How to Shape a Hat at Home - Easily Re-blocking Men's Fedoras, Trilbies, & More

Learn the simple process of reshaping classic felt hat at home: gentl.mn/hats-reblocking-tips
#reshapingclassichats #garmentcare #notsponsored
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GUIDES YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS:
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→ Men’s Hats: Anatomy & Vocabulary: gentl.mn/2Xe7Xpo
→ Iron vs. Steamer: Which is Best for Your Menswear Wardrobe?: gentl.mn/2Xe0c2F
→ How to Get the Right Hat For Your Face Shape & Body Type: gentl.mn/3pTvJDi
VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: Preston Schlueter
→ Camera & Editing: Chris Dummer
→ Cody Wellema
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00:00 Introduction
Hats are a wardrobe staple because it serves both functional and aesthetic purposes that make outfits all the more stylish. Sometimes, however, crown shapes may not flatter you best or would look better with a different blocking, but you can re-shape them using the right techniques!
01:00 Hat Crown Shapes: A Brief Refresher
We have covered crown shapes before in our guide to the anatomy of men’s hats, but let’s have a brief refresher. Of course, the crown is the part of the hat that covers and conforms to the head.
02:48 What You’ll Need In Shaping A Hat At Home: Hat
03:26 Source of Steam
04:37 Source of Misted Water
05:11 A Round Form
06:46 A Basin of Water (If necessary)
The Hat Re-blocking Process
If your hat has a liner tipping inside of it, you’ll probably want to remove this before attempting reshaping so that the liner doesn’t stretch or tear in the process. This can typically be done fairly easily by flipping out the sweatband and cutting the threads that hold the liner in place with scissors or a seam ripper.
Liners can be reinserted if you choose, but personally, I find them to be a bit of a nuisance. So, I just leave them out of my hats after taking them out for reshaping.
07:59 Step 1: Boil Your Source of Steam
08:04 Step 2: Introduce Moisture to the Hat
08:15 Step 3: Place Your Damp Hat in the Path of the Steam
08:30 Step 4: Stretch the Hat on Your Round Form
08:56 Step 5: Place a Center Crease in Your Hat
09:23 Step 6: Place Your Center Crease
09:50 Step 7: Pinch the Front of Your Hat
10:13 Step 8: Begin Flattening Out the Crown
10:38 Step 9: Use Your Hands to Shape
10:58 Step 10: Add a Bubble Shape to Your Crown
11:22 Step 11: Hand-shape a Point in the Front
11:42 Step 12: Leave Your Hat Undisturbed for a Few Days
11:58 Additional Pointers for Hat Reblocking
Using these methods, hopefully, you’ll be confident and or curious enough to attempt reshaping your felt hats at home. It may sound and seem difficult at first, but trust me, it’s actually a relatively simple process. I was actually somewhat shocked at how easy the process was when I first attempted it and I was pleased with the results I got that first time. Of course, like anything else, it might just involve a bit of trial and error. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.
16:42 Outfit Rundown

[@andrekershaw6244]

Thanks for another great video. I discovered this channel quite recently, and quickly became obsessed. For the first time in my life, I am intentionally building a classic and thoroughly thought-out wardrobe befitting a mature adult. More than that, I am paying attention to detail in all aspects of life, and developing a deeper appreciation for beauty, elegance and longevity. My gentleman's journey has just begun. Regards from South Africa :)

[@ajb7332]

Saved once again by Gentleman's Gazette.

[@stephen1991]

Over the years, as my hat collection grew from ball caps to more grown up styles, I've acquired a hat stretcher, assorted brushes and a steamer. The steamer, from urpower, works great for not only hats, but wrinkles in clothing as well.

[@phillipj.moodie3077]

Great nostalgia for me. I recently threw out a solid wood hatblock because no one was interested in using it. In 1950 my mother used it when the newly built local technical college started courses in pattern drafting, dressmaking, hat making and the use of a set of different diameter brass balls on steel shafts with wooden handles to heat over a spirit lamp flame to shape decorative cloth flowers to decorate the hats. My mother taught me to do all of that because I have good technical skills, which created my interest in the design and manufacturing of men's clothing. Phil.

[@MarciRaney-tt8ev]

Why , oh why would you throw that away!

