Can Size 7 1/2 be altered to Size 7 1/4

[wgiceman]

I recently won a very nice fedora on ebay that was listed as a size 7 1/4. When I received the hat, it was a size 7 1/2. I contacted the seller and was informed that an employee had shipped my hat to another buyer and that they had sent my hat to him. They have attempted to contact him, but have received no reply yet. The seller stated that it was his mistake and offered to take a return and refund my money. I think that is fair enough.

It is a very nice hat and I was wondering if there is a means of modifying the hat such that I can wear it. Is this possible or should I just return it?

 

[billyspew]

I recently won a very nice fedora on ebay that was listed as a size 7 1/4. When I received the hat, it was a size 7 1/2. I contacted the seller and was informed that an employee had shipped my hat to another buyer and that they had sent my hat to him. They have attempted to contact him, but have received no reply yet. The seller stated that it was his mistake and offered to take a return and refund my money. I think that is fair enough.

It is a very nice hat and I was wondering if there is a means of modifying the hat such that I can wear it. Is this possible or should I just return it?

I'd probably just return it or sell it on. I doubt you'd shrink it up that much without professional help.

 

[Fletch]

There is a serious shortage of 7 1/2s.

Sell it on - it won't take long - and wait for a 7 1/4 that suits you.

 

[Aureliano]

hat jack & steam.

 

[zetwal]

Two sizes is a big jump. A professional hatter could do that but most don't recommend it. It's also expensive. Wait for something in your size to come along.

 

[Richard Warren]

wear it in the rain, leave it in a hot car.

 

[mike]

Cover it in peanut butter and then sit on it. ...wait, I meant whatever you do, don't cover it in peanut butter and then sit on it!

 

[Aureliano]

hat jack & steam.

:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: Sorry! you want the opposite!

I soaked one of my hats--litelary, soaked it in the kitchen sink-- to make it shrink. It did but I had to change the sweat as well.[huh]

 

[Brad Bowers]

I'd rather receive a 7 1/2 when expecting a 7 1/4, than be expecting a 7 1/2, and receiving the 7 1/4. You got the better end of the deal, but I would think the other buyer would eventually contact the seller.

Brad

 

[ScottF]

Two sizes is a big jump. A professional hatter could do that but most don't recommend it. It's also expensive. Wait for something in your size to come along.

I'm in the same situation as the poster, but going from 7 3/4 to 7 3/8-

My thought was that since it has a reeded sweatband, using the same sweat and ribbon are no...sweat. The problem is results of the re-blocking.

So my question - if you have the right size block and gut the hat first, what would the likely result be of 'downsizing' it 2 sizes? Just a wider brim?

 

[Andykev]

Not to downsize

hat jack & steam.

NOT. A hat jack and steam will UPSIZE the hat. I think our poster was given a size 7 1/2 instead of a 1/4. To shrink a hat, you need to put foam strips under the sweatband.

You never state what kind of hat it is. However, you might consider holding on a bit to see if they can contact the other person. I bet he will be disappointed also and wants to get the hat he bought but you now have.

It is good that the seller on Ebay will refund your money as it was his mistake.


EDIT: I see you caught yourself before I read your next post. You are correct, dear Sir.

 

[anon`]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that you can.

I own a Schoble that came to me from johnnyphi's auction by way of Not-Bogart13. As I understand it, the hat started out life as a 7 3/4 and shrank during its long years in storage. I'm rather incredulous about it ever having been that large, but it was definitely north of 7 3/8. Turned out to be too small for NB13, and he didn't have the heart to stretch it, so I snagged it on eBay. Turned out to be too big for me with a diamond or teardrop bash--probably on the order of 7 1/2--but fit if I stuffed some foam behind the band and gave the crown a center dent, it fits quite well, and I'm a 7 1/4 now.

Make no mistake, you'll still know that it's "too big" but it is possible to massage a hat sufficiently that it'll do about what you want it to do without appearing obviously too large.

