Sizing

[tru]

Got a new Stetson Shantung Open Road in 7 3/8.
It fits perfectly. Maybe a tad on the snug side. just a tad.
Will it only get tighter?
I will wear it and sweat in it. I dont wear it as a dress hat. So will the leather shrink and get tighter?
Would you suggest I go up one size and, if need be, pad inside the band if I need it snugger?

 

[hatsRme]

It will only get more snug as the sweatband reacts to your perspiration. A $20 investment in a hatjack will help the situation.

 

[TheDane]

I believe most of us loungers own a jack/stretcher. Even hats that fitted well at purchase will need an occasional bit of persuasion

 

[RJR]

It will only get more snug as the sweatband reacts to your perspiration. A $20 investment in a hatjack will help the situation.

Second for the hat jack/stretcher.

 

[emigran]

+3... hat jack stretcher... on Amazon like 15 bucks (no afil)...perfect tool
I have several

 

[Monavillecowboy]

My favorite for hats 7 3/8 or smaller is the HATSOFF retainer.

 

[LuvMyMan]

My favorite for hats 7 3/8 or smaller is the HATSOFF retainer.

Yep that is good advice!

 

[LuvMyMan]

It will only get more snug as the sweatband reacts to your perspiration. A $20 investment in a hatjack will help the situation.

I think if anyone can invent a head sizer, so we can have a larger or smaller head, it would sell out here on the lounge in one hour!

 

[Xylophile]

I think if anyone can invent a head sizer, so we can have a larger or smaller head, it would sell out here on the lounge in one hour!

Yes! much easier to size the head to the hat instead of the other way around!

 

[LuvMyMan]

Yes! much easier to size the head to the hat instead of the other way around!

Spoken like a true hat lover! haha!

 

[Michael R.]

YEP , Depending on your Oval , Killer Hats on eBay sells them (Hat Jacks) $14.49 , I think , and it includes Shipping . Long Oval , I'd get a small , regular oval I'd get a medium . I'm Long Oval and bought two Mediums , and a couple of small (6 3/4 and 6 7/8) Made Rite Millinery Stretchers , but I can and do still use the Medium Hat Jacks for slight stretching , or retaining . I'm 7 3/8 Long Oval (narrow noggin)

 

[Xylophile]

YEP , Depending on your Oval , Killer Hats on eBay sells them (Hat Jacks) $14.49 , I think , and it includes Shipping . Long Oval , I'd get a small , regular oval I'd get a medium . I'm Long Oval and bought two Mediums , and a couple of small (6 3/4 and 6 7/8) Made Rite Millinery Stretchers , but I can and do still use the Medium Hat Jacks for slight stretching , or retaining . I'm 7 3/8 Long Oval (narrow noggin)

How do you tell which oval you are?

 

[Michael R.]

Long Oval is Long front to back and narrower side to side , then Regular Oval less so , Round Oval (the rare perfect head) , Egg Oval narrow front , wide back , and Wide Oval a little wider side to side than long front to back (more than average anyway) , I think this is rare . If you try on a Hat thats your size in circumference , and its tight in the front and back , lose and wobbles side to side , your long oval . Etc etc etc .

Hatters (some anyway) have conformatures that show the shape of your head . Most heads are like peanuts , all different .

 

[Genuine Classic Gangster]

Michael R., is Extra Long Oval a synonym for one of the terms you used in that post? If so, which one is the synonym? Or is Extra Long Oval an additional category that you didn't mention in that post?

How do you tell which oval you are?

Visit a custom hat maker who knows about oval types (but be wary of hat resellers who don't make the hats themselves, because they may not have any clue about different oval types and might just give you an incorrect random guess) and ask what type of oval you are.

Or, take digital pictures of the sides of your head, and the top of your head, and then send them to a custom hat maker who is willing to give you an opinion on what type of oval you are.

 

[TheDane]

If you have a hat that fits well, you can measure the width and length of the crown opening. Based on width and length, the different head ovals are defined as follows:

Round oval is 5/8 inch longer than it is wide
Regular oval is 1 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Long oval is 2 1/8 inches longer than it is wide
X-Long oval is 2 7/8 inches longer than it is wide
XX-Long oval is 3 5/8 inches longer than it is wide
XXX-Long oval is 4 3/8 inches longer than it is wide

 

[Michael R.]

Michael R., is Extra Long Oval a synonym for one of the terms you used in that post? If so, which one is the synonym? Or is Extra Long Oval an additional category that you didn't mention in that post?



