If the Hat Fits

I enjoy a collection of antique and vintage men’s hats and especially Top Hats and Bowlers.

Shown in my reel is a Regent (1825) Beaver pelt (made in Belfast Maine),

two nice Bowlers, a Stetson Silver Belly, and a Stetson Hunt Club. Whenever you visit a yard sale, flea market,

garage sale, or used clothing shop, don’t overlook the hat racks and coat hooks where used

fashions hang. You might just discover yesterday’s styles that are today’s treasures.

When I find a hat that I like and it turns out to be just a shade too small (head-sizes in the 1800s were considerably smaller), I am disappointed. On one of my forays through New England antique and bric-a-brack shops, I spotted a dark brown Bowler and was shocked to discover that it was made of solid walnut wood! However, I was thrilled to know that I had stumbled upon a pre-nineteen hundred hat stretcher! One needed only to steam the inside rim of the hat, place it over the “bowl,” and, using a special tool, expand the brim of the walnut hat to a larger size. Then, allow it to dry. This millinery delight could be a unique addition to your hat or Vintage clothing collection—and give opportunity for great discussions about your discovery!