Hat Styling Rules to Follow

You probably choose your hat the same way you choose your clothes: you wear one that fits your style and fashion sense. But at some point, you might contemplate expanding your headwear collection. 

Whether you’re choosing custom baseball caps or custom wool hats, there are rules to follow. For example, some hats are meant to ride low on the forehead or at an angle. Others need a little bit of hair to be shown on the front or side. 

So, to avoid a fashion calamity, read on to learn a few do’s and don’ts for styling a hat. Remember, it’s almost better not to wear a hat at all than to wear one incorrectly.

Basic Rules to Follow While Wearing Hats

After spending your resources and scratching your head to ensure you buy the right hat, it’s only fair that you wear it correctly. So the following are some basic rules that govern hat-wearing:

1. Complement your Dress

For your hat to look good with your dress, it should complement and match well.

Before anything, ensure you’re not trying to cover up a lousy outfit with your hat. It will only make the hat look bad and yourself even worse.

Next, consider a hat that matches your dress tone. If you’re wearing a vibrant and colorful dress, consider a hat that picks up one of the accent colors. Say the dress has hints of yellow. Try a yellow hat or one with yellow ribbon to tie the whole look together.

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You also want to ensure that the style of the hat coordinates with the dress. If you’re wearing attire for a formal event, do not put a traditional baseball cap on your head. Similarly, do not wear a top hat to a football or athletic event. Think about your audience and the environment you will be in before selecting a hat.

Don’t be afraid to dress up to match your hat. Pull your long hair forward a little bit while wearing a cap. Use bright shades of lipstick to accentuate your classic fedora. Be cautious not to overdo it, though.

While you might want to consider fashion guidelines, don’t be afraid to inject your own personality into your hat styling. Experiment with unique patterns, textures, or embellishments that reflect your individual style.

2. Keep It Simple

If wearing a hat is new to you, the rule of thumb is to start simple until you get the hang of it. Once you’re confident, then you can experiment with different styles.

Choose hats in solid neutral colors or classic patterns like stripes or checks. Avoid excessive detailing or intricate designs that may distract from your overall look. 

Stick to one focal point, such as a simple fedora or a sleek baseball cap that enhances your style without overwhelming it.

For example, if you’re wearing a casual jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble, add a simple, unadorned baseball cap in a complementary color. This adds a touch of laid-back coolness without taking away from the overall simplicity of your outfit:

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Remember, simplicity doesn’t mean boring. It means focusing on the clean and understated elements that enhance your style effortlessly.

3. Do a Face Alignment

Always wear a hat with a brim that matches the shape of your face. To begin, use the chart below to match the shape of your face:

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Now, align your face shape with your brim choice. For instance, opt for hats with wide brims or horizontal details if you have a long face. These styles help balance out the length of your face and add width, creating a more proportional look.

Choosing the right brim for your hat will work wonders if you do it right.

Speaking of which, you may be interested in this post on how to reshape your hat.

4. Maintain Hygiene

Hat styling is more than just choosing a hat. A hat’s beauty is gone when it is dirty or in bad shape due to poor cleaning.

So, to rock your favorite headgear with confidence, you must ensure it is clean.

Regularly washing your hat will help maintain its form and appeal. You can do this by spot-cleaning with a damp cloth. But if your fabric allows, hand washing can be a great way to ensure thorough cleaning. 

For delicate hats with intricate embellishments, consider dry cleaning.

You don’t want a smelly hat, so odor control should be a priority. You can do this by applying deodorizing sprays and giving your hat some time to air out in a well-ventilated area

Basic Rules to Avoid While Wearing Hats

Now, here are some rules to avoid while styling your hats:

1. Overmatching Outfits

Wearing an over-matching outfit is a fashion faux pas. For example, if you prefer a leather hat, do not match it with a leather jacket and pants. People will definitely notice your leather hat, so you have to tone down the rest of your outfit; otherwise, your outfit will be overwhelming.

The colors also don’t have to overmatch. So, don’t be afraid to break the monochrome. Add a pop of color. Say you’re wearing an all-black or all-white outfit. Opt for a hat in a bold and contrasting color, such as a vibrant blue or a sunny yellow. This instantly injects personality into your ensemble.

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Always remember, the goal is to let your hat stand out while still harmonizing with your overall look.

2. Hats with Studs

Studded hats may seem edgy and eye-catching, but they can pose some practical challenges.

For one, studs on the inner lining of a hat can cause discomfort or irritation when you wear it for extended periods. They may dig into your scalp, leading to discomfort or even headaches.

Also, hats with studs are generally more difficult to clean and maintain. And finally, studded hats tend to have a specific aesthetic and may not blend well with various outfits or occasions.

So, you want to choose sleekier alternatives, such as a wide-brimmed hat, minimalist baseball cap, classic fedora, etc.

3. Oversized

Do not exaggerate wearing a hat by getting one that is oversized or looks like more of a piece of art than a hat.

Also, oversized hats can be impractical and cumbersome, especially in crowded spaces or when the wind is blowing. You want your hat to enhance your comfort, not hinder it.

For example, instead of wearing a huge floppy sun hat that swallows your face, opt for a medium-brimmed straw hat.

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This simplicity adds a touch of elegance without overwhelming your features.

4. Loud color with Caption

When your hat screams with bold colors, bright patterns, or flashy captions, it can easily become the center of attention. While that might seem fun initially, it can detract from your overall look and even overwhelm your outfit.

Remember, you want your hat to complement your style, not overpower it.

Besides, your hat’s loud colors and busy captions can clash with the rest of your outfit.

Wrapping up

So you see, there is more to wearing a hat than just picking one out and throwing it on your head. Think through your hat choice before pairing it with an outfit.

To make the right choice, make sure you’re complementing your dress while keeping it simple. You also want to ensure face alignment so your brim doesn’t look awkward on you. While doing all these, make sure you’re keeping your hats clean.

You also want to avoid overmatching outfits, studs, oversized hats, and overly loud colors and captions.

If you stick to these proper hat etiquettes, you will surely look smart and sophisticated.