Regular Oval vs Long Oval

[pplepic]

Long Oval

Question: Obviously a long oval means that the hat has a longer shape than average. How off kilter would a long oval hat look on a regular shaped head?

I have a beautiful Dobbs hat with box that I picked up at an antique store. Like new, and it's a long oval 6 7/8. It fits perfectly, but it's so dressy that I've never worn it out, being a very casual dresser in my dotage. However, my other hats are simply 6 7/8 and seem to measure about the same size.
The long oval in this case is about 6 wide by 7 5/8 long. It's not quite a fedora because it doesn't have a pinch front, but the fairly stingy snap brim really looks cool.

 

[SGT Rocket]

Ok, I was looking at the Sportsman by Resistol as a straw hat; I was looking for something similar to a straw Open Road (which doesn't come in long oval).

So I emailed Resistol and asked:

"Dear Sir, Ma'am,

I noticed on your straw Sportsman,Style #: RS2505126.SPMN--R, you have a crown height listed as 2 3/4 inches. That seems a little low to me, could that be a typo on your webpage? I was thinking it looks more like 4 3/4 inchs. Could you let me know which is the correct height? Also, does this hat come in a long oval? I'm looking for a straw version of the Open Road, and this one looks like it may work.

Best regards,
Brian"

Their reply was:
"Brian,

I am sorry, that is a typo. The crown on that hat is 4” and the brim is 2 ¾”. That hat is only available in a regular oval."

What in the world is the difference between a long oval and a regular oval? I have a Resistol straw cowboy hat that is a long oval and fits well.

Also, if they are different shapes, would it be possible to "stretch" the regular oval into a long oval?

thanks,
Brian

 

[zetwal]

Check this thread,

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?6194

 

[SGT Rocket]

Oh wow... who would have thunk it? Thank Zetwal!

 

[zetwal]

Oh wow... who would have thunk it? Thank Zetwal!

You're welcome ... :yo:

 

[besdor]

None of the companies today make a regular production hat in a long oval. Its a shame because we get requests for long and even wide ovals all of the time.

 

[job]

Resistol makes long oval western hats. The Cattleman straw hat is a long oval.

http://www.westernbootsales.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RS81358134.CATT

 

[bowlerman]

I'm a long oval-- just means that "regular oval" hats might be a tad loose on the sides and/or tight in the front and back. Some hats will conform easily, some will not. Having hair helps.
I've had good luck using a modified hat jack that has been narrowed in the front to stretch a hat into a long oval. I've also had good luck using a regular old hat stretcher in a size or two too small for me to coax my hats into a more elongated shape.

That said, I believe even modern production companies have variations on their ovals. I've noticed that Dobbs "regular ovals" fit me better than other manufacturers'.

 

[carouselvic]

"NOTE: Limited stock on hand. Please call (877) 721-2139 to check availability."

Resistol makes long oval western hats. The Cattleman straw hat is a long oval.

http://www.westernbootsales.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RS81358134.CATT

 

[Lloyd]

Beaver Brand offers Long Oval, or at least they did the last time I ordered one directly from them a couple of years ago.

 

[job]

 

[besdor]

I need to clarify that statement. In westerns, Stetson( Hatco) does offer a long oval choice. But not in dress hats.

 

[TipTop]

I have an Atwood "Swenson" straw cattleman that I bought at Nathalie, the western shop on Canyon Road in Santa Fe last May that is a 7 3/8 long oval. It was the only hat in the shop that fit me perfectly. Ritch Rand, in rehabbing a 7 3/8 LO Churchill for me, told me they would 'make it a 7 3/8"' despite my care in sending them a conformator punch card and giving them exact measurements. It'll probably be OK, and a little steam has tailored his others I have.

 

[Tango Yankee]

Hats are like shoes. It coats money to make a variety of sizes and ahapes. Most manufacturers go for the average and tell those who need a wider shoe or a long oval hat to go up one size. Of course, that only results in shoes and hats that don't actually fit correctly, but people buy them anyway as they don't feel as though they have a choice.

