Frequently Asked Questions

Can my hat be cleaned?
What are your store hours?
Driving Directions
Do you make the hats you sell?
Do you sell gift certificates?
What size hat do I wear?
What is your policy on returns/exchanges?
How much is shipping?
Do you ship internationally?
Has my order shipped yet?
Where can I request a catalog?
I'm just getting into hats; how do I know what is the best style for me?
Are there rules about which hats are suitable for which occasions?
What is the best way to care for my hat when I'm not wearing it?
How long has Levine Hat Co. been in business?
Where can I find out more about a specific brand/style of hats?
What accessories do I need to properly care for and maintain my hats?


Can my hat be cleaned?

We do not clean hats. Having said that, we can usually do something to improve the status of your fur felt hat in most circumstances. As long as your hat is not severely soiled, a brush, steam and block will usually do the trick and knock it back into shape. If the brim has lost its snap, a press on the flanges can flatten it and bring it back to life. Sew-on hat bands can be replaced, as can leather sweat bands and linings. For prices and more information, contact the store at 1-800-875-1428.


What are your store hours?

Monday - Saturday, 9:30am - 6pm CST
Closed Sundays


Driving directions

1416 Washington Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63103
Our store is in downtown St. Louis, near the intersection of 14th & Washington.

From I-70 East

  1. Exit 10th Street
  2. Stay straight to go onto N 10th St
  3. Turn right onto Cass Ave
  4. Turn left onto N 13th St
  5. N 13th becomes N Tucker Blvd
  6. Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
  7. Turn left onto N 14th St
  8. Turn right onto Washington Ave


From I-55 North

  1. Exit 10th Street
  2. Stay straight to go onto N 10th St
  3. Turn right onto Cass Ave
  4. Turn left onto N 13th St
  5. N 13th becomes N Tucker Blvd
  6. Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
  7. Turn left onto N 14th St
  8. Turn right onto Washington Ave


From I-64 East

  1. Exit 14th Street
  2. Turn left onto 14th St
  3. Turn left onto Washington Ave


Do you make the hats you sell?

Although we are technically called Levine Hat Manufacturing Co, Inc., we do not produce hats on the mass scale that we used to manufacture. Instead, our business is primarily involved in retail sales and distribution of fine quality headwear, clothing, and accessories made in all parts of the world.

We are not capable of producing some of the finest quality men's felt hats to be found. When hats require additional attention and customization, or you are looking for something difficult to find, we have all the capabilities to make you a specialty hat the old world way.


Do you sell gift certificates?

Levine Hat Co. Gift Certificates are available in all denominations. Order Gift Certificates Online or call the store at 1-800-875-1428.

What size hat do I wear?

What size hat do I wear?

Finding your hat size is simple. Just measure around the widest part of your head with a string or tape measure and compare to the chart below. If you'd prefer, you may give us your measurement in inches and we'll take it from there!

Hat Sizing Chart
Size XS S M L XL XXL
6 5/8 6 3/4 6 7/8 7 7 1/8 7 1/4 7 3/8 7 1/2 7 5/8 7 3/4 7 7/8 8
Inches 20.7 21.0 21.4 21.8 22.2 22.6 23.0 23.4 23.8 24.2 24.6 25.0
Metric 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64


What is your policy on returns/exchanges?

Shipping in the contiguous U.S. is done via UPS. We charge actual shipping rates, calculated at the time of purchase, based on the size and weight of your package. Click the "estimate shipping" button after you have added the desired items to your cart. You will then be able to enter your address and will be given the shipping cost for these items. There are sometimes special rates or promotions that we offer; you should be able to select any applicable promotional rates during checkout.

If you need to exchange a hat or cap for a different size, color, or style, please call the store for instructions. Note that return shipping costs will be applied under most circumstances.

Returns and exchanges are to be accepted within one month of the receipt of your purchases.

Any returned items must be in the original, unworn condition that they were sent.

Finally, Levine Hat Co. always does everything in our power to satisfy our customers. If you have any comments, concerns, or problems, please contact us and we will always do our best to resolve the issue at hand.


How much is shipping?

We ship UPS ground (unless otherwise instructed) and charge $10 for the first item, and $4 for each additional item after that. When you order online, your actual shipping charges will be calculated and added to your order, based on the weight of your package and the location you enter.


Do you ship internationally?

We can usually ship to the following countries:

    Please call the store at 1-800-875-1428


Levine Hat Co. has shipped fine quality men's hats to all corners of the world. If you wish to ship to one of the countries above, please note that we cannot ship to addresses whose existence we cannot verify, nor to those with non-matching credit card information. If we cannot verify your information, our policy is to send an email to the address you provided when you registered, requesting verifiable address information. During this time, your order is considered to be "on hold." If we do not receive a response within three(3) days, the order is canceled, and any payments are refunded.