[@msparks602]

Because of this video I have successfully brought some of my vintage hats back from the brink. I’ve learned to care for my fedoras thank to your videos. There are not a lot of hat shops where I live and so I am limited on the care I can provide for my hats. Thanks to these videos their life expectancy has increased dramatically

[@Ebolson1019]

Thank you, I got caught in a downpour last summer and my straw hat got a bit misshapen since I just set it down to dry, gonna give this a try. Lucky for me it’s a fairly cheap hat I got from Kohl’s so if I mess up it’s not a major loss.

[@Griphcode]

Yes a New Gentle men video for the gentlemen. Hats is important .This is my favourite channel because of how good content they do

[@TheBlueBaron]

Thanks for this. I've had to fix my straw Boater's hat recently, as it somehow became misshapen last year, and it feels good knowing I did it right. I finally got the confidence and the time to try re-flattening the brim and crown with steam, and it worked like a charm. I just wish I'd done it earlier as summer -and thus beige suit and boater's hat season- is now past its peak. Oh well; it's not like I managed to go out much this summer anyway due to COVID - I'll just enjoy it while I can and be happy knowing that I'll have it ready for next year and can now fix it again if need be. I've also managed to fix a dent in one of the low crown top hats I own so I could resell it, and have started fixing the brims on the lesser quality top hats I ordered in bulk to sell at local Victorian historical events. I'm not sure how soon that will be with the pandemic still going, but a gentleman should always be prepared.

[@madaddams]

Very interesting, as a dedicated hat man, I like an everyday hat to go with my glad-rags too, so if I messed one up trying this, I wouldn't be too bothered. I have a request though. I have a bowler hat, which is my size, but uncomfortable to wear as it needs a slight stretching, especially as the hat is an oval shape, and my head is a round shape, think Oliver rather than Stanley. Could you please do a video explaining how to make such an adjustment? I have a hat stretcher, but it seems to me, to fit lengthways, and not widthways. If you can do such a video, or point me towards one if you have already done so, I would be most grateful.

[@josephcampese5347]

good job Preston. preparing for that video must of been daunting. btw, not to put to fine a point on it but, to the new hat wearer, when Preston says know your hat size, he doesn't mean; small medium or large.

[@viclucyzia]

Thank you. Now I just need confidence to try this out on my hats. I'm nervous as they weren't cheap.

[@cowboycody8094]

Don't use too much steam it can cause the hat to felt. If it does felt just stop. Let the hat dry for a day or two and you can do it again.

[@MEKKANNOID]

But isn't it already made from felt? In what way does the fabric change?

[@m.p.jallan2172]

Great thanks. Hats look good, Preston wears a hat well, not that others dont , just Preston looks very smart in his.

[@spokaneslim9476]

Nice video! Preston, I don't know how you can tolerate the shrieking kettle. Easy solution: I made a "nozzle" out of tin foil to fit over the kettle's spout. I shaped the end of the foil nozzle into a flat opening like I see on professional hat steamers. Before I heat the water, I open the kettle's spout (so no whistling), and slide the tin foil nozzle on. Happy steaming!

[@Clarkson350]

Good video. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I need to change the brim on a hat

[@andrewralte4844]

Man the video quality is spectacular for the 40s.

[@roterfuchs8201]

I love that Max Headroom's son has gone into broadcasting.

[@sillybilly414]

Woohoo! I've been trying to reshape my homburg for a while now! Great stuff!

[@dogge929]

Be careful. Too much steam over a large area will make it deform and shrink.

[@alextovar925]

Thanks for the info about the hat block

[@ernststravoblofeld]

This is actually something I need now. Does that oven heating method stiffen up the felt? I have one that is a bit too flexible to hold it's crown shape, and I thought I'd ask before trying a heat gun.

[@texastackycal7979]

Awesome video !!! Well made 👍🏼

[@alfacentauri3686]

Well composed outfit today.👍

[@pukovnikklefeld]

I've found that a cheap steam cleaner (expensive ones may output other things too AFAIK) is a very good tool for shaping hats. Mine is from Lidl. It outputs a concentrated stream of steam and comes with an "adapter" that has a shape very similar to the professional hat steamers. Unlike some dedicated hat steamers though, this cleaner has a switch to let steam out and as such may not waste as much water. Also, the additional spray bottle is unnecessary as it has a lot of force, more than a kettle.

[@davidhartline9172]

I love that hat Preston!

[@dr.s.p.]

