ill fitting panama

[skwerl-hat]

Hi i have a question for you learned folk
i just received my first panama hat. It was listed as 22 inches in circumfrance when it arrived i now find it doesnt fit, its really loose. The sweatband is also loose i dont know if this has something to do with the fit or not. is there any way for me to shrink the hat a bit? or make the sweatband a bit tighter?

 

[duggap]

Try using some thin felt strips under the sweat band. You can bring it down one size at least.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Man, that's a drag, skwerl-hat.

I've often read of accounts such as this from folks who purchased from a certain ".... Direct" company. I've also read that in order to get great value and accurate size Panama Bob (vendor and TFL member) is the better alternative.

I once bought an old Panama straw that was too big when I tried it on but I thought I might be able to work with it, the price was right, and I loved the look of the hat.

I wound up removing a V-shaped notch of leather where the sweatband meets at the seem and re-sewing it together to gather it tighter at the top edge. This makes the leather sweatband more like a shape that rides on the spherical shape of one's head and keeps it from sliding down to one's ears.

I also had to replace the old grosgrain ribbon so, during that process I dampened the hat's crown and kind of gently persuaded it to a tighter oval. Then, when I installed the new ribbon, I intentionally wrapped it tight to further constrict the crown - just short of causing it to pucker.

These mods combined with minor padding inside and wearing it a few times to 'sweat it in' and it now fits like a custom.

It was originally a 7-1/4. I wear a 7 LO.

 

[skwerl-hat]

thanks for the advice! i wonder how easy it would be to complete since i am not much of a stitcher.

 

[skwerl-hat]

after giving this some thought,
i think ill try to get hold of a replacement grosgrain ribbon and sewing it on myself.
Does anyone know where a good source of the ribbon is?
thanks
skwerl

 

[Colby Jack]

What about returning it for one that fits?

 

[skwerl-hat]

it was an ebay hat so im not sure if thats possible i wonder if someone out there could install a new ribbon for me or if it would be expensive,