Hat styles for oversized melons?

[Geesie]

Size, of course, is relative. I wear a 7 5/8 - 7 3/4 hat, which is large but not huge. However, I'm a slim guy. 6'2", 42L jacket, 30 inch waist. My head would be proportionate to a boxer's frame.

When I was a kid, I got teased a lot - I was even skinnier and I looked somewhat like a q-tip.

Anyway, the three hats I frequently wear all are snap-brim center dent, 2" brim. I've owned a larger brimmed hat but I thought it might accentuate the large skull, and I've owned a stingy-brim straw and worried that it gave my head a "fat man in a little suit" look. I want to wear other styles (particularly a porkpie) but I'm worried about how it will look.

Is this all in my head (pun not intended) and I'm just overly sensitive or are there hat styles that should/should not be placed atop the larger head?

 

[avedwards]

Brim of say 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" I'd say. Not too wide, not too narrow. It is just my opinion, but a high tapered crown may look better as it won't make you look like a fat guy in a slim suit, not will nor make your head look even bigger. I personally find that tapered crowns suit me better as I'm also tall and slim with a not quite as large head.

 

[carldelo]

I'll echo what Avedwards said above. I wear 7-3/4, but am not nearly as tall as you (5'9") - I find 2-3/8" is about the biggest brim I can wear well. I look best in the Stetson 4" tall teardrop, with either 2-1/4 or 2-3/8 brim. Teardrops help keep the crown height down, which may be desirable for you. I have a Chatham (raw brim) and a couple of Ashlands (underwelt brims).

My Stylemaster with 2-1/2" brim and 4-1/2" tall teardrop crown looks too big and too blocky on me. With your height, you'd be able to pull off the crown height, but the brim might look like a lampshade.

I have a Christy's Marlborough which has a 2-3/8 brim and a 4-1/4" crown that is too tapered for me - but I bet it would look good on you. Hornets Hats has a wide range of Christy's, all of which appear to have this same European taper. In fact, they have a pork pie with a 2" brim - it should look fine. Hornets has a good reputation, and will alter ribbon width and color to your request. Shipping is pricey, but the overall cost is reasonable.
Here's a few pics of my Marlborough - sorry about the odd angles...



Good luck, let us know what you decide...

PS I meant to add - the Christy's Epsom is exactly the same as the Marlborough, but with a narrower 2-1/4" brim. I bet that one would look perfect on you. Several loungers have this hat and report liking it quite a bit. The brim is not bound, but I believe they'll add it for no charge if you ask nicely.

 

[carldelo]

Geesie - Did you ever get a larger-brimmed hat? I ask as I'm selling my Marlborough and Stylemaster in case you're still looking to experiment with larger brims - ads are up in the classifieds now. No pressure obviously, just thought you might like to have a look.

 

[gtdean48]

I am just under 5'10", started getting shorter since turning 45 it seems. I don't care for any brim less than 2 5/8 inches. My preferred width is 2 3/4 inches but then I have worn western hats at 3 3/4 to 4 inches for years, so I guess my eye is tainted that way. The shape of your face has a lot to do with it to me more than your totally height. JMHO