Stetson Hats
Stetson - Bridger Straw Cowboy Hat
The Stetson Bridger Straw Cowboy Hat is a unisex cowboy hat made from raffia straw. The vented crown and 3 1/2" brim is ideal for those summer country music festivals where style and comfort are a must. This hat comes complete with a scure chin strap and is part of Stetson's "Rodeo Drive Collection"
Brim: 3.5"
Hat Sizing Chart
Hats offer both style and function. From adding the perfect finishing touch to your outfit to offering sun protection, hats provide endless benefits. However, no matter your favorite style, it's important to make sure a hat fits you correctly before purchasing it.
*IMPORTANT*
It is important to note that these size correspondents are not always exactly matching between brands and styles and every hat is a little bit different. We are always happy to measure the inside of a hat you see on our site to your head size to ensure a good fit before shipping your order.
Hat Sizing:
Hat sizing comes in three general sizes.
- The most commonly used sizing you will see here are SM, MD, LG, XL and occasionally 2 & 3X sizes.
- The second most common sizing that we have on our site is that of half-sizes. Meaning there are usually only two sizes: SM/MD, and LG/XL. Occasionally there are 2X sizes as well.
- The more traditional sizing is that of the exact size in inches and/or in centimeters. You will commonly see these sizes on more expensive hats.
Men's and Women's Hat Sizes
Some men's hats come in a one-size-fits-all style, but you'll more commonly find specific size ranges such as S to XL or 6 to 8. This wide range of measurements offers men the ability to choose their favorite style then create a comfortable, custom fit.
Women's hats, which usually come in a one-size-fits-all size, typically fit a head circumference of around 21 1/2 to 22 1/4 inches. Most of the time, women's hats will come with either an interior drawstring or adjustable band to help create more of a tailored fit.
Even though there aren't as many size options, women can — and often do — wear any men's hat style.
How to Measure Your Head
To measure your head and figure out your hat size, you'll want to first grab a measuring tape or a 25-inch string and ruler. Once you've gathered your supplies, follow these three quick and easy steps:
- Measure your head: Using your measuring tape or piece of string, evenly wrap it all the way around your head until it overlaps. Be sure to keep it about 1 inch above your ears for the most accurate measurement.
- Find your size: Once you've obtained your head circumference measurement, take your measuring tape or string and measure the length on your ruler.
- Use the hat size chart: To find your hat size, take your ruler measurement and find the corresponding size on the chart. Usually, these charts will list the measurements in centimeters and inches. The average adult hat size is between 53 and 58 centimeters.
If your measurement falls between two different sizes, we recommend sizing up to the nearest 1/8-inch. You can then use the hat's sizing tape to size your hat down if necessary.
It is important to keep in mind that even though there is an industry standard, each hat manufacturer is different. There can be variations and inconsistencies in sizing depending on what company created the hat. That's why it's important to measure your head and look at the hat's specific sizing chart to ensure you find the perfect fit.
Find the Right Hat at Hats Unlimited
Whether you stop by one of our seven retail locations in Southern California or shop over 1,000 styles online, we are dedicated to helping you find the right style and size hat. If there is a hat you are interested in with no sizing information posted, we are more than happy to measure it for you.
From fascinators to fedoras, you can always expect to find the perfect hat at Hats Unlimited. If you have any questions or need some help with hat sizing, give us a call at 888-997-4287 or email us at customerservice@hatsunlimited.com.
F.A.Q.
Contact Information
Please email us at customerservice@hatsunlimited.com or give us a call at (888) 997-4287 and we'll be happy to assist you!
What is UPF?
What Is UPF?
Whether you're out in the sun all day or only on occasion, protection from harmful UV rays is paramount. People are increasingly turning to ultraviolet protection factor clothing, as it helps prevent sunburns and the long-term effects of prolonged sun exposure, including sunspots, premature wrinkles and skin cancer.
In this guide, we'll discuss the definition of UPF and UPF clothing and examine how it compares to the better-known SPF standard. We'll also talk about the benefits of wearing one of the most popular UPF clothing items — hats.
Benefits of UPF
UPF is to clothing what sun protection factor is to sunscreen — it indicates the fraction of UV light that can penetrate a fabric. For instance, a 25 UPF rating means the fabric lets in 1/25, or 4%, of the UV radiation, and a garment with a UPF rating of 50 lets in 1/50, or 2%, of the UV radiation.
The UPF clothing industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years, expanding from mainly practical items to a wider variety of attractive, everyday clothing styles. UPF clothing is now available in thousands of designs by dozens of companies, all of which use treated fabrics, tighter weaves or both to block UV rays more effectively. Some clothing manufacturers specialize in UPF apparel, including Coolibar, UV Skinz and Mott50. Other well-known brands, like Athleta and Uniqlo, also offer UPF items now.
This surge in popularity is partly due to frustrations with sunscreen, which include its uncomfortable greasy feeling, the need to apply it frequently and the risk it may pose to aquatic life. Over recent decades, consumers have become more aware of the dangers of extended exposure to sunlight, which has also contributed to the growing popularity of SPF clothing.
