Finding the perfect cloche hat for a small head can be a significant challenge. The vintage-inspired, bell-shaped silhouette, while chic, often comes in standard sizes that overwhelm a smaller frame. The goal is a hat that complements your features, not one that swallows them. This guide cuts through the confusion, providing a clear, actionable roadmap to finding a cloche hat that fits like it was custom-made for you. We’ll focus on tangible measurements, style modifications, and practical shopping strategies to ensure you select a hat that is both comfortable and stylish.
The Foundation: Measuring Your Head for a Cloche Hat
Before you even begin shopping, you must have a precise understanding of your head size. This isn’t a guessing game; it’s a critical first step that dictates every subsequent decision.
1. The Circumference: Using a flexible tape measure (a dressmaker’s tape is ideal), wrap it snugly but not tightly around your head. Start at the middle of your forehead, about a finger’s width above your eyebrows, and wrap it around the fullest part of your head, just above your ears. Note the measurement in inches and centimeters. This is your primary hat size. For a small head, this measurement will typically be 21 inches (53.3 cm) or less.
- Example: A measurement of 20.5 inches (52 cm) immediately tells you that you need to specifically seek out hats labeled “small” or with a size range that includes this number.
2. The Temple-to-Temple Width: While less common for hat sizing, this measurement helps in assessing the hat’s overall proportion. Place the tape measure across the front of your forehead, from temple to temple. This helps you visualize how wide the hat’s brim and crown need to be to avoid looking disproportionate.
- Example: If your temple-to-temple width is 5 inches (12.7 cm), a hat with a brim wider than 2 inches (5 cm) on either side might look overpowering.
3. The Crown Depth: This is perhaps the most crucial measurement for a cloche hat on a small head. Measure from the top of your head down to a point where you want the hat to sit, typically just above your ears. Cloche hats are designed to sit low, so this measurement ensures the hat doesn’t descend too far over your eyes or ears. A standard cloche crown depth is often too deep.
- Example: If your crown depth is 6 inches (15.2 cm), a hat with a crown depth of 7 inches (17.8 cm) will likely slide down too far, obscuring your vision. You need to look for hats with a shallower crown.
Strategic Shopping: Navigating the World of Cloche Hats
Once you have your measurements, you can shop with purpose. This section focuses on where and how to find hats that cater to smaller head sizes.
1. Seek Out Specific Sizing: Avoid “one size fits all” hats. These are almost never a good fit for a small head. Instead, look for brands or retailers that offer hats in specific sizes (S, M, L) or, even better, by inches or centimeters.
- Actionable Tip: On a website, use the filter options to select “Small” or “XS.” If a site doesn’t have these filters, look for a size chart on the product page. A brand that provides a size chart is more likely to offer a hat that fits.
2. Explore Small-Batch and Independent Hatmakers: Mass-produced hats often follow a standard sizing model. Independent milliners and small-batch brands, however, frequently offer custom sizing or are more willing to create a hat to your exact specifications. While this may be a slightly higher investment, the perfect fit is invaluable.
- Actionable Tip: Search for terms like “custom cloche hat,” “bespoke millinery,” or “hats for small heads” on platforms like Etsy or through a targeted Google search. When you find a hatmaker you like, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask about custom sizing options.
3. The Vintage Advantage: True vintage cloche hats from the 1920s and 1930s often run smaller than their modern counterparts. This is because people were generally smaller back then. A vintage find could be the perfect solution.
- Actionable Tip: When shopping for vintage, always ask the seller for the exact head circumference measurement. Don’t rely on the listed size alone, as vintage sizing can be inconsistent.
Modifying the Cloche Hat for a Perfect Fit
Sometimes, even with the right size, a cloche hat needs a little tweaking to sit perfectly. Here are practical modifications you can make yourself or have a professional handle.
1. The Internal Sizing Band: Many quality hats come with an internal sizing band that allows for minor adjustments. This is often a ribbon or elastic inside the hat’s crown that you can tighten.
- How-to: Gently pull the ends of the ribbon to tighten the band, then tie it in a small bow or knot. This can reduce the circumference by up to an inch, securing the hat on your head.
2. Hat Sizing Reducers/Tape: These are strips of foam or cork that you can place inside the sweatband of the hat to fill space and reduce the circumference. They are inexpensive and a highly effective quick fix.
