Those who live, work, and play outdoors know that a good brimmed hat provides shade from sun or protection from rain and snow. For many, a hat is not so much a fashion statement as survival gear. If you own a brimmed hat, learn how to shape, or block it.
I am reminded of this topic after buying a cloth sunhat while outside for Aly’s graduation. I got it from a traveling display at a Costco. I asked the salesperson attending it whether or not it could be blocked. She had no idea, which is not surprising. Most people don’t know how to block a hat. When we flew to Juneau, I stuffed it in my checked baggage, from which it emerged with an unsightly wobble in the brim. When we got home, I tried re-blocking the brim, and returned it to its original shape in no time. With that in mind, I’ll pass my “secrets” on to you.
Aly models my palm leaf sun hat. Fresh out of storage, the brim is too flat. The next day I sprayed the front of the brim with water, shaped it, then wore it in the sun to dry. (Photo: Mark Zeiger)