Hats 101: How To Become A Hat’s Man
BY SAMINU MACHINGA
Men wear hats for basically two reasons: some to hide bald spots or thinning hair and for others, hats are just an accessory to complete a look.
If hats are something you want to incorporate into your style regularly, were here to give you options to help you decide which works for you for every occasion.
Baseball Cap
Probably the most common type of hat as it is one of the most casual.
Not only are they stylish, they are also functional as they can shield your eyes from the sun.
Baseball caps can also be paired with semi-formal looks – blazer/shirt/jeans combo.
There are 3 major types of baseball caps: Snapback hat, dad hat and fitted hat.
The Fedora
This hat has a soft wide brim and an indented crown. It is typically creased lengthwise down the crown and “pinched” near the front on both sides.
The fedora hat when worn properly, instantly adds some old-school attraction to the modern look. It evokes classic style with a noble appearance.
The fedora hat is a dressy hat and proper for formal purposes mainly.
The Trilby
Cousin to the Fedora, the Trilby has a smaller brim that slopes sharply down in front and at the back.
Unlike the fedora with the wide brim, trilby hat provides no shade for the eyes. It is used more for style purposes. The trilby hat is wearable in any season.
The Flat Cap
The flat cap is less formal but multipurpose as it can interpret the look of smart-casual to smart effortlessly.
Also known as ivy caps or driving caps, there are many variations of this cap that are popular today.
For a flat cap, make sure it is worn in your size. Too big or too small will definitely look bizarre. It should fit just like a baseball cap moderately comfortable around the sweatband, without being too tight or loose.
The Newsboy Cap
This is similar in style to the flat cap but a more modern style emerged in the late 19th century.
The newsboy cap or newsy cap is a casual-wear cap which is sometimes also referred to as the: Baker Boy, Bandit Cap, Apple Cap, Eight-Piece Cap, Eight Panel, Cabbie, Jay Gatsby (from The Great Gatsby), Fisherman’s Cap, Pageboy, and Applejack Hat.
The body of the newsboy cap is fuller and rounder compared to the flat cap and almost always finished with a button on the top where all the materials used in making it come together.
Like the flat cap, the newsboy is very versatile and can be worn with a suit or with a t-shirt and jeans.
The Beanie
Maybe the only hat more casual than the baseball cap. For most, it’s more functional to protect their head and ears from the cold.
Its versatility allows fitting with several outfit styles; fits on the blazer or on a jean with a shirt.
Bowler Hat
Also referred to as billycock, bob hat or the derby, it is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown created by the London hatmakers Thomas and William Bowler in 1849.
Wearing a bowler hat is making a real style statement. A bowler can be styled with a pair of fitted jean, a casual shirt with a jacket and boots.
Boater Hat
Another old school entry, the boater hat has a hard flat crown and brim that surrounds the entire circumference of the hat. Often times, a boater hat is seen with a ribbon around the crown.
It is a semi-formal hat and can be styled with school uniforms.
