When it comes to improving an outfit, making a statement, or showcasing your confidence to the world, there’s no accessory as useful, unique, or bold as the hat. From old detective movies to modern casual dress, men’s hats have evolved and changed with time, but always remained a staple of the masculine wardrobe. Fashionable, functional, or somewhere in between, here are the best men’s hat styles to know about.
Contents
- 1 Different Types of Hats For Men
- 1.1 Fedora
- 1.2 Trilby
- 1.3 Panama Hat
- 1.4 Bowler Hat
- 1.5 Snapback Cap
- 1.6 Dad Hat
- 1.7 Newsboy
- 1.8 Flat Cap
- 1.9 Beanie
- 1.10 Bucket Hat
- 1.11 Baseball Cap
- 1.12 Trapper Hat
- 1.13 Boater
- 1.14 Pork Pie
- 1.15 Top Hat
- 2 Best Hats For Men
Different Types of Hats For Men
Fedora
The fedora is the iconic accessory of classic film noir Hollywood, and it’s not difficult to see why. Made of cashmere or wool, or occasionally animal felt, the fedora is the look of the leading man. Wear it with confidence, but allow the style to speak for itself, and consider maintaining a more neutral tone when determining the right fedora for you. It’s a hat with history that always makes a statement.
Trilby
The trilby may have a lot in common with the fedora and is often mistaken for the same style, but the trilby is more about fashion than function, hence its popularity among boy band performers in the early 2000s. The trilby was historically known as the hat worn by rich men and was often seen at horse races and other luxury events. If you do wear yours to the races, bring your sunglasses. Trilbies are lightweight and comfortable in warm months, but are traditionally worn back on the head and won’t provide much protection against the elements.
Panama Hat
If you’re searching for an effortlessly sexy look, the Panama hat might just fit your needs. A Panama evokes beachside escapes, romantic seaside adventures, and classic masculine confidence that people around you are sure to notice. The Panama hat is perfect for the hot weather in Miami and other tropical places, as it is traditionally made with plaited leaves from what is locally known in Ecuador as the toquilla palm plant. It owes much of its popularity to President Theodore Roosevelt and his work on the Panama Canal. Breathable, lightweight and versatile, Panama hates best match light summer fashions including white linen shirts and comfortable pants.
Bowler Hat
Take your look to the next level with a vintage-inspired bowler hat. Also known as the derby hat, the bowler dates back to 19th-century England and the London hatmakers Thomas and William Bowler. While it was historically worn by both middle and upper classes and as both semi-formal and informal attire accessories, bowler hats tend to add an upscale aesthetic to an outfit. Consider pairing yours with a classic waistcoat or other timeless pieces.
Snapback Cap
When it comes to trendy and bold, there’s nothing like a ’90s-inspired snapback to add something special to your look. Snapbacks have a flat, wide brim, and a more structured design than some of the other ball caps on the list. This makes the snapback great for both formal outfits in need of a fresh accessory and more laid-back styles you’re looking to complete. The style dates back to the baseball team the Brooklyn Excelsiors, who introduced this iconic look in the 1850s.
Dad Hat
Along with chunky white trainers, fanny packs, and whitewash denim, dad hats have made a comeback as accessories that are considered truly fashionable. They’re comfortable and breathable, thanks to the traditionally cotton fabric, which makes them a great option for casual outings and summer events. If you’re looking to add a little vintage to your look, the dad hat is the way to go.
Newsboy
When you want to capture that sleek British style, the newsboy hat more than does the trick. While the general shape and the front visor (known as a stiff peak) are similar to the newsboy hat’s cousin, the flat cap, the newsboy hat is rounder and fuller and known for its top button. It is traditionally a style of the wealthy, although the newsboy cap can be seen in rebel fashions looking to chic up edgy styles.
Flat Cap
If the newsboy hat is classically British aristocrat, the flat cap speaks to the farmers and chimney sweeps of old. Designed for real use rather than fashion, these old-school caps it is usually crafted of wool or tweed and lined on the inside, which helps to keep its wearer warm and comfortable, and protected from the elements. In the modern-day, this clean-cut accessory can add something special to an upscale casual look.
