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[camhabib]

I’m considering getting a felt hat for walking the dog on misty mornings. I have a 57 straw fedora that’s ever so slightly too tight, and a 58 felt hat that fits just about perfectly. My head measures 57.5cm, which would make me a 58. The hat I’m considering is a Stetson Carson. I’ve heard felt shrinks quite a bit once wet and was wondering if it would be better to go with the 58 (7 1/4) or go one size up to 59 (7 3/8)? Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[jlee562]

Good felt should not shrink much. Mostly when we on the lounge talk about shrinkage in hats, we are primarily referring to Akubras. They use a lower quality grade of leather for their sweatbands which is notorious for shrinkage.

Modern felts - which are not felted as densely as in years past - are sometimes susceptible to shrinkage. This usually manifests in tapering of the crown or the brim may start to curl up a bit.

In my experience with modern Stetsons, this has not significantly affected the sizing of the hat.

If the 58 fits you reasonably well, I would say go with the 58. If you are concerned about it shrinking up, consider investing in a hat jack or customized band block to keep the hat conformed to size,

 

[drmaxtejeda]

A golfing friend has a very big head. My 7 1/4 hats look like small caps on him. The other day I measured the head opening in the hat he was wearing with a ruler (didn't have a tape measure with me to measure his head circumference), and it was 8 3/4 inches by 7 3/4 inches! About what size hat would that be?

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[Bamaboots]

@drmaxtejeda, that comes out to an 8 1/4, Max.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Wow! Amazing. How does one calculate that?

@drmaxtejeda, that comes out to an 8 1/4, Max.

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[Bamaboots]

Wow! Amazing. How does one calculate that?

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It's a US secret, Max. Actually add the numbers and divide by two. That's why I've sent you the interior measurements, length X width, on the hats we've talked about.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

It's a US secret, Max. Actually add the numbers and divide by two. That's why I've sent you the interior measurements, length X width, on the hats we've talked about.

Ah! Thank you, Greg! I was just comparing the measurements with my own hats.

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[Bamaboots]

Ah! Thank you, Greg!

You're welcome, Max. It's an accurate way to measure hats. Something for you to keep in mind as you've jumped into the deep end of the pool on hats. Pick a hat that fits you perfectly and do those measurements and then compare to hats you're interested in buying.

 

[Zombie_61]

@drmaxtejeda, that comes out to an 8 1/4, Max.

Hokey smokes! I thought I had a big head.

 

[camhabib]

Really appreciate the reply! Is the Stetson sizing pretty true? Aka if I measure 57.5cm would the 7 1/4 be the best size?

 

[Bamaboots]

Hokey smokes! I thought I had a big head.

I know, Al. I ran the numbers a couple of times to make sure I was right. Was sure it was wrong. Brings way too many juvenile jokes to mind. Not that I think that way.

 

[scottyrocks]

7 1/4 and 58cm are the same size, more or less.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I know, Al. I ran the numbers a couple of times to make sure I was right. Was sure it was wrong. Brings way too many juvenile jokes to mind. Not that I think that way.

Hahaha

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[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^^his name is Gourdo right??
On Halloween.......
She said...”ough Baby....” let me see your fingers!!
Etc...etc...
B

 

[Bamaboots]

^^^^his name is Gourdo right??

Here I am staying away from water head jokes and such and look a you.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Hey what the hell. I always say if you can’t make fun of yourself, you can’t make fun of others!! Why just today i made fun of myself all day in the rain wrenchin it!! Ha
So....
B

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Wow! Amazing. How does one calculate that?

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Length plus width and divided by two gets you close, but the actual formula is inside (sweatband) circumference divided by pi (3.14...) for US sizing.


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[drmaxtejeda]

Length plus width and divided by two gets you close, but the actual formula is diameter divided by pi (3.14...) for US sizing.


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Oh! Now I understand how they got the US sizes! Danke, Brent!

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[deadlyhandsome]

There are other conversion charts that are slightly different:

Since this is my size chart for my purchases the fact that it stops at eight (8) has worked for me.


This last image I...er...borrowed from someone else on the Lounge:

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[aihpcfl]

I'm curious about metal in the Akubra Bajo Patterson hat.

Here is why I ask. I've worn this hat many times through TSA metal detectors. This morning I had an issue and removing the hat (and sending it through X-Ray) resolved it.

I doubt the little emblem on the hat band was the problem, but maybe. I wonder if there is a light metal wire in the construction of the hat band. Is that the explanation? Or good guess?

The rest of the story is this was at DCA. The metal detector was very sensitive. Practically every man was having to remove stuff and go back through the scanner. I do this a lot, and it is the first time I've had a problem like this. Likewise I have been traveling with this hat, and first problem like this with the hat.

Thanks for any thoughts.