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[TheOldFashioned]

View attachment 633392

Thanks, I feel like it looks too big for my head?

If I zoom in there does appear to be a gap between the sweatband and your head, but I can't say for certain. Is the top of your head bottoming out on the crown? If so, then yes it's probably too big. It is possible to place shim(s) behind the sweatband, but this usually will cause the sweatband to pucker a bit.

If you're talking about the presence of the hat being too big, that is something that many people deal with when first wearing hats. Based on the pictures I would guess it probably has a 2-3/4" brim, which is about as wide as they get for fedoras. (You will find the occasional 2-7/8 or 3", and western hats can have larger brims.) Some people find this a bit intimidating at first, but it seems to be that the longer your wear hats (and stick around here) the more comfortable you'll become and even gravitate toward the wider brims. The 5-3/4" crown depth is also on the larger side but that can be more easily manipulated by how you crease the hat.

Wear the hat around the house, out to the mailbox, etc. and see if it grows on you. Then venture to the grocery store or some other quick run. If it still seems too big I guarantee there would be no shortage of people interested in this hat should you decide to move it along.

 

[mouse86]

Was wondering if anyone could tell me more information on this awesome hat I recently purchased at an auction. I love it and of course it's to big like most of my hats but I do plan to wear it.

 

[Jimmy__patt]

If I zoom in there does appear to be a gap between the sweatband and your head, but I can't say for certain. Is the top of your head bottoming out on the crown? If so, then yes it's probably too big. It is possible to place shim(s) behind the sweatband, but this usually will cause the sweatband to pucker a bit.

If you're talking about the presence of the hat being too big, that is something that many people deal with when first wearing hats. Based on the pictures I would guess it probably has a 2-3/4" brim, which is about as wide as they get for fedoras. (You will find the occasional 2-7/8 or 3", and western hats can have larger brims.) Some people find this a bit intimidating at first, but it seems to be that the longer your wear hats (and stick around here) the more comfortable you'll become and even gravitate toward the wider brims. The 5-3/4" crown depth is also on the larger side but that can be more easily manipulated by how you crease the hat.

Wear the hat around the house, out to the mailbox, etc. and see if it grows on you. Then venture to the grocery store or some other quick run. If it still seems too big I guarantee there would be no shortage of people interested in this hat should you decide to move it along.

The problem is 7 1/4 is too small for my head.

7 3/8 leaves some space, yes, but is that necessarily a bad thing? The crown does not bottom out on my dome.

I guess im just stuck in between?

I was more concerned the actual hat itself was too big not so much the fit.

I put some felt inside the sweatband. I think it looks better now?

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

View attachment 633392

Thanks, I feel like it looks too big for my head?

Hats always look bigger in the bathroom!
The only known cure is to get more hats. Works every time.
Short hair makes a hat look bigger too.
Play with the brim.

By the way, a vintage Knox 25 is a very nice hat.
B

 

[Bamaboots]

By the way, a vintage Knox 25 is a very nice hat.
B

Yep, and a quick search will show you that the Knox 25 has only been mentioned around here a couple of times. That's rarefied air.

 

[dwlovell]

Welcome to the lounge. Very nice Borsalino. Your grandfather had good taste. Borsalino is one of the most prolific Italian hat makers of the last century… and still made today.

Your hat does appear to have some age to it. Might be able to narrow down for you if we could see any tags behind the sweatband.

Check out the Borsalino Brotherhood

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-borsalino-brotherhood.13133/page-466

Here is the photo of the inside of the hat. If that helps that would be great. I am trying to see about what decade this is from. Thank you!

 

[Blare]

Here is the photo of the inside of the hat. If that helps that would be great. I am trying to see about what decade this is from. Thank you!

I believe labels with 3 or 4 serrated edges like this point to mid 1950s. @steur might have more insight for you.

 

[belfastboy]

The problem is 7 1/4 is too small for my head.

7 3/8 leaves some space, yes, but is that necessarily a bad thing? The crown does not bottom out on my dome.

I guess im just stuck in between?

I was more concerned the actual hat itself was too big not so much the fit.

I put some felt inside the sweatband. I think it looks better now?

