Fedora pinching problem?

[Big Joey]

I've had a problem with a couple of my fedoras, in which one side of the pinched area its more defined than the other. This is because of the way I take the hat off of my head.
Is there a name for this so I can get further help on the matter?

 

[tealseal]

Do you grab your hat by the pinch when you take it off/put it on? If so, then that's definitely what you've got going on there. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Conventional "save your hat from looking useful" rhetoric states that you should ONLY handle your fedora hat by the brim-crown interface, I disagree. Every hat I have I handle by the crown, because I believe that the pinching develops character. In fact, custom hatter Leon Drexler in Toronto recommends you to grab his hats by the crown to develop an individuality!

Welcome aboard!
-TS

 

[St. Valentine]

@tealseal: I have never looked at the matter like that. Gret concept, I will go for it. :eusa_clap

 

[Annixter]

Welcome to the forum Big Joey; to answer your question, no, there is not a specific term for an uneven pinch or the effect of modifying the pinch through excessive handling of which I know. As for whether or not one should handle a fedora by the pinch or crown, that's up to individual taste, as tealseal points out. Some fedora material can take it better--like a quality beaver--while others can become damaged--like straw. Some people like their hats symmetrical while others like to run them over with their car before wearing. If the hat fits. . .

Your fedora appears to be wool, cotton, polyester, or another similar fabric, correct? It won't hold a pinch or dent as well as say beaver felt, but you might try applying some steam and heat (an clothing iron or tea kettle works well) to the area, work it with your fingers to where you like it, and hold it there until it dries/cools off. I recommend giving your hats a good brushing or even washing (if they can handle it) before doing this so you don't create dirt/mud stains. Use the forum search and you will find a ton of information about shaping hats, pinches, center dents, etc.

 

[Big Joey]

Thanks, guys. The label says it's "100% ramie". I was just wondering if it was a common problem for it to pinch like that, and if it is, I was wondering if it was an acceptable issue to have. And I personally do enjoy the character I've given it, but it's also sort of shaped to my head and lost some of its original shaping.

 

[Annixter]

Ramie, eh; I think they wrapped mummies in that stuff back in the day, so it makes since we still put it on our noggins. If you enjoy the unique pinch character, then it's acceptable to you which is all I'd care about.