How Do You Get The Perfect Fit Fedora?

Though skies may be dreary and the glimmer of Christmas gone, there’s culture aplenty to keep our spirits high. We search for a fashion accessory that can not only keep you warm, but also offers a classic and stylish look. The fedora certainly fits the bill, wearable day to day or for occasion wear, I often don mine to pop to the shops, for a short walk in the countryside or on an evening out with friends. We are about to start the 2023 racing season, where a fedora is a go-to hat.

View The British Horse Racing Authority website, to download the dates for Raceday events: Full Year - The British Horseracing Authority

Full Year - The British Horseracing Authority

When did it all begin for this stylish hat?

During the late 1800s in the American production of the French play Princess Fédora, Sarah Bernhardt, or her role as a feisty Russian princess, Fédora Romanoff, wore this previously unseen style of hat and the fedora hat was born. During the 1920’s women’s rights activists and suffragettes took to wearing a fedora as a symbol of the women’s movement, as it was traditionally a masculine hat they wore it as a symbol of liberation. Its popularity has continued to soar worn by gangsters in film noir, pop stars including Michael Jackson, to making movie appearances including: Indiana Jones, fedoras have left their stamp in the hat world.

How is the Perfect Fedora Fit Achieved by Millinery by Cheryl Cizek?

I have a number of options to suit your requirements:

· If you are local and able to attend my millinery workshop in Pinner, West London, I can complete a head measurement for you.

· We can arrange a video meeting where you measure your head with my guidance and colours and trims can be discussed. (You will need to have a tape measure for the time of the scheduled call and have emailed me your colour requirements 72 hours in advance}.

· You can measure your head circumference and send me a photo.

The Maroon Fedora to the left, has a navy blue brim edge, fits a 22 inch head size, (continue reading to find out how to measure your head size).

To arrange any of the above options or to enquire about any of my ready-to-wear hats call me on Tel: 07792484794 or use the contact form to book a non-obligatory appointment.

How do I measure my head size?

The process is quite straightforward:

Place your measuring tape around your head to the height that a fedora would sit, (measure the circumference around the back of your head and round to your mid-forehead, not so tight it grips your head, so that it is comfortable around your head).

Remember it needs a little grip so that you are not chasing it as it has blown off in a gust of wind!

How Are Custom Fedora’s Made by Millinery by Cheryl Cizek?

I use traditional techniques to shape and block fedoras, It all starts with a capeline or cone in the colour of your choice.

• The capeline or cone is stiffened, I now opt for a water-based stiffener in keeping with my sustainability values. Once dry the form is then steamed and stretched, to fit over a wooden hat block, that has been selected to the size of the customer's head I am making for. The stretching process is quite physical and not for the faint-hearted! Throughout the process, the cone or capeline is pinned to the hat block moulding the capeline or con to achieve the perfect fitting fedora.

• Once fully dry the indents to the top of the fedora are moulded, again drying time is required before the brim can be flattened. A wooden mould is then inserted into the fedora crown to support the shape, the brim is steamed ironed flat.

• The outer band is then hand sewn to the base of the crown, an embellishment of your choice can be added from a bow, to a few feathers. Next, the inner ribbon is sewn inside, the final stage is my brand label is sewn into your custom-made, perfect-fit fedora.

As you can tell patience is required during the different stages of the making process, I normally have a few hats on the go at once!

If you are ordering a bespoke hat from Millinery by Cheryl Cizek, I do require a 6–8-week order turnaround time, though I always advise if you are looking for a hat at short notice, it is always worth contacting me to check my availably or view my portfolio or ready to wear hats and fascinators. Tel: 07792484794 or use the contact form.

Once you have your handmade perfect-fit fedora it is a great purchase, they are long-lasting and can be worn year after year.

Happy Fedora Wearing, thanks for stopping by my blog.

Cheryl