My guess is that you are a long oval. Most off the shelf hats are regular oval. So in order to get the right fit on a 7 1/4" head size you have to move up to a 7 3/8" to get the right dimension at the forehead. Then you end up with a gap at the temples that gives the appearance that the hat is too big....which in effect it is. The antidote is to have a hat made with Long Oval blocking or find an off the shelf hat blocked to the Long Oval.

 

[Jimmy__patt]

My guess is that you are a long oval. Most off the shelf hats are regular oval. So in order to get the right fit on a 7 1/4" head size you have to move up to a 7 3/8" to get the right dimension at the forehead. Then you end up with a gap at the temples that gives the appearance that the hat is too big....which in effect it is. The antidote is to have a hat made with Long Oval blocking or find an off the shelf hat blocked to the Long Oval.

I think once I put the sizers in the sweatband it makes all the difference. Also, I handbashed the crown into a porkpie shape and that really helped alot too.

 

[belfastboy]

I think once I put the sizers in the sweatband it makes all the difference. Also, I handbashed the crown into a porkpie shape and that really helped alot too.

Sizing strips do help. If you want the experience of having a hat that truly fits you.....look for a Long Oval or commission a custom hat.

 

[Jimmy__patt]

Sizing strips do help. If you want the experience of having a hat that truly fits you.....look for a Long Oval or commission a custom hat.

It's strange because in Dobbs 7 3/8 fits me very well. Maybe I'm better off with a smaller brim as opposed go 3 inches. Maybe I should grow my hair longer on the sides? I usually buzz it down to a half or 1

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Yep, and a quick search will show you that the Knox 25 has only been mentioned around here a couple of times. That's rarefied air.

20s and 40s yeah. I don’t recall any tweeners either, now that i think about it. Don’t recall any long hairs either.

 

[Jimmy__patt]

20s and 40s yeah. I don’t recall any tweeners either, now that i think about it. Don’t recall any long hairs either.

I'm kind of thinking about selling it now.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

It's strange because in Dobbs 7 3/8 fits me very well. Maybe I'm better off with a smaller brim as opposed go 3 inches. Maybe I should grow my hair longer on the sides? I usually buzz it down to a half or 1

I think your too big brim concerns may have to do with hat orientation. Everybody wears hats differently. In your two pics you wear both tilted back on your head.
A wide brim is exaggerated in the front when tilted back, especially if snapped up. Idk depends on the look you are going for.
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I'm kind of thinking about selling it now.

Nahh…give it some time, play with the brim and crown shape.
Get used to it.
You can always sell it.
It’s kinda a seldom seen piece, especially with long hair.
B

 

[Bamaboots]

I figure the dm's are flyin' now.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Nahh…give it some time, play with the brim and crown shape.
Get used to it.
You can always sell it.
It’s kinda a seldom seen piece, especially with long hair.
B

This ^^^, @Jimmy__patt . 100% this ^^^.

 

[Rmccamey]

Play with them. I think they have potential.

View attachment 633555 View attachment 633556
I think your too big brim concerns may have to do with hat orientation. Everybody wears hats differently. In your two pics you wear both tilted back on your head.
A wide brim is exaggerated in the front when tilted back, especially if snapped up. Idk depends on the look you are going for.
B

 

[belfastboy]

It's strange because in Dobbs 7 3/8 fits me very well. Maybe I'm better off with a smaller brim as opposed go 3 inches. Maybe I should grow my hair longer on the sides? I usually buzz it down to a half or 1

If you plan on continuing to collect hats it would serve you well to get your head shape determined. Head shape is about as important as the actual head measurement.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

The problem is 7 1/4 is too small for my head.

7 3/8 leaves some space, yes, but is that necessarily a bad thing? The crown does not bottom out on my dome.

I guess im just stuck in between?

I was more concerned the actual hat itself was too big not so much the fit.

I put some felt inside the sweatband. I think it looks better now?

That hat looks amazing on you. It suits your style and the color of your skin. It might be a bit big (honestly I can't tell) but it is also a big hat because that was the style, so that might be contributing to your doubts.

You can look for twenty years and never find another one like it. I seriously advise you to keep it for at least a year and give it a try, wear it out occasionally with various outfits. If you still can't get under it, then sell it on eBay - that hat will bring you a pretty penny at auction.

I would be hard pressed to find one that's more impressive looking on the entire TFL - I can find some that are just as impressive, but not more impressive.