in both centimeters and inches.

WideBrimm · Sep 14, 2007

Besides Burlington Coat Factory (appx $20) for affordable starter hats, Orvis is a good bet. Nice line of wool felt hats for $39. Both the retail stores and on line.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_...51&cat_id=5690&subcat_id=6971&shop_id=&bhcp=1
Other sporting goods and "outdoorsey" stores are also a good bet. Dept stores such as Macy's also sometimes have affordable hats in season. Just keep looking.

thefedorastore · Sep 14, 2007

Get The Medium

In everything that you described, having a choice of the Medium or Large, I would suggest the Medium, and just put a little stretch to it, since it's not overly tight, and the large is obviously too large.

fatwoul · Sep 14, 2007

J. M. Stovall said:
$78 for a wool hat, I don't think so! :eusa_doh:

And if the buyer wants the hat quickly, it could cost $118! For that you could buy an Akubra Fed.

SHARPETOYS · Sep 14, 2007

Wool hats...

www.capasheadwear.com

Around $20.00 a hat.

Toll free 1-800-932-0257

Aaron and Besdor have bargain wool fedora's ....

retrofashion · Sep 14, 2007

Feraud said:
Has anyone used one of the online retailers and can recommend a quality, budget minded fedora?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Beat me to it Feraud. Thanks!

How big should a hat really be?

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