Testing
UPF protective clothing, like sunscreen, undergoes testing at independent laboratories, but UPF testing is currently not a requirement. Generally, companies that manufacture and sell UPF items in the United States follow complementary standards established by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. Clothing tags will often say the items have a UPF rating, but will not mention whether they have met those standards specifically.
If the tag includes a Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation, that shows compliance, but not all companies apply for the distinction.
Laboratories use AATCC and ASTM protocols to gauge the percentage of UV radiation that penetrates a specific fabric. Some UV rays pass through to the skin directly via micro-spaces located between fibers, and the fibers will absorb or deflect other rays. Moisture can also affect a garment's UPF rating, with a dry fabric usually providing more protection than the same piece when it's wet.
Recommended Ratings
Garments with UPF ratings below 15 are not sun-protective. To get the voluntary Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the item must earn a 30 or higher rating from either the ASTM or AATCC. Any rating above 30 provides sufficient protection, though 50 is the best. While a UPF rating can technically be higher than 50, it won't offer significantly better protection, so garments with ratings above 50 will report it as "50+."
UPF vs. SPF — What's the Difference?
UPF and SPF are both standards for measuring UV protection. Most everyone is familiar with SPF, which has measured sunscreen effectiveness for decades. In contrast, the UPF standard is relatively new and created specifically for rating UV protection offered by fabrics. Originally, sun-protective materials in the United States used SPF ratings, and the UPF standard didn't come into existence until later. Since applying for a UPF rating is not mandatory, many sun-protective clothing manufacturers continue to use the SPF standard.
SPF Rating System
Companies perform SPF testing on humans. SPF measures how long someone can stay under the sun before their skin starts to burn. For instance, if someone starts to get a sunburn after only 10 minutes, if they apply adequate sunscreen with an SPF 15 rating, the sunscreen should give them 150 minutes of sun protection.
It's essential to note that, while sunblocks with the same SPF ratings will provide identical protection from UVB rays, no sunscreen protects you from all UVA rays. Even if a sunscreen claims to protect against UVA rays, the SPF standard currently doesn't measure protection from UVA rays.
While researchers still believe UVB rays primarily cause sunlight-induced skin damage, particularly sunburn, many experts hypothesize UVA rays may be involved in other sun damage types, including wrinkles, aging and skin cancers.
UPF Rating System
Manufacturers of UPF fabrics don't test their effectiveness on human subjects. Instead, they usually use spectrophotometer tools. The UPF rating shows what percentage of UV radiation the clothing's fabric absorbs.
For instance, a garment with a 50 UPF rating lets only 1/50th UV radiation from the sun go through it, meaning the garment will reduce your exposure to radiation by 98% in places the fabric protects.
One advantage the UPF standard has over the SPF standard is that it measures protection against UVB and UVA rays.
Why Get a Hat With UPF Protection?
If you're only going to invest in one clothing item with UPF protection, a hat is perhaps the best choice. Benefits of UPF hats include the following.
- You can still be stylish: If you're new to UPF, you may not realize UPF hats come in a wide variety of styles, meaning you won't have trouble finding a hat design that suits your tastes.
- It provides better protection: UPF hats aren't only an alternative to sunscreen on your face — they offer better protection than sunscreen, as they shield you from UVA and UVB rays.
- There is no need to reapply: Put on your UPF hat and you're good to go — no need to reapply every few hours.
- You won't have to apply sunscreen on your children: If you're the parent of young children, you know how much of a struggle it can be to put sunscreen on them. Having them wear UPF hats will protect their face, ears and neck from harmful sun rays.
- There are no annoyances: By using a UPF hat instead of sunscreen, you don't have to deal with all the irritations associated with sunscreen — your skin won't feel greasy, you'll never have to experience the sting of getting sunscreen in your eyes and you won't have to worry about your protection washing off when you go in the water.
- They're a great choice if you suffer from photosensitivity: Sun sensitivity can result from skin care products, medical conditions and some medications. If you struggle with this condition, consider getting a hat with UPF protection next time you go out in the sun.
- They're more environmentally friendly: As we mentioned earlier, some chemicals used in sunscreens threaten marine life. By choosing SPF hats for your sun protection, you're not only benefiting yourself — you're helping Mother Nature.
Best Hats With UPF Protection
As we mentioned above, UPF hats come in a broad array of styles and designs. Here are some of the most popular items for men.
- Henschel Aussie Packable Breezer® Safari Sun Hat: This high-quality safari sun hat boasts a UPF rating of 50+, meaning it protects you against 99% of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Its mesh crown is very breathable, and its canvas-wrapped brim is sufficiently wide to offer plenty of shade when doing activities like gardening, fishing, boating and hiking.
- Down Under Leather Outback Hat: If you like outback hats, you'll love this durable, stylish hat made from UPF 50+ buffalo leather. This high-quality hat features a braided leather hatband and comes in black and dark brown color options. It's also easy to travel with, thanks to its crushable structure. Whether you're planning a hike in the mountains or a night on the town, this fashionable outback hat is a great choice.