Hat too large

[Carillon]

Hi All,

I recently received this wonderful black fedora, that problem is that it is slightly too large for me. It does not really look large, but it sits loose on my head and can blow off in the wind. I was curious if anyone knew of anyways to tighten the hat, or stuff it with something to make the fit tighter. Thanks!

 

[thunderw21]

I have a newer, non-vintage one I got for cheap that was slightly too large for me. I inserted some folded up paper into the sweatband until it fit. Works well.
Billy

Oh, and welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[Carillon]

Thanks! I'll try that to see if it works.

 

[EricH]

If you need it tightened up a bit, another trick is to dampen the leather sweatband with water. The leather will shrink as it dries tightening up the fit. Old school says place the hat over a lamp/bulb to speed the drying process. I don't adhere to that practice. I find my old cast iron radiator does just fine as likely will any place where warm air is circulating. Or, just go out hunting for more hats while while waiting for it to dry;-) Eric

 

[Snrbfshn]

A number of options...

Over the years, in vintage hats I've bought there's been spacers of tissue paper, cardboard, cork, newspaper and felt. Even found part of a trimmed down sweatband from another hat. The felt strips seem the most popular, and are what I use. They're still available today:
http://www.thefedorastore.com/FedoraFelts-tm-Hat-Sizing-Strips-p/strips.htm

 

[Stoney]

Felt for resizing

Having a pea head, I've run into the same problem numerous times.

The Felt in the above link that Duane sells in his online store is great, I have some. The nice thing about it is that it has built in sticky tape to adhere it to the sweatband. However it is a little on the thick side, so a litle bit goes a long way to sizing your hat down.

Another felt option is the ever present Walmart. You can buy 8x10 sheets of wool felt (1/8" thick) and cut it down to fit the sweatband. Sheets cost 20 cents each.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I go to Michael's, Rag Shop, or some other craft store and by sheets of colored craft foam, They don't have a sticky surface, and don't really need any. They say put on their own, which is better for the hat, and easier to remove if the hat shrinks later on. I just cut the sheets into long strips. Same effect as felt and such, but less mess and less slipping!
NB