Great as always. I personally use a steam iron; its wide concentrated jet streams cover much more than a kettle in my humble view. Then I can iron the brim (with a cloth) and give it a final blast and start reshaping.

[@Kiboune_YT]

Great video, thank you.

[@thetokensaregood1965]

Love the hat videos!

[@Agogo57]

Great video, but I really needed to know how to shap the brim, because that where hats get are damaged the most.

[@bonnieinthespirit6373]

Great to know!

[@GuessWhoAsks]

It was my understanding that a hat liner is used to protect the felt from the oils/products in one's own hair. If that is the case, then it would be wise to be sure to reuse the liner instead of removing it.

[@Roberto__Skar]

The straw Stetson hat shown early in your video is just what I’m looking for. Where can. Get one of these?

[@davidg1811]

Personally, I’ve never had to use water during reshaping. A few seconds of steam from a regular steam iron is enough to soften a section enough to reshape. The important point is to work slowly. Even going slowly it takes only a few minutes to complete. Hats can “relax” some after they’ve cooled and dried so it might be necessary to touch up things a second time. If a hat is too soft (like Preston’s overheated example) you can try “hat stiffener”.

[@dogge929]

Be very careful about not applying too much steam to the top of a hat. I had a homburg that is ruined because too much steam got to the crown, shrinking it drastically and my attempts to stretch it back to size caused the hat to tear.

[@wafers35]

I bought a tricorne the other day, I have to get a block to keep it in shape

[@Baraodojaguary]

Nice i also like the tricorn

[@themechbuilder6171]

Thanks for this helpful video, i'm gonna make a bowler hat

[@chandler1390]

So I wonder, how would one go about re-shaping a hat into a bowler, best style start with, how to roll the brim ect

[@bonnieinthespirit6373]

Thanks.

[@michaelbell3952]

I was watching a hat video when I got this notification

[@samuelclaessens7699]

How many people are looking for hats!? I was doing just the same thing!?

[@jameswilson3554]

Good video.. I'm trying to make a bowler hat out of a fedora I've got the crown nicely round it has a couple wrinkles..how do you make the crown stiff?

[@idcook]

Perhaps oddly, I find the mangled grey hat - with its’ relaxed soft look and ultra-deep brim - attractive.

[@Xitaychin]

You're great!

[@HumbertoClaudino]

Please enable subtitles. Thank you very much.

[@marshalllsmith2095]

I'm back to get all the information you got..

[@JonKunis]

My dad gave me a black felt Stetson from the early 80s that he wore snapped down and it had been u touched snapped down for 10+ years. i don’t like the snap down so I had it steamed at a hat store and it was flat and looked like new - but after a few wears the crease came back and the front brim tips awkwardly up. Any advice?

[@imhigh0013]

What about shrinking a hat size; inner ribbon style? Where to get? And how to do?

[@azjla69]

Could you use this technique with a wool panama fedora

[@danieljhalab6775]

Im gonna use this for my Felt Wide Hať from my national costume you Have Benn a great help thank you

[@Ivalid321]

The video is just online for 30 minutes and you already did it? I call bluff!

[@danieljhalab6775]

@@Ivalid321 sorry im really not good ať english how should i say it?

[@Ivalid321]

@@danieljhalab6775 Did not want to be rude. I am just curious, how can you follow the instructions of his video, if the video is just online for 15 minutes. Or did you mean that you "will" try that with your hat in the future?

[@danieljhalab6775]

@@Ivalid321 yes that thank you

[@naimulislamueramgarh9452]

What should i ask for when i went to a Tailor shop for making full sleeve formal shirt????#

[@jamesharrison3057]

I would like some historical insight on a hat I found in my house if you could help any input would be appreciated.

[@roberthayden3970]

How would you shape a canvas Panama Jack hat?

[@09wolfcubwolf68]

What hat block is used in the caption of your video ?

[@rickonline2]

Question..... I just started to wearing a hat. How can I wear it when it's a windy day?

[@georgegonzalez-rivas3787]

This is a really good and useful video. But (there's always a but) I don, 't think you paid enough attention to the brim. I've lost the "snap" in my snap-brim fedora and this is my chief concern (as opposed to the crown which is in good shape.) Another but: you didn't much about cleaning the hat. Should I be brushing it? Stiff or soft brush? Or use sticky tape to collect fuzz and dust? Finally (this is a three-but comment it seems) I've seen a video that suggests lighting the fuzz on your fur felt hat after brushing -- the results were very nice in the video and the 'fire' spread across the hat destroying the very thin pill or fuzz but not touching the actual felt which was too dense. Sorry for the lengthy comment. I'm a new subscriber and am full of questions.

