Feminine Fedoras (that Actually Fit!)

Julie Diana
Jun 27
2 min read

The fedora is the MVP of brim hats.

You can pull them off in both sunny and cloudy weather. The brim is small and quiet. And they suit both men and women.

While I occasionally enjoy borrowing from the boys--an oversize blazer here, an oxford shirt there--I dislike wearing masculine hats.

Enter my favorite technique for making unisex fedoras more feminine: softly draping fabric. Known as 'swathing' in the millinery world, it's easy and chic.

Watch my easy 1-minute tutorial below. Then keep scrolling for hat shopping for every head size!

The tools:

Curved needles

Handmade hat stand from Etsy

Hat shopping!

Packable fedora, sizes S/M and L/XL

Black & gold metallic lace from Mood Fabrics

Similar necklace from Etsy

Dress from Chico's, similar here sizes 4-22, also here sizes 2-12

Brown fedora, sizes S, M, L, XL

Brown printed fabric from Mood Fabrics

I ordered this brown fedora in the XL size, and carefully cut away the inner elastic band for a roomy fit. The hat also comes in ivory, tan, and white.

Another new favorite...

Packable fedora, M/L and L/XL

This deep navy packable fedora is a new favorite. It's by Aussie hat brand Wallaroo.

The hat comes in 2 size ranges. I'm wearing the L/XL, which has a 60cm (about 24") inner circumference.

It's also available in ivory and beige. I'm planning to drape navy fabric around the outside.

XS and XL head sizes

If you have a small headsize, check out Wallaroo Hats' specially sized "petite hats." Second, Setar Trading Hats website has an XS section here.

For larger headsizes, browse Setar Trading Hats' extensive section for larger headsizes here. I also recommend Carkella hats here, which fit up to 61cm headsizes.

More multi-size fedoras

One-size fedoras worth considering...

The original inspo

I first tried this article's fabric draping technique out of necessity. My front of my favorite straw fedora had become discolored from sweat, makeup, and sunscreen. But I didn't want to part with it.

I found a scrap of textured lace in my (over-abundant) fabric stash, then carefully pleated and tacked it into place. If I messed up, it would be no great loss. The hat was already in a shabby state.

A few stitches later, the chapeau had been transformed. I learned another useful technique from this hat: adding a fabric strip inside the forehead area.

I started a habit of stitching cotton twill tape inside each of my hats. Ivory for light colors, black for dark colors. I remove them and add fresh ones about once a year. It has greatly extended the life of my treasured toppers.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas as much as I enjoyed creating them!