Great Scott! What's My Hat Size??

[scotrace]

With only a simple head measurement to work with, it has become obvious that I don't know my hat size, at least when comparing different hats of the same size.
A size 60 Akubra Federation Deluxe fits about perfectly. The felt is soft enough to conform - "self conforming," if you will.
A size 60 Akubra Snowy River, being stiff as a board, presses very uncomfortably on my head, front and back, leaving a red line pressed into my forehead.
A size 60 Akubra Squatter, same deal.
A size 7 5/8 Cavanagh Milano Straw from the early fifties is too big and I have to put inserts into the sweatband.
A size 7.5 late forties Borsalino is so snug that the brim contorts.
A size 7 3/8 beret is like a skull compression device.
My size 7 1/2 Panama rests on my ears and blows off in a puff of wind.
Size 7 1/2 1947 Cincinatti Reds ballcap (Cooperstown) is snug, but fits.
Size 7 1/2 Stormy Kromer cap is snug, but fits.

etc.

As Art is/was/may be creating a Panama for me, this has become a bit of a concern.
Gosh, what's my consarned hat size???

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Sounds to me like you're a size 7 1/2 long oval?[huh]

 

[SHARPETOYS]

2000 posts

Have Art send you his conformer... I'm a long oval does make a world of difference.

This is my 2000th. post... :eusa_clap

 

[BellyTank]

Are you a long-oval p'raps..?

I don't worry too much when distance buying hats- I'll buy 7 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 or 58,9,60- I'll get them allon in the end.
A little creative steaming, shrinking, ironing, etc. I'm a 7 3/8 but I like a slightly small fitting- not around my ears.

B
T

 

[scotrace]

Glad to help put you over the top, Sharpey! :eusa_clap




<------ this one is WAY too big for me.

 

[Caledonia]

Ask for it in inches, ie 22, 22.5, 23, etc. If you're buying a vintage hat have them measure the circumference round the sweatband (ie inside). Measure your own head round the middle of your forehead. Get a match, get a hat. I have the same problem and so far this has been a solution. Also, using circumference = 2pyeR, the ones measuring 7.5 or whatever are usually based on the 7.5 being 7.5 inches in diameter across the narrow part of the oval. Half that and you have the R. So 2 x (3.14xthe radius) Use the equation and if it comes up to your head measurement, voila. Only problem is vintage hats may have shrunk or stretched. Hence ask for the measurement.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I am with my friend, BT. I range from 59 to 60, 7 3/8 - 7 1/2. I think I am a 7 3/8 long oval, which somehow equals a 7 1/2 regular oval.

And keep in mind, vintage hats shrink, Akubras have a magical ability to expand or shrink to your hat size, and all hats need to break in.

 

[Atomic Glee]

My Fed is a 63, which is around a 7 7/8 I think, and my head in inches falls somewhere between 24 1/2 and 25 inches. AND I think I'm a long oval. I suppose it depends on the brand, of course.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Conformateur

As Art is/was/may be creating a Panama for me, this has become a bit of a concern.
Gosh, what's my consarned hat size???

Hi Scotrace, What you need to find is a hat shop with a Conformateur - that is a vintage head measureing device. It accurately measures the head and comforms to the actual shape, including dents, bulges and irregularities. AzTex hats here in Scottsdale, AZ has one. http://aztexhats.com/hat-create.html

The device saves the information regarding your head shape and in an old-fashioned, but clever way records it on a card for future use. AzTex hats has mine on file and any hat a I buy or block is done as measured against my Conformateur size info.

Here, I've attached a photo of the device in use. Hope that helps! (What a great excuse to visit Arizona!!) -dixon cannon

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Ain't it a Pain!?!

Having to deal with hat size variations, and being between sizes, I've had my share of headaches... literally. I found the Snowy River very uncomfortable, too. I don't think I'm a long oval, but every hat fits differently. I even have several NEW hats of the same size, same company, that all fit differently.

Ask Art for that conformer. And you know what! I should ask him if I'm considered long oval. He has my head. Well, sort of.
NB

 

[thefedorastore]

I have to chime in on the long oval and the Conformateur. Without that device, it's just like buying a pair of shoes. Imagine the "head aches" doing mail order! I spend a lot of time explaining to folks it's like buying shoes over the internet

 

[Sefton]

My Fed is a 63, which is around a 7 7/8 I think, and my head in inches falls somewhere between 24 1/2 and 25 inches. AND I think I'm a long oval. I suppose it depends on the brand, of course.

I'm glad to see another member of the "Big Head/Buy a vintage fedora...are you joking club?" I have yet to find a hat that really feels comfortable. This will change soon though...one of Art's custom hats is being made for me right now!

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Pear head...

See a Pear shaped head...

http://nateshats.com/store/index.ph...3ff68f529742=d14d28921c769e4d1b0d18caf4dce002

Click on hat making...

 

[Twitch]

This may not be perfectly accurate but it is a general conversion chart.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Here is a thread I posted recently that garnered very little attention: A handy tool. Perhaps you will find it apropos to the topic of this thread.

If you like mathematics, here is an interesting analysis of hat sizes Johnson on Hat Measurement.

 

[Pilgrim]

The good folks at Greeley Hatworks also have a conformateur. What a remarkable, beautifully made piece of history! They said theirs was over 100 years old.

I shudder to think what one built today (if anyone still built them) would cost. Hundreds of moving parts, all built to very neat tolerances.