Long Oval Hat Stretcher? 126 Most Correct Answers

Adding an accessory to an outfit is a fun way to add flair to your style. Hats are an accessory that offers both flair and function. Hats are not one size fits all, however, and there are many methods to stretch a hat that require very little work or expertise.

Many baseball caps today come with an adjustable strap for the convenience of the wearer, but what about other types of hats? How do you stretch a fedora, beret, trilby, visor, or even your winter hat? Not all hats fit your head perfectly.

Some people find themselves in situations where one hat size is too small, but the next size up is too big. In this case, buying a smaller size is a better option as there are many more ways to stretch a hat than to shrink it.

If you recently bought a new hat that doesn’t fit properly, there are many ways to stretch a hat that will give you the fit you want.

(melnyk58/123rf.com)

tb1234 tb1234

Things to consider when buying hats

There are many factors to consider when purchasing this trendy hat. Ask yourself whether you want a hat for fashion or function. Whatever your desires, think about what type of hat will serve you best.

Each style of hat suits a specific occasion. You know that a winter hat is for wearing outside in cold weather and that a baseball cap keeps the sun out of your eyes, but have you ever thought about the importance of the hat’s material?

Fabrics make a huge difference in your hat’s performance. Wool provides warmth. Straw and cotton are breathable. Silk, cashmere, and suede offer softness but shouldn’t get wet. Make sure you do a little research or ask a seller what material best suits your needs.

More importantly, the fit of your hat should be one of your top priorities when looking for the right cap. Hat manufacturers like New Era are now placing stickers on their products so customers can easily find the size they want.

However, not all hats have these sizing charts, leaving many hat buyers unsure of which size to purchase. As a rule of thumb, if you can fit a finger between your head and the cap, you probably have a hat that fits properly.

Remember that the natural fibers of hats gradually shrink over time. Sweat, moisture and weather conditions affect the fit. In this case, knowing how to stretch a tight-fitting hat comes in handy, whether you need to post-stretch viscose, wool or any other material.

Easy ways to stretch a hat for the perfect fit

Don’t get overwhelmed by a new hat. If your hat doesn’t fit perfectly, don’t return it and buy a new one in a size that may now be too big.

Shrinking hats takes a lot more work than stretching, especially shrinking polyester and other more delicate materials. Luckily, there are several hat stretching techniques you can tackle. Try them all to see which strategy works best for you.

Break in a hat

The easiest way to stretch a hat is to wear it. If your hat is a little tight on your noggin, wear it around the house while you do chores or watch TV.

Your head will naturally begin to stretch this material. After a few wears, you’ll have a comfortable fit that feels custom to the shape and size of your head.

Zero Equipment hat stretcher

If you have a baseball cap that requires minimal stretching, you can achieve a comfortable fit without any equipment or materials.

Put your hat on so that the crown of the hat is above your knee. With a firm grip, pull the sides of the cap to stretch the material. Put the hat on and repeat the process if needed.

This stretching method works best for hats that only need minor adjustments. Just remember not to pull too hard or you may tear the fabric or damage the sweatband.

How to stretch a hat with a hair dryer

If wearing your hat around the house isn’t giving you the comfort you want, give it some extra stretch with some water and a hair dryer. This tactic works for straw hats, cotton hats, baseball caps, or a classic felt design.

Pour lukewarm water into a spray bottle. Mist the inside of the cap and band and the outside of the crown until damp. Set your hair dryer to the hottest setting and blow dry until almost dry.

Once the hat is damp, place it on your head to air dry, allowing the hat to stretch and shape into the perfect fit. Be careful not to spray your hat until it is dripping wet.

If you’re working with something like a vintage baseball cap, the bills can be cardboard and cause damage. Always pay attention to the makeup of your hat.

Water and a hair dryer are also effective when trying to make a shirt bigger or stretching other clothing items.

How to steam stretch a fitted hat

People use steam to remove wrinkles from clothing, like ironing jeans, but it also helps achieve the perfect hat size. This steaming method heats the material of the hat, which allows it to stretch, but also disinfects and kills sweat odors.

While it cannot remove sweat stains from hats, this technique leaves a clean and comfortable feel. Steaming is safe for straw, cotton, wool, and felt hats.

TB1234 Steam Hat Stretcher Tea kettle or small jug

Hair Dryer TB1234

Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle or small saucepan. Hold the brim of the hat so the inside is 15cm away from the hot water. Hold the hat over the steam for a minute. Remove 30 seconds. Repeat this at least four times.

Turn your hair dryer on the highest heat setting and blow the crown until mostly dry. Wear the hat and let it air dry. The heat and moisture of the steam allows the material to stretch while your hat is the perfect size for your head.

Use a soccer ball to stretch your hat

Start looking through your child’s old gym gear or make a quick trip to the store. A youth-sized football transforms into an efficient hat stretcher. This method works exceptionally well on non-adjustable, fitted hats.

