I found my perfect hat, and will be ordering the black one soon. While it is labeled Stone color, my wife assures me it's Taupe. Perfect, it goes with anything, and I have sportscoats and trousers the same color because Taupe is kind to my color blind eyes. Out of the box, my brand new 7 1/4 hat fit perfectly, after a little stretching by hand of the inside, which took 30 seconds or so. After that initial stretching it was perfect and I moved on to modifying it to my precise needs and wants, which began with borrowing my wifes hand held steamer, filling it with water, and waiting on the steam. I like my Gus Stetsons to have at least 25 -30% of the back crown as high as possible, so I began there and in a minute or two had what I wanted. Next I lowered the front crown crease about 1/2" to 3 1/2" which took another minute or so. Next, rolling each side of the brim where I wanted them focusing on making both sides just right. Out of the box, plus 5 minutes with a hand steamer, and I had what I wanted. I'll add a stampede cord soon and live happily ever after. I think anyone who likes a nice hat at a very reasonable price, will enjoy this hat. The black model of this hat will arrive soon and I'll take it through the same set-up.