Your Shopping Bag is Empty
SIMILAR ARTICLES
Have a scroll and discover some of our other articles, from press coverage to style guides and informational pieces.
In the history of hat styles, few hats evoke as much of a sense of timelessness and luxury as our rounded Coke (or Bowler hat) and iconic Top hat. For either of these “hard hats”, we advise making an appointment to have your head measured with a conformateur as you will undoubtedly benefit from having the hat fitted by a skilled hatter. The perfect hard hat fitting involves a meticulous process, where the conformateur plays a pivotal role in achieving the ideal fit.
The Conformateur is a head-measuring device invented by Mr Allié-Maillard in France in the 1850s. It remains an essential tool in the crafting of hard hat fitting and top hat sizing, ensuring each hat is not only perfectly stylish but also perfectly fitted and perfectly comfortable. Lock & Co. offers appointments for a free professional head measurement using a conformateur.
The conformateur takes precise measurements of the customer's head. This includes the circumference, height, and other dimensions necessary for creating a hat that sits perfectly on the wearer's head.
The process begins with a skilled hat maker conducting an initial consultation with the customer. This involves discussions about style preferences and any specific design elements the customer requires.
Using a conformateur, one of our skilled hatters will measure the shape of your head: As the levers and shaped crown adapt to the contours, the conformateur generates a detailed paper or cardboard template. This template captures the unique shape of the head, allowing for a
customised fit.
Skilled hatters use the conformateur-derived measurements to shape the bowler hat or top hat accordingly. In the crafting process, hatters use a series of centuries-old hatting techniques - molding, blocking, and sewing - to bring to life a “hard hat” that is truly tailored to your specifications.
Bowler hats and top hats crafted with these precise hard hat fitting measurements offer a bespoke fit, ensuring that the hat sits comfortably on the wearer's head without slipping or feeling too tight.
The precision afforded by the conformateur ensures that the hatter meticulously crafts every detail perfectly, from the crown's height to the brim's curve.
The Conformateur allows for the creation of bowler hats and top hats with a refined and elegant silhouette, capturing the distinctive style that has made these hats iconic.
If you are looking to purchase a "hard hat" (Cokes, Bowlers, or Top Hats), then a hard hat fitting or top hat sizing will ensure the perfect fit. Visit the Lock's shop in London for a complimentary one-on-one appointment to professionally measure your head using the conformateur.
Have a scroll and discover some of our other articles, from press coverage to style guides and informational pieces.
Celebrate the season with timeless Christmas gifts from Lock & Co. Hatters. Explore our heritage inspired collection of hats, scarves, and accessories, crafted with care and designed to last.
Having joined the team only a few weeks ago, our milliner Isabel has already brought her remarkable embroidery expertise to life with a very special creation for Remembrance Day 2025.
To keep your Panama hat looking as stylish as the day you purchased it. We provide suggestions on how to take care of your Panama hat.
The right fit is essential for both comfort and style. A well-fitting flat cap should feel secure without being tight, sit correctly on your head, and complement your face shape.
A flat cap is a rounded, soft-crowned hat with a short, stiff brim at the front. First appearing in Northern England in the 14th century, flat caps became embedded in British and Irish life after a 1571 law encouraged their wear among men of the working classes. By the late 19th and early 20th century, they were worn by everyone from labourers and farmers to gentlemen at leisure. Today, the flat cap retains its heritage charm while being embraced as a versatile style in both town and country.
A flat cap is one of the most versatile hats you can own. Whether you are dressing for a weekend walk, a day in the city, or a smart country wedding, the flat cap adds effortless polish while remaining comfortable and practical. Here is everything you need to know about wearing one with confidence.
Flat caps are designed to last for years, but proper care is key to maintaining their shape, colour, and quality. Different materials -wool, tweed, linen, leather - require slightly different cleaning approaches.
Flat caps are travel-friendly by design, but a little care goes a long way in keeping them looking sharp - whether you are storing them at home or packing them for a trip.
Getting the right size is the key to a perfect fit. Here’s how to measure your head accurately and choose the right flat cap size.
