PACKING AND STORING YOUR HATS

 

Sure wish we could hang our hats as this house hung its owner's purses! Since it's not usually feasible... here are some tips on hanging them INSIDE...starting with THE single most important one:

NEVER PLACE YOUR HAT ON ITS BRIM!

Either use a hat stand or place it upside down on a shelf and stuff the crown with tissue paper to hold its shape

Wherever and however you decide to store them, take a picture of each one and keep the "deck of pictures" in a central spot.  In tHAT way, you never lose track of all the hats you have!

AT HOME (general guidelines):

Always store your hat in a dry, cool place.

Do not stack one hat on top of the other.  Doing so can cause the hat's shape to be distorted.  It will definitely crush the trim.

For long storage periods, place hat in hat box (cardboard or cloth covered).

For temporary storage, use a hat stand.

Either place brimmed hats upside down or put tissue paper inside the crown of the hat. (Museums use acid-free tissues). 

  • Hats with upturned or pancake-flat brims may be stored flat, right side up
  • Hats with down-turned, dipped or sloped brims are best stored "floating" on a ball of tissue lightly stuffed into the crown
  • Some square-crowned (flat top) hats may be stored upside down.
  • Store hats so tHAT there is not undue pressure on any delicate trimmings; use a hat stand, if there are elaborate decorations or feathers which stick up above the crown

Remember: Your goal is to keep the weight of the hat off the brim.

AT HOME (specific options)

There are a variety of ways, based on the number of hats you own and your pocketbook.

  • Hat boxes: They protect a hat from crowding, dust, dust mites, light, moisture, and heat. You may wish to add a sachet of perfumed mothballs
  • Hat stands: Either buy a decorative one or use a full roll of paper towels, balanced on one end. Be sure to protect your hat from strong light and dust often with a soft brush. 
  • Large candle stands (the ones for broad candles): Cut an appropriate size Styrofoam ball in half.  Place it over the sharp prong tHAT usually holds in the candle in the middle of the stand.  The half-ball can first be covered with a pretty light-weight fabric, if desired.  (NEW)
  • Big clear (transparent) containers from Walmart: They have pcf, as opposed to cardboard, so they'll block out moisture
  • A full roll of paper towels:  Simply stand it on one end and put your hat on the other!
  • Decorative door knobs and plywood: Purchase a rectangular piece of plywood, at least 6" wide and 3' long (depending upon how many hats you're displaying).  Paint the plywood.  Then attach the door knobs.  Walla -- a great way to hang your hats!  (NEW)

FOR TRAVEL:

If you just want hats for sightseeing, invest in the crushable variety!

If you have special hats tHAT go with special ensembles for special events where you're HEADED, fill the crown with tissue paper and put it in a plastic bag. Place it top side up in the middle of your suitcase. Surround brim with tissue paper or rolled up underwear and socks.

 

Contents Brimming with Ideas