How to Find the Right Hat For You
Trying on a new hat can be like looking for pants for your face shape. Finding the right hat can be like trying on pants, but don’t worry; with some practice and technique, you’ll be looking stylish in no time.
Everyone knows that the same hat can look great on one person but doesn’t communicate the same sense of personality on the next. Yeah, that’s fine, because there are tons of hats out there that are right for every face shape and personality.
If you are thinking about how to find the right hat, first you need to ask “What type of face shape am I working with?
It all starts with understanding how the different parts of the human face fit together, how they look when they are in certain positions, how different faces are shaped, and knowing which face shapes are best matched to hats. Take a measuring tape or something else that’s flexible and place it along the top of your head and mark where it is. Then, measure from your nose down. It should be about 20 to 25% of your total measurement. This simple and useful invention allows you to go around the circumference of your head without wearing something uncomfortable. It’s ideal for any situation where you need to measure the length of your neck, ear, hair, etc. If you aren’t using a traditional measuring tape, lay what you’ve measured flat against a toolbox measuring tape or ruler to get the size. Finding the right hat is only half the battle in looking your best. You also have to know how different styles of hats will accentuate your best features, and which styles aren’t ideal for you.
The six basic face shapes are: triangular, square, oval, round, diamond and heart-shaped. Whether you choose to buy one in the store or online, you’ll want to find a hat that works for your style and shape. We’ve listed basic guidelines to help you figure out which styles will best flatter your appearance.
Long
You will look best in hats with wide brims, cowboy hats, sunhats, or hats that cut across the forehead to shorten the potentially exaggerated effect of a long face. A woman who wears a hat like a beanie will look unkempt.
Round
Round faces tend to be more feminine in appearance, and this is usually considered attractive. To make your rounder face look slimmer, lean towards hats with exactly the opposite features – here, angular rather than rounded styles work best. A retro style like a fedora or cloche will work, while a beanie pulled low over your face will elongate your face.
Square
The best hat style for a square face is a wide-brimmed hat. Cowboy hats, sun hats, or hats that cut across the forehead are all great choices, as is a cloche. You’ll look best in hats with wide brims, as this will soften the angles in your face and minimize overkill. Beanies are not a good fit for this type of face, because they don’t provide the same benefits as wide-brimmed hats.
Heart
A heart-shaped face is best suited to baseball caps, newsboys, or fedoras. The extra volume around the top of your face will help balance out your features and make you look more like your best self. Choose a wide brim or a flat front to avoid making your forehead seem wider than it actually is.
Oval
People with oval faces are always in demand for any social occasion. It’s easy to see why. They look like they can pull off any style, and because they have such a wide variety of shapes, they work well with so many different types of styles and trends.
Diamond
When wearing a diamond shaped face, what you wear on your head matters more than what you wear on your body. A hat further back on the head will minimize the likelihood that it will make your face look shorter. Choose something with a shallow crown like a pork pie hat.
Whether you choose a fedora, a baseball cap, a cowboy hat, or a straw hat, the right fit and appearance are essential to finding the right hat for you. The best hats are ones that make you feel great about yourself and help you express who you are and what you love about life. When it comes to the kinds of hats that suit your style best, sometimes bold choices are the way to go. Or maybe it’s something that has an everyday vibe but with a certain flare in its colors or style. Either way, a look that includes one of these hats can make a statement while still being functional.