Wrap the ball in a plastic bag to keep dirt from getting on your hat. Place the ball in the hat with the inflation point on the ball still accessible.

The ball should fit snugly in the hat, but still be able to slip off easily. If the ball is not secure, use a tire or ball pump to inflate further. Let sit overnight. Repeat if necessary.

Using a balloon to stretch hats

Balloons make great hat stretchers when you don’t have a soccer ball. Add a few extra materials to ensure your hat fits perfectly.

tb1234 Balloon and Shampoo Hat Stretcher Baby shampoo or regular conditioner

balloon

water tb1234

Blow up a party balloon so it fits in the crown of your hat. In a spray bottle, mix 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo or regular conditioner with warm water until foam forms. With the balloon in the crown, mist the hat until damp.

Use your fingers to pull the edges so that more of the balloon’s surface is covered. Leave to air dry overnight. Remove the balloon and try on the hat. If the fit is still too tight, repeat the process.

If you can’t find a spray bottle, dip your hat in warm water instead of spraying it. This is also the best way to wash baseball caps. Before trying this method, make sure your hat doesn’t contain any materials that will be damaged by being completely wet.

Buy a hat stretcher

When you are ready to buy products to stretch your hats, there are hat stretchers, such as: A hat lifter, for example, will do most of the work for you. Hat lifters work best on both felt and straw hats.

Some are particularly suitable for cowboy hats as they absorb moisture to protect leather sweatbands. Place the hat stretcher in your hat and adjust the device until the hat is taut.

Lay the carrier against the hat band or it could ruin the shape of your hat crown. Leave on overnight and repeat if necessary. If you’re looking for even better results, use the previously mentioned steaming method before using the hat lifter.

Consult a hatter

Sometimes it’s a bit scary to stretch your hats when you’re working with a vintage or custom hat that you don’t want to customize yourself. Take your hat to a milliner or milliner for a custom fit and to support small businesses.

A professional milliner can make almost any hat smaller. They often add and restructure fabric to make it wearable for you and your needs. A hat shop also has special machines that allow you to make bespoke items in a short amount of time.

If you’re willing to spend a little money to ensure your favorite hat is treated appropriately, going to a professional is probably your best option.

The next time you pull out an old hat and find it’s a little too tight, there’s no reason to throw it out and spend money on a new one.

There are several ways to stretch a hat, all of which are easy enough to do yourself. If you know how to stretch a tight-fitting hat, you can accessorize it without risking the comfort of your now-perfect-fitting hat.

(melnyk58/pressmaster/123rf.com)

If you’ve followed our hat stretching tips and found a tight fit feeling comfortable again, share these hat stretching techniques with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest.

Ready for a good stretch? When it comes to a perfectly fitting hat, a little stretch might be just what you need. Achieving the ideal fit depends on the type of hat you have and its composition. Natural fibers in hats can gradually shrink over time, especially if you ever need to wash them. Not to mention sweat, humidity, and weather, all of which contribute to shrunken hat syndrome. But that doesn’t mean that if a hat is a little too tight, you have to ditch it altogether and buy a new hat. Follow these few simple techniques and you’ll be able to stretch and resize your hat in no time.

Try before you buy

The first thing you need to do is to choose a hat that will make you comfortable to wear. If you choose an ultra-fitted hat or a tight hat, you’ll only end up with a headache…literally.

On the other hand, you don’t want a hat that’s so big that your head is floating around in it and you’re constantly afraid it’s going to fall off.

Helpful Tip: If a finger fits between the head and the cap, you’ll know you’re the right size.

‍

break it in

Whether it’s a brand new baseball cap or an old cowboy hat, an easy way to get your hat in shape is to wear it, wear it, wear it. This will naturally loosen the material so it conforms better to your head.

Spray and stretch

If wearing the hat isn’t stretching it out as quickly as you’d like, it might be time to get out the blow dryer and a spray bottle of water. The following method works well with a variety of hat materials, including straw, soft fabrics like cotton hats, fitted baseball caps, and classic felt designs.

‍

items you need

spray bottle of water

hairdryer

steps

Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water (not hot water) and spritz inside and outside of the crown and inner band. The brim does not need to be wet as it does not need to shrink. This is especially important with vintage hats like baseball caps made before the early 80’s that have cardboard bills. Be careful not to douse the hat to the point where it is dripping wet as this may cause unwanted damage or color bleeding. Turn on the hair dryer on the highest setting. Holding the hat in place, blow dry the outside and inside until the material is mostly dry. Once the hat is only slightly damp, put it on and let it air dry. This allows the hat to stretch and adjust to the correct shape of your head.

steam in shape

Steaming is a popular way to stretch a hat because it’s an effective way to loosen up natural fibers. Like the water spray method, steaming works well with a variety of hat materials, such as straw, cotton, and wool felt.