Beanie
The beanie may have started out as a surefire way to stay warm in the winter, but this timeless hat has become essential for any modern man’s wardrobe. It blends seamlessly into nearly any outfit, from the functional outdoorsman look to the city hipster, and can be used in fall, winter or spring to maximum effect. If you’re looking to get the most out of your beanie, consider neutral colors and an all-seasonal thinner material, or just invest in a few different kinds.
Bucket Hat
There’s no ‘90s throwback look more iconic than the bucket hat. Once used by fishermen to protect against the rain, the bucket hat became a staple of ‘90s street style and subcultures like skateboarders and fans of hip hop and other musical genres. Now is the perfect time for a bucket hat revival, so pull out your high tops and try out this cool look for yourself.
Baseball Cap
The baseball cap matches just about any outfit. Rep your favorite sports team, street artist, or American landmark, all the while adding a cool look to your casual, outdoor, or even clean-cut style. There are many types of ball caps and cap styles, but the classics are classics for a reason and nothing can replace a comfortable and cool baseball cap.
Trapper Hat
The trapper hat is another historical and functional piece that has become a fashionable statement piece for the handsome modern man. In this case, it preserved some of its functionality and is a must-have winter accessory for anyone in cold-weather climes. Tie the fur flaps down to keep your face and neck warm in cold winds, or bend them back for improved visibility and a more stylized look. For the trapper hat, embrace your outdoorsman, with flannels, boots, and all-weather vests.
Boater
Make a statement in summer wear with the classic boater look. The boater hat is more European coast than the Panama hat, but because this semi-formal accessory is crafted with stiff straw material, it’s excellent for hot weather and sun protection. They traditionally have a flat top and a wide, flat brim and can be used to make a casual outfit more formal or a formal outfit comfortable and beachy.
Pork Pie
When you don a pork pie hat, you’ll be joining a fashion trend that has remained strong for centuries in some form or another. Famous actors like Buster Keton wore this classic accessory on the big screen and the pork pie was the first hat worn by women in the mid-1800s. The hat is small and round, and the brim is much narrower and curls up at the edge. Oftentimes, it is adorned with a ribbon or other chic pieces, which gives you the chance to make this look your own.
Top Hat
Take formal to a whole new level with a modem, refreshing revival of the top hat. The top hat is an iconic piece that has stood as the symbol of luxurious and evening wear for centuries and it’s not difficult to see why. Add something special to your night on the town or at that next formal event by finding the right modern top hat aesthetic for the 21st-century man that fits your unique style.
Best Hats For Men
With so many cool hats for guys, it can be a challenge picking the right style for your outfit. From summer hats that are light and breathable to winter hats that will keep your head warm while looking trendy, the best hats for men are made with high-quality materials and come in stylish designs.
If you’re leaning towards more classic styles, then the fedora and panama are coming back into fashion as headwear becomes more popular. Brands like Bailey, Goorin, Christys’ London and Barbour make classy hats you can wear for a lifetime.
For a hipster hat that even celebrities endorse, try the trilby, pork pie, flat cap or beanie. These kinds of hats can be worn with casual and professional outfits for extra flair. When paired well, these fashionable hat styles can elevate your look, but beware that it’s just as easy to create a fashion faux pas.
Finally, the most universal and versatile hat will always be the baseball cap. Cool caps are the ultimate accessory for men who want comfort and style in their active lifestyle. As one of the most popular hats, this type of cap is especially useful when you’re between haircuts and don’t want to style your hair.
Ultimately, the right hat can complement any classy, dressy, casual or random outfit. Fortunately, you can’t go wrong with any of the best styles listed above.
FAQs
What hat looks best on men? ›
Face shape
Men with longer and square face shapes will look best in hats with wide brims like cowboy hats or sun hats (avoid beanies). For rounder faces, go for angular styles like a fedora or trilby. If you have an oval face shape, you're lucky—most hat styles will look good on you.
In general, baseball caps, bucket hast, beanies, flat caps, and fedoras are the main categories of the best hats for men. Baseball caps and bucket hats are the most casual, beanies are best for cold weather, while flat caps and fedoras are the most formal and classic.
