The hatter's profession: much more than selling a hat

A hat is not chosen solely from a photograph. A difference of just a few millimeters in crown height or brim width can completely change its appearance. The material, flexibility, season, intended use, and face shape must also be taken into account.

That is where a hatter's experience truly comes into its own.

Choosing the right shape

Fedora, traveler, trilby, pork pie, boater, Panama, bowler, cloche, picture hat, bucket hat, beret, or cap: every shape has its own proportions and character.

Our role is to help you understand these differences so you can find a style that suits not only your look, but also your face and the use you intend for it.

Finding the right size

The comfort of headwear depends largely on accurate sizing. A hat that is too small quickly becomes uncomfortable; if it is too large, it lacks support.

To make remote purchasing easier, we have developed advice to help you measure your head circumference correctly and understand the equivalencies between different French and international sizes.

→ How do I measure my head circumference correctly?

Understanding materials

Wool felt, fur felt, linen, cotton, leather, raffia, natural straw, or genuine Panama: each material has its own characteristics.

A hatter must be able to explain why a material is particularly suited to rain, cold weather, travel, or strong sun exposure, and how it will change over time.

Our workshop in Roanne: the expertise behind the product

Chapellerie Traclet also maintains a workshop activity in Roanne.

Part of our collections and customizations therefore passes directly through the hands of our team: preparation, finishing, adaptation, customization, or embroidery depending on the styles and projects.

We develop Traclet creations and various ranges made or prepared in our workshop, while also working with specialized hatmaking workshops when their particular expertise is essential to making a product.

This complementarity is essential. Being a hatter does not mean claiming to make every item of headwear sold in our store entirely ourselves. Our work also involves knowing how to select the right workshop, the right manufacturer, and the right expertise for each type of hat.

Customization and embroidery

For individuals, associations, businesses, clubs, or professionals, certain headwear styles can be customized depending on the possibilities offered by the model.

Embroidery, branding, the choice of certain finishes, or the production of special runs can transform headwear into a truly personal product.

→ Discover our solutions for professionals and custom orders

Making here, selecting the finest expertise

The world of hatmaking is international, and every region has its specialties.

France retains workshops and manufacturers with genuine hatmaking expertise. Italy has historically been recognized for its work with felt, straw, and many textile products. Spain also preserves several important traditions surrounding headwear.

And when it comes to a genuine Panama hat, its origin is inseparable from Ecuador, where toquilla straw is traditionally prepared and woven before the hat can be shaped and finished.

We therefore prefer to clearly state the origin and characteristics of products rather than reduce a hat's quality to a single geographical designation.

→ Learn more about hats made in France

The Traclet brand: our expertise applied to the product

Over the years, Chapellerie Traclet has developed its own collection.

This brand allows us to offer styles that directly meet the needs we have identified among our customers: timeless shapes, seasonally appropriate materials, sought-after sizes, distinctive colors, or styles that have become difficult to find in contemporary hatmaking.

Depending on the style, these products may be made in our workshop, produced for Traclet by specialized partners in France, or entrusted to European and international workshops selected for their expertise.

This transparency about manufacturing is essential to us.

→ Discover Traclet hats, caps, berets, and beanies

The leading hatmaking houses selected by Traclet

A hatter's work also involves knowing the specialties of different manufacturers.

We therefore select houses recognized for their history or specialization: Stetson for its American heritage and iconic hats, Laulhère and other historic manufacturers for berets, Kangol for its caps and contemporary headwear, Tilley for outdoor and sun-protection styles, as well as various French and European houses such as Fléchet, Crambes, City Sport, and many others.

The goal is not to offer a brand simply because it is well known, but to select from each collection the styles that seem worthwhile to us for their cut, material, comfort, or balance between quality and intended use.

A hatter's advice, in store and remotely

It is not always possible to come and try on your hat at our Roanne store. A large part of our work is therefore about sharing our expertise remotely.

Brim dimensions, crown height, how felt behaves, the flexibility of straw, a brand's sizing, whether a style can be folded, or its rain resistance: in our product descriptions, we aim to provide the information that truly helps you choose.

And when in doubt, our team can advise you before you place your order.

→ Ask the Traclet team a question

Caring for, reshaping, and extending the life of your hat

A hatter's expertise does not end at the time of purchase.

A quality hat can accompany its owner for many years, provided its material is respected. Drying, storage, dusting, the use of steam, and even the way the brim is handled can have a significant impact on its lifespan.

That is why we have developed guides dedicated to caring for felt, straw, leather, and fabric hats.

→ View the hat care guide

Passing on hat culture

Being a hatter also means knowing the history of what you sell.

Why is the fedora called that? What is the difference between a trilby and a fedora? How can you recognize a genuine Panama? Where does the Basque beret come from? Why are some caps called newsboy, Irish, or Hatteras caps?

These questions are part of our profession.

We gradually share this knowledge in our guides and in the Chapellerie Traclet Journal to help everyone better understand shapes, materials, manufacturing methods, and the history of headwear.

→ Read the Chapellerie Traclet Journal

Why buy your hat from a hatter?

Today, it is possible to buy a hat on countless websites. But choosing headwear from a genuine hat shop offers something different: product knowledge.

We understand the differences in sizing between brands, materials, shapes, brim structure, foldable or non-foldable styles, seasonal uses, and care methods.

This experience allows us to guide you toward the product that truly meets your needs, rather than simply the one that appears first in a catalog.

Traclet's advice: the best hat is not necessarily the most expensive one. It is the one whose shape, size, material, and intended use truly suit the person who will wear it.

Chapellerie Traclet in Roanne

Our online business remains directly connected to our work as retailers and hatters.

You can also come and discover our collections and benefit from our advice in our store:

Chapellerie Traclet
4 rue de Cadore
42300 Roanne
France

Phone: 04 77 71 40 58
Email: contact@chapellerie-traclet.com

→ Information about our Roanne store

Frequently asked questions about Chapellerie Traclet

Does Chapellerie Traclet make all the hats it sells?

No. Some of our creations, preparations, and customizations are carried out in our workshop or for our brand, while other styles come from specialized French, European, or international manufacturers. A hatter's profession is precisely about knowing and selecting these different areas of expertise.

How long has Chapellerie Traclet been in business?

The Traclet house has been established in Roanne since 1880. Its business has developed over the generations and expanded online as early as 1995.

Can I get advice before buying a hat online?

Yes. Our team can advise you on the size, shape, material, or intended use of a style. You can also consult our guides on sizes, shapes, and care.

How do I find my hat size?

Simply measure your head circumference with a tape measure, approximately one centimeter above your eyebrows and ears. Consult our complete hat size guide to take the measurement correctly.

Does Chapellerie Traclet offer hats made in France?

Yes. We offer various headwear styles made in France, as well as creations from European and international workshops. The country of manufacture and product characteristics are specified as far as possible in the relevant product descriptions.

Can a hat or cap be customized?

Depending on the style and project, various customization options can be considered, particularly for businesses, associations, clubs, events, or bulk orders. Our team can advise you on the feasibility of your project.

A passion for headwear for more than a century

Since 1880, styles and fashions have changed. Yet the work of Chapellerie Traclet remains based on the same principles: knowing the product, selecting with high standards, advising with precision, and passing on hat culture.

From the genuine beret to the Panama, from the fedora to the flat cap, from formal hats to technical UV-protection headwear, every style has its own history and purpose.

Our aim is simple: to help you find the right headwear and give you enough knowledge to choose it, wear it, and keep it for a long time.

Discover Chapellerie Traclet   |   Ask for advice   |   Discover our hatter's guides