‍

items you need

Tea kettle with water or small pot with water

hairdryer

steps

Heat the tea kettle or jug ​​of water until the water begins to boil. Hold the brim of the hat to get a good grip. Next, angle the hat so the inside is about 6 inches (15 cm) from the steam from the kettle or saucepan. Hold for a minute and make sure enough steam reaches the inside band of the hat as well. Take the hat off the heat for 30 seconds. Repeat this process at least four times. Turn on the hair dryer on the highest setting. Hold the hat and blow dry in the crown until the material is mostly dry. Once slightly damp, wear the hat and let it air dry to stretch it to the right size for your head.

Use hand tools

If you prefer a laissez-faire approach to stretching your hat, consider using basic hat stretchers like the hat jack. This is a simple tool that can be bought online and can also be used to keep a hat sized when not in use. Similar to a shoe tree, the adjustable wooden device acts like a jack inside the hat to add size. While you could just pop the device into a dry hat and wait for the results, you can speed up the process a bit by steaming the hat first.

Bonus: Hat-Jack works for both felt and straw hats, plus it wicks moisture and is gentle on leather sweatbands.

‍

items you need

hat clamping device

Tea kettle or pot of water (optional)

steps

If you’re steaming the hat first, follow steps 1 and 2 of “Steam into Shape”. If not, read on. Place the hat stretcher in your hat and crank the device until it is taut. Make sure the hat stretcher is placed against (not across) the hat band or it could leave an imprint on the crown and ruin its shape. Leave overnight and then try the hat on. Repeat if further stretching is required. You can also try stretching a hat by placing it over the knee and pulling tight. This works best with cotton baseball caps.

play ball

More than just kicking around the field, the ordinary soccer ball can be a useful tool for stretching a hat. While you can easily use this technique with a dry hat, if you want a bigger stretch, follow the spritzing or steaming steps first.

‍

‍

items you need

Youth size football

steps

Put the hat around a youth-sized football. Leave it on overnight and then try the hat on. Repeat the process if the desired size is not reached. The hat should slip off the ball easily and bounce back, so to speak. Note: This method helps achieve a larger hat, but is less precise than a hat jack and much more difficult to predict the exact amount of stretch.

If the hat fits, wear it

‍

Now that you’ve gone through the actual process of stretching a hat, you have a little know-how on finding the right fit. Keep in mind that each approach may take a few iterations, but they will work. A hat should always fit comfortably, never tight or constricting. Once you figure out which hat stretching method works best for you, get ready to enjoy the perfect size and never wear a pinching hat again.

Few things in this life are more disappointing than getting a great new hat, only to put it on and find the hat is too tight. Don’t take it personally – every head is unique and not every hat fits every shape, regardless of an adjustable strap. In fact, the average head size of a man has increased by 2 centimeters to about 59 centimeters in the last few years. This means hats that used to fit an average head size are now snug and sometimes even too painful to wear.

However, a hat that is too small need not be written off as unwearable. Whether you ordered a hat online without trying it on or got a tiny hat as a gift, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help you stretch it. Read on if you’re looking for suggestions on how to salvage an undersized hat.

Stretching a hat by material

The best method for stretching a hat varies depending on the style and material of the hat. Not every stretching technique works well for every type of hat, so be sure to choose the right one for your needs to avoid damaging your hat.

Before we look at specific stretching methods for certain hat styles, we need to take a look at what types of fabrics are the easiest and most difficult to stretch. Understanding how to care for the material your hat is made of will help you avoid basic hat stretching mistakes. Here are the five most common hat materials, in order of most difficult to most difficult to stretch:

Cotton: A softer and more supple fabric, cotton is the most flexible hat material that can be stretched. Cotton’s pliability makes cotton hats durable and resistant to damage. Felt: Whether it’s made from wool or fur, felt is another hat fabric that tends to be soft. However, felt is more delicate than cotton, so extra care is needed when stretching a felt hat. Straw: The same woven quality that makes straw hats attractive makes them extremely difficult to stretch. Straw hats can be stiff and fragile, so always tighten them slightly when stretching them. Leather: Leather is even stiffer than straw and often shrinks back to its original size after stretching. Stretching a leather hat takes patience and attention to detail. Polyester: Due to its synthetic nature, polyester generally does not change size. This means there may not be much you can do to stretch your polyester hat – but it also won’t shrink a lot or ever need to be stretched, as long as it originally fitted.

Stretch a hat by style

Now that you know how to handle different hat materials, we can break down hat stretching based on what type of hat you’re trying to stretch. We’ll go through the best approaches for different types of hats, but remember that the most important factor in deciding how to fix an undersized hat should always be the material the hat is made of.

Follow this guide to learn how to shrink a hat to fit its style.

knit hats

If you have a hat that’s a bit tight, you’re in luck because knitted hats are usually the easiest to stretch. Use water to naturally relax the hat’s fabric and prepare it for stretching. Using water to loosen the hat material is the main technique for any type of hat. It’s important to be careful not to go overboard and douse hats that contain dye that can bleed.

