My head hurts. Can I have a hat that fits yet?

February 24, 2009 12:37 PM

Help me find the perfect beach hat for a big head!

I'm looking for a floppy sun hat for an extremely petite woman with an extremely big head. I've been to the specialized hat stores in Berkeley, SF, and L.A. and none of them have had beach hats that would fit me. One size fits all does not fit. What I'd really like is a crushable/floppy beach hat like this.

The only hat that fit me was the Tilley hat and a series of canvas hats that go from XS-XL (the one that fit me was a L). I'd rather wear my (adjustable) ball cap rather than wear a Tilley hat (or a guy's hat). I look very funny in it.

I found these guys and a few other hat stores for big-headed people, but nothing with cute beach hats. Help me keep the sun off my face this summer! Thanks

posted by arnicae to clothing, beauty, & fashion (3 comments total)

How close a fit are the hats you've found? Have you tried stretching hats? Some hats might stretch poorly, but something with a continuous curve might not look too weird if it's stretched.

Worst case scenario: how do you feel about conical straw hats? I know they fail on both design and being crushable, but they wouldn't squeeze your head. I have a big head, and I understand it's annoying trying to find hats that don't feel like they're crushing your skull.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:11 PM on February 24

Until recently, I would have said "Order something from Hattitude in New York" but the hatmaker has closed up shop, which is a shame because her stuff was great and made for a variety of head sizes.

However, this eBay seller is selling a lot of Hattitude stock at very attractive prices.

I have a 22 3/4" head myself, so I feel your pain. Helen Kaminski hats tend to fit me okay, but they're also very expensive--but I've had luck finding them on eBay as well.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:59 PM on February 24

I would suggest sending an email to The Village Hat Shop. They have a large selection of women's straw hats, and in the past I have emailed them with a pretty specific question and got a response from a real person, looking directly at the stock in question, by the next day. Maybe a visor would do you well?
posted by Mizu at 3:28 PM on February 24