Eight hat styles for men and how to wear them

The hat is certainly a striking addition to every stylish gentleman’s gait – it’s a statement piece which makes a great impression.

For those who would love to add hats to their style, consider this your guide.

Most men have worn a baseball cap at some time in their lives. It is arguably one of the most commonly worn stylish hat styles for men in this century, not only because it stretches a sporty look but also for the fact that a baseball cap can keep the sun out of your eyes.

It is a great addition to a casual outfit. The baseball cap will also come out decent in a smarter outfit when styling is kept minimal; mixing shirt and blazer with a pair of jeans. This time you have to ensure that the colour of the baseball cap compliments the colour of the shirt or your outfit.

There are 3 major types of baseball caps: Snapback hat, dad hat and fitted hat.

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. These are not to be confused with the small brimmed hat called Trilby.

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 only. But if you must wear it with jeans, you’ll need to dress up your outfit a bit. Generally, it looks great on men with bigger build because of its tall crown and wide brim.

It looks like a fedora but with a smaller brim that slopes sharply down in front and at the back. Trilby hat is frequently worn on the back of the head and it has a taller crown compared to the fedora hat.

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 is less formal. It is multipurpose; 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.

A baseball cap can be worn backward but a flat cap shouldn’t and also not encouraged during summer.

Always remember that the colour or print of your flat cap shouldn’t exactly match your shirt or suit. Variation and mixing of print is permitted with a flat cap to ensure a stylish look.

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 can be referred to as ‘the protective blanket for the head’. It is very simple, comfortable and masculine hat. Its versatility allows fitting with several outfit styles; fits on the blazer or on a jean with a shirt.

You can wear the beanie during winter or generally only when it’s cold – you might look a bit odd wearing it in hot weather.

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.

It 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. Modish men of this century rarely wear it but it can be styled up with a jean and blazer for a vintage-inspired look for retro parties.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whatever your style is, there is a hat for you. Always remember – a hat that suits you should be worn with poise and confidence.

Finally, note that the color or print of your flat cap shouldn’t exactly match your shirt or suit but rather it should complement your outfit.

Kobi O. Mbagwu (Mr. Kobi) is a professional image consultant, menswear blogger & entrepreneur. He blogs at Mrkoachman.com