'Breaking in' a hat

Vixen Van Debz

Vixen Van Debz

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How tight is too tight for a new hat? I got a new Shires hat which is 58cm/size 7 1/4. I got it to replace a size 7 hat (a different brand), but Shires 7 didn't fit me (measured my head just in case, and it is 57cm/7). Just been sent a replacement - the Shires 58cm arrived today and just squeezes down over my forehead and is somewhat tight atm. Is this how it should be? I haven't broken a hat in for years so don't remember!
 
I'd go to a tack shop and ask them to fit one for you. My local tack shop checked my hat recently even though I didn't buy it there as i was worried it was getting too big - told me to adjust the straps and it would be fine! (LOL) They could easily have sold me a new one so i was quite impressed with them.
 
I wish I could - nearest Tack Shop is over 20miles away and in the middle of nowhere. Unless it's on/near a bus route, I can't get at it! I think it's the brand though: had several other people measure my head now and it's definitely 57cm, so fact that 58cm Shires is headache inducingly tight within minutes means I think Shires isn't made for my shape. Back to Harry Hall...
 
If it's giving you a headache it's too small.

but it really is SSSOOOO important you get your hat fitted properly. It's your head at stake! Make a special trip to the saddlers. 20 miles isn't that far.
 
It's not the distance that's the problem though, it's the price of bus plus a taxi as it's well out of the way. I don't drive and my research funding has ended, so it's either buy a competitively priced hat online or use the ones at the yard (though I'm not sure whether they're thrown out after a fall or not: there seems to be too many that are too old for that to be true...).
 
Is it a jockey skull or a velvet one? I can't get velvet hats to fit my head as it is too round - I can only get jockey skulls as apparently they tend to be rounder.

Is there no-one you can cadge a lift off with the promise of sweeties? It would be better to get it fitted if there's any way you can manage it.:)
 
That's a good idea, tapping up some people at the yard! Will bring goodies to the Halloween show tomorrow and see if that works. I believe one of the grooms on the yard used to fit hats in a tack shop a few years ago... so at least I pick her brains and can have purchases checked if I don't get to the tack shop. It's a traditional velveteen hat: bar a few teenage years where I'd a skull cap, I've always worn them so getting one that fits shouldn't be a problem. They do always give me mushroom head though! I think I've just been unlucky with Shires tbh.

Thanks for the ideas 80)
 
try wearing it around the house for at least an hour, if its still headache tight by the end then you are going to have to send it back for a bigger size, if by the end of the hour you've started to forget the tightness then its probably ok you just need to waer it in to shape to your head. It could just be that because youre not used to it, the initial squeeze makes your body over-react to cause headache. Its surprising how ill-fitting your old, worn in, comfortable hat actually can be!
 
Absolutely - there's no way I could do the 'head upside down without straps' test and still have it on my head with my old hat! I've worn the hat loads today and it still is tight and giving me a headache: my head's also not touching the inside top of the hat which feels wrong. I'm more than prepared for some discomfort though in breaking in the right hat though!
 
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