Any hat made of cotton or a similar natural material can be stretched by first soaking or spraying it in warm water and then gently pulling on the fabric to stretch it. As you stretch the seams of the hat, work your way around the hat in a circular motion so the hat is stretched evenly. Be sure to pull the material very gently at first so you don’t overstretch your hat.

baseball caps

Of course, the first step to stepping out of a fitted baseball cap is to wear it. Often a baseball cap will stretch as it is broken in, but this is not always the case.

If your baseball cap doesn’t loosen over time, the next step is to try hot water. Either soak your baseball cap in hot water or put it on to take a hot shower, then continue to wear it until it dries and adjusts to the shape of your head. The only downside to this method is that it won’t work if your baseball cap is made of polyester.

If you’re wondering how to shrink a snapback hat, the same rules apply. Sometimes even the loosest snap on a snapback hat isn’t big enough. In this case, it may be necessary to use hot water or wear the hat for a long period of time to stretch it. If a snapback hat or baseball cap still isn’t big enough after trying these methods, you might want to get some of the hat stretching tools discussed later.

fedoras

Stretching a fedora is a bit more difficult as most fedoras are made out of wool or fur felt, which are tougher materials that can be stretched without damaging the hat. You can still try using water to manipulate and stretch the material, you just have to be more careful. Lightly mist the hat with lukewarm water to wet it just enough to make the fabric more manageable. Then use a hair dryer to dry the hat into a shape that fits your head.

If your fedora still doesn’t fit properly, you might want to check the sweatband. A shrinked sweatband could be the reason your hat has been feeling tighter lately. In this case, you most likely want to buy a new hat. Replacing a hat band is a tedious and time-consuming process, and it usually only gets you about a quarter of a hat’s size anyway.

Another hat stretching option for felt hat owners is the steam method, which we will talk more about in the next section.

cowboy hats

Those wondering how to stretch a cowboy hat face a greater challenge, as cowboy hats are typically made from less flexible materials, such as straw or leather. The tightness and rigidity of these materials makes stretching a trickier affair, so it is recommended that you do not attempt to manually stretch a straw hat. Instead, take your cowboy hat to a professional milliner to have it stretched and add a full size to the hat without distorting its shape.

Although a professional is preferred, it is possible to cock a cowboy hat yourself at home. If you can’t take your hat to a hat expert and need to know how to stretch a leather hat yourself, consider the steam method. Check out the next section to find out why the steam method is the best DIY way to stretch a hat that requires a little more maintenance.

The steam method

The steam method is a low-risk method of loosening the natural fibers of a hat and fitting it to the shape of your head. Even with stiffer materials such as leather, straw or felt, the steam method ensures that the material is gently loosened and becomes more malleable. This method doesn’t require any special tools or much expertise – you only need two items!

Here are all the materials and steps you need to try the steam method:

Tea Kettle: Start by boiling water in a tea kettle or small pot. Then hold the hat over the steam, alternating one minute, 30 second off for at least four rounds. This step relaxes the fabric of your hat.

Start by boiling water in a tea kettle or small saucepan. Then hold the hat over the steam, alternating one minute, 30 second off for at least four rounds. This step relaxes the fabric of your hat. Blow Dryer: Next, turn on a blow dryer on high and blow dry the inside of the hat until it’s just slightly damp. After you’ve gotten the hat mostly dry, wear it until it’s completely air dry and the exact size of your head.

Hat stretching tools

A tight hat can be uncomfortable and cause wrinkles in your hair. But with the right tools, you can make any hat feel like it was custom made. The good news is that hat cocking tools are generally inexpensive, and you may even already have some of the more common ones lying around the house.

Here are some of the basic tools to have in your hat stretching arsenal:

1. Spray Bottle

A spray bottle can be very helpful for stretching a hat made from a more fragile fabric. By using a spray bottle, you can control which parts of the hat get wet and how much water a hat absorbs — which can also help prevent color bleeding. This can be especially important if you want to avoid spray-painting the cardboard visor of a vintage baseball cap.

In addition to a spray bottle, you will also need a hair dryer, which is an essential tool for both the spray bottle and steam methods.

2. Sewing scissors

When all other methods to adjust a baseball cap size have failed, scissors can come in handy. Small, strategic cuts along a baseball cap’s sweatband can help loosen the cap enough to fit your head. Make sure to make the cuts near the back of the hat and make them short enough that they don’t cut into the hat itself.

3. Soccer

If you have a youth-sized soccer ball, you already have an essential hat-stretching tool. Simply stretch the hat to fit around the football and leave overnight to maintain this size. If the hat shrinks back after removing it from the ball, repeat the process as many times as necessary until you reach the desired hat size.

The soccer ball stretching method is convenient because it’s simple and doesn’t require water or a drying process, but it doesn’t stretch as much as other methods. If you want to significantly increase the hat size, try the spray bottle technique or the steam method first.