Has my order shipped yet?

Your order should ship same day if you place it before Noon (CST). We will send an email to

You can also check your order and shipping details inside your account on www.levinehat.com. If you have any other questions, call the store or send an email.


Where can I request a catalog?

If you don't have an account on www.levinehat.com, register for one. After registering, you can edit your postal mail and email preferences in "Account".


I'm just getting into hats; how do I know what is the best style for me?

Personal preference is always the most important factor, but here are a few rules of thumb.

Taller men tend to prefer wider brims.
The shape of many people's preference in hats is related to the shape of their faces.
Men with rounder faces will like taller hats, such as homburg shapes or high crown fedoras.
If your jaw is more squared or triangular, you might look good in a hat with a shorter crown, such as a porkpie or telescope crown.
Stick with your style. If you tend to be conservative, the classics never go out of style.
Give the outfit a purpose. The hat can be as versatile as you make it. It can be an accent or a centerpiece.


Are there rules about which hats are suitable for which occasions?

Historically, different hats have been suited for different affairs. Nowadays, many men will choose a style that suits them, and build a collection of colors in that style so that they can match a variety of outfits.


What is the best way to care for my hat when I'm not wearing it?

General Hat Care and Maintenance

Clean your felt hats regularly using a soft bristle brush or a hat sponge. Chemically treated hat sponges are available, and work especially well for fine-grain felts. Brush counter clockwise with the nap, starting at the bow.

The steaming of fur-felt hats temporarily loosens the fibers to allow the removal of surface dirt and dust. The steam softens the fibers to allow for blocking, reshaping and even smoothing any wrinkles in the hat band. To steam your hat, simply hold the hat over a steady stream (a steamer or tea kettle will work fine) and gently brush the hat with a clean, soft-bristle brush. Most friendly neighborhood hatters are glad to steam their customer's hats, even if for a nominal fee, with proper storage and care, one good steaming to "knock the dust off" at the end of each season is recommended.

Never apply direct heat to any material hat as this is certain to lead to undesirable results.

Regarding straw hats, they can be lightly brushed in the same manner as felts, but should never be steamed unless by a professional. Too much steam can ruin straw hats.

Use sticky tape to remove lint and dust from fur-felt hats. 2" masking tape wrapped around your palm (with the sticky side out) works well for this.

Leather hats can be cleaned using any commercial leather cleaner. There are several good brands available that work very well. Suede hats need a suede cleaner, not a leather cleaner. Also suede hats will benefit from an application of Scotchguard or a silicone based waterproofing spray to help repel water and dirt.


Handling your Hat

  • Always handle your hats by the brim.  Picking your hat up by the crown will hurt its shape, and may even damage the felt. As with felt hats, handling your straw hat by the pinch will eventually cause it to crack.
  • Never rest your hat on its brim. Always turn it upside down and set it on the crown, so that the brim doesn't flatten out.  Even better is to store your hat in a proper box.
  • If you get caught in the rain, turn the leather sweatband out and let the hat stand on it until dry.
  • Try not to get your straw hat wet! This will cause the straw to swell and lose it's shape.
  • Natural oils from your fingers can soil the crown of straw and felt hats.

Storing your Hat

Always store your hat in a hat box to help keep it clean and looking new.
Lay the hat on its crown. Leaving a hat on its brim will cause the brim to lose its shape.
Keep your hat stored in a cool dry place.

How long has Levine Hat Co. been in business?

Levine Hat Co. is firmly rooted in Saint Louis, Missouri, where it has been a community institution for over 100 years. Our current location is at 1416 Washington Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63103, a three-story, 30,000 sq/ft showroom and warehouse facility where a small team of workers are responsible for a variety of tasks. genuine interest in our customers embodies who we are and what we do at Levine Hat Co., and it even won us an award in the Riverfront Times for Best Retail Experience. We are technically called Levine Hat Manufacturing Co, Inc., although we do not produce hats on the mass scale that we used to manufacture. Instead, our business is primarily involved in retail sales and distribution of fine quality headwear, clothing, and accessories made in all parts of the world. That is not to say that we are not capable of producing some of the finest quality men's felt hats to be found. Another veteran of our store, Mr. James "Pete" Peterson, is something of a magician when it comes to hats. With over 30 years of tips and tricks up his sleeve, our customers and employees are continually amazed at his craftsmanship when hats require additional attention and customization.

Where can I find out more about a specific brand/style of hats?

Post your question in the forum. That way, the community can join in the discussion.

What accessories do I need to properly care for and maintain my hats?

A proper hatter's brush is good for an occasional dusting. We sell inexpensive chemical sponges that are treated so that dust particles stick to them (these work well on wool caps).