gettingstarted

The Buffalo Bill Cody, from the Old West Classics collection!

Getting Started!

Even if you're an old hand at buying hats, a quick review of the information below will ensure that you get exactly the hat you want.

Besides the size of your hat, there are only two other essential pieces of information that are required to properly customize your hat to perfectly suit you're tastes. Armed with the information below, you will be fully prepared to choose exactly the hat for you!

Felt quality. Felt quality is measured in "x" grades based on the percentage of beaver fur used in making it and how finely the felt has been worked. The higher the number, the better the quality of the felt. Below is the grading system and the typical use of each grade.

7x Quality Grade - 35% Beaver Fur, 65% Rabbit Fur

The 7x is a good choice for a basic working hat or for someone looking for a great looking hat at the most economical price.

10x Quality Grade - 50% Beaver Fur, 50% Rabbit Fur

The 10x is a great choice for a working or dress hat that is still extremely affordable.

20x Quality Grade - 50% Beaver Fur, 50% Rabbit Fur

While maintaining the same percentages of fur as the 10x, the 20x is a more finely worked felt and produces a beautiful hat for work or dress occassions. This is the grade of choice for much of our clientele.

50x Quality Grade - 100% Beaver Fur Blend

A 50x hat is a hat that boldly declares that you have a taste for the finer things in life. Highly recommended for those requiring a hat that stands out from the crowd at any occasion.

100x Quality Grade - 100% Beaver Fur

To feel and wear a 100x hat is to experience the ultimate in fine hatwear. For our most discriminating clientele.

When ordering, you will be asked to specify the felt quality of the hat you desire.

Your head shape. There are three basic head shapes - Regular Oval, Long Oval and Round Oval.

A well crafted custom hat from Michael is designed with a moderate amount of flex at the sweat band. Over a short period of time, it will mold itself to your head just as will properly sized boots after only a few wearings.

However, to most effectively create a hat that will fit you perfectly right away, it is essential that we know which of the three basic head shapes you have.

Determining your personal head shape is extremely easy! Stand with your back to a wall mirror holding a small hand mirror with one hand. Hold the hand mirror so that you can see the back of your head in the wall mirror.

Next, lean your head back towards the wall mirror and adjust the hand mirror so that you can now see the top of your head. If required, pull your hair away from your forehead. You can now see the shape of your head! Use the diagrams and descriptions below to evaluate which of the three head shapes yours is.

Regular Oval - the most common head shape. If in doubt, you most likely have a regular oval head shape. When viewing your head from the top, your head will appear proportioned as shown in the diagrahm below.

Regular Oval

Long Oval - those with long oval heads have a more elongated head with proportions similar to those in the graphic below.

Long Oval

Round Oval - this head shape is extremely rare. If your head as viewed from above resembles the graphic below, then you are one of those rare individuals who have a wonderfully round head.

Round Oval

When ordering, you will be asked to specify your head shape.

For proper measurement of your head, please see the link at the top of the page entitled "Measuring For Your Hat".