Hat size is based on the circumference of the head. In order to determine your proper hat size, you must take a measurement of your head.
Using a tape measure, measure your head about one-half inch above your eyebrows where your hat will rest. Be certain that the tape measure is straight, not twisted. Alternatively, you can use piece of string to measure your head, and then measure the length of the string with a ruler. If you are not certain about size, or are between sizes, buy the larger size.
Use the chart below to determine your hat size based on the measurement you take.
Shape of Your Head - Long Oval
Some heads are more elongated, and in hat parlance are described as "long oval". DelMonico Hatter has the ability to shape any hat to be long oval. If a long oval wearer buys a regular oval hat, the hat will not be comfortable and the brim will pull and wrinkle. When ordering, please tell us if you want your hat to be made long oval. Please be aware that we do not accept returns on any hats that have been modified. This includes any hats that are made Long Oval.
Note that it is not necessary to shape a fabric hat or cap to the long oval size. Because caps and fabric hats are softer, and not fixed in their shape, they will naturally mold themselves to a long oval head.
Hat Care Tips
Best Care for your Hat:
- Always handle your hat by the brim. Avoid handling the crown as much as possible. This is particularly true for straw hats. Many people's natural instinct is to grab the hat by the front pinch of the crown however this can cause a lot of damage to hats. Grabbing a hat by the pinch will cause the straw to crack on a panama hat and will eventually wear down the felt on a felt hat until there's a hole in it.
- Never rest your hat on its brim while the brim is turned down. Turn it upside down and rest it on the crown. Resting a hat on a down-turned brim will flatten-out the brim. If the brim is snapped up you can rest the hat carefully on the brim.
- We recommend regularly dusting your hat with a soft bristled hat brush to keep it clean. This brush is good for removing anything on the surface of the hat, such as dirt, dust, or lint.
- Heat will shrink the interior sweatband - avoid exposure to stoves, radiators, lamps and car windows.
- Store your hat in a cool dry place to help it to retain its shape and stay clean. Out-of-season, store your hat in a hat box.
If your Hat Gets Wet:
- Try to prevent your straw hat from getting wet! Water will cause the straw to swell, discolor, and lose its shape.
- If your felt hat gets wet, first return the hat to its original shape, then turn down the interior leather sweatband and rest the hat on the sweatband to dry. Do not rest the hat on it's brim while wet if the brim is turned down. If the brim has been snapped back up you may carefully rest the hat on the brim to dry. Do not expose a wet hat to heat as this will cause the interior leather sweatband to shrink as well as causing irregular patterns in the felt once dry.
