Where (in Toronto) can I find a warm winter hat suitable for myself: a big-headed person?

December 24, 2009 8:24 AM

Where (in Toronto) can I find a warm winter hat suitable for myself: a big-headed person?

Please tell me where in Toronto I can find a warm hat that will fit me. Bonus points if it fully covers my ears.

To give you an idea of the size of my head: I can force normal (e.g. from Roots) hats on but they are tight and pull my eyebrows up, making me look perpetually surprised. While good for a chuckle, it does nothing to keep me warm.

I would love to know specific stores and locations where I can shop. I am female but "unisex" styles are fine.

I am very concerned about size/warmth, medium-level concerned about fashion and low-level concern about price.

posted by cranberrymonger to Shopping (8 answers total)

Big It Up on Spadina, south of King. They even have fedoras!
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 9:28 AM on December 24, 2009

Have you tried MEC? They have a wide selection from different brands. Is your head larger than 24"? That is supposed to be their XL. I don't know how well stocked the are in the larger sizes as I never look for those.
posted by bread-eater at 9:30 AM on December 24, 2009

I meant their Toronto store on King St, near Spadina (conveniently close to Big It Up suggested above), in case you are not familiar with MEC. You can buy online too, I guess.
posted by bread-eater at 9:33 AM on December 24, 2009

Fresh Baked Goods might be able to do you a custom hat, or if you're really into having Just What You Want, I have friends who work at a knitting shop in Kensington Market who could make your dream hat for you. MeFi mail me if you're interested.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:45 AM on December 24, 2009

I highly recommend the Deer Hide and Moose Suede aviator hats from The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co., which is at Lakeshore near Cawthra. These hats are super-warm, cover your ears, and are of amazing quality. You can order them online, but I recommend you go into the shop to make sure you get the proper size (the staff there are really helpful). As a bonus, the hides are from local hunts (best practices), and the rabbit-fur trim is from Manitoba. By the way, while you're there check out the Woolpower gear, also awesome quality stuff if you spend any time outdoors.
posted by Cody's Keeper at 9:56 AM on December 24, 2009

Tilley might be a good place to look as well. Their winter hats have ear coverings tucked away inside. Queens Quay Terminal, or near Don Mills and Lawrence, as well as at other places throughout the city. Their largest head size is 28 inches or so. But be prepared to test the "price is no object" criteria.
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 11:25 AM on December 24, 2009

Mec is where its at.
posted by captaincrouton at 11:37 AM on December 24, 2009

Actually, you could hit the trifecta: MEC on King, east of Spadina, Winners on the east side of Spadina south of King, then Big It Up just across the road on the west side of Spadina.
posted by soft and hardcore taters at 4:14 PM on December 24, 2009