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[ZAZ]

The hat is snug, my hair is short, it rides slightly higher than I would like but is within a reasonable range. Any sort of moderate wind will slide the hat up my head and then off if I don't immediately shove the hat back down. I cant hardly wear the hat outside without holding it down the whole time. The only thing I can think of is that the shape of my head and the shape of the hat are not playing well together.

 

[dnjan]

I'm thinking shape of head as well. Sounds like your head may be tapering somewhat where the new (smaller) hat is resting.
Could also relate to how far down on your forehead you are wearing it.
If the hat is sitting further back on your head due to the way it fits, I could see it blowing off more easily. While the larger hat may be sitting more level, making your head seem to taper less where the hat is in contact.

 

[bowlerman]

I woke up this morning and fit perfectly into my 7 1/4 hats, while my 1/8s are all snug. it is still the case this afternoon. I have heard of heads swelling in the morning and in the heat, as well as hats shrinking in heat, but temps have been subzero all day. any explanation for a sudden increase in hat size?

 

[ZAZ]

Yes, I do believe my head is tapered. I seem to have a lot of trouble getting hats to fit. I usually want to tug them down very low and usually wear overly large sizes to facilitate that. Will my Akubra form to my head and fit better? Or should I return it and look for something that cooperates more?

 

[Landman]

I woke up this morning and fit perfectly into my 7 1/4 hats, while my 1/8s are all snug. it is still the case this afternoon. I have heard of heads swelling in the morning and in the heat, as well as hats shrinking in heat, but temps have been subzero all day. any explanation for a sudden increase in hat size?

I've been having a similar issue recently. Some of my hats that normally fit me perfectly have been fitting a little snug lately. My hair is normal length, I haven't gained any weight and the only unusual factor is it has been colder than normal lately. However, my hats are kept indoors at a normal room temperature and are snug before I even go out in the cold. I doubt my head has suddenly grown so if anybody has a theory I'd be interested in reading it.

 

[hatsRme]

I've been having a similar issue recently. Some of my hats that normally fit me perfectly have been fitting a little snug lately. My hair is normal length, I haven't gained any weight and the only unusual factor is it has been colder than normal lately. However, my hats are kept indoors at a normal room temperature and are snug before I even go out in the cold. I doubt my head has suddenly grown so if anybody has a theory I'd be interested in reading it.

Humidity?

 

[gtdean48]

Humidity?

In winter months with heaters going, the air does become drier.
Leather in the sweatbands will draw up as moisture is lost via evaporation.
Condition & stretch....

 

[facade]

I've been having a similar issue recently. Some of my hats that normally fit me perfectly have been fitting a little snug lately. My hair is normal length, I haven't gained any weight and the only unusual factor is it has been colder than normal lately. However, my hats are kept indoors at a normal room temperature and are snug before I even go out in the cold. I doubt my head has suddenly grown so if anybody has a theory I'd be interested in reading it.

Lay off the HGH Mr. Bonds.

 

[VVVLion]

Can anyone here tell me what kind of hat Jake Shimabukuro wears in this picture?
http://arts.pepperdine.edu/performances/jake-shimabukuro.htm
And would like to know what brand it is...
Thank you!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Goorin Bros.
Makes quite of few of this style looks like a couple year old verison of one of theirs.

 

[danofarlington]

I've been having a similar issue recently. Some of my hats that normally fit me perfectly have been fitting a little snug lately. My hair is normal length, I haven't gained any weight and the only unusual factor is it has been colder than normal lately. However, my hats are kept indoors at a normal room temperature and are snug before I even go out in the cold. I doubt my head has suddenly grown so if anybody has a theory I'd be interested in reading it.

Obviously, compliments about the hats you wear have swelled your head.

 

[Miamibruno]

I must admit my hats have been a bit tight these days of frigid temperatures. However, my question revolves around the hat below. Anyone recognize the brand? I'm a rookie but trying to learn fast. The hat itself is not as stiff as my other fur felt hats. Just curious.

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Miamibruno]

I must admit my hats have been a bit tight these days of frigid temperatures. However, my question revolves around the hat below. Anyone recognize the brand? I'm a rookie but trying to learn fast. The hat itself is not as stiff as my other fur felt hats. Just curious.

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Landman]

Does anybody know where you can get the type of tape that is used to attach the ends of a sweatband? I didn't see anything like that on hatsupply.com and don't know where else to look. Thanks.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Does anybody know where you can get the type of tape that is used to attach the ends of a sweatband? I didn't see anything like that on hatsupply.com and don't know where else to look. Thanks.

No longer made, as far as I've found, and I've looked. Since it was pretty much gone by the 1940s, chances of finding leftover tape are slim. In the factories, a special machine applied adhesive to the tape and cut it to size when applying it to the sweatband. I've no idea what the adhesive was, but it holds up longer than the fabric of the tape. The small hatters who did renovations bought "stickers," as they were called, which were pre cut and didn't require a machine.

Your best bet is to look for a suitable fabric at fabric stores and experiment with different adhesives. Don't use the iron-on patch material, as the heat from the iron will shrink the leather, and the adhesive is heat-activated, so over time it loosens up from the heat of your head.

Brad

 

[alanfgag]

Does anybody know where you can get the type of tape that is used to attach the ends of a sweatband? I didn't see anything like that on hatsupply.com and don't know where else to look. Thanks.

I've used linen tape. This is an archival thin fabric tape with a water activated adhesive that is used for picture framing - sold in good art supply stores. I have a roll that I bought in art school (some 4 decades ago) which has quite a lot left on it - happy to send you some if you'd like to try it. It is white.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Alan, how does the adhesive hold up with sweatband use/abuse?

Brad

 

[alanfgag]

Well, I'm more of a light user than an abuser , but the adhesive is ample and has held well to the few taped seams that I've retaped with it. I have some fairly heavy prints that have been hung with hinges made from this tape - haven't dropped one yet in 40 years. The white color can show through the seam, so I make sure that I pull the two edges of the sweat tightly together.

I have both of your addresses, will send a little for you to experiment with.

cheers,
Alan

 

[rlk]

Alan, how does the adhesive hold up with sweatband use/abuse?

Brad

Dry your hair well after shower or rainstorm and you should be fine--needs to be wet to release--warmth no problem.

 

[Landman]

Thanks for the information guys.

Alan, I appreciate the sample. There are a couple of large art supplies stores here so I should be able to find it once I see what I'm looking for.