The Guide to Men’s Hats [Part 1] (B)

The revival of men’s style and fashion has, among many style elements, also brought up the different types of men’s hats and gave them a big refresh. If in the past, hats were almost mandatory for a man, today they are optional. Men’s hats are in a way like watches. They are not mandatory, so wearing one is a style statement. The reason for this is because if an item is not something you need to wear, such as shoes, it means that you have put an intentional effort and that you have made a deliberate choice into choosing your hat.

We say that if you want to wear a hat, you should make it special! This is why, in this guide we will look at the different types of men’s hats, their origins and we’ll also give you some guidelines on how to wear them.

But, before we start with the list, we want to make you familiar with the components of a hat. Not all hats have all the components, some lack bonds, others are not pinched, but it is important to remember these because if you know more about these parts, you can establish what you like and what you don’t and find the right hat for you. Basically, a hat has a crown, which is the part that goes up and rises, a brim, which is the part that goes around the crown’s base, a bond and some hats have pinches. Of course, many hats have embellishments, such as feathers or jewels, but that’s all relative. Some men don’t like pinches; others prefer bonds, so the options are very wide.

 

 

 

Let’s take a look at the main types of hats and discover which one suits you and your style best:

 

 

The Fedora

Fedoras are felt hats that are normally creased down the crown lengthwise and pinched on both sides near the front. However, the positioning of the pinch can vary and can be creased with different types of crowns, such as diamond crowns or center dents or they can have no crease at all. Such a hat would be called a bucket style hat.

Fedoras were most popular between the 1920s and the 1950s and are strongly associated with those times, so if you want to wear a fedora, you can count on the fact that it will give you somewhat of a vintage vibe. Fedoras have also been popularized through the Indiana Jones character as well, so maybe you can go for a fedora if you want a more adventurous look.

Fedoras are very versatile and come in so many types today that you can pretty much adapt them to any look. Some people will associate them with “bad boys” while others think fedoras are for guys who are just “too nice” (a phrase that doesn’t make any sense).

The fact that they are so widespread has also become one of their main downsides: a fedora is not a style statement anymore unless you put in a very clear context. In a way, that’s the way it’s supposed to be, as hats are accessories, and accessories should support an outfit, not make it.

It’s up to you to decide if you want to wear a fedora and how.

 

The stingy brim hat

 

A stingy brim hat is a fedora that has a very small brim. Stingy brim hats are becoming more and more popular and can be worn by men of all ages. They are just as versatile as fedoras and can go a long way. Adding such a hat to an outfit can make a big difference in the way your overall appearance looks.

 

The Boater

 

Boater hats are classic men’s formal summer hats. They are also known as bashers, cadys, katies, somers, sennit hats, and even can-can hats in Japan. These hats are generally made from sennit straw and are characterized by the flat brim and crown.

They are often worn at rowing or sailing events and in some parts of the world, such as Australia or South Africa, they are worn as part of school uniforms for boys.

Boaters can be very well worn with blazers but you can wear them with other pieces as well. Keep in mind that even though today these hats are not so popular anymore, their origins are still in a formal hat, so don’t wear one with an outfit that is too casual.

 

The Porkpie hat

 

There is something about the name of this type of hat that really makes us not like it, but, in all fairness, porkpie hats (also spelled pork pie hats) have their name because of their resemblance to the dish carrying the same name.

Originally, porkpie hats were worn by women, but were soon adapted by men as well. Buster Keaton made porkpie hats his signature, but it was the Great Depression when the porkpie peaked in terms of popularity. Because it was associated with African-American culture, its popularity in the USA declined after 1950, but it was placed in the spotlight again in 1971, when it was worn by Gene Hackman in “The French Connection”.

 

Porkpie hats are quite popular today and they can be quite stylish, especially if you make them look good by adding some embellishments or wearing them with a great attitude!

 

The Panama hat

Panama hats are originally made from a straw that is found almost only in Ecuador, which is why 95% of the production of Panama hats is done there. Panama hats are also called toquilla straw hats and they are usually lightweight, breathable and light colored, which is why they are perfect for hot climates. These hats have been made since the 17^th century and the art of weaving them has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

 

 

 

Panama hats are usually associated with tropical settings, so you can wear one whenever you want to convey a relaxed, but powerful vibe. They go great with a lot of types of outfits and can be easily matched to chalky colors and highly saturated colors as well.

Since most Panama hats are white with a black or blue bond, they work great with blue, red or black clothes.

 

If you decide on wearing a hat, you should always make sure that it is in tone with the rest of your outfit. It should be color-coordinated and coordinated in terms of style as well. A dressier hat does not work with a plain outfit, it will draw all the attention and not in a positive way.

Hats are great accessories to wear, but always make sure that they flatter your overall look. If you are not used to wear a hat, wear it for a while around the house until you get used to it and ask people for opinions!

You can even send us an e-mail and chat with us about hats!

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 Further reading:

The Guide to Men’s Hats [Part 2]

P.S. Do you wear hats? Share your questions, comments or feedback in the comments space below and don’t forget that you can subscribe to our website via e-mail or follow us on our social media for new articles and style guides!

 

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