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.

The 3 Key Differences Between a Fedora and a Trilby Every Traveller Should Know

May 21, 2026

Every traveller knows a hat is more than an accessory: it shelters from the elements, completes an ensemble and must endure being packed. Whether you favour a fedora, a trilby or a bakerboy cap, subtle differences in crown shape, brim and material determine comfort, formality and how well a hat travels.

This concise guide explains how to discern the key distinctions between hat styles, how to pair each silhouette with appropriate occasions and ensembles, and how to pack, clean and reshape them while travelling. By the end, you will know which silhouette best suits your travels, whether your priority is shelter, sartorial elegance or compact convenience.

The image shows a man sitting inside a vehicle looking to his left. He wears a gray Traveller Trilby hat with a tone-on-tone wool band. He has a light beard and mustache and is dressed in a blue denim shirt under a tan brown jacket with visible buttons and a patch on the sleeve. The interior of the vehicle is visible, with a maroon window frame and a green outdoor scene seen faintly through the front window.

1. Identify crown, brim and material differences in flat and bakerboy caps

At a glance a fedora displays a deeper teardrop or centre dent and a wider, more level brim, whereas a trilby has a shorter, tapered crown and a narrow brim that tips down at the front and turns up at the back. Those differences in crown and brim affect how much sun and rain reach the face and neck, so choose according to the protection you expect while travelling. For hot, humid destinations select straw or other lightweight, flexible weaves; for cooler, damp climates opt for wool or felt. Check packability by giving the crown a gentle squeeze to see whether it springs back before tucking it into luggage.

Use brim width and stiffness as practical signals. A wider, softer fedora brim provides generous shade to the face and neck and sits harmoniously with longer coats, while a narrow, stiffer trilby suits shorter jackets and evening attire. Trilbies carry a vintage, entertainer quality, whereas fedoras read as more classic and versatile, so for casual days when you prefer less structure consider a bakerboy cap or a flat cap. When travelling, gently reshape felt with steam, inspect the stitching and the sweatband beforehand, and choose whether to wear the hat in transit or protect it in luggage according to how well it recovers from compression.

Two men are walking side by side on a city sidewalk. The man on the left wears a beige jacket over a black shirt, olive green pants, and a black fedora hat. He has medium-length dark hair and a beard. The man on the right wears a dark blue buttoned jacket, black pants, and a gray flat cap. He has a red beard and wavy hair. Behind them are parked cars, a motorcycle, and urban buildings. On the right side of the image, a storefront with glass panels and a decorative arrangement of dried plants is visible. The lighting is natural daylight, and the camera angle is at eye-level, capturing the men from mid-thigh up.

2. Match your hat to the occasion, outfit and journey ahead

Opt for a fedora when you need reliable sun and rain protection; its wider brim and taller crown provide generous cover for the face and neck. Choose a trilby for evening wear or smart-casual travel, as its narrow, upturned brim preserves sightlines and tucks neatly beneath coat collars. Match hat materials to the journey: wool felt or water-resistant finishes hold shape and repel moisture in cool, damp conditions, while straw or paper-braid ventilate and pack flatter for hot, humid travel. Finally, balance brim proportion with your frame and outfit: wider brims complement taller silhouettes and structured overcoats, while narrower trilby brims suit shorter travellers and layered looks with high collars or scarves.

Pair a fedora with tailored outerwear, smart trousers and sturdy boots for daytime sightseeing, and reserve the trilby for smart shirts, slim blazers and evening venues where a lower-profile hat keeps the look refined without overwhelming the outfit. For handling and storage, carry a crushable or packable option when you are travelling frequently; for more delicate styles use a shape-preserving carrier, and when commuting stow a trilby carefully in a coat or bag. Observe simple hat etiquette by removing your hat when indoors and by adjusting the angle when seated in confined spaces to preserve sightlines and manners. For a touch of British character, draw on traditional millinery and vintage styling, from the bakerboy cap to the tidy tailoring cues familiar from Peaky Blinders, to guide your choice of shape and finish.

The image shows two individuals standing closely together outside a building with a black door numbered '10'. The person in the foreground is a woman wearing a maroon fedora hat with a black and white striped band, a light purple ribbed turtleneck sweater, and a gray coat. She is looking slightly to her right while adjusting her hat with her right hand. Behind her is a man wearing a navy blue fedora hat with visible raindrops, a grayish-brown checked coat, a light blue shirt, and a blue tie with white dots. The man is looking downward and slightly to his left. The background includes a white wall with a portion of a column visible.

3. Pack, clean and gently reshape your hat while travelling

To protect a hat in transit, fill the crown with rolled socks or underwear and lay the brim flat on a soft layer of clothing. Place heavier items around the hat rather than on top of it; when carrying a hat in a backpack, tuck it into an internal compartment or a hat bag so straps and zips cannot crush the brim. Care for materials according to their needs. Brush wool and felt gently with a soft natural-bristle brush, always following the nap. Blot straw with a slightly damp cloth without soaking it, and wipe leather bands with a damp cloth. These simple precautions preserve the hat's shape and finish without specialist equipment and reduce the risk of damage from moisture and pressure.

Allow gentle steam from a kettle or the steam of a hot shower to relax the fibres of wool and felt, then reshape the crown and brim with your hands. Set the form by resting the hat on a rolled towel or an inverted cup that matches the crown size, and avoid steaming straw as it can warp if it becomes over-wet. For quick repairs while travelling, cup and smooth small creases with your palms, press dents back into shape by sandwiching the hat between layers of clothing, or use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting at a safe distance while gently moulding the shape. After wear, air the hat and consider a thin hat liner or a silicone grip in the sweatband to prevent slipping. When packing, tuck a small sachet of bicarbonate of soda or a breathable odour absorber into the crown to reduce smells. Bear in mind that narrow-brim trilbies show distortion sooner than wider-brim fedoras, so check the brim and crown more frequently for those styles while travelling.

Crown shape, brim width and material determine a hat's coverage, formality and how well it endures packing and travel. Choosing a fedora over a trilby hinges on whether you favour shelter, a lower profile or compact convenience. This guide outlines those cues and provides practical care steps to help you match silhouette to occasion, assess packability and preserve a hat's shape while on the move.

Return to the sections on spotting crown, brim and material, on matching a hat to your outfit and journey, and on packing, cleaning and reshaping to apply the specific tips at each stage of planning and transit. Carry out simple checks: give the crown a gentle squeeze to test its resilience, pad the crown when packing to maintain its form, and gently steam wool or felt to restore shape. These quick rituals will help you select the silhouette and care routine that best suits your travels and wardrobe.

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