How to Find the Perfect Hat to Fit Your Personality

Your personal style can say a lot about you. The clothes you wear, the shoes on your feet and what you choose to accessorize with all send a particular message to the people around you. That's why fashion is one of the best outlets for expressing your unique personality. You get to choose what the world sees, and with all the opportunities to mix and match, the options are endless.

One often-overlooked accessory that can really elevate your individual style is a perfectly fitted hat. They're incredibly functional, but they can also add that little bit of flair to your wardrobe that you've been looking for.

How Hats Evolved to Showcase Individual Style

Hats have been around since the dawn of ancient civilization. They provided ample protection against the sun and other harsh elements but were also a signifier of someone's status. Certain hats were typically only worn by the wealthy or higher social classes, but in places like Ancient Greece, wide-brimmed hats were used to shield them from the harsh rays as they worked outside.

 

As history progressed, the styles of hats did, too. While many people still wore hats for function, things were starting to shift, and hats were being worn for their style, as well. The look of these hats became more elaborate, particularly for women. In many places, your style of hat and its material were still being used to indicate someone's wealth. In the 16th century, some hats were fashioned with an ostrich feather in their caps, a clear sign that the wearer had a significant amount of money.

Today, hats are worn more as a fashion statement instead of a status indicator since the materials have become more widely accessible and they're able to be mass-produced. There's no need to run down to your local hat maker anymore and wait for you perfect hat to be made, they're readily available! There are so many styles to choose from, so no matter if you're wearing a hat for form or function, there is a style of hat perfectly suited to you and your personality.

10 Different Styles of Hats and What They Say About You

Check out these options to discover the best hat for each personality:

1. Baseball Cap

A hat originally worn by athletes, baseball caps have now become one of the more predominant hats worn in recent years, especially in the United States. The purpose of a baseball cap is to block out the sun, but it also works great as a casual clothing accessory.

These hats can be highly customized to include things such as logos, personal branding or initials and names. There also exists a different variety of baseball caps, such as a flat bill, curved bill and a slightly curved bill. These variations allow for more customization options, and the curved bills are perfect for resting a pair of sunglasses on top as an extra accessory.

Baseball caps are often worn by sporty, outdoorsy types but also are suitable for people who are more laidback. Nothing says casual like a baseball cap. These hats have also become popular in the hip-hop style, where labels and tags are often left on for a variety of reasons, sometimes as a symbol of rebellion and other times as a marker of wealth.

As far as what this hat says about you, wearing a baseball cap says you're a calm, cool and collected person with a go-with-the-flow type of personality.

2. Fedora

The fedora first appeared in the late 1800s and quickly rose to popularity as celebrities began to adopt the style. Soon, everyone was wearing one, and their reliable function, as well as fashionability, has kept this hat alive through the centuries. Women and men alike have worn fedoras as a fashion item and to signify class and sophistication. At one point, fedoras were even used as a feminist symbol, showing resistance against gender roles.

These hats are made from a variety of materials, including straw, felt, fabric and leather. Fedoras make perfect statement pieces and are a way to show off your polished and refined sense of style. If you adore the vintage look from the 1920s and 1930s, fedoras are the perfect accessory for you.

3. Wide-Brimmed Hat

The floppy, wide-brimmed hat has been a success for many years. These hats can be customized and made to look simple yet chic or extravagant and eye-catching. Like many hats, the wide-brimmed hat got its start as a way to protect people from the sun. The long brim kept the face aptly shaded during the hot summer days. As time went on, these hats began to represent femininity and grace.

These hats can be worn in the summer as a perfect accessory to the beach or on a day out in the sun. Wide-brimmed hats can even be worn in the winter months since they can also be made of materials such as wool. No matter what time of the year, wearing this hat lets everyone know you're a classy, fashionable individual who is likely up to date on recent trends and looking to make a statement.

4. Beret

Popularized in France, the beret is a resilient yet fashionable hat. While they look great as part of a wardrobe, these hats have also been worn by the military. The beret looks sophisticated, but the tough nature of these hats also provides ample protection for the wearer.

When you wear a beret, you're saying you have a strong sense of self. You're confident and know what you want. These hats are also a popular choice among artsy types and those who crave their next big adventure. With all the applications, berets don't seem to be falling out of style any time soon.

5. Cowboy Hat

Cowboy hats have a long history and are often associated with a particular group of people. This Western icon is one of the most recognizable hats to exist. Typically made with a round brim and pinched crown, the cowboy hat served as a durable piece of protective gear for the working man in the Western plains of the United States. These hats are still worn today by celebrities, ranchers, rodeo performers and even just everyday people.

A cowboy hat can portray you as a hardworking individual — someone who's not afraid to get their hands dirty. This respectable accessory is perfect for the working person, and the shape, style and condition of your cowboy hat can convey everything you want to onlookers. Cowboy hats even work great just as a simple addition to a wardrobe, adding a little inventiveness and creativity to your next outfit.

6. Beanie

The beanie can be traced back to as far as Medieval Britain, originally a knitted cap meant to help insulate body heat and protect one from the harsh winter elements. As time went on, these hats grew in popularity and were worn by all kinds of people around the globe. