Long Oval Heads hats and felt quality...

[SGT Rocket]

Quick question for the group.

I wear a long oval in Resistol cowboy hats. I've noticed that none of the dress hats seem to have a long oval, they are sort of one shape.

I'm assuming that this is because they end up fitting you head after wearing it a few times?

I read on this thread
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=893880#post893880
that a softer hat seems to shape to your head quicker.

From what I've gathered from reading the various threads as well, is that the softest hast are made by Borsalino, then Stetson, then Akubra? At least that is my observation from reading the threads. Am I correct?

There seems to be a classification of the different types of felt too. I know Beaver is the "best." But there seems to be names of the different types of felt used that show quality.

Like with a badger shave brush, you can go from pure badger, to best badger to super badger... Is there a ranking like that for hat felts?

Thanks!

 

[feltfan]

Long Oval

Many questions...

To start, dress hats used to be available in long, extra long, and wide oval.
They are not available in those shapes now not because it's not necessary
but rather because the market is not large enough to support so many
options. For those of us with heads of that shape, this is a real problem.
Vintage dress hats can still be found in these sizes.

A lot, probably most, dress hats never quite end up long oval if not
made that way, no matter what one does. I would not hold my breath
that it will form correctly on your head.

So there's yet another reason why people value vintage hats and order
custom hats.

 

[SGT Rocket]

Yikes

Yikes! So, I should probably go with a hat that is a little more pliable.

 

[gtdean48]

I am a Long Oval bordering on Xtra Long Oval. I have 2 vintage hat stretchers & 3 modern hat jacks. They take modern models & get them longer in the oval to fit my noggin. I blame my mother's doctor for using foreceps to get my big headed self delivered in 1960...

 

[johnnycanuck]

Yes a regular hat will fit a long oval over time. I know, being a long oval myself. I usually order one size up as well. I fit a 7 3/8 LO or a 7 1/2 regular. Over time the sweat band will shrink down to size. Akubra also offers foam inserts to help fit the hat properly. I have also heard of people taking the wire out of the sweatband to help it fit better quicker. I have never done this so I can not make comment but I have been tempted to try. As for felt pliability I would not be concerned. They are not western hats so they are not really stiff at all (by comparison). What are you planning on this hat being? Daily wear? Dress hat?
Johnny

 

[suitedcboy]

Fedoras are not made with very much felt stiffener like western hats. As a result of less rigid felt and narrower brims, a fedora will more readily conform to your head shape. The downside of this if you do have a really elongated head the "swoop" of the snap brim in front, and to some degree in back, will be more pronounced. Pronounced swoop (the brim being flipped down in front) is not a bad thing at all as evidenced by looking through pictures on here. I prefer the deeper swoop on my hats.

 

[norton]

If you are used to wearing resistol cowboy hats you may want to look at Peters Bros. fedoras. They will make the hat to your order and will do long oval. They also come in various grades of felt and are made to be stiffer, like a cowboy hat.

A long oval will feel much better from the start. If its something you plan on wearing and keeping, I'd order a long oval from one of the custom shops that can do it for you.

 

[SGT Rocket]

Yes a regular hat will fit a long oval over time. I know, being a long oval myself. I usually order one size up as well. I fit a 7 3/8 LO or a 7 1/2 regular. Over time the sweat band will shrink down to size. Akubra also offers foam inserts to help fit the hat properly. I have also heard of people taking the wire out of the sweatband to help it fit better quicker. I have never done this so I can not make comment but I have been tempted to try. As for felt pliability I would not be concerned. They are not western hats so they are not really stiff at all (by comparison). What are you planning on this hat being? Daily wear? Dress hat?
Johnny

Thanks that's good advice. I'm hoping to wear it about five out of seven days. I'm thinking on Saturdays and probably four days a week. I'm going to get a gray with black band for my first hat and I have a suit or two that that color combo won't match.