Hat Info

Do you carry hats smaller than 22 ½"?
If your head size is smaller or greater than we indicated in the chart above, let us know and we'll try to retract or stretch the hat size for you. Also a small piece of foam (hat filler) behind the sweatband can make a large hat perfect. See Hat Filler.

How can I keep my hat looking good?
We've selected the best quality hats in the industry. It is easy to keep your hat looking its best. Here are some simple tips to protect your great new hat.

Brim care
Your brim is very impressionable! Storage is vitally important to maintaining the shape of your brim. Hats with brims turned down should always be stored upside down. Pressure is taken off the brim by placing the hat on its crown, thus maintaining its form.

Crown care
Be kind to your crown! Excessive handling of your crown can lead to variations from its original structure or form. Get into the habit of picking up your hat, putting it on and taking it off with both your hands on the brim.

Drying your hat
Your hat will dry by itself. Never attempt to force dry your hat using artificial heat. Hair dryers, radiators, and other sources of high heat will shrink your hat. If your hat gets wet, simply place it on its crown in a dry place and allow it some time to dry itself. Before the hat dries, take the time to smooth out any imperfections.

Numerous wetting and dryings can result in shrinkage. A hat stretcher is a good defense against this rare event.

Cleaning Keeping your hat clean is easy. Here are some care tips.

• Wool felt Hats can be cleaned with a soft bristled hat brush or soft sponge. Felt hats must be brushed in a counter-clockwise direction with the crown facing you. When dealing with mud, allow the mud to dry. Once it is dry it will be a great deal easier to brush off. Grease spots can be brushed out with a little cornstarch. Many folks will also use a good dry-cleaner.

•Straw Hats can be brushed. A small whisk broom can be used for those deeply textured straws. Other straws can be cleaned using a soft brush, sponge, or cloth. A moist cloth is very effective.

• Canvas and Fabric Hats can be hand washed. Warm water and mild detergent is all you need. Do not attempt to force dry.

• Sinamay Hats can NOT be washed. Always keep your Sinamay hats in a dry place. If your Sinamay hats are out of shape, try to use steamer to recover the shape. For help, please call 1-800-779-5508.

• All hats:Remove dust and lint from your hat periodically to avoid deterioration of strength and soiling.

Are there certain times of the year that I should wear a straw hat versus a felt hat?
Historically, May 15th signified the start of Straw hat season and Sept. 15th the start of Felt hat season, but today most hat wearers are guided by the thermometer rather than by the calendar. Some people wear felt hats year-round because they retain heat in cold weather and release excess heat when it's hot and they protect the wearer from the sun.