When it comes to relationships, finding the perfect match could be as simple as swiping right. But as far as hats are concerned,with such a barrage of styles to choose from, finding a hat that fits well, looks good and isn’t at odds with the rest of your wardrobe can be tricky. But chin up, because we’re here to run you through the strongest headgear options, together with some simple tips and tricks to help pull them off. more after the cut....
The Fedora
What Is It?
The fedora is a hat, of course. But more than that, it’s headgear with history.
The fedora’s etymological roots lie in the Greek word for ‘gift from God’, and it’s a style that’s fallen in and out of favour since the late 19th century.
Who Wears It?
History is full of examples of men who harnessed the flair of the fedora.
In more recent times, however, the fedora has amassed a fan club that counts Ex President Goodluck Jonathan, Neyo and Michael Jackson among its members.
How Do I Wear It?
The fedora gets a lot of disapproval. But done properly, one of these will instantly add some old-school charm to contemporary looks.
The fedora’s tall, dented crown means it suits shorter guys or those with a bigger build, as it adds height, draws the eye upwards and elongates the frame. As for the brim, consider your face shape before committing to a slim- or wide-brimmed style: a longer, oval-shaped face benefits from the proportion-balancing effect of a wider brim, while a slimmer brim will streamline a rounder, squatter face. And if you’re blessed with a chiselled jaw, well, yours is a world brimming (yup) with options.
“In short, a hat like this won’t work with jeans, trainers and a sweatshirt,“Secondly, make sure you buy one that actually fits the way you need it to. If you want to wear it tilted back at a slight angle, Ne-yo-style, you may need to buy it slightly too small so that it sits snugly on your crown.”
Try it casually with a crew neck T-shirt tucked into tailored trousers worn with a pair of Derbies, or steer traditional with checked tailoring and some expertly manicured facial hair.
The Baseball Cap
What Is It?
A true sporting icon, the baseball cap made its debut in 1860 atop the heads of Brooklyn baseball team the Excelsiors. Characterised by its protruding peak and rear fastening, it was originally manufactured to help shield players’ eyes from the sun.
Over the last 156 years, though, it’s been knocked right out of the park, coming to form a key part of the wardrobes of not only hip-hop royalty, but the modern hypebeast, too. And now it nestled neatly in the intersection between leisure and the rest of life.
Who Wears It?
The humble baseball cap might be camouflage for celebs seeking to go incognito (Chris brown defaults to his on bad hair days), but those in the rap game have turned wearing theirs into an art form.
Whether it’s BAPE or New York Yankees, caps are now a style signature for the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Drake and Jay Z.
How Do I Wear It?
With pretty much anything. Even a suit. Well, not all suits but arguably the most on-trend way to work a baseball cap into your rotation is with crisp, clean and monochrome tailoring.
Designs constructed from suede, leather and wool have put a luxe spin on this sports staple, making it ideal for styling with deconstructed blazers and sports jackets.
Just make sure yours is facing forward.
The Beanie
What Is It?
Essentially a knitted cap, the beanie has in some way, shape or form been around since the 1100s. But, like so many other enduring menswear staples, the modern design we know and love has its roots in military and blue collar uniforms.
The beanie is a sack of rugged, woollen, goodness that acts as the literal crowning glory to your outfit. Some have pom-poms. Don’t wear those.
Who Wears It?
In times past, the beanie has almost exclusively been the preserve of out-of-work actors.
The fact that brand like Louis Vuitton have given the beanie a luxurious makeover in recent seasons probably hasn’t done its rep any harm.
How Do I Wear It?
There are no hard and fast rules to pulling on/off a beanie, except that when it sits sloppily on the back of your head covering a head full of hair/secrets.
The Flat Cap
What Is It?
Often overlooked, the flat cap was once favoured by the English gentry – particularly those with a predilection for hunting. More recently, in the 1990s, it became the headgear of choice for wayward boyband members with addiction issues and old timers whose sartorial prowess just wasn’t ‘what it used to be’.
In 2016, however, all’s change. The flat cap has clawed its way back from the swamp to earn a spot as one of the more unusually fashionable pieces around, providing a stylish alternative to the sporty baseball cap.
Who Wears It?
Unsurprisingly, this is a style still favoured by the likes of its stylish flag-flyers, among them Idris Elba, Ne- yo.
How Do I Wear It?
Despite its country connotations, the flat cap is surprisingly versatile, punctuating looks from smart-casual to smart perfectly.
In terms of fit, think along similar lines to the baseball cap, which shouldn’t be too tight or have too much excess fabric that could cause unsightly bunching at the top of your head. Too capacious a cap and you risk the mushroom effect.
Final Word
Convinced caps are the future? Or is it the hat-less life for you?
Let us know what headspace you’re in below.
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