What to do about hats slightly too large?

[Naphtali]

I own several hats, one (only) wool Bittner Alpenhut, an Akubra, and three Borsalino fur felt hats. They are all 7-1/4. I suffer from baldness clearly caused by excessive testosterone levels -- well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. My hat size is now 7-1/8.

What procedure do I follow to bring hats and head size into congruity? I have been using a thin strip of closed cell foam inside hatbands. This works, but I am uncomfortable with the kludge.

 

[Johnnysan]

This previous thread may help: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=2258.

Good luck!

 

[Sardou]

Bitten by the Bittner Bug, Bitte?

How do you like your Bittner Alpenhut? I came very close to ordering one a few weeks ago, and I'd still be interested in hearing opinions.

FWIW (not much), my own view is that the prejudice against woolen hats doesn't apply to crushables, hiking hats, Irish walkers and similar hats that aren't meant to hold their "as-blocked" shape over the long haul. Others may disagree. :cool2:

Sardou

 

[Naphtali]

Sardou:

You hit on perhaps the only hat topic for which my experience is valid. I have owned, or bought as gifts, seven Bittner Alpenhuts.

1. There are at least THREE variations of wool texture/thickness/stiffness. One is a light flexible three-season [weight]. Mine were the forest or hunter green. One is very flexible, floppy winter weight. Mine was a charcoal gray. This I still own. The last variation was stiff, like a snap brim. It was between the others in weight. Its texture was feathery rather than smooth or like a fluffy wool shirt. It was a pearl gray. I gave it to my father-in-law. It looks fantastic as a snap brim on a gray-haired man.

2. If you live where there's much windy rain, the brim is insufficient. It is differentially cut -- 2-1/2 front, 2-3/8 rear, 2-1/4 sides. The sides get you in the rain if you wear glasses.

3. Quality on all seven hats is very good. All are claimed to be crushers. All have strong "memory" without any mechanical stays or reinforcement.

4. You may find the crown a little on the short side. This is strictly preference, though.

5. Are they worth their asking price? If I had control over the purchase that I could get another winter weight charcoal floppy, you bet. If your shape-consistency preference differs, I believe you will get what you want -- IF the retailer and you agree on what he will send.

Hope this helps.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Please post a link on the Bittner Alpenhuts. I did a search on MSN and could not find the hat. Thanks

 

[feltfan]

Just say no to Microsoft

Please post a link on the Bittner Alpenhuts. I did a search on MSN and could not find the hat. Thanks

Google says:

http://www.bittner.co.at/katalog/alpenhut.php

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Thanks ! Now I need to learn to read German.

 

[Sardou]

The German Left (Links)

Try www.noggintops.com. Sierra Trading Post also had some at greatly reduced prices, but all too small for me.

Sardou