The quality of the hat body used to make a hat is the main factor that determines the X’s. In felt it is determined by the percentage of fur’s used in making the hat body. We use beaver, mink, chinchilla and other animal fur to make bodies. The mixture of which furs we use determines the X’s. In straw, the X’s are also determined by the body used to make the hat. The tighter the weave and narrower the straw reed used to make the hat, the better X quality is marked in the hat.

To figure out what hat size you wear, you will need to find a cloth measuring tape. Measure the circumference of your head at the place where you would wear the hat. Take the measurement in inches and use the chart below to determine your correct hat size. If you are between hat sizes, size up! You can always pad a bigger hat.

Felt was one of the first man made fabrics. It is also non woven, fibers randomly intertwine creating a fabric that is extremely durable and hard to tear.

Felt can be made from many different types of fur. The most common types of felt are made from Sheep’s Wool, Rabbit, Wild Hare, Beaver, and also blends from the above mentioned.

Wool is a very long an thick type of hair. It felts easily, but because it is so long and thick, it cannot felt together tightly. It can insulate, but isn’t the best for rain or snow.

Rabbit and Wild Hare have short and fine hairs letting them felt together tightly. They insulate, protect the wearer from the elements, and stand up to abuse.

Beaver fur is the finest and shortest hair, making it a soft and pliable tightly felted felt. Blending Rabbit and Beaver gives you a soft and very durable felt that will last!

Dobbs has been around since 1908; therefore it is extremely difficult to provide accurate information such as worth, age, or style name for vintage items.

To remove dust or surface dirt from your hat:
Straw - simply wipe with a clean damp cloth.
Fur felt / Wool - use a soft brush starting at the left side of the hat and brush counterclockwise toward the back and around again.

If your hat gets wet:
Straw - simply shake off the excess water.
Fur felt / Wool - you need to turn down the “self-conforming” leather sweatband and stand the hat on the sweatband so it can dry naturally. While the hat is wet, don’t rest the hat on its brim as this will cause it to alter the shape.

Avoid exposing your hat to heat from stoves, radiators, lamps and car windows. The combination of heat and perspiration will shrink the sweatband.

To keep perspiration and hair dressing from penetrating the outside of the straw, occasionally turn down the sweatband so it can dry naturally between wearings.

Should your fur felt (if it is a light color) become spotted with water or grease, you can clean it with a little baby talc or cornstarch – NO liquid cleaners – please.

To put on or remove your hat, hold the brim in the front or back; handle the crown as little as possible.

Store your hat upside crown, on its crown, on a clean surface or in a box. Do not store it right side up on a flat surface, as this will cause the brim to lose shape and flatten.

No, not really. A fur felt hat can be taken down one full size, but not increased. A hat retailer might be able to stretch the hat a little, but when you stretch a hat, after a time, it will go back to its original size.