Stretching a top hat?

[The Wingnut]

Simply put, is it doable? There's a very nice one at the shop I'm working at, and it's just a bit too small. It's 7 1/8, but it's not a long oval, which makes it just a bit too small front to back, and it sits a bit too high on my head as a result.

I'd need a hat stretcher, of course...

 

[jamespowers]

Uh, my initial reaction would be no. Stiff hats like that just don't stretch. [huh]
I am sure you can find one in your size though. Eventually.

Regards,

J

 

[Dinerman]

I'm pretty sure that's not able to be done. can't stretch a top hat, can't stretch a derby.

 

[jamespowers]

I'm pretty sure that's not able to be done. can't stretch a top hat, can't stretch a derby.

Actually you can stretch a derby. I've done it.

 

[Dinerman]

really? doesn't the felt crack? or rip, or dent of deform or something?

 

[jamespowers]

really? doesn't the felt crack? or rip, or dent of deform or something?

Nope, you just have to be careful with it and not expect it to stretch five sizes. 1 and a half is about it.

 

[metropd]

Well knowing that a traditional derby is made of very stiff felt and it has be done, maybe a top hat could too. The difference is the felt on a derby is stiif, the felt on a silk plush top hat is smoooth and luxurious(as long as you touch it counter clock wise) The structure of a silk plush top hat is stiff(unless it's those pearl grey ascot races top hats, then the felt would be like a derby). I've been wondering the same thing for awhile, I'm sorry I couldn't really help. [huh]

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Do you want to stretch it vertically or horizontally?



.

 

[The Wingnut]

The hat in question is a satin plush, not sure of the exact material. It's 1920s english, from what I can tell. It's got a white sweatband, excellent finish, no taper(positive or negative) and a very narrow brim.

It's the right size, per se, just not the right shape. I don't want to stretch it larger, in this case, just 'rearrange' the space that one's head fits into.

To answer Marc's question, I'm looking to stretch it horizontally - front to back, forehead to the back of the head.

 

[jamespowers]

To answer Marc's question, I'm looking to stretch it horizontally - front to back, forehead to the back of the head.

That might be doable but finding the person willing to do it is something else. Ovalizing it seems like a different animal than stretching. This is a fur hat right?
I just wonder about the form underlying the fur. I wouldn't want to mess that up because it is what keeps the shape of that hat. [huh]

Regards,

J

 

[The Wingnut]

I'm not sure what the material is, silk or fur. It certainly seems like plush over a stiff form instead of felt, but I've seen felt with the same finish...what the form is exactly - assuming it uses one - I've no idea.

It is possible to find narrower or 'ovalized' hat stretchers?

Someone in this forum must know something more than the average Lounger on the topic of top hats...

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I haven't seen Tophat here in a while, but here's his website: http://www.ascot-tophats.co.uk/default.html

 

[The Wingnut]

He lists hat stretchers as some of the tools that he uses...I'd assume it's safe to stetch a top hat based on that, within reason, of course.

I need to find a stretcher, anyway...I should probably look for that first.

Thanks, Tony!