Noob here, question about large hat sizes...

[ZxRO]

So I already used the search and didn't get much info, and I didn't want to revive an ancient thread, so forgive me in advance.

I have been on the hunt for a fedora. Nothing fancy, just something light, maybe straw, to keep the sun off my head when I am in Las Vegas. Maybe a trilby, or a porkpie even. I know nothing of hats aside from ballcaps, and I don't even wear those.

My main problem is my giant head. I am at least an 8 and 1/8, if not a 1/4. All I know for sure is a bought a hat at some point that was a metric 64, and it was just tight enough to cause discomfort within a minute of wearing it.

So my question is, are there any online purveyors of larger sized hats of the variety that of which I spoke before? I did a google search and it seems that mostly all I can find are ballcaps and various other ugly pieces of headwear.

I am in the Seattle area, and we have Goorin Bros. here, but the last time I went in there I had no luck. Does anyone know of any other likely places in the Seattle area as well?

I know I can probably find a hatmaker and go the custom route, but at this point I don't even know if I would look good in a hat or not, so I don't wanna get bent over on the price my first time out. Looking for something more around the 50-100$ range, at least for this one.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Try Bernie Utz in downtown ZxRO & Welcome to the Lounge

 

[ZxRO]

Look at that lightning fast reply! Stellar! I will certainly make some time to go downtown in the near future and see if I can get lucky with this place. Thanks for the tip.

 

[casechopper]

On a size 8 (64) does the hat fit tight all the way around or just in front and back? If it's just in front and back you might just want to look into a size 8 long oval which would be stretched out more front to back.

 

[ZxRO]

That 64 I had was a leather and fur ushanka, so it didn't really hold a shape, and was tight all the way around.

 

[casechopper]

If it was a true size 8 then that would make you a larger size. Do you happen to have a flexible measuring tape? That would be the best way to measure your head size. Another way to measure would be to use a string and then measure the string against a tape measure or yard stick to see the circumference of you head. For ordering online you really need to be sure of your hat size first.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Daniel Morgan is out in Bothell - east Bothell just on the Woodinville border. But they carry the full line of Akubras. Byrnie's is great too. 4th and Union downtown.

 

[ZxRO]

Well hopefully it won't come to online ordering for me. Being part of the big and tall set makes every clothing purchase I make quite the crap shoot. I've made time in my schedule to go check out that Byrnie Utz place downtown this weekend, I'll get my head measured proper while I am there. Maybe if I am lucky I will find some options as well, but if anything I'll leave the place with a bit more knowledge.

Who knew that trying to make my wardrobe a bit more respectable would end up being such a chore. Thanks for the advice!

 

[ZxRO]

Daniel Morgan is out in Bothell - east Bothell just on the Woodinville border. But they carry the full line of Akubras. Byrnie's is great too. 4th and Union downtown.

I'm seeing a David Morgan, I'm assuming that's the one. Do they have a retail location or are they online only? It also seems to me that what I am looking for specifically is a trilby I think. I want something with a shorter brim. From the site it seems they have the more traditional Indiana Jones style hat, which is not really what I'm on the search for. Sorry for the confusion, I am new to the world of millinery and whatnot.

 

[John in Covina]

David Morgan carries a lot of different types of hats this link should take you to the first of about 12 pages of hats. http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=2

Measuring you head as described above will get you some idea as to what size to start with when trying on some hats. From what I have seen it seems that getting above 7-3/4's you may find less of a selection in production hats.

As a side question, what type of hair style are you sporting? A lot of guys find that when they have long hair and an abundance of it they tend to need a larger size hat.

 

[ZxRO]

David Morgan carries a lot of different types of hats this link should take you to the first of about 12 pages of hats. http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=2

Measuring you head as described above will get you some idea as to what size to start with when trying on some hats. From what I have seen it seems that getting above 7-3/4's you may find less of a selection in production hats.

As a side question, what type of hair style are you sporting? A lot of guys find that when they have long hair and an abundance of it they tend to need a larger size hat.

Well I don't have big hair per se, just a head so large it apparently grants me access to a very exclusive club.

