Is it better for a hat to be tight or loose?
While it should not be too tight, the cap should be the mold of your head size, with a little room to spare to avoid uncomfortable tightness. I always avoid loose-fitting hats because they fall off easily.
If you are between sizes, buy the larger size. Hats will often shrink, especially if they are made of wool so getting a hat that is just a little too tight will become increasingly uncomfortable over time. Size matters, but so does style when it comes to getting the perfect fit.
- Measure your head and consult our size chart.
- Your hat should sit above your eyebrows and not obstruct your sight.
- Allow about a finger of space between your hat and your head.
- Aim for a snug (not tight) fit.
In general, a hat should rest 1/8 inch above your ears. Follow these steps that detail how to measure hat size: Cut a long piece of string -a little over two feet if your head is large.
Wear it for several weeks before you make any adjustments. Wearing a hat will naturally stretch it out and you'll get comfortable with the fit. This will give you time to notice if it feels too tight, too loose or if there is no need to make adjustments at all.
High Heads: The top of the crown should not be so low that it touches the top of your head. This can prevent the hat from coming down far enough to seat properly. If this happens with a leather or cloth hat you may need a smaller size.
It should feel reasonably snug. It should never be a distraction or cause discomfort. It should be proportionate to the size of your head and face.
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.
- Hat sizers, foam or terry cloth strips that fit inside of the hat band to reduce the hat size.
- Size reducing sweat bands that are inserted into the hat to make it smaller.
- Custom hat fitting or shrinking, which includes steaming by a professional hat dealer or fitter.
The hat should sit above your eyebrows and don't obstruct your sight. A tight fit isn't good. You should aim for a “snug” fit. That's the perfect fit.
What if hat is too big?
Perhaps the easiest way to get your hat down to size is using hat tape, also called hat size reducer. Unlike double-sided tape, which could ruin the sweatband by tearing at the material, hat sizing tape only has adhesive on one side with a foam strip on the other.
Take hats off, including baseball caps …
In someone's home. At mealtimes, at the table. While being introduced, indoors or out (unless it's frigid!) In a house of worship, unless a hat or head covering is required. Indoors at work, especially in an office (unless required for the job)

Your hat should look and feel like it was made just for you. Comfort is key. It should be reasonably snug so that a light wind can't blow it off of your head, but it should not be so tight as to cause discomfort or distraction.
Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, wearing a hat does not cause hair loss. “It's a total myth,” Khetarpal told Global News. “Wearing a hat for a few hours — as long as it's not tight enough to give someone a headache — is not going to cause hair loss.”
John Anthony said that wearing hats that are very tight or hot could possibly decrease blood flow to the hair follicles. That's because the decrease in blood flow could stress the hair follicles and cause them to fall out. Such hair loss is usually temporary but could become permanent over time.
If you've ever worn a hat, you probably know how aggravating hat hair can be, especially after you've spent so much precious time styling your hair that morning. “Hat hair typically flattens your hair and creates a crease or cowlick,” explains Jana Rago, a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Jana Rago Studios in Boston.
A hat tip, also referred to as tip of the cap, is an act of tipping or (especially in British English) doffing one's hat as a cultural expression of recognition, respect, gratitude or simple salutation and acknowledgement between two persons.
According to very prestigious sources like Urban Dictionary and Twitter, the cowboy hat rule means this: If you take someone's cowboy hat and put it on your head, then you're supposed to "ride the cowboy, " which means have sex with them.
Medium hats (listed as size 7 – 7 1/8) are for heads that measure 21 7/8″ – 22 1/4″ (56 – 57 cm). Large hats (listed as size 7 1/4 – 7 3/8) are for heads that measure 22 5/8″ – 23″ (58 – 59 cm).
The other thing that people don't realize is if you lose weight or if you gain weight, your head size changes. So if you've lost a lot of weight, your hat may feel very big on your head, but not to worry. You bring it in and we'll make it smaller for you. If you gain weight, we'll make the hat larger.
How can I make a small hat fit better?
Any hat made from cotton or similar natural material can be stretched by first soaking or spraying the hat in warm water, then lightly pulling on the fabric to stretch it. While stretching the beanie's stitching, work your way around the hat in a circular motion so the hat ends up evenly stretched.
- #1 Hat pins. Vintage hat pins are my favourite! ...