4. Hat lifter

The Hat Jack hat stretcher is the ultimate hat stretching weapon. As a bonus, the Hat Jack is also able to shrink your hat as easily as it stretches it. So if you or someone in your life has an ill-fitting hat, the hat lifter is your one-stop hat gadget.

To use a Hat Jack, do the following:

Position the hat jack on the inside of the hat brim, then boil water to create steam. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat. Hold your hat over the steam while rotating the Hat Jack to expand the hat to the desired size. Before removing the Hat Jack, allow your hat to air dry for between 20 and 30 minutes.

If the hat shrinks back after drying, you can repeat the Hat Jack process until your hat stays the size you want. If your hat doesn’t fit right away after using a hat lifter, it probably won’t stretch as much as you need it to.

2XL and 3XL hats

If your head is on the larger side, finding hats that fit can be difficult. Hat stretching can be time-consuming and doesn’t always produce the desired results. Skip the process by purchasing a 2XL or 3XL hat that’s already big enough to fit your noggins. Most companies don’t offer hats larger than extra large, but Hats Unlimited has a wide range of 2XL and 3XL hats. From fitted baseball caps to fedoras, Hats Unlimited has both 2XL and 3XL hats in designs to complement any outfit and fit right, not tight.

Adorned with the right size hat, your above-average head can be your best feature. So let your hat stand out with a stylish and comfortable 2XL or 3XL hat from Hats Unlimited.

Order a hat stretcher or shop XL hats at Hats Unlimited

Hats Unlimited is home to many high-quality, full-size hats, but if you’re looking to extend an old hat rather than buy a new one, you’ve come to the right place. Check out Hat Jack’s hat stretcher for the most versatile hat sizing tool you could ever need. We offer the Hat Jack in three sizes – small, medium and large – so even child sized hats can be stretched.

Next time you need a new hat, choose from our extensive 2XL or 3XL hat selection to save time stretching. We offer top brand hats in 2XL and 3XL sizes so you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for comfort. Say goodbye to “hat hair” and headaches caused by hat bands that are too tight when you order the perfect 2XL or 3XL hat for every occasion.

If you’re not sure what hat size works for your head or how to properly stretch your hat, contact Hats Unlimited with all your hat questions today.

Just like shoes, hats are made on standard blocks that hat makers use to accommodate the majority of hat wearers.

But many of us don’t have an average head shape. Our heads are slightly longer in the front and back. When we put the hat on, it pinches at the front and back, leaving a gap at the side. This is referred to as a long oval.

Many people will think their hat is too small and order a size up. This is a mistake. In fact, the hat will usually mold to your head shape over time. But to speed up the process, you can manually adjust the hat.

How do you know if you are a long oval? While the hat is on your head, grasp the brim by the sides, with your fingers over and thumbs under the brim. Hold it close to where the brim meets the crown and press in. The hat should lengthen and settle into a more comfortable position. If you’re happy with the elongated fit, then you’re a long oval.

We have a video on YouTube to shape your hat.

Finally, your wide oval rare person hat will be wider on the side than in the front. Unfortunately, the only solution to this problem is to go up a size and add pads in the front and back.

Before you walk out the door with a Stetson in mind, it’s important to know how to properly size a cowboy hat so you don’t have to go back and forth all over again. We’re here to give you some easy tutorials on how to adjust a cowboy hat and lots of tips on shaping a hat brim or crown to achieve a style that’s perfect for you – right in your home!

How to measure your head for a cowboy hat

The easiest way to measure your head is with a cloth measuring tape. However, if you don’t have one handy, you can simply wrap a string around your head and use a marker to mark where it overlaps. Then lay the string flat next to a regular tape measure or ruler and note how far the mark extends. To measure your head properly, wrap the string so it sits about ⅛ inch above your ears and just above your eyebrows near the center of your forehead

Remember that hat size is not universal; Certain brands use different size scales than others, so you will most likely not wear the same size across brands. That’s why knowing how to measure cowboy hat size is so important. Having an approximate number in mind will save you time and effort trying to find your perfect fit, no matter the brand.

Depending on the region, different hat styles emerged. For example, in the Southwest, cowpunchers wore high-crowned “10-gallons” for adequate shade, while buckaroos in the Great Basin favored a “flat hat,” often made of straw and designed to stay out of the way of long lassos. Early photographs of range riders throughout the West show a tremendous variety of hat styles, from silk stovepipes and derby pots to sombreros and cavalry styles. In the Montana Territory from the 1860s to the 1880s, cowboys herded cattle from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and other regions up the trails, resulting in a hodgepodge of headgear across the range. Also, many cowboys were immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. To herd cattle or sheep, they simply wore the hats they got off the boat with. The first cowboy hats were made from beaver, rabbit, or other fur, but felt soon became the preferred (and most expensive) material. Eventually it became clear that certain styles were only good for certain environments (who would wear a top hat on the prairie?) and designs became increasingly functional to the locations and conditions in which the cowboys worked.