 

[Blackthorn]

I'm seeing a David Morgan, I'm assuming that's the one. Do they have a retail location or are they online only? It also seems to me that what I am looking for specifically is a trilby I think. I want something with a shorter brim. From the site it seems they have the more traditional Indiana Jones style hat, which is not really what I'm on the search for. Sorry for the confusion, I am new to the world of millinery and whatnot.

Yes, I think he meant David Morgan. I've made that same mistake before myself.

David Morgan has some nice hats, not just Indy hats.

 

[vintage68]

I'm afflicted with a large head myself (7 3/4), and a long oval one on top of that. I wasn't happy until I went custom, had my head measured, got a conformer kit, etc. Now I'm very happy with my hats. You might consider going the custom route from the start, as it will save you time, money, and frustration down the road with buying and being dissatisfied. Custom hats don't have to be expensive either, depending on how fussy you are about materials. You can get a 50x for about $250-300. Just a thought. If you're serious enough to join the forum, you're serious enough to at least spend that much.

 

[ZxRO]

I'm afflicted with a large head myself (7 3/4), and a long oval one on top of that. I wasn't happy until I went custom, had my head measured, got a conformer kit, etc. Now I'm very happy with my hats. You might consider going the custom route from the start, as it will save you time, money, and frustration down the road with buying and being dissatisfied. Custom hats don't have to be expensive either, depending on how fussy you are about materials. You can get a 50x for about $250-300. Just a thought. If you're serious enough to join the forum, you're serious enough to at least spend that much.

I'm sure the custom route is the only way I'm gonna find something that fits my head like a...head glove, but I just don't know if I can even rock such a bold style and do it justice. I've never been much of a hat guy, and I don't sport anything else in terms of vintage style. This will be for a Vegas trip first and foremost, and I figure a nice looking trilby will go well with some cheesy camp shirts I've aquired. I'd hate to go to the trouble of commissioning a custom hat only to find out that I look like an ass in it. It might behoove me to find a sub-100$ one that fits me and see if I can even pull off the style.

If I end up finding something at that Byrnie Utz place downtown and I get it, I'll go ahead and post a picture of myself with it on, and let the experts here decide if I look sharp, or if I look like a massive tool. Thanks for the advice!

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

Hamlet says, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

On the other hand, he ended up dead.

But seriously, you will look foolish if you feel foolish. If you feel confident and project confidence, you will look good in a fedora with a wider brim.

 

[danofarlington]

It's good to start cheap and low-key as you gather fashion information about yourself. I think it takes a while, including wearing the hats outside a few times, before one gets the picture. Some styles ought to work on you, others not, but it's all trial and error in front of the mirror and on the street.

 

[carldelo]

David Morgan has a retail location, walk-ins welcome, map and address here:
http://www.davidmorgan.com/retailstore.html

Re: the brim size, what is stingy on a regular head may look downright Lilliputian on you.

For instance, I recommend looking at the Akubra Stylemaster and the Akubra Sydney in size 64 at David Morgan (the largest size they carry in those lids). Although 2-1/2" would be a moderate size brim on most people, it may appear stingy enough on you. The Stylemaster has a very good reputation on the lounge, and would make a good starter hat with classic proportions. The Sydney has similar proportions, but is open crown and has to be creased (by you or the staff at the shop).

BTW, Bencraft hats (a lounge sponsor) carries many large lids, but they're in NYC so you will want to work up to mail order by buying in person first.

PS - I meant to add that I agree that starting inexpensive and working up to fancy hats is a good idea. But inexpensive hats generally aren't made in size 64 or 65, and the vintage market won't yield anything on the cheap.

 

[JimK]

Portland isn't exactly just around the corner, but anyway... last time I visited

http://www.johnhelmer.com/

they had some very large size hats. I wear a 61 cm hat and I tried on some hats there that were way too big for me. It's a fun shop - lots of nice hats!

Jim

 

[ZxRO]

Portland isn't exactly just around the corner, but anyway... last time I visited

http://www.johnhelmer.com/

they had some very large size hats. I wear a 61 cm hat and I tried on some hats there that were way too big for me. It's a fun shop - lots of nice hats!

Jim

I have a sister in Portland, maybe I can hit that shop up the next time I go visit her. Thanks for the tip.

 

[frussell]

ZxRO - When you get enough posts, PM me. I recently got a hat that might work for you. Thanks, Frank