stretching out hats - Especially 1 WW2 US Officers Dress hat

[cmjordan77]

Hi,
I recently bought a hat off the 'bay that was supposedly a 7 1/2. Of course when I got it, it was too small.
I flipped the inside leather lining down and there was a 7 3/8 tag. My question is, can I take a HAT JACK and stretch the hat out safely to a 7 1/2?
I am tired of trying to find a nice 7 1/2 that everyone is trying to get and the price going through the roof. I know 7 3/8 is the size right before 7 1/2.

Do you think this is possible?

I know I saw a "HAT JACK" that says it stretches hats.

Can someone please let me know if they have ever done this successfully, or unsuccessfully?
I know it says that its a stretcher for new hats I guess.

My hat is in excellent shape and not dried out.

I appreciate the help!

The hat leather is still soft and supple, I am not worried about dried out leather.

As its not.

I tried to load a photo of a hat jack I found for $23.

Its on "AARONS HAT WEBSITE" if anyone has ever used them.


Also, while I am at it, who is the best maker for a newsboy cap? I saw a new Stetson. I just wasnt sure. Also, does anyone recommend the best Hat online store? I am trying to find a good reputable hat dealer.

Thank you for any and all ideas and help

Thank you!

 

[Inusuit]

If you do an "Advanced Search" for the word "stretch" in title only in the Hats thread, you will find several threads discussing the hows, why, wherefores, and pitfalls of hat stretching.

General consensus is that you can usually stretch a hat one size, i.e., from your 7 3/8 to 7 1/2. My limited experience was not very successful. I tried to stretch a 7 1/2 with a new, thicker sweat band that made it slightly too tight. I used one of the readily available hat stretchers, two curved blocks of wood about 2-3" thick with a turnbuckle adjustment in the center. I steamed the hat, used a conditioner on the new sweat, and tightened up the stretcher. The area where the stretcher was stretched, all right, but not the higher portion of the crown. I had to re steam and reshape the crown. It's still too tight.

For newsboy caps, I like these folks. They will make a cap to your size and specifications for under $40.00. They provide fabric samples, or you can send them material you like and they will make a cap from it.

http://www.hatterdashery.com/hatstyles.htm

Good luck.

 

[Zemke Fan]

I wouldn't try it with a Crusher...

These are not (for the most part) fur felt. They are constructed differently and not likely to stretch. I hate to tell you this, but the ONLY thing I can advise with respect to your interest in acquiring a WWII and vintage wardrobe is to be patient. It takes a long time, and lots of mis-steps, to get good at collecting. (Unless your a small guy -- which I know you're not -- and they have many MORE choices.) As a fellow big-fellow, you will have to be diligent in your eBay searches and keep your fingers crossed.

My two cents worth, anyway. Take it or leave it.

 

[cmjordan77]

newsboys

I saw a nice looking stetson newsboy, but i think it was around $130.

I found this site, any names on here worthy?

Dobbs? I know of Bailey, and I missed buying a Kangol hat the other day at the thrift store for $5, it was nice too. I didnt know what a Kangol hat was so I didnt buy it

O well Live and learn

http://www.dadshats.com/newsboycaps.html

http://www.getahaton.com/Ivy_Caps_Newsboy_Caps_and_Scally_Caps_s/99.htm

Any other nice names?
I want the Nice Older style 20's with the bigger top, and kinda like this style

Dobbs Tweed Newsboy Cap or Stefeno Wayne or Stefeno Gregg Newsboy

The one I would love to have is the STETSON - BLUE WHIPPET Style, but Herringbone, tweed or something like.

Kinda those styles, but I am just not sure on the makers. Can The Hat link you gave me make these styles?

Also, If anyone has any larger World War 2 uniform stuff, or anything in general, Please let me know.
Thank you!

 

[Inusuit]

Kinda those styles, but I am just not sure on the makers. Can The Hat link you gave me make these styles?

If you're referring to the Hatterdashery, call them and ask. They have in the past been willing to do custom work.

 

[Dinerman]

While there are still companies out there making good caps, I don't believe anyone's currently making a newsboy with the same style cut they had in the '20s-'40s. Vintage caps aren't just bigger, they're cut, proportioned and constructed quite differently. Take a look through the vintage caps photo gallery and compare it to the modern newsboy cap thread and you'll see what I mean.