- #2 Hat Elastic. Hat elastic is a great option as it is easy and is well hidden in most cases! ...
- #3 Bobby Pins. Not the best method, but if it's all you have on hand, then this is the trick for you! ...
- #4 A Hair Comb. I use this one ALL OF THE TIME!
It will stretch a bit after you break it in more. My 5950 fitted NFL hat was too tight at first now it fits like a glove. They definitely stretch out a little bit, once you wear it even a couple times it'll fit better.
The average size male head is 22" 1/2 and the average size woman head is 21" 3/4. The one size fits all (OSFA) hats stop at about 23", so a person would find it difficult finding a hat that fits around a size 7 1/2 and above. In the hat world, head sizes over 23" 3/8 would be considered a big head.
Historically, men's hat etiquette has designated that all hats should be removed upon entering indoors, which includes houses of worship (unless customary otherwise like at Jewish synagogues), public buildings, and private homes, especially at mealtimes.
October 11, 2022. After a whole school year of consideration, you may now wear hats at school, whether it be in the quad or even inside the buildings and classrooms. The rule was mandated in an attempt to help identify students with the school cameras, but it was resolved that hats did not make a difference.
It's a commonly held superstition that a hat set on the bed invites bad luck to enter your home.
Wearing a Hat Every Day Can Make You Bald
An excessively tight hat can decrease blood flow to the hair follicles and scalp, which could cause stress and cause your hair to fall out. You could experience gradual hair loss or traction alopecia if you wear a very tight hat daily.
Cool hats and hair styles will not affect your hair growth. Some hair myths are actually the opposite of the truth; hats can actually protect hair from baldness, by providing a shield against ultraviolet rays.
In rare cases, wearing a hat while you sweat could also be a factor. “The salts from sweat are physically irritating to the skin,” he says. If you wear a sweat-stained hat all the time, this irritation could lead to inflammation, which, again, could speed up the process of losing one's hair, he says.
Will a loose hat cause hair loss?
Do hats cause hair loss? Luckily, the answer to that common query is no. A study looking at identical male twins showed that various environmental factors might impact hair loss or male pattern baldness.
This is called traction alopecia. Hats don't usually pull the hair, but a very tight hat that puts pressure on the scalp or pulls the hair may. “Over time, this will cause scarring and miniaturization of the hair follicles. Hairs become super-fine or just stop growing,” says Shainhouse.
You should aim for a “snug” fit. That's the perfect fit. If your hat sits too tight, you'll feel like you have some sort of weight on your head and you may feel some tension. The hat shouldn't move around but at the same time, it shouldn't be rock solid as well.
Depending on the brand of hard hat, you need about one inch of air space between your head and the shell. This allows movement of the suspension system and also circulates air to cool your scalp. Adjust the suspension so the hat stays on if you bend over but not so tight that it leaves a mark on your forehead.
The purpose of hats, initially, was to cover and protect bald heads. However, the concept of wearing hats back then was different compared to now. Men with less hair or bald head were not feeling comfortable with their appearance. So, they had to wear hats to hide their heads.
If you wear your hat so tightly that circulation to the hair follicles was cut off. It could decrease blood flow to the hair follicles and scalp stressing them and causing them to fall out. If you consistently wear an extremely tight hat, you should experience traction alopecia or gradual hair loss.
Wearing a Hat Every Day Can Make You Bald
An excessively tight hat can decrease blood flow to the hair follicles and scalp, which could cause stress and cause your hair to fall out. You could experience gradual hair loss or traction alopecia if you wear a very tight hat daily.
It's a commonly held superstition that a hat set on the bed invites bad luck to enter your home. If you choose to compete with your adopted horse, avoid wearing new clothes and using new gear—some believe it's unlucky.
While wearing a dirty, sweat-soaked hat isn't good for your skin, there's no scientific evidence to show that wearing a hat contributes to hair loss. In short, if you wear a hat, there's no need to worry about it affecting your hairline or leading to a bald patch.
Set your washer to a warm or hot setting — hot water is more likely to size down your hat. Try it on once it's washed. If it's too snug, wear it as it air dries. Put your hat in the dryer if it is still too big.
Do hard hats make you hotter?
Wearing a hard hat or helmet is essential when there is a risk of head injury, but this equipment can also increase a person's body temperature. We lose most of our body heat through our heads.