Fedora stretching

[Curt Dawson]

I bought a fedora about ayear ago and it was supposed to be a 7 3/8 but fits more like a 7 1/8- 7 1/4.How difficult and expensive is it to have it stretched?

 

[surely]

its not too difficult or expensive, but you better research the issue on the lounge before the martinets join in.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I bought a fedora about ayear ago and it was supposed to be a 7 3/8 but fits more like a 7 1/8- 7 1/4.How difficult and expensive is it to have it stretched?

There are lots of posts on the topic in the hat section. Take a look there and I'm sure you'll find the answers you need.

 

[Feraud]

Was it tagged as a 7 3.8 and shrunk, or mistakenly noted as that size?

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Hi, I'm a Martinet,

I bought a cheap ($20.00) plastic hat stretcher at the local hat shop which inserts inside the hat at the band. A couple of twists of the screw handle and it stretches the hat ever so gently. The key is to do it over time, incrementally. It's not necessary to steam, but a warmer environment is better than a colder environment. You don't want threads or leather to snap.

Viola! ....a larger hole for your head!

-dixon cannon

 

[Feraud]

Wearing a hat is a good way to stretch it too..

 

[KY Gentleman]

I'm considering purchasing a new fedora that is a size 7 3/4, the vendor has offered to stretch it for me as I wear a 7 7/8. Is it reasonable to think the hat can stretch enough to be a comfortable fit? Should I get a hat-jack to prevent the hat band from shrinking if I don't wear the hat everyday?
I thought it was cool that the company offered to do this for me.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I'm considering purchasing a new fedora that is a size 7 3/4, the vendor has offered to stretch it for me as I wear a 7 7/8. Is it reasonable to think the hat can stretch enough to be a comfortable fit? Should I get a hat-jack to prevent the hat band from shrinking if I don't wear the hat everyday?
I thought it was cool that the company offered to do this for me.

That should work OK - going from 7-3/4 to 7-7/8 is just up'ing the hat one size. Most posts here have said going more than one size can lead to problems. AND if the vendor's going to resize it, so much the better - if it rips or anything, it's his problem. When you buy it and stretch it yourself, it's all on your head if anything goes wrong. Having a hat-jack around isn't a bad idea - not necessary to store the hat on when you're not wearing, but if the hat ever does need a little more restretching or reshaping.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Here's what I use...

The Hat Retainer from Hatsoff, Inc.
http://www.hatsoff.com
http://www.hatretainer.com

-dixon cannon

 

[KY Gentleman]

The hatsoff gadget looks like a handy tool and a good investment. Thanks for the info. Thanks for your response too, Mike in Seattle.

 

[carldelo]

Hat retainer

I saw the Hat Retainer at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply yesterday for $22
http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/m2_mjsupp.html
which is a lot less than on the company site.
While there, I bought a new old-style stretcher (for a lot more $) and am uploading some photos now, will post when ready.

>>> here's the post on another thread about the hat stretcher:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=513079#post513079