Hat Boxes Key Terms

Find the right fit when learning key hat box terms

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer

Hat boxes can be purchased as individual items through many supply companies or in larger bulk orders for retail stores. The hat box itself may seem a simple concept, but the sizes, designs and styles of boxes available can make hat box shopping a little challenging.

Learn the key terms associated with hat box styles and sizes so you can make an informed purchase to preserve a beautiful hat properly.

Collapsible or foldable

A collapsible hat box, sometimes also refereed to as foldable, has easily foldable sides that make it convenient to store flat. The sides fold down making the box virtually flat.
Try: The Presentable Packaging Company includes examples of collapsible hat boxes in a variety of designs and colors. The boxes are just as elegant looking, but store a lot easier than the traditional hard side box.

Vintage

When a hat box is called vintage, it can mean one of two things. Either the box is actually old and has been preserved, or the box was designed to resemble the hat boxes of the past usually with floral patterned cloth, lace or other materials.
Try: Review the explanation of the vintage hat box at The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza.

Nested

Nested hat boxes are those of several sizes that fit inside each other. If hat boxes are sold as nested sets, they are usually in sets of 3 or more with the smallest fitting inside the next size, and so on.
Try: A definition of nested is found at Stowers Containment Solutions. They define nested in terms of plastic containers, but the same holds true for the hat box set.

Tuck top

A tuck top box is one with edges that fold into the box holding the top on. The top is usually connected at one edge of the box so it never fully comes detached from the box. The other edge folds down, or tucks, inside to close.
Try: The tuck top box and how it works is explained at the Paper Mart website.

Shape (six-cornered, four-cornered and round)

A six-cornered box is hexagon shaped, while the four-corner box can be square or rectangle and the round box is circle-shaped. These are the three main categories of boxes to consider when deciding on a hat box.
Try: All shapes of boxes - the six-cornered, four-cornered and round options - are available with descriptions at Dunwoody Booth Packaging.

Dimensions

When dimensions are discussed in terms of hat boxes, there are two main measurements to consider. The inside measurements of the box, or dimensions of the inside, may be the most important because these measurements must be the same size or larger than the outer edge measurements of any hat you want to put in the box.
Try: International Paper defines dimensions and how they relate to boxes.