What are the winter hat trends for 2023? ›The biggest winter 2022 2023 hat trends are a balaclava, baseball cap, beaded hat (20s headwear), oversized beanies with extra fabric, bucket hat, beret, fedora hat, enlarged cloche hat, furry hat, headscarf tied under the chin, scarf balaclava, baker's boy hat, and a Peruvian cap – beanie with ear flaps.
What style of hat is most popular? ›Baseball hats are currently the most popular style with 51% of regular hat wearers revealing they wear them on a regular basis. Why?
How do I choose a hat style? ›Think about your personality and your outfits.
If you have a Boho style, berets, floppy wide brims and wide-bride fedoras are made for you. If you are more preppy, structured hats with a wide brim, bretons and boaters would be perfect fit. Boyish style, then prefer newsboy cap, fedoras, bowlers, ball caps, beanies...
Because a hat is worn so closely to your face it is important that the colour of the hat flatters your skin tone. If you have pale skin, a warm colour such as pink or rust is a good choice. Darker skin is easier to choose for, although if it is very dark, black is best avoided.
What size hat do most guys wear? ›Keep in mind that head shapes and sizes differ among hat lovers. However, the hat size that men most commonly wear is 7 ⅜. Meanwhile, the average cap size for women is 7 ¼. Make sure that there's some space between your head and the hat (about the width of your finger).
What hats are trendy for men? ›The biggest trending hats for men in 2020 include bucket hats, beanies, snapbacks, Fedora, Panama hats, and flat caps.
What are the best hat colors for men? ›The most popular color range for hats tends to be neutral colors. This makes some of the best colors for hats neutral shades of brown, beige, gray, and navy, as well as the classic black or white.
What is the trend for 2023? ›2023 Style Trend: Oversized Everything
With oversized blazers and extra-large shirts trending on the TikTok For You page every other day, Rayburn predicts the oversized trend will only grow in strength next year, with even the bottom of our pants expanding.
Are newsboy hats in style 2023? ›
Newsboy Hat
And, while they're peaking in popularity this fall, they are and always will be in style. "The timeless look of these means they'll always have a place in your wardrobe, too," Woodhull points out.
Gray hats are quite versatile and can be paired with black, blue, and dark gray suits and coats. Wear a blue hat with a blue or gray suit or coat.
What hat do most cowboys wear? ›The most traditional type of cowboy hat, the Cattleman features a trio of top crown creases and a slightly curled brim.
What is the most famous hat? ›- The Fedora. This wide-brimmed hat with a high, dented crown became immensely popular in the 1920s with both men and women alike. ...
- The Deerstalker. This hat is almost synonymous with Sherlock Holmes. ...
- The Porkpie. ...
- The Witch or Wizard Hat. ...
- The Beanie. ...
- The Bowler. ...
- The Top Hat. ...
- The Bucket Hat.
Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin. Next, measure from the left side of your face to the right side. If your face is longer than it is wide, you may have an oval face shape. If your face is wider than it is long, you may have a round or heart face shape.
How do you know if a hat fits you? ›The hat should sit comfortably mid-forehead above your eyebrows and not obstruct your view. The sweatband inside the hat should provide a snug fit, not a tight fit. If you feel any tension or end up with deep red marks on your forehead, pick a looser-fitting hat.
What should your hat match? ›Pick a hat color that complements your shirt and shoes. Select a hat color that contrasts your shirt and shoes. Wear a hat that matches your shoes and other accessories. For formal or semi-formal outfits, try to match your suit jacket and pants color before matching your tie or undershirt color.
What color hat goes with every color? ›As previously mentioned, brown hats typically pair well with just about any skin tone or hair color; the same is true when it comes to outfits. Color-coordinating with brown fedoras is far easier as well because they can go with most other colors.
What colour hat is best for GREY hair? ›Gray, pink, and green are good hat colors for people with gray hair. Consider, as well, your hair color's shade. Light gray hats look good on dark gray hair, and vice versa.
What color hat is best for sun protection? ›Choose dark and intense colors for sun protection
A study conducted in Spain found that fabrics with darker or more intense colors tended to have better UV radiation protection than lighter colors. Of all colors tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best color to wear in the sun.
