Can I Squeeze In?

[1OldGI]

I spied several likely prospects on ebay tonight, most were 7 3/8 though. So here's what I'm trying to figure out. My spud is 23 1/2 inches around and a
7 1/2 seems to be a perfect fit. Could I possibly squeeze into a 7 3/8 and not look like a doofus? 1/8" of an inch sure doesn't seem like it would make that big a difference.

 

[jec]

I believe that a 7 3/8 hat size translates into 23" circumference - so the difference is more like 1/2", not just 1/8".

But in some cases, I imagine that you could possibly stretch a 7 3/8 hat to fit your 7 1/2 size head.

 

[Lefty]

You'd need to stretch it. Otherwise, it might give you a headache, the brim might look distorted, and it will probably leave a mark on your forehead each time you take the hat off. If you're interested in stretching, a search will get you plenty of results. I'm in your 7 1/2 boat and will not buy a hat that I have to stretch, as they often shrink right back down.

 

[carter]

You can always have it reblocked and a new sweatband installed. Then it won't shrink.

 

[Daoud]

I concur with the thought that a half inch is too far to stretch....I wear a 7 3/8 and a 7 1/8 just won't cut it, no matter how much stretching and wishful thinking I do. Now, with hats and shoes, my philosophy is the same- if they're too tight when I first try them on, I want no part of them.

 

[jpbales]

+1

I agree with Daoud. I'm a 23.5" head, plus I'm a long oval. All of the 7 3/8 hats I have always seem a tad too tight and don't fit right, so I would be safe and go with the 7 1/2. No point in stretching and distorting a beautiful hat that someone else can enjoy as is, right? There's other hats in the 'bay lol

I concur with the thought that a half inch is too far to stretch....I wear a 7 3/8 and a 7 1/8 just won't cut it, no matter how much stretching and wishful thinking I do. Now, with hats and shoes, my philosophy is the same- if they're too tight when I first try them on, I want no part of them.

 

[gtdean48]

I am a true 7 1/2 XLong Oval & have a western hat that I bought in my early 20's that is a 7 3/8 XLong Oval that I can wear but constantly needs stretching via Hat Jack. I only go after 7 1/2 & up knowing I am mainly adjusting for the XLong Oval shape. I'd never go after a 7 3/8 size, more like a 7 5/8 regular that usually shrink to fit...JMHO

 

[Viper Man]

You can always have it reblocked and a new sweatband installed. Then it won't shrink.

This is true and I have done it with great success. However, if you are one of the types that want to retain the "purity" of the hat, keep the old sweat for posterity/resale sake.

 

[Daoud]

Actually it is the size 59 head that is kept in Geneva, although its storage facility is, in reality, beneath the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices. The size 7 3/8 head is kept in a vault beneath Grant's Tomb in Manhattan, although for security reasons it is sometimes transferred to Washington, DC, where it is stored in a lead-lined sub-basement of The Willard Hotel.

 

[Goose.]

Better to go larger than squeeze in.

On a similar note...not even 10 minutes ago...the Wife and I had a discussion where she is saying that I need to wear a larger size since she thinks that my hats don't look good on me as they are too small for me.

I wear a 60 in Akubras and they are comforatble to me. They fit with a finger between the bottom fo the lid to the tip of my ears and eyebrows.
Anyone else use this rule of thumb or have other guidelines?

Maybe I'll try a 61 next time. Wish we would've yakked about this Friday...Just ordered two Akubras in size 60!!! Gotta go cry on my big fat pillow if indeed she is right

 

[Wil Tam]

Size Chart from MH

this yer first lid? go bigger & look at some 7.5s instead & probably in a wider brim

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