Hat Size: It Matters More Than You Think

Headwear serves many purposes: it can complete an outfit, protect your skin from the harsh effects of the outdoor elements, or serve as a stylish accessory with which to enhance your appearance.

Hats, specifically, are one of the most popular, functional pieces of apparel. They are similar to dress clothes; they have to have the perfect fit, but it is also easy to choose the wrong size. Also, like dress clothes, the sizing for hats is very specific. This means you cannot simply walk into a store and choose the ideal hat just by glancing at the label. Adjustable and fitted sizing options are factors that determine how snug your hat will feel when you put it on.

So, what hat sizes are usually available at hat shops? There are a few different ways hat sizes are measured.

What Kind of Hat Size Options Are There

Adjustable hats allow the wearer to conform the hat to the size of their head in order to find the best fit that works for them. However, adjustable hats have metal or plastic components that may interfere with your chosen style, as these types of hats are typically uncomfortable to wear backwards.

Fitted hats, however, are pre-sized according to the circumference of the wearer’s head, hence the term “fitted.” The sizing number of fitted hats begins at 6 ¾ and ends at 8, and these numbers represent Small and XXL, respectively. The smallest fitted hats are manufactured to fit a wearer’s head circumference that is exactly 54 centimeters. As the measurement chart climbs toward XXL, size 8 hats are made to fit people with heads that measure 63.5 centimeters.

There is Size for Everyone

The size range is virtually guaranteed to have an ideal fit for anyone who is interested in purchasing fitted hats rather than those that are adjustable. Snapbacks, which are adjustable hats that incorporate plastic segments in order to resize the circumference, are particularly misleading. Each notch in the plastic strip that some adjustable hats have does not guarantee it will fit ideally, as your actual size could be somewhere in between two notches.

Before you purchase a fitted hat, you do need to do a bit of work; it is important to measure your head circumference so that you know the ideal size of fitted hat you should purchase. Fortunately, this can easily be done with a tape measure.

Panama Hats Are an Option, Too

Fitted hats don’t have to be limited to baseball caps, either. Panama hats also come in fitted sizes to offer the wearer a comfortable, stylish addition to their wardrobe. The wide brim also serves as a protective measure against sunlight.

For those who are most concerned about comfort, fitted hats are the go-to option for the best experience. Whether your desire is increased comfort or panache, hats that are fitted to the head have more to offer the wearer.