Is it better to buy a hat too big or too small? ›
While it should not be too tight, the cap should be the mold of your head size, with a little room to spare to avoid uncomfortable tightness. I always avoid loose-fitting hats because they fall off easily.
Does hair affect hat size? ›Hat Sizing Is Not an Exact Science
Even though the hat sizes provided are standard across the USA, there are various factors that can affect the fit such as the hat maker, the material of the hat, and even how much hair you have.
If you are between sizes, buy the larger size. Hats will often shrink, especially if they are made of wool so getting a hat that is just a little too tight will become increasingly uncomfortable over time. Size matters, but so does style when it comes to getting the perfect fit.
What kinds of faces look good with hats? ›For a heart-shaped face, try a fedora, cloche, or beanie. Soften the edges of a square face by wearing a hat with a rounded brim. Sunhats, cowboy hats, and cloches are great options. For an oblong face, try a hat with a flared brim and low crown, such as a sunhat, a cloche, or a large-brimmed fedora.
Should hat match shoes or shirt? ›Select a hat color that contrasts your shirt and shoes. Wear a hat that matches your shoes and other accessories. For formal or semi-formal outfits, try to match your suit jacket and pants color before matching your tie or undershirt color.
What color hat for skin tone? ›According to some fashion followers, warm skin tone people should wear warm colours such as red, and yellow. Cool skin tones wear cool blues, pink or lavender, while neutral skins look good in greys and blacks. White is suitable for all skin tones because it is a balance between cool and warm.
What color hat is best for sweat? ›CHARCOAL. You've probably blacklisted gray from your wardrobe, but charcoal is a sweaty man's best friend. Because it's dark like black and navy, your sweat marks will be nearly indistinguishable to your co-workers. Style tip: Make sure to choose a rich, deep charcoal color (not too light) to conceal sweat spots.
What are old man hats called? ›In British popular culture, the flat cap (or "flat hat") is typically associated with older working-class men.
What type of hat does future wear? ›He's generally favored Stetson and floppy 19th-century-peasant hats, though he's also appropriated and exalted the aging-hair-or-metal-dude-goes-country straw hat.
What is the 3 hat chance wears? ›But that's just so many words, and no matter how I put it on the hat, it looks shabby.” So, the 3 stands for Chance the Rapper's third mixtape Coloring Book, best rap performance, which follows his debut mixtape 10 Day from 2011 and Acid Rap from 2013.
Are bucket hats still in style 2023? ›
As a Langley hat store, the bucket hat sits firmly at the top of our list. It is one of the most iconic and beloved hats in history—a style that has successfully transcended its utilitarian roots and transformed itself into a fashion accessory crowing the fashion world in 2023.
What is the color of the year for 2023? ›The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration... [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.”
What is the color for 2023? ›Marvelous Magenta
Though it's derived from the red family, magenta brings forward a vibrant spirit all of its own that people will be craving in the upcoming year. The Pantone Color Institute named Viva Magenta as its official color of the year for 2023 for its joyous yet powerful nature.
For Fall 2023, the company predicts bold hues like Rose Violet (a red-tinged fuchsia), Red Orange (a vibrant, fiery orange), Red Dahlia (a deep red), High Visibility (an almost-neon yellow), Kohlrabi (a playful, vivid green) and Viva Magenta (the 2023 Color of the Year) will take over our wardrobes, per WWD.
What is the difference between a flat cap and a newsboy cap? ›The most noticeable distinction between the two styles is that newsboy caps are rounder, puffier, and look a little baggy. Unlike a flat cap, which has no bagginess, a newsboy cap is sewn together from the top of the hat creating eight panels — as such, a newsboy cap is often called an eight-panel or gatsby cap.
Are flat hats out of style? ›Flat caps are traditional in style and design. It's one of those trends that does come back into fashion every few years but for country folk, you'll wear yours a lot more.
Are flat caps out of fashion? ›However, the flat cap is rather an anomaly in the fashion world. Having never really gone 'out of style', the hat has seen resurgences in popularity over the decades due to its strong representation in popular culture, as well as its adoption by all ages and realms of status.
