What is the average hat size for men?

The average men's hat size in the UK is 59 cm, typically a size Large. Measuring your head ensures the most accurate fit.

How do I measure my head for a hat?

Use a soft tape measure and measure around your head just above the ears and across the forehead. Keep the tape level and snug to determine your size in centimetres.

A flat cap is a rounded cap with a small stiff brim at the front, traditionally associated with British heritage style.

What is the difference between a fedora and a trilby?

A fedora typically has a wider brim and softer shape, while a trilby features a shorter brim and a taller crown, offering a sleeker silhouette.

Can a felt hat get wet?

Felt hats are naturally water-resistant but should not be exposed to heavy rain for extended periods. Allow them to dry naturally at room temperature.

Do you offer in-store collection?

Yes, orders can be collected from our London, Cambridge, or Oxford stores within 3-5 working days.

3 Simple Routines to Care for and Preserve Your Cap's Shape

October 5, 2026

Is your favourite cap losing its shape, gathering stains, or looking tired after only a few wears? Whether it is a tweed flat cap handed down through the family or a soft bakerboy cap worn at weekends, simple, fabric-specific care habits will keep them looking sharp and feeling comfortable.

Three straightforward routines cover a cap's full life cycle: cleaning and brushing according to fabric; reshaping and reinforcing to preserve fit and structure; and storing, rotating, and mending for lasting wear. Used consistently, these steps remove stains, restore a crown's shape, and prevent stretched bands, keeping caps wearable and familiar for longer.

The image shows a man in a tan or light brown jacket and a light-colored baseball cap, viewed from the side. He is indoors, likely in a workshop or storage area, with industrial-looking orange metal shelves in the background holding various items, including other hats mounted on stands. The man appears to be handling or inspecting a dark-colored cap. Steam or smoke rises near the man, suggesting some processing or manufacturing activity happening. The setting is softly lit with warm tones, and the camera angle is at eye level capturing a medium shot of the man and surrounding environment.

1. How to clean and brush each fabric, from flat cap to bakerboy cap

Before you begin, identify the fabric by reading the care label, feeling the fibre, and checking the lining and internal stiffener. Test any cleaner or brush on an inside seam or beneath the brim to confirm colourfastness. For wool and tweed flat caps and bakerboy caps, use a soft-bristled brush, working in short strokes with the nap to lift dust and prevent matting. Steam gently to relax the fibres, then dry the cap on a flat surface, shaped with tissue to preserve the silhouette. Always handle the cap by the brim, not the crown, to avoid crushing the internal structure.

Treat cotton and canvas with a mild, pH-neutral detergent worked in gently with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse by dabbing with a damp cloth rather than soaking, and reshape while still slightly damp, as cotton can lose its sizing and structure when agitated. Keep water away from suede and leather panels. Lift surface dirt with a dry suede brush or a soft eraser, and condition leather sparingly and only if the lining will tolerate it. For straw and other delicate summer fabrics, remove dust with a soft brush or a low-pressure air blower, and avoid high humidity and direct heat, which can cause warping. Store hats flat or on a dedicated hat stand, and support the crown with acid-free tissue to preserve the shape.

The image shows a dark blue fedora hat placed on a wooden hat stretcher clamp, centered on a circular metal table or surface. The background is mostly grayscale, featuring shelves filled with stacks of hats or hat forms. There is another hat visible in the background on the right side, slightly out of focus. The setting appears to be indoors, likely a hat shop or millinery workspace. The lighting is soft and diffused, with a moderate contrast highlighting the hat as the color focal point against the monochromatic backdrop.

2. Reshape and reinforce to preserve fit and form

Gently steam a cap to relax the fibres, then mould it over a hat block or an improvised form that matches your head. Secure pins or clips to the lining, and allow the cap to dry completely so the contours set. Test steam on an inside seam first to check how the fabric reacts, and remove the lining if you need access to the crown or brim. For longer-term structure, insert lightweight internal stiffening, such as fusible interfacing or millinery buckram trimmed to the panel shapes, and either fuse or hand-stitch it in place so the external profile remains unchanged.

Control a cap's fit by renewing or adjusting its sweatband. Replace a stretched band with leather, cotton, or a moisture-wicking fabric; leather will mould with wear, cotton breathes, and moisture-wicking materials pull perspiration away from the head. Introduce subtle supports to preserve a clean silhouette: sew small tacking stitches at panel junctions, insert a narrow millinery wire into the brim channel, or use pick-stitching to reinforce a bakerboy or flat cap while keeping reinforcements invisible. To support these measures, store caps gently: stuff them with acid-free tissue or a soft cloth and place them on a low-rise mould or a flat surface rather than stacking, and air them between wears so trapped moisture does not distort the fit. The traditional millinery practice of using wooden blocks and shallow hat boxes achieves the same result and helps a cap retain its shape.

3. Store, rotate, and mend to preserve a hat's shape and finish

Store caps on a supportive form, or gently stuff the crown with acid-free tissue or a soft cloth to maintain their shape. Lay brims flat, or on rounded supports, to preserve the curve and avoid flattening. Do not stack caps; sustained pressure deforms fibres and stitching over time. Use breathable storage, such as cotton bags or ventilated shelving, so sweat can evaporate rather than become trapped. These measures reduce the risk of mildew, slow fabric degradation, and keep dust and pests at bay. The same principles apply to heritage styles popularised by Peaky Blinders, such as the bakerboy cap and the flat cap.

Rotate your caps so each can dry between wears; this reduces staining, helps preserve the fibres, and gives you regular opportunities to brush and inspect for early signs of wear. Learn a few simple mends: reinforce loose seams with a tidy backstitch, restitch an inner sweatband, or tack down a separating brim with small, even stitches, because prompt repairs prevent minor faults from spreading. To reshape, apply gentle steam from a distance to soften the fibres, mould the crown over a rounded form or padded block, and allow the cap to dry on that support. For complex blocking or stubborn structural repairs, consult a milliner.

A few fabric-specific habits, such as brushing wool with a soft-bristled brush, gently steam-moulding crowns, and supporting the crown and brim with acid‑free tissue, help lift surface dirt, restore the cap's silhouette, and preserve the sweatband's shape. Taken together, these routines prolong a cap's lifespan, preserve fit and structure, and reduce the likelihood of major repairs.

Follow three simple routines: clean and brush according to the fabric, reshape and reinforce, then store, rotate, and mend. Test any cleaner first on an inside seam to check colourfastness and material reaction. Reshape caps over a block while they are slightly damp to restore crown and brim without overstretching the fibres. Air caps between wears to dissipate moisture and odours, and rotate your hats so one style does not bear all the wear. Inspect stitching and seams regularly and mend small faults promptly; addressing minor faults early stops them escalating into structural damage and keeps heritage styles like the bakerboy cap and flat cap familiar and ready to wear.

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