[@rukaks]

Not sure about the snap, but they’ve got another video about cleaning and storage. A bit late, but I hope it helps 👍🏾

[@nhgeek7620]

Hello gentlemen

[@justsomeguywithoutamustach8816]

2:25 POV: You're an Italian and you owe them money

[@jacobsinger97]

Every man need to sub watch this

[@ExaltedWarrior]

Hat + etiquette = Hatiquette

[@ecurb10]

Just checking - I hear that in the US you don't have electric kettles? You know, a cheap kettle with an element inside that heats the water when plugged in? I just thought it strange when I heard that, 'tis all.

[@JayOhEnEnWhyEx]

How would I go about turning my fedora into a pork pie hat?

[@derenggefu802]

Can you reshape a double sennit straw boater to be wider on left-right sides? I am Asian so it's more round head than the oval for Europeans. The hat size is right but two sides are too tight yet front and back don't touch!

[@greggregson1365]

I'm somewhat a fan of this channel (I don't watch every vid like a normal channel but I doubt anyone does) but as a large guy I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a fedora. Ain't gonna catch me slippin

[@oceanbrzzz]

Men in a fedora look great. No matter the size! 😀

[@patriciahubbard5832]

I need to find someone to re-shape my canvas Australian outback hat. Both the crown and the brim have lost their shape. The crown is crushed and the brim is floppy. Any suggestions?

[@koningklootzak7788]

But a fabric stiffening spray. Follow this video. After shaping your hat, spray.

[@blackhawk_Enochserpent]

doesnt help whastoever what to do if your hat isnt flat? it just deosnt want to have flat ends its rather curved insanely or its like a winter sprots hat

[@Corpse-rat]

Are hat block where we get the term "block head" or am I reaching?

[@marshalllsmith2095]

No your not reaching " Blockhead " your information is right.

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Blockhead can also refer to the Human Blockhead act in carnival freak shows, which is mostly a guy who crams big nails into his nose. This might trace back to the hat block somehow.

[@marshalllsmith2095]

@@ernststravoblofeld yes, I heard about that a long time ago, but I can't see doing that myself.

[@chasebelle6114]

I have crushable felt dobbs hat from 1936

[@tomrusack3266]

All my hats are lined.

[@marcdeckard7064]

Thanks for wearing your snap brim in the down position. Wearing it in the up position looks doofy.

[@samuelclaessens7699]

I was just today looking for a hat! I cannot choose if I will buy a western hat: the ‘stetson range’ or a “normal” ‘stetson temple’! What should I choose? Anyone??

[@guylewis7418]

Both. Look at Akubra hats, too.

[@samuelclaessens7699]

@@guylewis7418 they look amazing I know! Great brands! It’s not simple to decide witch one I want! I would like to buy the Stetson ‘stetsonian’ but I can not find it on stock anywhere!!!☹️ I like a big crown and a wide brim!

[@guylewis7418]

@@samuelclaessens7699 a pleasant dilemma! That premier Stratoliner is a good looking hat, too!

[@phillipj.moodie3077]

@ Guy Lewis. I am an Australian and in the 1950's every boy going to college had to wear a wide brim Akubra hat. The felt was locally made from the fur of rabbits, an introduced pest that was in plague proportions. But they made very durable hats. Phil.

[@guylewis7418]

@@phillipj.moodie3077 I’ve got seven! Really like Akubra hats!

[@spaztekwarrior]

Careful applying steam to inside. It isn’t great for the leather sweat band or satin liner. Best to just steam the outside.

[@MichaelOssen]

First

[@sayantidas2104]

Noice😂

[@Fletchmister77]

I just want to know can you wear rings on your feet

[@aluegyatsmax9756]

Wow I'm early

[@VinylToVideo]

This dude doesn't even know how to wear a hat. Talk about vanilla.

[@TheJhoffman0816]

I was paying attention until I watched you brush that hat in the wrong direction and back and forth. You ALWAYS brush a hat counter clockwise on top on clockwise on the bottom. NEVER opposite direction like that! I lost confidence in this video starting there. BEWARE of the info you get online.

[@imhigh0013]

First problem... Men don't describe anything as teal, puce, or fustia.