A good hat rewards a little care. Treated well, it holds its shape and colour for years; left to fend for itself, it picks up dents and damp it need not. None of this is difficult.
Handle it by the brim, not the crown Pinching the crown to lift a hat is the quickest way to wear out the shape. Hold it by the brim with both hands instead, front and back.
Store it with room to breathe Keep your hat away from direct sun and radiators, both of which fade and dry. A structured hat is happiest upside down on its crown, or on a stand, so the brim is not bearing weight. For longer storage, a box keeps dust off and shape in.
Rain and damp British weather will test any hat. If yours gets wet, shake off the excess and let it dry naturally at room temperature, away from heat. Reshape it gently by hand while it is still slightly damp, and let it finish drying on a flat surface or a stand. Felt and wool take rain better than straw, which is best kept for dry days.
Everyday cleaning A soft brush, worked in the direction of the nap, lifts most dust and lint from felt and wool. For a knit, a gentle lint roller does the job. Spot-clean marks with a barely damp cloth and patience rather than water and pressure.
Between seasons Before a hat goes away for the season, make sure it is clean and fully dry, then box it somewhere cool and out of the light. It will be ready when the weather turns again.
A few small habits keep every piece in your collection looking the way it did the day it arrived.
0 comments