What color hat looks best on light skin? ›Neutral coloured hats make pale skin look softer. Grey, navy and pale pink, for example, are really flattering if this is your case. Of course, dark colours like black look good on pale skin too, but in some cases they can be more harsh than the softer colours.
What color men's hat goes with everything? ›White, black and grey are neutrals so they should go with anything. Navy blue should be matched to nearly any other shade of blue or its complementary color, orange.
Does the color of a hard hat mean anything? ›A: Color assignments can differ from site to site, but these color uses are most common: White for supervisors, foremen and engineers. Brown for welders and those working with high heat. Green for safety inspectors and occasionally new workers.
What does a black cowboy hat mean? ›
In American films of the Western genre between the 1920s and the 1940s, white hats were often worn by heroes and black hats by villains to symbolize the contrast in good versus evil.
What is the oldest cowboy hat company? ›Burns: As the oldest family-owned western apparel and cowboy hat brand in the world, Burns was established as a company in Salina, Utah, in 1876.
What should you not do with a cowboy hat? ›Handle the Brim and Crown with Care
Treat the brim and the crown of your hat like they're from Texas—don't mess with them. Put your hat on and take it off with the crown of the hat or the back of the brim. Avoid manhandling the brim or crown. That's how hats lose their shape.
Hats in style for winter 2022 2023 are a balaclava, baseball cap, beaded hat (20s headwear), oversized beanies with extra fabric, bucket hat, beret, fedora hat.
What are the oldest hat brands? ›Established in 1676, Lock & Co is the oldest hat shop in the world & one of the oldest family-owned businesses still in existence.
What kind of hats can men wear? ›The different type of hat styles includes the Fedora, Triby, Panama Hat, Bowler, Snapback, Dad Hat, Newsboy, Flat Cap, Top Hat, Porkie Pie, Boater, Baseball Cap, Bucket Hat, and Beanie.
How should a hat fit on a man's head? ›The hat should sit comfortably mid-forehead above your eyebrows and not obstruct your view. The sweatband inside the hat should provide a snug fit, not a tight fit. If you feel any tension or end up with deep red marks on your forehead, pick a looser-fitting hat.
How do I choose a hat for my face men? ›Pick a hat that will balance your strong chin. Crown: Medium or low height, avoid crowns that are full or too high. Pick one with side dents, this adds just the right amount of fullness. Brim: Medium width, snapped fully across.
Do hats look good with glasses? ›In combination with glasses, choose a knitted hat with a wide fold-over brim so that it fits better over the ears. Even the sticking out arms of the glasses will not be noticeable underneath a hat with a thick, soft material. The more flexible the material, the better.
What face shape am i? ›Compare the length and width of your face.
If your face is longer than it is wide, you may have an oval face shape. If your face is wider than it is long, you may have a round or heart face shape. If your face is twice as long as it is wide, you may have a rectangle face.
Should the crown of a hat touch your head? ›
High Heads: The top of the crown should not be so low that it touches the top of your head. This can prevent the hat from coming down far enough to seat properly. If this happens with a leather or cloth hat you may need a smaller size.
What is the average male hat size? ›Keep in mind that head shapes and sizes differ among hat lovers. However, the hat size that men most commonly wear is 7 ⅜. Meanwhile, the average cap size for women is 7 ¼. Make sure that there's some space between your head and the hat (about the width of your finger).
When should a gentleman remove his hat? ›A gentleman should remove his hat as he enters a building, including a restaurant, home, classroom, theater, church. This rule includes baseball caps and casual hats. Hats are to be removed when inside, except for places that are akin to public streets, e.g., lobbies, corridors, and elevators in public buildings.
When should a man wear a hat? ›Be mindful of wearing a hat in public and private places. As a general rule, your hat should be on in public spaces and off in private spaces, but be sure to read our Hat Etiquette Guide as there's a lot more nuanced than that.
What is a gambler hat? ›Gambler hats are wide-brimmed hats with a distinct oval crown – as opposed to the indented crown of the fedora hat. They're basically a cooler version of the cowboy hat.