John B. Stetson, the son of a New Jersey haberdasher, set the standard for early mass production of cowboy hats in 1863 with his “Boss of the Plains” model, designed during an expedition to Pike’s Peak. His hat became a hit in the West. However, most Stetsons got pretty worn out at work and began to pucker at the brim and lose their silk ribbons. But this distressed look was preferred to the overly sophisticated, fresh Stetson. So much so that many cowboys even began to intentionally shape their own hats by folding the crown and ruffling the brim, making four dents to a point, two dents, a center pleat, two parallel pleats, or simply leaving the crown rounded. Stetson soon picked up on this trend and began mass-producing crinkled and frizzy hats. During the 1940s and 1950s, Hollywood — a space that rarely cared for historical accuracy — created its own cowboy styles on the big screen, which then bled into cowboy fashion and homogenized hat styles from screen to series and well beyond carried out. Contemporary stars of American country music—real cowboys or not—brought the wearing of cowboy hats far beyond the land of the big cattle.

Enter the characters you see below

Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. For best results please make sure your browser accepts cookies.

Enter the characters you see below

Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. For best results please make sure your browser accepts cookies.

My huge head is about 62 centimeters in circumference. That’s 24 inches. This had two consequences for my life. First, no matter what I do, I look vaguely like a bobble-head doll. Second, hat acquisition is a problem.

* lays Hat Jack on the table in the video that would accompany this post if it were on one of those fancy magazine pages floating like ash on a thermal of flaming venture capital. The depth of field is so shallow that only part of the gadget is in focus. A blurred cat lurks menacingly in the background, its tongue-in-cheek punk collar glittering with bokeh.*

I knew of the Hat Jack’s existence, but thought the idea was fundamentally ridiculous and impossible, like something you’d see advertised alongside x-ray goggles and Count Dante in an old comic. If it did anything, I figured it would just destroy or deform the hat.

Well I finally gave it a try after finding an amazing but “small” vintage hat that I couldn’t live without. For $15 it seemed worth a try.

It’s basically two wooden semi-circles connected by a metal rod that screws into the wood at both ends. Rotating the rod increases the circumference defined by the device. You put the hat jack in the hat band, stretch it and leave it there for a couple of hours.

It worked beyond my wildest dreams. My hat is too big now.

A hat that is probably too big now.

I’ve since tested it on a few other hats and found out a few things. Basically, cotton, straw and leather are stretched as far as you want. It doesn’t work as well on hats that have a rigid structure or are made in traditional shapes; You could get an inch out of hard felt before things obviously go wrong. What I found didn’t stretch well at all was polyester. Look out for polyester hatbands in other materials; Removing them will make your hat lifter’s job easier.

So this is the Hat Jack. If you want to make a hat bigger, it actually works. And if you make it too big there’s always hat size reducer tape which I’m 95% sure is just foam weatherstrips.

Hat Jack [Amazon]

Few things in this life are more disappointing than getting a great new hat, only to put it on and find the hat is too tight. Don’t take it personally – every head is unique and not every hat fits every shape, regardless of an adjustable strap. In fact, the average head size of a man has increased by 2 centimeters to about 59 centimeters in the last few years. This means hats that used to fit an average head size are now snug and sometimes even too painful to wear.

However, a hat that is too small need not be written off as unwearable. Whether you ordered a hat online without trying it on or got a tiny hat as a gift, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help you stretch it. Read on if you’re looking for suggestions on how to salvage an undersized hat.

Stretching a hat by material

The best method for stretching a hat varies depending on the style and material of the hat. Not every stretching technique works well for every type of hat, so be sure to choose the right one for your needs to avoid damaging your hat.

Before we look at specific stretching methods for certain hat styles, we need to take a look at what types of fabrics are the easiest and most difficult to stretch. Understanding how to care for the material your hat is made of will help you avoid basic hat stretching mistakes. Here are the five most common hat materials, in order of most difficult to most difficult to stretch:

Cotton: A softer and more supple fabric, cotton is the most flexible hat material that can be stretched. Cotton’s pliability makes cotton hats durable and resistant to damage. Felt: Whether it’s made from wool or fur, felt is another hat fabric that tends to be soft. However, felt is more delicate than cotton, so extra care is needed when stretching a felt hat. Straw: The same woven quality that makes straw hats attractive makes them extremely difficult to stretch. Straw hats can be stiff and fragile, so always tighten them slightly when stretching them. Leather: Leather is even stiffer than straw and often shrinks back to its original size after stretching. Stretching a leather hat takes patience and attention to detail. Polyester: Due to its synthetic nature, polyester generally does not change size. This means there may not be much you can do to stretch your polyester hat – but it also won’t shrink a lot or ever need to be stretched, as long as it originally fitted.

