Each head has its own size, each its own particular shape. A hat may fit perfectly, but if its form, width, height, and breadth do not harmonize with the shape of a customer's skull and face, a discordant note seems to spoil the appearance of the wearer. A hat must fit not only accurately, it must also conform nicely with the cranium's contour to give maximum satisfaction.

HEAD SHAPES, SIZES

Headsize is based on the circumference of the head. If a string is placed around a head and it measures 21.875 inches and this circumference of the odd oval is made into a circle, the diameter of the circle would be 7 inches. The equivalent of a size 7 International hat sizes differ slightly, as can be seen readily in the Table of Sizes below. English sizes are based on the true diameter of a circle, while American sizes have a slight deviation. The 1/8" difference allowed in the hat size list almost, but not quite takes care of this. French, Italian, and others using the metric measure have a centimeter (.3927 inch) between sizes, while American and English sizes use the same centimeter differential between sizes.

Note: Fits hats sized 6-3/4" thru 7-3/8"

INTERNATIONAL HAT SIZES

Headsize circumference given in the table chart are not correct for all American-made hats because there is not yet a complete standardization in all the factories. They are, however, correct measurements according to the standard in effect in factories making at least three-quarters of American hats. But not matter how well the manufacturer adheres to standardization of sizes, considerable effort is lost if the hat does not look well on the consumer. It must be a fundamental consideration that the form and size of skulls are extremely important right from the very beginning of hat-making. It is here that a hat begins life, and designers should bear in mind always that the skulls of various races and people differ widely in form and size.

People all over the world, of various races, have skulls that are markedly different in type and shape. It should be remembered that the head bones of a man are heavier and differ widely in shape from those of a woman. The man's cranium, it is reported, rises higher from mid-ear to the rear, uppermost part of the head is more developed in the lower part of the head than that of a woman. And so it is, that because of the difference in head shapes, a nicely, well-fitted hat which looks well on one man may very well look awkward on another.

For instance, a high crown widebrim piece may be symmetrically perfect and look fine on a customer, but if this same buyer tried on a hat with a lower crown and smaller brim, he might very well feel something lacking when he looked in a mirror. It is important that the cranium's shape matches closely the shape and style of the hat.

Head Size of Presidents and Well-Known Men for the Past 100 Years.

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