I can understand when a staff denies any edit to their hat. Maybe the person doesn't have the time, or feels like their work was "not good enough", which they shouldn't feel that way. (Especially when people only ask for/want to do a recolor)

I can also understand that just because a staff member allowed it, doesn't make it fair either. People could call them out on "preferences."

There is also the possible theory that you guys don't want extra work on your hands, and having all the people who got 1st-3rd in each side of the tourney ask for an edit, seems like a pain.

But, if it's just a recolor w/ the same exact shading, and not removing/adding parts, unless the one who made the hat is doing the editing, then I don't see what the problem is. Especially when the rules state that staff have a lot of time allowed to upload, before you bother them, and players have to be patient. No re-submissions after the 1st edit either.

Also, I'd like to state that I personally do not really care if edits are allowed or not. I just feel like they should be allowed. Color preferences, and what not. I received a hat, and really liked it. Another member on the team thought of making the lens for the hat transparent, so the face could be visible. We asked the staff politely, and even told them "You don't have to, if you don't want to." The hat still looks great without it, just preferences.

This is where the "preferences" come into play.
They allowed it for them, so I should be allowed as well.
They didn't allow it for me, so no one else can.

Not arguing with the staff member that made your hat, or at least try to reason with them with something other than "They were allowed to, so I should be allowed as well", could have helped you out a lot.

I think staff stopped allowing edits, mostly because of too many players asking.