A well-made hat can last decades with proper care. Whether you have invested in a bespoke piece or a ready-to-wear design, looking after it properly protects your investment and keeps it looking beautiful season after season.
"I have clients wearing hats I made five years ago that still look as good as the day they left my studio. The secret is simple: store it properly, handle it carefully, and bring it to a milliner if anything needs attention."
— Kathryn Lee
Storage
- Keep it in a box: Store your hat in a sturdy hat box, stuffed gently with acid-free tissue paper to hold its shape.
- Avoid stacking: Never stack hats on top of each other. The weight can crush delicate trimmings and distort brims.
- Cool and dry: Avoid damp cupboards, direct sunlight, and hot attics. Temperature extremes damage materials.
- Upside down is fine: Storing a hat upside down on its crown (with tissue support) is often better than resting it on its brim.
Travel
- Hat box is best: A rigid hat box in the overhead locker is the safest option for flights.
- Wear it on the plane: If you cannot bring a box, wear the hat. Flight attendants are usually happy to find it a safe spot.
- Never pack it in luggage: A suitcase will crush even the sturdiest hat.
- Car travel: Place it on the back seat, not the boot. Use a box or a clean towel to keep it still.
Cleaning
- Felt hats: Brush gently with a soft hat brush in an anti-clockwise direction. For marks, a slightly damp cloth can help. Never soak felt.
- Straw hats: Wipe gently with a barely damp cloth. Allow to dry naturally, away from heat.
- Trimmings: Leave feathers and flowers alone. If they need attention, bring the hat to your milliner.
- Professional repair: If a brim loses its shape, a feather breaks, or a comb comes loose, a milliner can repair it quickly.
When to Call Your Milliner
Bent brims, loose trimmings, broken combs, and stained fabric are all fixable. Do not try to repair a quality hat yourself. Bring it in and let a professional restore it properly.
