Fact or fiction Hat Size

[Sir Tom]

I've searched Ebay for hats and my size 7 1/4- 7 3/8 is hard to find in a decent hat and when found they command a premium price. The general consensus is people were smaller back then and surviving hats are smaller.
The same can be said for mil-surplus.

An ex army veteran told me the reason you mostly find smalls, mediums and occasionally extra big in surplus is because it was never issued. The large to extra large gear is what was issued and is why pristine examples are hard to come by.

Could this be the same for hats?

 

[cookie]

7.25-7 3/8

I disagree that you have trouble finding those dimensions IMHO.

 

[kaosharper1]

I've searched Ebay for hats and my size 7 1/4- 7 3/8 is hard to find in a decent hat and when found they command a premium price. The general consensus is people were smaller back then and surviving hats are smaller.
The same can be said for mil-surplus.

An ex army veteran told me the reason you mostly find smalls, mediums and occasionally extra big in surplus is because it was never issued. The large to extra large gear is what was issued and is why pristine examples are hard to come by.

Could this be the same for hats?

This may be true in unsold surplus but it doesn't explain why so many used, pre-owned vintage hats are in smaller sizes.

 

[scotrace]

Those sizes should not be so hard to find, especially 7 & 1/4. Unless we really are getting them bought down to the nubs?

A quick search of eBay has that size like dandelions for $100 or less. Good luck!

 

[Dewhurst]

You will notice that a lot of people wore hats that were not exactly the perfect size for them. A tilt can disguise the size of a hat.

Many times I'll be looking at a bloke in a hat from "the day" and think that if he put that fedora on straight it would ride really high.

 

[reetpleat]

I would say the opposite as far as surplus. When I go to the store, there is a rack full of sale priced l and xl, but only a few smalls if any. The store orders way more larger sizes. If they did not use small sizes in the army, they wouldn't manufacture them.

As far as hats go, small guys can have big heads, but we all know 7 1/2 is rare in vintage, but not uncommon amongst modern wearers.

 

[Pilgrim]

If you look at photos of the 60's and earlier, you'll find that many men wore hats a good deal higher on their heads than we do today. I remember that in the famous still photo of Jack Ruby being shot, a couple of law enforcemnent types were wearing Open Roads and they were much higher on the head than is typical today. I suspect this meant that some men bought hats in slightly smaller sizes than we would.

But y'know, I've been wrong before. I can find 7 1/8 and 7/14 hats on Ebay, just not always at prices I want to pay. But if you find an auction ending mid-week, prices often run somewhat lower.

 

[mike]

If biblical era people wore fedoras, they'd probably be wearing smaller sizes. Due to diet, people were supposedly much smaller than we are now. For example, just below 5 feet tall was reportedly the average height.

With that line of thought, we could assume in the beginning, companies like Adam Hats moved most of their product on the smaller side of the spectrum and therefore biblical archeology might uncover more large sized deadstock fedoras! Unless the Nephilim, Og and Goliath had Menjou-sized collections. Although I would be surprised if Og or Goliath were big Menjou supporters, alas we may never know lol

Happy Holidays, sorry if this is too silly

 

[Gilgamark]

Ebay

I just started trolling Ebay a couple of weeks ago. It does seem that 7 3/8 (my size) is harder to come by in vintage than smaller sizes. Stick with it, though. There are some out there.

 

[HamletJSD]

They may seem hard to find at first, but try looking for 7 1/2 and larger ... then you'll start seeing nothing but 7 1/4 to 3/8.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I think it depends...

People tend to go nuts over vintage hats by well known makers - especially when they are well displayed - but if you know what to look for, you can find some great deals on E-Bay.

The FL is a great place to learn about lesser generally known brands.

Also, learn to use your imagination; try and picture what a potential purchase might look like with a good re-bash and minimal TLC - you'll start to see a lot more diamonds in the rough that way.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Oddly enough, when I wore a 7 3/8 I couldn't find vinatage hats in that size to save my life... unless they were totally beat. Now I'm a 7 1/2, and I see nice 7 3/8 all the time! lol :eusa_doh:

I think, for whatever reason, smaller hat sizes were simply more commonly worn and produced "back in the day." I also think that we are more discerning than the average person, both then and now. Those who are not "hat people" assume one hat is a good as another, even with size. They grab one, put it on, and as long as it doesn't fall over their eyes or hover on the top of their head, "it fits." (ok, I might be exaggerating a little, but I hope you get the point).

We, the people of the Fedora Lounge, concern ourselves with the "proper way" to dress vintage. The masses, while historically more pleasant to look at, don't worry so much about that.