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To measure your hat size, wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your head — usually just above the eyebrows and at the centre of your forehead. Note the measurement in centimetres, then match it to the UK hat size chart below. For most adults, a head circumference of 58 cm is a UK size 7⅛ (medium); 60 cm is a 7⅜ (large).

Whether you’re a year-round hat lover or a winter warrior, getting the fit right makes the difference between comfort and a forehead band-mark by lunchtime. This guide walks you through it in three steps, gives you a UK-to-international size chart, and answers the questions we get asked most.

Why you should measure your head

Choosing the right size hat is essential to actually enjoying wearing it. A hat that’s too big flies off in a stiff breeze. A hat that’s too small pinches the temples and leaves a band mark. A correctly fitted hat sits lightly on your head, feels secure when you move, and gives your scalp room to breathe.

Quick fit check once you have your hat: shake your head side to side, then bend forward at the waist. If the hat stays put without you holding it, the fit is right.

Beyond the fit itself, a well-sized hat finishes an outfit. It frames the face, complements the rest of your clothing, and adds the kind of polish that a borrowed-fit hat can’t. The exception: one-size hats with an adjustable inner strap – those skip the measuring step.

How to measure your hat size (3 steps):

Supplies Needed

A soft tape measure, or a length of string and a ruler. A mirror helps but isn’t essential.

Step 1 – Measure Your Head

• Stand in front of a mirror for a clear view of your measurement.
• Use either the tape measure or soft string to wrap around the widest part of your head evenly until the tape measure or string overlaps. Usually, this is above your eyebrows and at the center part of your forehead.
• Check that the tape or string is not too tight or too loose.
• For most accurate results, measure 3 – 4 times for consistent measurements.

Step 2 –  Get Your Head Circumference

• If using a tape measure, note the length in centimeters.
• If using string, carefully hold onto the end-point of the measurement and line up the string against a ruler to record the size in centimeters.

Step 3 –  Find Your Ideal Hat Size

• Use the Hats Size Chart, such as the reference below, to find the size corresponding to your measured length. So, if your head circumference is  59 cm, your corresponding UK hat size is 7 ¼ or international size “L”.
• If the measured head size is between two numbers, such as 57.5 cm, round up to the next whole number or 58cm and find the corresponding hat size.
• Or, if the measured head size is between two hat sizes on the chart, choose the next larger size up.

UK hat size chart (cm to UK and international sizes)

Frequently asked questions

What size hat am I?

Measure your head circumference in centimetres at the widest point above your eyebrows. A 56 cm head is a UK size 7 (small); 58 cm is 7¼ (medium); 60 cm is 7½ (large). See the chart above for full conversions.

How do I measure my head for a hat?

Wrap a soft tape measure around your head about 1 cm above your eyebrows, sitting level all the way round. Measure 3-4 times and use the average. If you don’t have a tape, use a length of string then lay it against a ruler.

What is UK hat size 7¼ in cm?

UK hat size 7¼ corresponds to a head circumference of 58 cm. That’s the most common men’s medium and women’s large in UK sizing.

Can I measure my head for a hat with a piece of string?

Yes. Wrap the string around the widest part of your head, hold the overlap point, then lay the string against a ruler to read the length in centimetres.

Are men’s and women’s hat sizes the same?

The measurements are the same — what changes is the typical size range. Most men sit between 57-60 cm (UK 7⅛-7½). Most women sit between 54-57 cm (UK 6¾-7⅛). Use the same chart for both.

Reproofing a waxed jacket means cleaning the outer surface, then applying a fresh layer of wax dressing. Two steps, around an hour hands-on, restores full waterproofing. A regularly worn jacket needs reproofing once or twice a year; a lightly worn one every few years.

Done properly, a waxed jacket lasts decades. Done badly — or worse, machine-washed — and the original cotton can dry out beyond saving. This guide covers the two steps in detail, plus the common questions we get asked.

The 2-step process at a glance

• Step 1: Clean the jacket with cold water and a sponge. Let it dry to the touch.
• Step 2: Warm a tin of wax dressing in hot water, apply evenly with a cloth, then warm the jacket to settle the wax. Hang to cure overnight.

Important: never dry-clean, machine-wash, use hot water or use soap on a waxed jacket. Any of these strip the original wax and damage the cotton.

Step 1: Cleaning accumulated dirt, debris, or residues

Supplies: cold water, a soft sponge or cloth, a flat work surface, a plastic sheet or old tablecloth.

• Bring the jacket to room temperature if it’s been somewhere cold.
• Lay it flat on the protected work surface.
• Wipe the entire outer surface with a damp sponge — work in small circles, top to bottom.
• Focus on collar, cuffs, pockets and hem — where dirt collects.
• Don’t soak it. The aim is to lift surface dirt, not to wash the cotton.
• Let the jacket air-dry to the touch before moving to step 2. About 20-30 minutes in a warm room.

Step 2: Apply a fresh layer of wax dressing

Supplies: a tin of proper wax cotton dressing — we recommend British Millerain Original Wax, a clean cloth or sponge, a bowl of hot water, a warm room.

• Stand the closed tin of wax in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water for 10 minutes. The wax melts to a liquid consistency.
• Open the tin. Dip the cloth in, scoop a small amount of warm wax.
• Apply in even strokes across the jacket — work one panel at a time. Less is more; you can always add more.
• Pay extra attention to seams, pockets and the underside of collars — water gets in there first.
• Once the whole jacket is coated, warm it with a hair dryer on a low setting (or hang in a warm room) to settle the wax into the fibres.
• Hang the jacket overnight to cure. The next morning it’s ready to wear.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I reproof my waxed jacket?

Once or twice a year if you wear it regularly outdoors. Every 2-3 years if it sees only occasional use. Signs it’s time: water no longer beads on the surface, the cotton looks lighter or dryer in places, or the jacket has lost its sheen.

Can I wash a waxed jacket in the washing machine?

No. Machine washing strips the wax and damages the cotton fibres beneath. Sponge cleaning with cold water is the only safe method. If a stain needs more attention, a specialist wax-jacket cleaner can handle it.

What wax should I use to reproof a jacket?

Use a proper wax cotton dressing made for the purpose — like British Millerain Original Wax. Don’t use beeswax, candle wax or DIY mixes; the formula needs to be designed for cotton fibre absorption.

Can I dry a waxed jacket in a tumble dryer?

No. Heat in a tumble dryer melts the wax unevenly and can damage the cotton. Always air-dry.

How long does the reproofing process take?

About an hour of hands-on work — 15 minutes cleaning, 30-45 minutes applying the wax. Then leave the jacket to cure overnight before wearing.