Stretch a hat by style

Now that you know how to handle different hat materials, we can break down hat stretching based on what type of hat you’re trying to stretch. We’ll go through the best approaches for different types of hats, but remember that the most important factor in deciding how to fix an undersized hat should always be the material the hat is made of.

Follow this guide to learn how to shrink a hat to fit its style.

knit hats

If you have a hat that’s a bit tight, you’re in luck because knitted hats are usually the easiest to stretch. Use water to naturally relax the hat’s fabric and prepare it for stretching. Using water to loosen the hat material is the main technique for any type of hat. It’s important to be careful not to go overboard and douse hats that contain dye that can bleed.

Any hat made of cotton or a similar natural material can be stretched by first soaking or spraying it in warm water and then gently pulling on the fabric to stretch it. As you stretch the seams of the hat, work your way around the hat in a circular motion so the hat is stretched evenly. Be sure to pull the material very gently at first so you don’t overstretch your hat.

baseball caps

Of course, the first step to stepping out of a fitted baseball cap is to wear it. Often a baseball cap will stretch as it is broken in, but this is not always the case.

If your baseball cap doesn’t loosen over time, the next step is to try hot water. Either soak your baseball cap in hot water or put it on to take a hot shower, then continue to wear it until it dries and adjusts to the shape of your head. The only downside to this method is that it won’t work if your baseball cap is made of polyester.

If you’re wondering how to shrink a snapback hat, the same rules apply. Sometimes even the loosest snap on a snapback hat isn’t big enough. In this case, it may be necessary to use hot water or wear the hat for a long period of time to stretch it. If a snapback hat or baseball cap still isn’t big enough after trying these methods, you might want to get some of the hat stretching tools discussed later.

fedoras

Stretching a fedora is a bit more difficult as most fedoras are made out of wool or fur felt, which are tougher materials that can be stretched without damaging the hat. You can still try using water to manipulate and stretch the material, you just have to be more careful. Lightly mist the hat with lukewarm water to wet it just enough to make the fabric more manageable. Then use a hair dryer to dry the hat into a shape that fits your head.

If your fedora still doesn’t fit properly, you might want to check the sweatband. A shrinked sweatband could be the reason your hat has been feeling tighter lately. In this case, you most likely want to buy a new hat. Replacing a hat band is a tedious and time-consuming process, and it usually only gets you about a quarter of a hat’s size anyway.

Another hat stretching option for felt hat owners is the steam method, which we will talk more about in the next section.

cowboy hats

Those wondering how to stretch a cowboy hat face a greater challenge, as cowboy hats are typically made from less flexible materials, such as straw or leather. The tightness and rigidity of these materials makes stretching a trickier affair, so it is recommended that you do not attempt to manually stretch a straw hat. Instead, take your cowboy hat to a professional milliner to have it stretched and add a full size to the hat without distorting its shape.

Although a professional is preferred, it is possible to cock a cowboy hat yourself at home. If you can’t take your hat to a hat expert and need to know how to stretch a leather hat yourself, consider the steam method. Check out the next section to find out why the steam method is the best DIY way to stretch a hat that requires a little more maintenance.

The steam method

The steam method is a low-risk method of loosening the natural fibers of a hat and fitting it to the shape of your head. Even with stiffer materials such as leather, straw or felt, the steam method ensures that the material is gently loosened and becomes more malleable. This method doesn’t require any special tools or much expertise – you only need two items!

Here are all the materials and steps you need to try the steam method:

Tea Kettle: Start by boiling water in a tea kettle or small pot. Then hold the hat over the steam, alternating one minute, 30 second off for at least four rounds. This step relaxes the fabric of your hat.

Start by boiling water in a tea kettle or small saucepan. Then hold the hat over the steam, alternating one minute, 30 second off for at least four rounds. This step relaxes the fabric of your hat. Blow Dryer: Next, turn on a blow dryer on high and blow dry the inside of the hat until it’s just slightly damp. After you’ve gotten the hat mostly dry, wear it until it’s completely air dry and the exact size of your head.

Hat stretching tools

A tight hat can be uncomfortable and cause wrinkles in your hair. But with the right tools, you can make any hat feel like it was custom made. The good news is that hat cocking tools are generally inexpensive, and you may even already have some of the more common ones lying around the house.

Here are some of the basic tools to have in your hat stretching arsenal:

1. Spray Bottle

A spray bottle can be very helpful for stretching a hat made from a more fragile fabric. By using a spray bottle, you can control which parts of the hat get wet and how much water a hat absorbs — which can also help prevent color bleeding. This can be especially important if you want to avoid spray-painting the cardboard visor of a vintage baseball cap.

In addition to a spray bottle, you will also need a hair dryer, which is an essential tool for both the spray bottle and steam methods.

