Stretching a panama

[Spitfire]

Hi - simple question:
Is it possible to make a straw panama slightly bigger by making it wet and wear it till it dries.

 

[RBH]

Hi - simple question:
Is it possible to make a straw panama slightly bigger by making it wet and wear it till it dries.

Short answer... yes.. I have done it.

I have also made a slightly off brim even out by doing the same thing. Wet it very well and pull it ever so lightly till it was like the other side.

 

[daizawaguy]

The problem is if you wear it, the brim may not be straight. Best to moisten it and put it on a hat stretcher, and keep the brim straight under the weight of books or something heavy. A much more difficult exercise than felt, I`m afraid

 

[truffaux]

I just wrote a guide to stretching Panama hats.
Runs through a range of possibilities, scenarios and available tools.
Lets breath life into old hats.
https://www.truffaux.com/hatters-advice/view/how-to-stretch-a-panama-hat-too-small-sizing-guide

View attachment 258311

 

[jlee562]

I just wrote a guide to stretching Panama hats.
Runs through a range of possibilities, scenarios and available tools.
Lets breath life into old hats.
https://www.truffaux.com/hatters-advice/view/how-to-stretch-a-panama-hat-too-small-sizing-guide

View attachment 258311

So are you just necroposting to get clicks for your site? Is that the deal?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

So are you just necroposting to get clicks for your site? Is that the deal?

I had to google “necroposting.” This seems to fit and I’ve added a word to my vocabulary.

 

[Aziomatic]

Necroposting is a great word, though it seems a bit harsh for the occasion

I'm reviewing options for slightly stretching a panama about a cm or two. I found traffaux's website and his video helpful too:

I also found this helpful:

Stretching up to 1 size has been covered many times in the Lounge. It can be done but it is an ongoing thing. The hat will naturally return to the original size unless you get it re-blocked by a hatter. Get at Hat-Jack or similar hat stretcher. Steam the outside of the crown, down around the sweatband, NEVER steam the sweatband. Put in the stretcher & crank it tight then a few more turns, repeat. Do it gradually. When you are not wearing that hat, put the stretcher in it to maintain the new larger size.

Oh yea, keep the sweatband conditioned...

I'm still reading best practices but if folks have any tips, please send them my way.

As I'm reading various posts, there are many mentions of panama hats decreasing in size over time. Any experience with how many centimeters a montecristi fedora will shrink? I was thinking of selling a panama that's about a size too big (59 instead of 57) but I'd love to keep it if it would shrink.

Thanks!