Hats Buying Guide
Hats 
have origins from all over the world, and they also have a long history of development and wear. While they originally showed off social status, currently they are used for fashion, warmth, protection from the sun, religious reasons, and as part of a uniform. Fashion has started making even the most traditional hats out of funky materials. Whatever you want to wear, you can find it in chenille, metallic, and even plaid. And don't worry about men's and women's hats anymore; those conventions are out the window.
Hats Deconstructed
Usually more expensive hats require you to know your hat size. In the United States, your hat size is the circumference of your head (measured half an inch above your ears) divided by pi (3.14). The equivalent hat size in the U.K. is an eighth of an inch smaller than the U.S. size.
Parts of a Hat
- Crown: The part of a hat covering the head.
- Brim: Material that is projected under the crown and continues horizontally around the circumference of the hat.
- Peak: Primarily found on baseball hats and visors, the peak is a stiff projection at the front of the hat that is used to protect eyes from rain and excess sunlight.
- Sweatband or hatband: A ribbon or band running around the bottom edge of the hat.
Hat Styles
Everyday
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Baseball Cap - Great for everyday wear.
- Stylish.
- Can be customized.
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Visor - Great for men and women.
- Blocks out the sun.
- Nice in the summer.
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Beanie or Stocking Hat - Keep that head warm and snug.
- Great for winter.
- Stylish.
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Bucket Hat - Hip and cool.
- Keeps the sun off of your face and head.
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Polo Hat - Stylish but not loud.
- A good all-around hat.
- Very durable.
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Classic
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Berets - French, American, Canadian, and other militaries wear these.
- Also worn casually, typically by the arts community.
- Tight around the head with flat, floppy material that you can slouch any way you choose.
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Fedoras - Felt, straw, or twill, these hats have a circumferential brim, and a crown with a V-shaped pinch in the front.
- Often the front brim curves down and the back curves up.
- Popularized in the 1920s, but people do still wear them as a fashion statement.
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Straw Hats - Keeps the sun out of your eyes and your head cool.
- Panama hats are a similar style that is circular and white with an indented crown. Very chic.
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Cowboy Hats - Keeps your eyes safe while toiling in the Wild West.
- Brims can point down or up in the front and down in the back.
- Traditionally leather, but can be made of felt or straw.
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Camping / Outdoor Hats - Lightweight and breathable.
- Fast-drying.
- Shades head and neck from sunlight.
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Lesser-Worn Hats
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Bowler Hats - A middle-class adaptation of the fedora.
- Adds an old-school touch of class to any look.
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Deerstalker Hats - A plaid hat with brims in the front and back and tie-up flaps on the sides.
- Will help to keep your ears warm as well as your head..
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Porkpie Hats - Like a fedora, but with a circular top surrounded by a groove all the way around.
- Light enough to act as a nice summer hat.
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Top Hats - Often silk, mostly fancy, comes in varying heights, and is sometimes hinged for collapsing.
- Essential if impersonating Abe Lincoln or housing a bunny rabbit.
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Tri-cornered Hats - Wear it with a point in front.
- For the classic, Puritan look, get one in black with white and gold trim.
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Specialty
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Baby Hats - Smaller sizes, cuter styles.
- Consider heavy knit hats to keep your little one warm in the winter months.
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Scarves - Not quite hats, but still cover your head.
- Bring out your inner biker with a do-rag or bandanna.
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Toupees - Losing your hair? Think no one knows? Try these.
- Go all out with a wig.
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Ladies' Dress Hats - Dressing up for church, synagogue, or the Kentucky Derby?
- These can be any style, fabric, or material, but they look best with lots of feathers, bows, ribbons, and fake flowers.
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Related Guides
External Links
International Resources
For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Chapeaux, Guide d'Achat
DE: Hüte
