Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive (for real)!
- Do people find you and actually come upstairs to the store?
- How do people find HeadCase Hats on the third floor?
- Where can I park?
- Is your rent high? (…Yes…we are asked this all the time too)
- Why are no photographs allowed in the store?
- Are you affiliated with Mr. John’s?
- Will a question about hats end up in the F.A.Q?
- What if I’m in between sizes?
- Can I special order a hat?
- What if I get my hat wet?
- How do I know what kind of hat will look good on me?
- Packable Hats – What are they? How do they work?
- What’s better sun protection, cotton or straw?
- How to pick a travel hat? How do you travel with it?
- Can I be informed of new orders?
Q: Do people find you and actually come upstairs to the store?
A: Yes
Q: How do people find HeadCase Hats on the third floor?
A: Curious visitors often comment at what a thrill our store was to discover, and how impressed they are with our stock. Most people find us based on our many, many signs all over the place, and they enjoy our location, BUT to everyone who has a difficult time finding us...SORRY!!! We are on the third floor of our building due to space. Our landlord was willing to literally split a big bay in half to accommodate our need for a smaller space (our store is 762sq ft -which is quite sizable for a hat store). Our other option would've been to lease a 2000 sq ft space on Whyte Ave's main level (way too big)! We've been in this space since November 2004, and must say that there are many benefits to being up here. Our hats are in great condition from not being over handled all day by curious crowds. We love visitors, and encourage people to try on hats, but. Many people love the privacy they have in our store, and our customers receive first class service. If we find a location that gives us everything we have here and more, then we may consider moving, but at the moment, there are no plans to leave. We hope that answered your question!
Q: Where can I park?
A: There is meter parking throughout Whyte Avenue and area, but we also have underground in our building! You can access the underground parking from the alley behind the building. The rates are similar to meter parking (you can use a credit card or coins). You park your car and take the elevator right up to the third floor (or the stairs if you prefer). Underground parking is especially convenient in the winter!
Q: Is your rent high? (Yes.we are asked this all the time too)
A: Despite being on the third floor we pay an arm, a leg and many hats to be here because the building we're in is new (rebuilt after a major fire destroyed the entire building).
Q: Why are no photographs allowed in the store?
A: There are about three 'No photographs permitted' signs in our store and as a result, we are asked this question everyday. We suspect many of our customers believe it's an 'espionage' thing! Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but we're just not that mysterious! Our only reason for disallowing photos is to minimize potential injuries to our hats. Hats are very exciting and fun to try on, but when you add a camera to the mix, it can get a little out of control. We definitely allow photographs for specific reasons and we just ask that you okay it with us first.
Q: Are you affiliated with Mr. John's?
A: No we aren't. We deeply respect and admire the legacy Mr. John left in Edmonton, but we are not affiliated.
Q: Will a question about hats end up in the F.A.Q?
A: Okay, admittedly, we posted that question, but we bet you're surprised that non-hat related questions are initially the most frequently asked questions we get!
AND NOW ON TO ACTUAL HAT QUESTIONS.
Q: What if I'm in between sizes?
A: A hat should feel snug enough on your head not to blow off easily, but it shouldn't be so snug as to cause you a headache. When you are in between sizes, we recommend going with the bigger size and lining it in with a foam liner, rather than forcing your head into a small hat. A hat is more likely to shrink than to stretch (contrary to popular belief), therefore a lined hat is better (liner is removable). If you were only a little ways off from fitting the smaller sized hat (by 2 or 3 mm), then stretching the hat would be a better solution. We stretch hats at HeadCase (they don't need to be purchased from us). There is no cost for a simple hat stretch, we just ask you to tell a friend about us!
Q: Can I special order a hat?
A: In some cases, yes, you can special order hats. You can special order certain sizes and colors etc from companies that we already do business with. Some companies change their style every season and may not have the style you want by the time we try to bring it in for you. Check out our 'special order' section for more info.
Q: What if I get my hat wet?
A: Unless your hat has been specifically treated to be water resistant, it is best not to let it get wet. If it happens however, you should attempt to reduce shrinkage and damage to it. The main thing to do is to turn out your inner sweatband and rest your hat on it to prevent shrinkage. You can press any moisture out of the hat with a towel and then place a dry towel inside of the hat to mimic the shape/size of your head (do not use a blow dryer). You don't want to give the hat a chance to shrink and the towel will keep it in place. Lastly, ensure whatever kinks may be in the hat are smoothed out by your fingers so that they don't dry warped. For further hat care instructions, see our 'hat care' section.
Q: How do I know what kind of hat will look good on me?
A: Although there are some basic guidelines a person can follow in choosing a hat (for example, a tiny person shouldn't wear a huge hat - etc), we find that people are intuitively good in judging what doesn't look good on them and what does. It's something so instinctive that they don't even realize how accurate they are in picking the right hat! That is not to say that people don't need guidance. There is nothing better than to have an expert on your side when choosing the one fashion accessory that EVERYONE else will notice! If you are shopping online and need help, please call us. You are definitely not without the expertise and support of HeadCase staff. We will do everything we can to find a hat that is perfect for you!
Q: Packable Hats - What are they? How do they work?
A: A packable or crushable hat is any type of hat that can be squished without being destroyed. There are many varieties of these hats and they come in both winter and summer fabrics. Packable hats are made in many different colours and designs. We have an excellent variety of packable hats for men and women.
Q: What's better sun protection, cotton or straw?
A: First off, it's always better to wear some type of hat rather than no hat at all, however, some hats are better than others for sun protection *You must consider what type of sun protection you need.
Do you want full, 100% coverage?
Will you be outside for long periods of time?
Are you going on vacation?
Do you overheat easily?
Cotton provides excellent protection. Light straw with a tight weave such as panama will keep you the coolest. Light colors are always better than dark. Breath-ability of fabric is key.
Sunblock
We recommend using sunblock in addition to your hat for optimal coverage. For people with short hairstyles, it's especially important to put sunblock on the back of your neck!!! It's a forgotten part of our body, but one that often suffers from sunburn.
Visors
Visors are a great option for people who need shade from the sun, without the heaviness or need for a full hat. They nicely accommodate short, spiky hairstyles and ponytails. Sometimes people feel too hot in a hat, so the visor is an excellent alternative.
Q: How to pick a travel hat? How do you travel with it?
A: When choosing a hat for travel, there are a few considerations to make:
Most important:
Do you need a packable. You may prefer one or not, but if you're backpacking somewhere, a crushable may be the most practical choice.
Second Point:
How much sun coverage do you require?
Do you burn easily?
Have you ever had skin cancer cells removed?
Have you ever suffered from sunstroke?
What is the climate of the country you're going to?
How many hours will you spend outdoors?
The point of getting the appropriate amount of sun coverage should be very important to you. You don't want to burn yourself on the first day of your trip!!!!
Third Point:
Matching your hat to your wardrobe. - Matching to your bikini or shorts is fun, but you may also want to wear your hat with other clothes too!
BEST POINT:
A vacation is the best excuse to wear a hat! Go ahead and have fun with your hat - no one knows you there!!!!!
Q: Can I be informed of new orders?
A: Yes. You can sign up to our customer database and give us the company, style of and size you’re interested in (some people only need to know when our extra small hats arrive etc).