Visit a custom hat maker who knows about oval types (but be wary of hat resellers who don't make the hats themselves, because they may not have any clue about different oval types and might just give you an incorrect random guess) and ask what type of oval you are.

Or, take digital pictures of the sides of your head, and the top of your head, and then send them to a custom hat maker who is willing to give you an opinion on what type of oval you are.

No , An XLO (Extra Long Oval) is like a Long Oval , just EXTRA Long . I figured you would know , or figure that one out , its obvious . Like I'm 58.5 cm (23") in between sizes , but order or get a 59 cm , or 7 3/8 . I can wear a large 7 1/4 , a true 7 3/8 is a little big , but most shrink sooner or later , but my measurements front to back on a 59 cm Akubra Bushman after shrinking are 8" X 6.5" = adding 14.5 divide by 2 = 7.25 on one hat , then another 7 3/8 LO Resistol is 8" X 6.75" , added 14.75 divided by 2 = 7.375 AKA 7 3/8 basically US size , .125 difference (1/8 variable same size Hat) but you see the Long Oval . Funny the LO is wider than the reg oval after conforming , but both fit , and both have to be stretched a little occasionally . Extra Long would be longer and more narrow for a 7 3/8 XLO . For all I know I could be XLO , both hats had to conform , but I think X is EXTRA Long and Extra Narrow .

I'm going to try to post a link to another old thread on Long Oval http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/is-long-oval-a-different-circumference.9712/

 

[Michael R.]

If you have a hat that fits well, you can measure the width and length of the crown opening. Based on width and length, the different head ovals are defined as follows:

Round oval is 5/8 inch longer than it is wide
Regular oval is 1 3/8 inches longer than it is wide
Long oval is 2 1/8 inches longer than it is wide
X-Long oval is 2 7/8 inches longer than it is wide
XX-Long oval is 3 5/8 inches longer than it is wide
XXX-Long oval is 4 3/8 inches longer than it is wide

Thanks Ole ! That's simple and more precise , but I'm sure it's in that Thread (SOMEWHERE !) . I maybe just a bit LO , not a true LO . Both Hats (like all Hats) are a variance of the same size . That's why its Best to try them on , some will be big (I have one thats still too wide) (its on the larger side) , and some will be true , and some small , all in the same size .

 

[TheDane]

I have a band block (block, about 2" high), that is a true copy of my head. Some custom hatters make them, based on a measurement done with a tool called "a conformer". I had one done by a friend with a bandsaw - and the shape I got from a plaster-of-Paris cast. I actually started this thread, but never finished it off with pictures:http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/make-your-own-personal-headblock-static-formillion.73638/

Recently I bought a finely woven Montecristi hat from another lounger. I had to stretch it a tad and change it to a Long Oval. All my hat-stuff is packed down while renovating my apartment, so I didn't have the bandblock at hand

Fortunately I still had the plaster-of-paris cast - and knew where it was. I also had some cement and sand around, so I made a concrete bandblock. Yes, I know it sounds complete crazy, but it actually works:

It's still a little coarse, but a new one will be made in a month or so. I need help with the head-cast, and my youngest daughter have promised to give a hand after her upcoming exams.

This time I'll do a complete, photo documented tutorial

 

[Michael R.]

I have a band block (block, about 2" high), that is a true copy of my head. Some custom hatters make them, based on a measurement done with a tool called "a conformer". I had one done by a friend with a bandsaw - and the shape I got from a plaster-of-Paris cast. I actually started this thread, but never finished it off with pictures:http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/make-your-own-personal-headblock-static-formillion.73638/

Recently I bought a finely woven Montecristi hat from another lounger. I had to stretch it a tad and change it to a Long Oval. All my hat-stuff is packed down while renovating my apartment, so I didn't have the bandblock at hand

Fortunately I still had the plaster-of-paris cast - and knew where it was. I also had some cement and sand around, so I made a concrete bandblock. Yes, I know it sounds complete crazy, but it actually works:
View attachment 49710

It's still a little coarse, but a new one will be made in a month or so. I need help with the head-cast, and my youngest daughter have promised to give a hand after her upcoming exams.

This time I'll do a complete, photo documented tutorial

WOW ! Ole that's ... Heavy ! Haha ! I've heard of Custom Hatters making short blocks to the exact shape of a person's head to keep the shape and comfort of the Hat fit . I guess you put plastic (I hope) over your head before the paster ? No two Heads are alike for sure , just like peanuts .

 

[TheDane]

No two Heads are alike for sure , just like peanuts .

Sure ... some a little nuttier than others

You bet I had plastic around my 33 precious hairs! I used a layer of thin food-wrap, held in place with a few strips of tape