Let's be honest, finding a hat that fits well when you have a larger head can be a real pain. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve walked into a store, excited to try on a new style, only to be met with disappointment when it perches precariously on top of my head, looking utterly ridiculous. It's a struggle many of us face, but don't worry, I'm here to share what I've learned on my quest for the perfect hat!
For years, I resigned myself to a life largely devoid of hats. Baseball caps were a no-go, unless I wanted to look like I was wearing a child's toy. Fedoras? Forget about it. They just sat too high and looked comical. I even tried going hatless, but living in a sunny climate, that wasn't a great option for protecting my skin. The dreaded phrase "one size fits most" became my nemesis. It felt more like "one size fits MOST... except you."
I remember one particularly frustrating shopping trip where I ventured into a dedicated hat store, hoping for a miracle. While they had a wide selection, the sales associate wasn’t much help. The experience left me feeling even more defeated. I even considered just giving up entirely and embracing scarves as my only headwear option!
The sun hat situation was even worse. Finding something cute and functional that actually shielded my face from the sun felt impossible. "Women's hats for large heads" searches online yielded few results, and the ones that did appear were often… less than stylish.
My turning point came when I stumbled upon some advice about measuring my head. I grabbed a soft tape measure and carefully wrapped it around my head, just above my ears. Then, I divided that number by pi (thank you, high school math!). This gave me a more accurate idea of my actual hat size. Turns out, I needed something around an 8 1/8. This was a game changer!
Armed with my newfound knowledge of my hat size, I began my search with renewed vigor. Here are a few of the solutions I've found that actually work for those of us with larger heads:
I discovered Sungrubbies, and they are amazing! They genuinely offer a range of large sizes, which is a huge relief. I even bought one in both black and tan because I loved it so much. They have packable and washable options, which is perfect for travel.
Another fantastic find was a hat from Wallaroo Hats. The Montecito style is adjustable, and I actually have to tighten it a bit to get the perfect fit! It's a stylish and practical option for sun protection.
I also found that Sunday Afternoons and Tilley both make sized hats that are worth checking out. They offer a good range of styles and sizes, so you're more likely to find something that fits comfortably.
REI also has some great options. I really like the REI Co-op Sahara Guide Hat in L/XL. It's surprisingly cute for an "outdoorsy" sun hat, and it fits perfectly!
And of course, Amazon can be a treasure trove. I even found some packable sunhats that work well. It's worth searching specifically for "women's hats for large heads" to filter the results.
For winter, I wanted something warm and stylish. That's when I stumbled upon this New Rabbit Fur Warm Beanie from Wholecustomdesign.
What I like about this beanie is that it's not only warm (the rabbit fur is incredibly soft!), but it also has a touch of sparkle with the sequins. It's a great way to add a bit of personality to my winter outfits. The size (56-59cm) fits my larger head comfortably without feeling tight. It’s really important to find beanies that stretch a little, and this one is perfect! I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. Custom Hats by WholeCustomDesign really knows how to design stylish and comfortable hats.