Shaped felt hats require shrinking and reassembling by a milliner. Felt is made from animal fibers, such as wool, mohair or alpaca. When animal hair is exposed to hot water or a heated dryer, it shrinks. ... A variety of drying methods help ensure that your hat will fit your head, rather than shrinking down too much.

How do I keep my felt hat from shrinking?

Basically, a hat stretcher is a versatile tool which makes it possible for you to retain the size of your hat or even enlarge in case shrunk. It is manufactured from genuine wood that absorbs moisture and preserves the leather sweatband. It is good for both felt and straw hats.

Do felt hats shrink or stretch?

Kangaroo and cow leather hats are pre-treated with a water proofer , but may need to be re-treated occasionally, depending on how often they are worn. Wool felt hats are not waterproof, and may shrink or warp if worn in the rain.