2. Sewing scissors

When all other methods to adjust a baseball cap size have failed, scissors can come in handy. Small, strategic cuts along a baseball cap’s sweatband can help loosen the cap enough to fit your head. Make sure to make the cuts near the back of the hat and make them short enough that they don’t cut into the hat itself.

3. Soccer

If you have a youth-sized soccer ball, you already have an essential hat-stretching tool. Simply stretch the hat to fit around the football and leave overnight to maintain this size. If the hat shrinks back after removing it from the ball, repeat the process as many times as necessary until you reach the desired hat size.

The soccer ball stretching method is convenient because it’s simple and doesn’t require water or a drying process, but it doesn’t stretch as much as other methods. If you want to significantly increase the hat size, try the spray bottle technique or the steam method first.

4. Hat lifter

The Hat Jack hat stretcher is the ultimate hat stretching weapon. As a bonus, the Hat Jack is also able to shrink your hat as easily as it stretches it. So if you or someone in your life has an ill-fitting hat, the hat lifter is your one-stop hat gadget.

To use a Hat Jack, do the following:

Position the hat jack on the inside of the hat brim, then boil water to create steam. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat. Hold your hat over the steam while rotating the Hat Jack to expand the hat to the desired size. Before removing the Hat Jack, allow your hat to air dry for between 20 and 30 minutes.

If the hat shrinks back after drying, you can repeat the Hat Jack process until your hat stays the size you want. If your hat doesn’t fit right away after using a hat lifter, it probably won’t stretch as much as you need it to.

2XL and 3XL hats

If your head is on the larger side, finding hats that fit can be difficult. Hat stretching can be time-consuming and doesn’t always produce the desired results. Skip the process by purchasing a 2XL or 3XL hat that’s already big enough to fit your noggins. Most companies don’t offer hats larger than extra large, but Hats Unlimited has a wide range of 2XL and 3XL hats. From fitted baseball caps to fedoras, Hats Unlimited has both 2XL and 3XL hats in designs to complement any outfit and fit right, not tight.

Adorned with the right size hat, your above-average head can be your best feature. So let your hat stand out with a stylish and comfortable 2XL or 3XL hat from Hats Unlimited.

Order a hat stretcher or shop XL hats at Hats Unlimited

Hats Unlimited is home to many high-quality, full-size hats, but if you’re looking to extend an old hat rather than buy a new one, you’ve come to the right place. Check out Hat Jack’s hat stretcher for the most versatile hat sizing tool you could ever need. We offer the Hat Jack in three sizes – small, medium and large – so even child sized hats can be stretched.

Next time you need a new hat, choose from our extensive 2XL or 3XL hat selection to save time stretching. We offer top brand hats in 2XL and 3XL sizes so you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for comfort. Say goodbye to “hat hair” and headaches caused by hat bands that are too tight when you order the perfect 2XL or 3XL hat for every occasion.

If you’re not sure what hat size works for your head or how to properly stretch your hat, contact Hats Unlimited with all your hat questions today.

Not all trucker or baseball caps will suit you perfectly. Luckily, you can buy a hat and stretch it if it’s not the right size. Figuring out how to stretch a hat requires a little enlightenment on what “proper fit” really means.

How to stretch a hat when it’s too small

Whether you like trucker hats or cowboy hats, stretching and shaping is a great option. Knowing how to stretch a hat can give you a lot more options when shopping for a hat.

Below are three steps to ensure your hat fits perfectly.

Step 1:

First, you should buy a hat, like this stylish olive snapback, that will fit right before you buy it — even if you plan on stretching it.

Step 2:

Wear it for several weeks before making any adjustments. Wearing a hat naturally stretches it and you will feel comfortable with the fit. This gives you time to notice if it feels too tight, too loose, or if no adjustments are needed at all.

Step 3:

If it doesn’t quite fit, you’ll need to assemble some hat stretching tools. Use a spray bottle of water and a hair dryer. Spray a large puff from the water bottle, but don’t soak it. Go into the band and crown, but don’t spray the edge or brim. If damp, apply a blow dryer until your hat is slightly damp. Then put on your head and wear until it dries. The hat adjusts to the shape of your head. Before you know it, your hiking trucker hat will be perfect for you.

Alternative step:

Another option is to steam your hat until it dissolves and then use the blow dryer. Simply boil water on the stovetop until you have a nice amount of steam (or use a kettle) and apply that moisture to the hat just like you did in step 3. Blow dry, put on and leave drying him naturally by exposure to the air.

Other options:

If you want to try a few other creative methods, you can try a device called a hat-jack that you can use to stretch your hats. You’ll still want to use water or steam, and you’ll still need to wear the hat long enough for it to adjust to your head.

Another option is to find a soccer ball and tip your hat over it. Leave it on overnight and you’ll get a nice even stretch before putting it back on. As with other methods, it is advisable to loosen the fibers with water or steam beforehand. This is an inexpensive option. If you want a quicker fix and live near a haberdashery store, you can take your hat to a professional stretcher.