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.

Three simple ways to store a flat or bakerboy cap to preserve its shape

June 21, 2026

Have you ever reached for a bakerboy or flat cap only to find the crown collapsed and the peak misshapen? Natural oils from hair, everyday moisture, and careless stacking compress the fibres and weaken the blocked shape, so even a well-loved cap can soon lose its form.

To address those issues, this post sets out three straightforward storage methods to preserve a cap's silhouette and finish: clean and protect the cap before storing, support the crown with a soft form or padding, and refresh and reshape the cap at regular intervals. Each step addresses common causes of distortion, from oils that weaken fibres to collapsed crowns and gradual flattening, and, followed consistently, they preserve the cap's appearance and extend its lifespan.

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. Clean and protect your cap before storing it

When preparing a bakerboy or flat cap for storage, begin by brushing away dust and any trapped odours with a soft-bristle hat brush or a clean cloth, always following the nap on tweed or wool. Allow the cap to dry flat in the open air. For stains, spot-test a mild wool or delicate detergent on an inner seam, then dab at the mark rather than rub, blot away excess moisture, and reshape while damp to reduce permanent creasing. To reform the silhouette, introduce gentle steam to relax the fibres, and mould the crown and brim on a hat block, a head-shaped mould, or a rolled towel, letting the fibres cool into the desired shape.

Pad the crown with acid-free tissue, cotton muslin, or a soft pad, and let the brim rest on a shallow form or flat surface to preserve its line and prevent kinks. Store caps in breathable cotton bags or ventilated boxes rather than plastic, which traps moisture and encourages mould and unpleasant odours. Add natural repellents, such as cedar blocks or sachets of dried lavender, to deter pests, and only place a cap into storage when it is clean and completely dry to avoid attracting moths. Between wears, brush gently with a soft-bristle brush and air the cap—simple rituals that prevent soil embedding and help maintain the loft and silhouette.

The image shows a middle-aged man walking outdoors on a pathway surrounded by trees with autumn leaves. He is wearing a brown flat cap, a black zip-up jacket over a white shirt, and carrying a brown shoulder bag. The background includes greenery and autumnal foliage with a blurred depth of field. The lighting appears natural and soft, suggesting an overcast or late afternoon setting.

2. Use a soft form to preserve the crown's shape

Choose breathable, soft fillers such as acid-free tissue, unbleached cotton, or muslin. Loosely fill the crown to its original dome, taking care not to stretch the fabric, since stretching redistributes pressure and can produce permanent creases or distort seams. For a simple do-it-yourself form, shape a clean sock or a scrap of cotton into a rounded dome that matches the cap's crown, wrap it in tissue or a thin layer of cotton, and insert it gently to mimic traditional millinery blocking. Avoid rigid supports, which can warp the hat's shape. This approach suits both flat caps and bakerboy caps because it fills the crown's depth while keeping seams and peak alignment free from strain.

For delicate or more structured caps, use a washable, fabric-wrapped form that fills the crown without overstuffing. Overfilling stresses seams and can misalign the peak. Cover the supported cap with a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase to keep dust away while allowing air to circulate, and avoid plastic or vacuum-sealing, which trap moisture, set fibres, and may flatten the shape or cause odour. Inspect and adjust the padding periodically, particularly after changes in humidity: remove the form, smooth the fabric by hand, and re-stuff as required. If the cap's material tolerates a little moisture, apply a light steam from a distance to relax the fibres before reshaping, then allow the cap to dry naturally while supported.

A black and white photo shows one middle-aged man with a beard, leaning on a table indoors. He wears a dark moleskin jacket with visible buttons and a round collar neck, and a textured flat cap. The man faces the camera, holding the edge of his cap with his right hand. The background includes blurred windows and a hanging light bulb. The image captures the man from the chest up at a slight angle with soft, diffused lighting.

3. Regularly refresh and reshape your cap to maintain its silhouette

Gently steaming a flat cap or bakerboy cap rehydrates the fibres, making the fabric pliable enough to hand-mould the crown and peak into a refreshed profile. After shaping, place the cap on a rolled towel or a simple hat block to dry so the fibres lock into the new form. Use controlled steam to reset the structure rather than stretching; reshaping while slightly damp gives more predictable results than working from soaking wet cloth. Keep the cap away from direct heat and sunlight while drying to prevent shrinkage and distortion.

Rotate your caps, allowing each one a day or two between wears to avoid repeated compression and trapped sweat softening the panels. For storage, slip a small rolled cloth into the peak or fit a simple internal form to preserve the intended profile and keep the sweatband seated evenly. Attend to light maintenance: brush wool with a natural-bristle brush and spot-clean sweat marks promptly, as dust and salt can weaken fibres and set unwanted creases.

A simple routine of cleaning, internal support, and occasional reshaping preserves the silhouette of a bakerboy or flat cap, extending its lifespan. Remove oils and moisture before storage, as oils attract dirt and trapped damp weakens fibres and encourages mould. Gently stuff the crown with tissue or a soft cloth to maintain the dome and keep seams aligned. Apply light steam from a distance to relax fibres and reset creases without stretching the cap.

To put these steps into practice, combine three complementary practices: cleaning and protecting, supporting the crown, and refreshing and reshaping, to address the principal causes of distortion at their source. Make them a short, regular habit and your caps will keep their shape, require fewer repairs, and remain ready to wear.

Back to blog