How To Measure Your Hat Size: A Guide To Hat Sizing
Hats have been my interest since quite a long time and, to me, a hat is a garment that is multi-functional meaning it can be a fashion accessory and yet it can be something that can also save us from the sun, and water and even warm us on chilly days. However, then you need to find a perfect hat which is harder and more complicated in the case where you don't know your hat size.
This is a step-by-step educating article where I will take from my observations and discoveries in this part of measuring your hat correctly. Whether you are shopping for a hat online or in person, these instructions are your guarantee that your hat will be a perfect fit.
Why Proper Hat Sizing Matters
Before we move on to the measurement instructions, it is vital to have an understanding of the importance of obtaining the right hat size. A hat right on the head is not only a more appropriate outfit but also feels more relaxed. It sticks in place without being too tight or too loose.
A hat that does not fit properly may lead to headaches, forehead marks, and if it slips from the head. By knowing your exact hat size, you can avoid these issues and spend the whole day wearing your hat happily.
Tools You'll Need
In order to determine your hat size you will certainly need the following tools: you will need a flexible measuring tape, a mirror, a piece of rope and a ruler.
How to Measure Your Hat Size: A Step-By-Step Guide.
1. Prepare for Measurement
To start with, you should make sure that your hair appears as it normally does when you start to measure. It is important, (e.g. because it may alter the way your hat fits). Use the mirror to ensure that you place the measuring tape in place.
2. Position the Measuring Tape
Next, put the tape around your head and fix it in place. The tape must be set from the top of your ears, which are the broadest parts of your head, to about 1/8 inch above them. Ensure that the tape is level at every point.
3. Take the Measurement
When you have the tape located in the right place, tension it to the point that it is gently but not too tightly being worn. As long as it is comfortable, you most likely want your hat to be of good fit too. The place on the tape where the two sides meet is the number that you have to take down. Your head circumference is the measurement in inches or centimeters.
4. Using String as an Alternative
If a measuring tape is not at hand you are allowed to use a piece of string instead. Before you measure, gather the string around your head, just as you would hold a ruler. Then, the place where the string meets the other end marks your measurement when you verify it with the ruler.
Understanding Hat Size Charts
Once you have the head circumference of nominal length, you then proceed to convert it to the corresponding hat size. Hat sizes can be designated differently:
1. Inches and Centimeters
Many hat producers use the head circumference measurement in inches or centimeters as the hat size. For example, if your head is 22 inches, you will fit in a size 22 hat.
2. Fitted Sizes
A few hats, for instance, the baseball cap, belong to this category of sizes which are fitted. These range from 6 3/8 to 7 5/8, approximately. Here is a rough guide to conversions:
- 21 1/8 inches = Size 6 3/4
- 22 inches = Size 7
- 23 inches = Size 7 1/4
3. S/M/L Sizing
Among the informal hats, it is predominantly the small, medium, and large systems that are used in sizing. Nonetheless, this would be a rough estimate for the sizes of the hat:
- Small: 21 1/8 - 21 1/2 inches
- Medium: 21 7/8 - 22 1/4 inches
- Large: 22 5/8 - 23 inches
Tips for Getting the Perfect Fit
Even after you have measured your head and found your hat size, there are still numerous additional steps I would like to share, that will make certain that you get the perfect fit, such as the following:
- Try out different sizes: I have actually tried the right measurements, but I also found that a few ones were not in the similar size to real measured size and still they were the most comfortable fit for me.
- Consider the hat material: In my experience, different materials could have the impact of fitting. For example, leather hats may stretch after a while, whereas straw hats often maintain their original shape.
- Take into account hair style changes: If hairstyle is something you often have to struggle with then, my advice would be to go to your comfort zone and wear the hat a size that the large hairstyle can easily fit into.
- Test comfort: Each time I put on a hat first, it should not restrict my head or cause the blood vessel to leave the marks behind when I remove the cap.
- Search for adjustable hats: I came across a brand that can be a very good option for those who are between the sizes, as the adjustable bands and drawstrings can be set accordingly.
Common Hat Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
The entire period of my headwear experience was an opportunity for me to be able to watch the repeating mistakes of the people who lack so much understanding when it comes to the correct hat sizing. I am willing to share this new knowledge with you to prevent you from downfalls similar to mine:
- Ignored the hat's style: I understood how the same sized hats can still fit differently just because of their different styles. For instance, a fedora may be of the same size with a baseball cap but it can still fit differently.
- Swelling is not considered: According to me, the problem with heads is that they can be swollen up a bit due to the use of hot water or even some physical activities. It is better, therefore, to give more than enough space for convenience.
- Omitted the hat's internal band: The width of a hat's internal band can affect how it sits on your head. I have discovered that hats with bands that are wider are more stable and comfortable for a person to wear.
- Believed that all brands have the same size: Each hat has slight variations in sizing depending on the company manufacturing it. Due to this reason, always take a look at the size chart provided by the company before you buy.
Caring for Your Hat to Maintain Its Shape and Size
If you want your hat to stand and hold its size in good condition, the most proper way of taking care and maintaining it is the right thing to do. Aside from that, I also have some useful ways that I've gained from my experience:
- The setup of your hats: For the most part, I like to store my hats on a hat stand or in a hat box when I'm not using them. This helps to keep their shapes in good condition.
- Gently to clean: I use soft handwashing or spot cleaning to most of my hats because it helps delicate fabric to be its best. I don't use a washing machine because it can destroy the hat by making it rigid.
- Leave to dry naturally: You can never experience me using a hairdryer on my hat, except in very rare cases. I just usually leave my hats to air dry in a cool room away from direct heat or light .
- Avoid extreme temperatures: I, from my own experience, have learned that if a hat is left in the car, especially in summer, the hat will become smaller or "wrinkled". Therefore, I always make sure they are stored in my favorite location, which is a cool, dry place.
Final Words
The most straightforward and, at the same time, the most important advice, that go a long way to improving not only the hat size determining, but the hat-wearing experience as well are on the first line the "measuring" step along with the following ones. To enact these and many more methods, you, I am sure, will be able to carry out this unless you are the most gifted person. To bear in mind, a well-fitted cap or hat not only gives you the appearance you want but also makes your day comfortable from morning to evening. Tips on being a happy year all around!
FAQs
Q1: How do I measure my hat size?
A1: Use a soft measuring tape and measure your hat which is about your size around your hat and over your ears and your forehead. This is to be measured in centimeters or inches.
Q2: What if I don't have a measuring tape?
A2: If you don't have a flexible measuring tape, then simply take a string and measure it around your head. Then use a ruler to measure the string.
Q3: How do I convert my head measurement to hat size?
A3: Almost all the hat producers are distributing certain size charts that are giving the right interpretation of head measurement to their specific sizing systems (S/M/L or numerical sizes), so follow them.
Q4: Can hat sizes vary between brands?
A4: Yes, hat sizes can have a bit of differences between brands. The brand-specific size chart must always be checked when buying.
Q5: How tight should a hat fit?
A5: The perfect hat for the perimeter of your head is one that is tight enough around your head without leaving any marks on your forehead or pressuring any part of your scalp.