Size 8-1/8 head. Really. Not kidding.

[ustamills]

According to everything I've read, after measuring your head in inches and dividing by PI and all that, you get an American hat size. If you are between 1/8 fractional sizes, go up to the next size. My hat size is thus 8-1/8.

Currently I'm wearing a Stetson Temple in size 8 that Delmonico stretched for me. It fits pretty decently, but I would absolutely LOVE to find a retailer that can actually fit my head.

So many vendors won't let you search by size and that would be such a great option. Sigh.

Anyway, to my actual questions:

1. Does anyone have any good links to a store that can actually cater to my size head with several hats? A few vendors I've found so far can provide a couple of examples of size 8 hats (Delmonico, for instance). But I've not found anyone with a genuine size 8-1/8 in a nice hat (something besides a giant baseball cap or inexpensive straw hat).
   
2. More specifically, I'd love to find a nice felt fedora in a brownish kind of color (I have a gray fedora). And, I'm not rich, so something < $200. BTW, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Stetson Temple as a good buy. (See my pic here.)
   
3. I'd also LOVE to find a very lightweight summer hat. I'm thinking something like a fedora type with a tiny brim (think South Beach, or Cuba).

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Drew

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Hollywood Hatters here in L.A. carries a lot of larger size hats (many big heads in this town). Don't rely on the web site, give them a call, ask for Sal and tell him your predicament.

http://www.hollywoodhatters.com/

 

[KY Gentleman]

I've never seen any production hat bigger than an 8.
And as you already know those are few and far between.
Akubras tend to run large, maybe one of their 8's would feel like a better fit.

 

[Michael Bonner]

Sunbody

Sunbody sold me an 8 1/8 this spring, a wide (3 1/2") brimmed palm leaf. Good hat for the money. Actually, I got two, one in a rolled "plantation" style and one in a more traditional "panama" bash. They do not list sizes over 8 on the web site or in the paper catalog, but the sales lady who assisted me said they do occassionally get larger sized bodies.

Akubra size 64 is actually 8 1/8, maybe a bit larger. Try one; I'll bet it will fit fine!

I wear a size 8, but in an "extra long oval". I have an Akubra "coober peady" which is size 64, and is quite loose, I can easily get my finger inside the hat when its on.

 

[Stoney]

Michael,

I feel for you my friend. 8 1/8 is going to be tough to find anything in that you really like, let alone 8 1/8 long oval. Fortunately you have come to the right place. There are custom hatters in the vendors section, also search the posts for examples. These fellas should be able to not only make a hat for you that fits, but in pure beaver felt, or hare felt of you choose and exactly the way you want it to look on you.

Sure the custom hats cost more, but I would much rather have one hat that fits properly and I really like, than two or three marginally made generic lids that really do not fit well and I really don't like either.

Check out these guys for custom lids.

Major Moore, Art Fawcett and Jimmy Pierce all post here quite often and there are several examples of their work to be seen here. Also check for posts about Optimo hats and Batsakes who are additional custom hatters that you can read about here.

Good luck to you.

 

[univibe88]

Sounds like you need a custom hat.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Wow.

Sounds like you need a custom hat.

"I'll bet that our custom hatters don't dust off the ol' 8-1/8 Extra Long Oval blocks very often. It'd be interesting to see if any of them even have them among their tools.

G'luck

 

[MattJH]

I would definitely try an Akubra in a size 64. Get the Federation IV to start. It looks pretty great. A note of encouragement; not too long ago, Dinerman found a true vintage Mallory homburg/fedora hybrid in a size 8 1/2, which would even be too big on you. Here's the thread about it.

 

[RPeers]

Maybe this guy will lend you his hat...

 

[besdor]

The only production hat made today that is bigger than a size 8 is Biltmores 8 1/4 . We stock them in black and gray with a 2 1/2" brim. It looks like Stetson's Temple.










Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[vintage68]

Suck it up and go custom.

I used to cry myself to sleep every night on my huge pillow because I have a 25" long oval head myself. I NEVER found a hat off the rack that fit. So I sucked it up, saved money for few months, and went custom. Now, I would never go back.

You can afford custom if you're patient and disciplined enough to save your money.

Not only do custom hats fit your size, but using a conformer kit they also fit your head shape with all your little bumps and what not.

 

[big kahuna]

I REALLY UNDERSTAND your pain...

I wear an 8 1/8 or larger hat, and only have a few in my collection. I own the Mallory 8 1/2 that was previously mentioned...here's a link to the before and after: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=18230


I have a couple of Stratton campaign hats, an 8 1/4 Stetson Sovereign stingy brim from the '60's, an Akubra Cattleman, and a custom Brent Black panama with a 4 1/2 brim and 5 inch crown height. The Akubra is a fine, all-weather hat, and will really take a beating.

I did have a "real fur" Dorfmann Indiana Jones that did not hold up to a week of Florida rain (and a dunking on the Splash Mountain ride)...it shrunk a few sizes :eusa_doh:

I will echo the sentiments that it is better to own a few quality or custom hats that fit and will last a lifetime.