While you'd certainly be within your right to take up the seller's offer for a return and refund (or to demand one if the offer had not been made), you might want to give this a shot if you really like the hat. It wouldn't hurt any to at least see.

 

[Sam Craig]

It depends

It all boils down — no pun intended, oh, wait, yeah, PUN intended lol — to what sort of hat it is to begin with.

I agree with the suggestion that if this is, basically, an off the wrack, new hat from a firm, contact them and insist they make it right.

If it's a one of a kind, then you have to decide it it will hold up to the changes and if it's really worth all the hassle.

Might be better just to get a different hat.

 

[High Pockets]

I recently won a very nice fedora on ebay that was listed as a size 7 1/4. When I received the hat, it was a size 7 1/2. I contacted the seller and was informed that an employee had shipped my hat to another buyer and that they had sent my hat to him. They have attempted to contact him, but have received no reply yet. The seller stated that it was his mistake and offered to take a return and refund my money. I think that is fair enough.

It is a very nice hat and I was wondering if there is a means of modifying the hat such that I can wear it. Is this possible or should I just return it?

Hello wgiceman, I've had more than one hat re-sized two sizes both up and down.
It's a job for a professional, and it isn't cheap,....I paid $100 each, but these were pretty special hats to begin with.

 

[wgiceman]

I appreciate the feedback for everyone. The hat is a Selentino 'King' model. it is as charcoal gray fur felt hat made in Europe. I am no expert, but this appears to be nice hat. Are you guys familiar with this brand?

 

[ScottF]

I'm in the same situation as the poster, but going from 7 3/4 to 7 3/8-

My thought was that since it has a reeded sweatband, using the same sweat and ribbon are no...sweat. The problem is results of the re-blocking.

So my question - if you have the right size block and gut the hat first, what would the likely result be of 'downsizing' it 2 sizes? Just a wider brim?

Still curious about the above - I could start a new thread, but seems like a very similar topic.

 

[rlk]

Still curious about the above - I could start a new thread, but seems like a very similar topic.

I would imagine your resulting brim and crown dimensions would be somewhat dependent on the amount of shrinkage the felt body is capable of. Marks, lines and holes from previous decorations(ribbons..) and sweatband might require certain placement of brim/crown breaking point. I'll bet a more modern hat might be able to come close to its original dimensions even after downsizing. A professional would know best, however.

 

[ScottF]

I would imagine your resulting brim and crown dimensions would be somewhat dependent on the amount of shrinkage the felt body is capable of. Marks, lines and holes from previous decorations(ribbons..) and sweatband might require certain placement of brim/crown breaking point. I'll bet a more modern hat might be able to come close to its original dimensions even after downsizing. A professional would know best, however.

Thanks.

I like your new avatar.

 

[Aureliano]

EDIT: I see you caught yourself before I read your next post. You are correct, dear Sir.

Indeed,

 

[Mario]

I'm in the same situation as the poster, but going from 7 3/4 to 7 3/8-

My thought was that since it has a reeded sweatband, using the same sweat and ribbon are no...sweat. The problem is results of the re-blocking.

So my question - if you have the right size block and gut the hat first, what would the likely result be of 'downsizing' it 2 sizes? Just a wider brim?

I have the same problem as well. In theory there are three ways to reduce the size of the hat:

1. Reduce the circumference and keep the crown height, which yields a wider brim.
2. Reduce the circumference and make the crown slightly taller, which keeps the same brim width (and brim break).
3. Reduce the cirumference and make the crown even taller at the same time, which would in turn reduce the brim size.


If you have markings on the felt from the ribbon (which is the case with the hat I'm working on) you wouldn't want to go with the first option, as the markings would now slide down and extend into the brim. You'd have to go with one of the other methods by reducing the cirumference and making the crown taller. With the first of these options you would reduce the circumference, raise the crown height a bit and keep the same brim width. This would keep the ribbon markings at the same position. The other route includes reducing the circumference and raising the crown height even more, resulting in a narrower brim. The markings would slide up the crown, but with a ribbon that's wide enough you should be able to cover those.