Do one-size-fits-all hats squeeze your head? You might need a large-size hat, but it can be hard to tell if you’ve never worn one. Going up a hat size can be much more comfortable, although you need to make sure it isn’t too loose that it obscures your vision.
There’s more to learn about hat sizes; we included everything important below. Read on to find out why a large-sized hat might be right for you!
Signs That a Large-Sized Hat is Right for You
There are several signs that a large hat will be better for you. If not all of them apply to you, you still might feel more comfortable in a larger size.
Here’s what you should look out for:
Standard Hat Sizes are Too Tight
The easiest sign you need a bigger hat is that the ones you already own are too tight. A good-fitting hat sits above your eyebrows comfortably without blocking your vision. It can feel a bit snug, so it doesn’t fall off, but you don’t want it too tight.
You can quickly tell if a hat is too tight if it leaves an impression on your head when you take it off. It might also give you a compression headache from wearing something tight (like a hat) around your forehead.
On average, men wear a 7 ⅜ hat size, while women wear a 7 ¼ size. If your head is above average in size, then most hats you find in stores won’t be comfortable.
Overall, if you feel like standard hats squish your head, it’s time to switch to a larger size. You don’t need to keep wearing hats that are too small for you when plenty of better, more comfortable options are available.
One-Size-Fits-All Hats Just Don’t Work For You
Next, you’ll need a large-sized hat if those one-size-fits-all or even one-size-fits-most hats feel too snug. One-size-fits-all caps usually are for heads with a circumference between 21.5 and 23 inches, which is medium/large for most brands.
However, if you have a larger-than-average head, that size can still feel a bit too tight. If you plan on wearing your hat most of the day, you don’t want it to feel like it’s squeezing you. Instead, you’ll want to choose a slightly larger option.
If your hat feels tight when you first put it on, it can become very painful after wearing it all day. It might rub or leave marks on your forehead too.
There’s no need to feel embarrassed if one-size-fits-all hats are too small for you. There is no true one-size-fits-all in any type of clothing! We’re all different, so these types of sizes won’t work for everyone out there.
In short, if one-size-fits-all or most hats simply don’t work for you, you can make the change.
You’ve Tried Stretching Your Hat
Have you ever bought a hat, then used a hat stretching tool (or hat jack) to try to make it larger? This process can work, depending on the material of the hat. However, buying a hat that fits correctly is always better, so you don’t have to risk damaging it.
Fitted-felt hats are likelier to break than other hats that don’t keep their shape. For this reason, you should avoid stretching bowler and trilby hats, plus fedoras.
Sometimes, people become desperate to make a hat fit and stretch it out with their hands. Doing so can mess with the hat’s shape, so it doesn’t sit right on your head anymore.
So, if you find yourself trying to make your hats larger, you need to get a large-sized hat. They’ll fit you much better, and you won’t have to go to such lengths to stretch them.
Your Head Size is Above Average
Lastly, your head size might be above average, meaning you need to pick larger hats to fit. Men generally have a head circumference of 22 ½ inches, while women have a circumference of 21 ¾ inches.
Your head is above the average size if it’s larger than those numbers. Most one-size-fits-all hats only go up to 23 inches, so it’s common for men to have heads that are much larger than that.
So, you’ll need a bigger hat if your head size is above average. If you don’t know your head size, that’s okay! We’ll cover how to find your exact hat size next.
How To Determine If You Need a Large-Sized Hat
You’ll want to figure out your actual hat size if you’ve noticed any of the above signs when trying to wear a hat. You’ll likely need a large-sized hat, but it’s best to measure around your head to get an exact number. Doing so also makes ordering hats online a simple process.
You’ll need a measuring tape or a long string and a ruler to find your size. To measure your head with the tape, start about an inch above your ear and wrap it around your head until the measuring tape touches itself. Remove the tape while keeping your finger on the endpoint to see the circumference of your head.
Using the string, you should also measure your head similarly. However, after measuring, you’ll want to lay the string down next to your ruler. The result will be the circumference of your head.
While sizes can vary slightly among brands, most large hats stop at 23 ½ inches. If your head is bigger than that, you’ll probably need an extra large, 2XL, or 3XL size hat.
Make sure to write your measurement down somewhere you won’t lose it, so you can check later when comparing different hats.
Switch to Large-Sized Hats Today!
If you have a bigger head, you want to avoid wearing hats that don’t fit you. Doing so can give you headaches and just isn’t comfortable. You don’t need to wear hats that squeeze you.
Instead, try switching to large-sized hats as soon as you can. They’ll be much more flattering and comfortable, so you can easily wear them all day.
