Stetson Nostalgia: To Stretch or Not to Stretch?

[Dixon]

Friends I need help.

I'm new to the forum and just received my first fedora in 15 years: a Stetson Nostalgia.
I measured my head before I ordered and I was a solid 57mm. Having no other hats to compare it to I ordered a 7 1/8 based upon the size guide from the website.

The hat came today and the hat fits, REALLY well. No blowing off in a gust if you know what I mean. Is this how it is suppose to fit? I wish had a 7 1/4 to compare the fit, but that means paying another $35-55 bucks with all the potential shipping back and forth and that's a lot for me.

Being new to fedora wearing I'm not sure how to diagnose my problem.

Is this just how a new factory made fedora fits and wearing it allows it settle in to the right shape on your head? Or should get a hat stretcher and push things out a bit. It doesn't feel like I'd want much more space, but maybe a little.

I'd love some advise.

Eager and fretful,
Dixon

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'm a fickle fit myself. Crazy enough to get custom hatters to cut the leather down to a 32nd of an inch that I then stretch so it breaks the spirit of the sweatband into a rubber band fit.. only works with real quality sweatbands. I'm between sizes 7 1/8 and 7 1/4 leaning to the larger and I have a squared off forehead (german oval) and when I buy off the rack I always go bigger.

Your situation is a very delicate one. Hats tend to shrink and over time that hat will most likely get tighter meaning a lifetime of stretching... then again it could just feel real tight because your head shape might be fighting the oval of the hat.

My suggestion is... well if it's bothering you, get something that you know won't and can be pretty sure will get a bit snugger in the right way. Go big! This all depend on whether or not the sweatband in that hat you have is the right size in the first place of course.

 

[kiltie]

First off, GREAT avitar.
I tend to buy my size off the rack, and it's a 50/50 shot for me. MD's description of fit is akin to my plight, but between 7 1/4 and 3/8. To be honest, while trolling ebay, I now just kinda roll the dice. However, as MD also stated, the hat IS going to shrink. That said, I'd go up a size ( either now or in the future ) and just use padding till the hat settles a bit. I've already been burned, to a degree, with one vintage that I bought 7 1/4. Now I have to "plan" on wearing it, putting it on the stretcher two days before hand...

 

[lc1484]

Dixon,

welcome!! I agree get the size that is one bigger and pad it, eventually the more you wear it, the sweat will shrink and you will start removing the pad or whatever you put behind the sweatband....I find the modern stetsons ran a little larger than other brands, so I put 1 felt strip in the liner, but found myself removing it after a dozen wearings...

Larry

 

[gtdean48]

Dixon,
Even if you go bigger & the hat comes back to you & you wear the hat doing any kind of activity, the sweatband will retrack some. Get a Hat Jack, about $15-25 depending on the website. I'm a 7 1/2 long oval but typically by 7 5/8. Vintage is hard to find at that size so I get 7 1/2's & "train" them with a Hat Jack. Part of hat maintenance like brushing. I've done this with western hats for years because I wore them in the show pen which means I did sweat on most runs! Slight stretching is not a bad thing with a quality sweatband. Make sure it stays supple. HTH...

 

[zetwal]

Most of us have gone through this too.

Different hats fit differently. Go to a hat store and try on different brands in different sizes to get a feel for what's possible and how various sizes and styles and brands ride on your head. Remember too that your head could be a long or wide oval. Not all heads are shaped the same. What's more, even a simple hair cut (or lack of one) can change how a hat fits.

Once you know how you want a hat to fit it's just a matter of finding what you're looking for - even vintage. I agree with the school that says that it's better to get the hat a little loose and stuff the band than to get one too tight and stretch it. In the end, everyone does and recommends what works best for them. Let experience be your guide. Enjoy!

 

[carter]

Your haircut can make a difference in fit. If your hair is cut close/fairly close on the sides, one size larger or a hat jack might be a good idea. If your hair is longer on the sides, a closer cut may well do the trick.

 

[gtdean48]

Your haircut can make a difference in fit. If your hair is cut close/fairly close on the sides, one size larger or a hat jack might be a good idea. If your hair is longer on the sides, a closer cut may well do the trick.

Good point Carter. I know when I'm approaching cut-time, I need a little more space around the sweatband.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Anyone here have Nostalgia to show?

 

[lc1484]

My Nostalgia when I just got and was working the bash.

Larry

<a href="http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/lc1484/?action=view&current=IMG00117.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/lc1484/IMG00117.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Dixon]

Thanks!

Thanks for the great advise! You all are really helpful.

Here's the update...
I've mailed the hat back in exchange for a size up. I'm assuming the 7 1/4 will do the trick. My hair cut won't be an issue seeing as how I'm bald on top and buzzed on the sides. Oh to have to consider such a thing

I see that Stetson offers the Nostalgia in three colors. Anybody got one in Black or Brown to show?

Again, you all are great.
Glad to be around.
D

 

[Matt Deckard]

When you get a chance, take some shots from further away and more angles.

 

[Dixon]

Agreed. I'd love to see some more shots of the hat.

My new Nostalgia comes in Thursday.
I'll have some pics of my own up ASAP.

D