Anybody ever stretch a boater/skimmer?

[Levallois]

Need to go up a size. Thanks!

John

 

[Boodles]

Distorted Brim

I can't imagine that working. Even if you were somehow able to stretch it, the brim would be distorted.

I think kabuto is correct, the brim will disort. One of my boaters is a fairly recent production, with the Venice label, marketed by Miller Hats. Mine was just a bit snug, not a whole size too small, but I didn't have good luck using my vintage hat stretcher. Almost any pressure would send the brim up. I was able to get the brim back in place with a DI hat brim press but had no real luck making the hat a bit larger. In the end I sent it in to Miller to have it stretched. It's a still bit tight on the sides so I leave an old hat-jack inside it slightly pressing the sides out. I also store my boaters in the DI brim press which keeps the brims looking pretty sharp.

 

[Dinerman]

Stretching it won't work, at least not in a way that will leave it wearable.