Size Question....

[epic610]

borsalino 7 3/8 fits like a glove; as does stetson in the same size. biltmores tend in my experience to run a bit smaller. has anyone else out there had the same experience?

also, if i would see a biltmore out there that i like, what would the correct strategy be......buy a 7 1/2 and hope it's not too large, or get a 7 3/8 and try to stretch it a bit (it really irritates me to order a new hat and have to do work on it)? besides shipping new hats back and forth gets expensive.

any insights appreciated; order might be pending.

 

[photobyalan]

The ideal solution is to buy your hats in person from a hat shop. Obviously, this may not be practical for you, just like it is not for me.

You can always go with the 7 1/2 and put some foam under the sweatband to adjust it. Hats do tend to shrink a little with use and age, so you are probably better off erring on the side of a larger hat than a smaller one.

Of course, if this means you're going to be bidding against me for 7 1/2's, then please disregard the above advice and buy the 7 3/8!

 

[FLJones]

If I were buying a new hat from a dealer I could not visit, I would first measure my head with a tape measure to get the exact size in inches and then state this is as the size you require. This way they can find the correct size to send for the brand your interested in purchasing.

As for vintage hats on ebay or similar, ask the dealer to measure the inside of the hat. They usually come within a inch or two of the real dimensions (buyer beware, many have no idea how to measure!)

 

[D. Hats]

exact size every time ?

epic610, I have not even found that all Stetsons are exactly the same.
As either photobyalan or FLJones said... hats tend to shrink depending on age and use or lack there of.
I think you have been luckly that every Stetson or Borsalino you've tried you could count on the size fitting like a glove.
Buying vintage I look for my desired hat in any size between 7 3/8 to 7 5/8, yup photobyalan, even 7 1/2... right down the middle.

 

[jamespowers]

Oh no! That makes three of us now in the same size range.
My advice would be to get the larger size if you find the hats of that particular manufacturer run small. If you can get them to measure the circumference of the inside of that hat it would be great but many times they measure like they have the St.Vidus Dance or something. It just isn't accurate enough---believe me I know. You can easily make the hat fit you by adding felt stips or something to adjust it down. Stretching it takes a bit more of an effort. When in doubt get a larger size has always been my motto. I usually never have a problem that way. :cheers1:

Regards to all,

J

 

[FLJones]

make that four

 

[jamespowers]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Nooooooooo!
You people need to stop eating those Wheaties and get your head sizes down.

Regards to all,

J

P.S. I am glad I got as many hats as I could in my size when the price was much cheaper. Let the Gladiatorial combat begin. :fedora:

 

[FLJones]

by the way JP, how'd that purple Champ work out?

 

[D. Hats]

Life has been good to you...

You know jamespowers, I had that thought when I was looking at those pictures you posted with all those hat boxes stacked to the ceiling... "you probably bought ten of those for what one good vintage De Luxe goes for today" :cry: . But who said life was fair? It's the old adage: timing is everything !!

 

[D. Hats]

Thread names....

Come to think of it epic610, "Size Questions..." could be taken in a whole different light. Does size matter?

 

[jamespowers]

by the way JP, how'd that purple Champ work out?

Was that one you were bidding against me on?
I could say it is the best hat ever and you should have bid higher but I'll be nice. The black Champ box in the picture is where it resides.
I had to dust it off a bit, well actually a lot, and it was fine. I didn't think the pictures were true to the real color but they were nearly spot on. Probably the only purple hat of that vintage I will ever find and no it isn't that Pimp Purple color it is subtle. Its kind of an eggplant really. I will see if I can get some pictures up.
Champ may have been a "cheap brand" but what they had to work with they did the most with.

Regards to all,

J

 

[jamespowers]

You know jamespowers, I had that thought when I was looking at those pictures you posted with all those hat boxes stacked to the ceiling... "you probably bought ten of those for what one good vintage De Luxe goes for today" :cry: . But who said life was fair? It's the old adage: timing is everything !!

Heheheh! Life is only fair if you have time to plan.
I had to stack the boxes against that wall because I hate that wallpaper and I am too lazy to remove it and repaint it. Box wallpaper works out fine. :cheers1:
Some of them I did buy for almost nothing compared to what they would cost today but I never thought of hats as investments. Call my broker I see a 40s Borsalino I have to add to my portfolio!

Regards to all,

J

 

[D. Hats]

Devirsify; buy low, sell high... oh that's right, I'm not sellin' and for that matter I don't seem to buying low... Does one out of three count for anything? Yea, a hole in my pocket!!

 

[FLJones]

Was that one you were bidding against me on?

Why yes. Good to know it went to a good home. I've found a couple of light color (bluish) Champs and like them very much. Felt may not be as plush as a Cavanagh, but nice hat none the less.