My hat is too big or my head is too small ...

[RedRosie]

Oh wise and stylish women of Mumsnet.

For Christmas I had a nice hat from John Lewis. Its a lovely hat and was quite an expensive purchace for the giver. However, I have a pinhead and it is much too big for me ... I have a gift receipt and could change it, but this particular hat is one size only. As I type this I am in John Lewis on Oxford Street, and can't find anything I like better.

So my question is, can I do anything to make the hat fit? I have zero dressmaking skills ... It is not the sort of poncy hat suitable for hat-pins. Is there something I can do or buy?

Would be very grateful for any tips!

Purchase. Sorry!

I have no help to offer,but can sympathise and I am also after the same advice! I also have a too big new hat gift which I must wear or offend (and I love it).

The last hat I bought (which is also slightly too big) is for an 8 - 10 year old!!!!

I wonder how my brains fit in.....

Not just me then Countess!

It is such a lovely hat and the giver of it is much loved ... Perhaps someone expert will come along.

Would you be able to wrap a scarf around your head?Don't know if it would work,anyway,and it wouldn't work with my hat.....

This depends on what sort of hat it is. Is it the felt type with a band inside? With this type you can pack the inside of the band with foam strips (like the type that are used to alter the size of a cycling helmet).

A scarf wouldn't work I don't think.

Esperance - It is the felt type, yes. I guess I could sew (eek!) foam to the band? Worth a try ... The giver would be happy to see me in it, and it is a damn nice hat.

Double-sided tape!

Doh. Of course! I'll try and source some foam and give it a go.

MN always has the answers ...

As a hat person, I have used various things over the years including those little felt thingies (sticky one side) used for preventing objects from scratching table tops, adhesive window insulating strips.

Thanks Esperance. Lots of good hat-related ideas there.

I love hats. And it seems that I have an unnaturally tiny head so if I can make this one fit I shall go on a spree.