Lets talk about hat shrinkage

[shopkin]

If it gets wet then wear it until it dries. i will fit better than ever.

 

[TWKundrat]

 

[Jimvint]

I have noticed sizing varies a lot by manufacturer. I bought an older Borsalino 56, which is one size larger than my normal size. It fits well. Ordered a new Akubra Stylemaster from a seller in Australia and they suggested a 55 and to allow for shrinkage. On older fedoras in 6 7/8 most fit with the exception of Stetsons which seem to run larger for me. Measuring the hat opening width and length is something I learned here on the forum and seems to be the best way of figuring out if a hat will fit. Of course you have to know your circumference first.

 

[ShadowXY]

I am paying attention to this topic. I got an Akubra Riverina a couple weeks ago and it was a very good fit. Being concerned that the Riverina might shrink I made a custom hat block.
My Akubra Banjo Paterson arrived today. It is labeled the very same size as the Riverina but fits somewhat larger.
Now I would like to shrink the Banjo P. just a little. Such is life. Perhaps some wear and sweat will cause a perfect fit. If not a little liner will.

I know it's an old post but I'd like to chime in on the Akubra shrinking. I only had one Abubra in 55cm.
It was a used Snowy River. It just was too big perhaps in part as it's not a deep crown & perhaps they seem to run round wide. My head is more oval. I'd like to try another Akubra one day but the one I got was not shrank & it was an older hat.

The problems comes with buying a older hat is you don't know if it shrunk. I went bigger on a Resistol in a 7 & its really roomy but workable. I think if I played with the crown it would fit nice..

I received a Seratelli 55 & it sadly was down to a 54. I stretched it a bit & can wear it higher up but it was vice like in the beginning.

I try to ask for the width & length of the hat opening. That's really the only way I can judge how it will fit on my head. Too wide/round doesn't work for me.

Easier to measure the hat in cm too. Someone put a 16cm X 19cm hat in a 7/ 56 size & that's really fine for me. Most 7's I'm seeing are not those measurements though.