I have a better opinion of this hat than some reviews who may have stated that it was simply a costume piece, for use, perhaps, once a year or so. I found the construction to be better than that, but perhaps not up to the seamless perfection required by the big G, the most important wizard of Middle Earth. I wanted a hat to proclaim "Middle Earth" and I would have preferred one more suitable to Tom Bombadil, which is a similar shape, but perhaps a stiffer crown, and red, not grey. But except for the ring, this hat is perhaps no more clear evocation of the "Middle Earth" imagery. I looked far and wide, and I could not find a better Gandalf Hat from Amazon or elsewhere. With proper care, this will last for several years. Unlike other "one size fits all" costume ware, this hat has a real size adjustment strip, not just elastic, in the headband.