- How-to: Purchase self-adhesive hat sizing tape. Cut it into strips and place them strategically inside the hat’s sweatband, typically at the front and back, or on the sides, depending on where the fit is loose.
3. The Professional Touch: Hat Blocking: For a more permanent and precise solution, take your hat to a professional milliner or hat shop. They can use a hat block to reshape the crown, making it shallower or narrower as needed. This is particularly useful for hats that are too deep.
- When to Use: If a hat fits your circumference but slides down too far, this is the ideal solution. A professional can carefully steam and block the felt or straw to create the perfect crown depth for your head.
The Aesthetics of a Small Head Cloche: Proportions and Details
Beyond the physical fit, the visual proportions of the hat are critical to a flattering look. The wrong details can overwhelm a smaller face, while the right ones will enhance your features.
1. The Brim: Shorter is Better: A cloche hat’s defining feature is its downturned brim. For a small head, a narrower, shorter brim is the most flattering choice. A wide brim can cast too much shadow and make your head appear smaller in comparison.
- Concrete Example: A cloche hat with a brim that is 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) wide is generally ideal. Avoid brims wider than 3 inches (7.6 cm).
2. Crown Height and Shape: The crown should be proportional to your head. Look for crowns that are slightly rounded or have a subtle, gentle slope. A tall, straight-sided crown can create an elongated, top-heavy look.
- Concrete Example: Instead of a cloche with a deep, cylindrical crown, opt for one with a more gently curved top and a shallower depth, as dictated by your crown depth measurement.
3. Embellishments: Keep it Minimal: Large, ornate embellishments like oversized flowers, wide ribbons, or bold feathers can be distracting and unbalancing on a small frame.
- Concrete Example: Choose hats with smaller, more delicate details. A simple ribbon band, a small feather pinned to the side, or a subtle geometric stitch pattern is far more elegant and proportional. A single, small art deco brooch is a perfect example of a proportional embellishment.
Fabric and Construction: Material Matters
The material of your cloche hat affects not only its appearance but also its ability to be modified and its overall comfort.
1. Felt (Wool or Fur): Felt is an excellent choice for cloche hats. It’s warm, and most importantly, it can be steamed and reshaped. A felt hat that is slightly too deep can often be professionally blocked to a shallower crown.
- Actionable Tip: If you’re buying a felt hat that’s a bit loose, know that it’s highly modifiable with sizing tape or a professional steamer.
2. Straw (Sinamay, Raffia, etc.): Straw hats are perfect for spring and summer. Fine-woven straw like sinamay is lightweight and elegant. While less flexible than felt, they can still be professionally adjusted, though with more care.
- Actionable Tip: With straw, fit is even more critical. Since it’s less forgiving to adjustments, make sure the initial size is as close to perfect as possible.
3. Knit and Fabric Hats: Knit hats and those made from fabrics like velvet or tweed are cozy and casual. The fit on these can be more forgiving, but they are also less structured. A knit cloche will often conform to your head shape more easily, but it may not hold its silhouette as well.
- Actionable Tip: Look for knit cloche hats with an internal band or drawstring for a customizable fit.
The Final Step: The Try-On and the Mirror Test
Even with all your measurements and a strategic shopping plan, the final verdict comes from looking in the mirror.
1. The Eye-Line Test: A cloche hat should sit low on the forehead, just above your eyebrows, but it should never obscure your vision. You should be able to see clearly ahead of you without tilting your head. If you have to constantly push the hat up, it’s too deep.
2. The Profile View: Turn to the side and look at your profile. The hat should complement the natural curve of your head and the shape of your face. It shouldn’t jut out awkwardly or make your head look disproportionately large.
3. The Stability Test: Gently shake your head. The hat should stay in place without feeling too tight or restrictive. It should feel secure, not precariously balanced. A hat that slips and slides will be a constant source of frustration.
Choosing a cloche hat for a small head is a process of precision and intention. It requires more than just trying on a hat; it demands an understanding of your own unique proportions. By starting with accurate measurements, strategically seeking out brands that cater to your size, and knowing what to look for in terms of proportions and materials, you can bypass the frustration of ill-fitting hats. The perfect cloche is an elegant accessory that frames your face, enhances your style, and provides comfort. With this guide, you have a clear, actionable path to finding that hat. You are no longer limited by standard sizes; you are empowered to find a hat that is truly a perfect fit.