 

[hatsRme]

Let's liven up this thread...

The actual dimensional measures of a size 7-3/4, compared to a 6-3/4 will not adhere to the arithmetic approach described above. I have done some calculations of the ratios determining a standard oval, long oval, extra long oval, etc. A ratio approach to determine scaled oval configurations is consistent throughout the size range.

My bottom line results showed a long oval (LO) hat to be a ratio of 3 by 4, and an XLO is 2 by 3. Try it yourself, let me know what you think!!

 

[Michael R.]

I just became conscious , but I'm 7 3/8 LO and to fit me it needs to measure 8 1/4" X 6.5" , thats about 3X4 ratio . 8.25+6.5=14.75 divided by 2= 7.375 (7 3/8)

 

[hatsRme]

I just became conscious , but I'm 7 3/8 LO and to fit me it needs to measure 8 1/4" X 6.5" , thats about 3X4 ratio . 8.25+6.5=14.75 divided by 2= 7.375 (7 3/8)

It WORKS, Mike! (So far...)

 

[hatsRme]

One more note...an oval, by definition does not really have a circumference; that would make it a circle. It has a perimeter.

 

[Ken David]

Let's liven up this thread...

The actual dimensional measures of a size 7-3/4, compared to a 6-3/4 will not adhere to the arithmetic approach described above. I have done some calculations of the ratios determining a standard oval, long oval, extra long oval, etc. A ratio approach to determine scaled oval configurations is consistent throughout the size range.

My bottom line results showed a long oval (LO) hat to be a ratio of 3 by 4, and an XLO is 2 by 3. Try it yourself, let me know what you think!!

I totally agree with you a ratio approach to determine scaled oval configurations is consistent throughout the size range and the arithmetic approach described above is not accurate across different sizes for sure.

I just became conscious , but I'm 7 3/8 LO and to fit me it needs to measure 8 1/4" X 6.5" , thats about 3X4 ratio . 8.25+6.5=14.75 divided by 2= 7.375 (7 3/8)

I believe taking the average of the long and short diameters of an oval will give you a pretty good approximation of your hat size and I think I recently read an old post this rule of thumb.

Measuring my head and hats that fit me better than others I think I am around a 6 x 8 1/4 which is a ratio of 0.73 (close to the ratio of 3 by 4 or .75 of a LO).

In addition there is a geometric formula for calculating the circumference of an oval (ellipse) I won't include the formula but you can use one of the many online calculator such as:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/circumellipse.html

Using my dimensions of ~6x8.25 yields a circumference of ~22.66 pretty close to 22 3/4 (22.75) for a 7 1/4, in addition when I measure my head with a taylor's tape it is 22 7/8 (22.875). Conclusion is I am close to a 7 1/4 LO using this logic.

 

[hatsRme]

I totally agree with you a ratio approach to determine scaled oval configurations is consistent throughout the size range and the arithmetic approach described above is not accurate across different sizes for sure.



I believe taking the average of the long and short diameters of an oval will give you a pretty good approximation of your hat size and I think I recently read an old post this rule of thumb.

Measuring my head and hats that fit me better than others I think I am around a 6 x 8 1/4 which is a ratio of 0.73 (close to the ratio of 3 by 4 or .75 of a LO).

In addition there is a geometric formula for calculating the circumference of an oval (ellipse) I won't include the formula but you can use one of the many online calculator such as:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/circumellipse.html

Using my dimensions of ~6x8.25 yields a circumference of ~22.66 pretty close to 22 3/4 (22.75) for a 7 1/4, in addition when I measure my head with a taylor's tape it is 22 7/8 (22.875). Conclusion is I am close to a 7 1/4 LO using this logic.

I'm thinking we have too much time on our hands, Ken. Yeah, I have experimented with the ellipse perimeter formulas as well. The problem is that nobody's head is shaped like that, but is always more egg-shaped. Those calculations aren't accurate enough for us. You have analyzed this issue well!!