Top Hat Issues

[RuDay]

I have had the worst time with finding a top hat to wear. I ordered a 7 3/8 and it was too small - cutting off the circulation to my head painful. So I ordered a 7 1/2 from a different place and it is way too large and the brim is not rolled. I have a show this weekend and I could probably stuff the hat to fit but is there any way to roll up the brim a little without professional assistance? I obviously don't have time to get the hat to a professional. Top hats and formal wear are driving me crazy! :hang:

[WishMeLuckJSH]

I don't have any advice... but you got the song "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" into my head way too early this morning!! :D

Wait, where's your show? Could Chuck on the WC trailer roll it for you? (Although he's at River Ridge, isn't he...)

[roadpony]

Are you showing three-gaited or park? If it's park, you don't HAVE to wear a formal at night.

[vlayne]

If your hat is silk... the brim will be VERY hard to roll properly because most are made of cardboard covered with silk fibers, not fur like a derby. If you aren't careful you can crease it or bend it the wrong way. (if the hat is beaver fur, it should be easier to roll like a normal derby).

Heat a pan of water until it's boiling. Hold one side of the brim over the steam for about 15-20 seconds (pretty much until your hand can't take it anymore). Remove from steam and very gently, squeeze and massage the brim until it starts to roll. Repeat this process a few times until the brim is soft enough to get a proper roll. Then, hold it in the roll position until it cools - about 3-4 minutes.

Do the other side. Repeat if necessary, but don't overdo it - the cardboard can become soggy and then you're in trouble. Let it completely dry out between each session. (If it's fur, you'll probably only have to do it once because it shapes so much better).

You won't have a TIGHT roll, because it's pretty much impossible to change a cardboard brim's shape, but it'll be better.

Best bet is to buy a hat where the brim was manufactured in the correct roll. If you can send it back, I would do so.

[Charms]

Try this......cut a leg off some pantyhose (they're stretchy and won't do damage to the fur felt) roll the sides of the brim up the way that it should be.
Then have someone hold it in that shape and tie the pantyhose snugly around the top hat to hold the sides rolled up. Then boil some water and hold the hat over the steam until the hat is taking on the steam. Try to direct the steam to the brim. Next allow the steamed hat to dry upside down and do not remove the pantyhose until showtime. Never sit your hat down to rest on it's brim. It will make the brim go flat. Always store it upside down and keep the pantyhose brim supporter on it. For the fit problem you can stick a pantyliner in the inside front next to your forehead. It serves two purposes, takes up space and absorbs sweat. Good luck.

[smorrow923]

For the fit problem you can stick a pantyliner in the inside front next to your forehead. It serves two purposes, takes up space and absorbs sweat. Good luck.


I've had to do this and it works quite well!

[mskyar]

Another thing that helps make the hat fit is to put a cigarette or two inside the piece of material (inner band) on the inside of the hat....the cig bends and shapes to the shape of your head, I always put them in the front....I used to do this all the time with both my hunt caps and my derbies...especially after I cut my hair all off and every hat was then too big.

[RuDay]

I've decided to send the hat back, I didn't wear formal wear anyways because the class was before 6pm. However I borrowed a top hat size 7 1/8 that fit a little better (not as tight) than the 7 3/8 that I ordered!!! I've decided that I HATE top hats! But thanks everyone for all the suggestion, I had used the pantyhose trick on derbies before, lol. Also Susan it's definitely for 3 Gaited or else I wouln't have worried about formal wear at all!! lol.

[vlayne]

Top hats are very hard to fit because they are not flexible, and the crowns are different heights.

I never use the pantyhose trick on tophats because again - the brim is cardboard. You can easily crease it and if you let it sit with the pantyhose on, you can permanently deform the brim. (Only on silk top hats - beaver fur is ok, but those hats are so expensive you should never have to do that anyways - if they come with a poorly shaped brim, for what you pay, send it back).

[SaddlebredMom]

For the fit problem you can stick a pantyliner in the inside front next to your forehead. It serves two purposes, takes up space and absorbs sweat.
Now this is a rather unique use of that particular product! :laugh: I'm sitting here cracking up at the visual of the liner stuck to your forehead! :D Sounds like it would do the trick though.

We've used the soft side of self-adhesive velcro on the inside brim at the front and/or back of the derby for minor adjustments.

[Thunderstruck]

I've decided to send the hat back, I didn't wear formal wear anyways because the class was before 6pm. However I borrowed a top hat size 7 1/8 that fit a little better (not as tight) than the 7 3/8 that I ordered!!! I've decided that I HATE top hats! But thanks everyone for all the suggestion, I had used the pantyhose trick on derbies before, lol. Also Susan it's definitely for 3 Gaited or else I wouln't have worried about formal wear at all!! lol.

Unfortunately not all heads are the same shape and also unfortunately not all hat makers make the same shape. I have a long head from front to back and at least back when I was showing 3-Gaited it was impossible to find a hat that was made for the shape of my head. If it fit front to back it stuck out on the sides and if it fit on the sides I had a dent in my forehead...we went with the dent in the forehead look since I looked like I borrowed my Dad's too big hat when I had the one that actually felt good on.

I know that doesn't help much, but at least you know you aren't alone!

[wclynn&chuck]

If you're at a show where Chuck is he can roll it no matter what it's made of w/ no problem