My Akubra's Too Big

[Gibson]

I wet the leather sweat band once and it shrunk noticeably. I've worn it a good bit too and it's almost perfect now. Thanks again for all the great advice.

 

[panama jack]

I posted this in the new hat section but it probably should have been posted here instead.

Yesterday I finally received my long awaited Stylemaster. I purchased a medium grey with a black ribbon in a size 60. I only have a few hats so I was a little uncertain on what size to buy.

Just a little history:
Prior to purchasing the Stylemaster I tried on a Borsalino in a 7 1/2 at a local hatter and it fit fine. The 7 3/8 was too tight. I won a Stetson Mallory on e-bay in a size 7 3/8 and it was just a little too loose.
I recently purchased an Optiom from one of our lounge members in a size 7 1/2 and this one came very close to fitting like the Borsalino but was just a little loose as well.
A little felt under the sweatband of each hat and they fit perfect.

The Stylemaster seems to be the largest of the three. It almost make me wish I purchased a 59. I had to go with more felt under the sweatband of this one too. I know that I have read somewhere in someones post that the hat will shrink in time.

My question is, do you think this hat will shrink down to a 59? If not this one might be up for sale soon. My other problem is it's slightly darker that I was hoping for but I thought the moonstone might be too light. If the hat does shrink to fit my head I can live with the color.

Thank you in advance for your comments.
pj

 

[Michael R.]

Old Thread , but ... my Stetson OR 59 , 7 3/8 after the foam is still too large , it's brand new , I've never worn it (looks too goofy) , but it's the water , or a trip to the Hatters for sizing down . I used to wear a 7 1/4 , then bought my first Resistol , a 7 3/8 LO , after a soaking rain it fits like a glove . But my Akubra Bushman was just a little too large , sizing strips helped , but eventually took that out , it's okay now . But that Stetson is crazy large compared to the Akubra and Resistol ! ... ideas and advice ... welcome ... . Thanks !

 

[Bob Roberts]

Old Thread , but ... my Stetson OR 59 , 7 3/8 after the foam is still too large , it's brand new , I've never worn it (looks too goofy) , but it's the water , or a trip to the Hatters for sizing down . I used to wear a 7 1/4 , then bought my first Resistol , a 7 3/8 LO , after a soaking rain it fits like a glove . But my Akubra Bushman was just a little too large , sizing strips helped , but eventually took that out , it's okay now . But that Stetson is crazy large compared to the Akubra and Resistol ! ... ideas and advice ... welcome ... . Thanks !

The shrinking sweat band trick. Invert the sweat. Saturate with water. Leave inverted Let dry overnight. If more xtreme measures are required re saturate and dry overnight over a light bulb. No responsibility is otherwise assumed or intended...

 

[Michael R.]

Thanks Bob , just the hat sweat right ? Turned out ? ... I've been think about it , or Mike Moore , but I can always try . That Resistol , after the soaking Rain , conformed like a custom job . I always heard fill the hat with water , let it soak , dump it , stick it on your noggin and let it dry naturally and slowly . But it's a Silver Belly , don't want it discolored . Capishe' ?

The shrinking sweat band trick. Invert the sweat. Saturate with water. Leave inverted Let dry overnight. If more xtreme measures are required re saturate and dry overnight over a light bulb. No responsibility is otherwise assumed or intended...

Nice Tawny Stetson today , by the way ! Could you give me your observations on sizes between Companies ? Borsalino , Stetson , etc , size variations , charts some say 7 1/4 , others 7 3/8 , I'm 58.5 cm , as far as my measurements , give or take a cm , I guess .

 

[Bob Roberts]

Thanks Bob , just the hat sweat right ? Turned out ? ... I've been think about it , or Mike Moore , but I can always try . That Resistol , after the soaking Rain , conformed like a custom job . I always heard fill the hat with water , let it soak , dump it , stick it on your noggin and let it dry naturally and slowly . But it's a Silver Belly , don't want it discolored . Capishe' ?


Nice Tawny Stetson today , by the way ! Could you give me your observations on sizes between Companies ? Borsalino , Stetson , etc , size variations , charts some say 7 1/4 , others 7 3/8 , I'm 58.5 cm , as far as my measurements , give or take a cm , I guess .

Yes. Just the sweat. I'm not into drowning hats. Just me. And thx for the likes. I find slight variations in size from style to style within the same brand and more so from manufacturer to manufacturer. I usually order a size up if I'm unsure and shrink down but if your a tru 59.5 order a 60. I'm a tru 58 and generally order up to 59 when in doubt...unless the vendor tells me it's very tru to size. Stetsons are a bit irregular. I have 58's that are TIGHT and 58's that are roomy... I can't speak for Borsalino as I don't own one.

 

[RJR]

Yes. Just the sweat. I'm not into drowning hats. Just me. And thx for the likes. I find slight variations in size from style to style within the same brand and more so from manufacturer to manufacturer. I usually order a size up if I'm unsure and shrink down but if your a tru 59.5 order a 60. I'm a tru 58 and generally order up to 59 when in doubt...unless the vendor tells me it's very tru to size. Stetsons are a bit irregular. I have 58's that are TIGHT and 58's that are roomy... I can't speak for Borsalino as I don't own one.

I have the same experience with slight size variations.Order up if in doubt,imo.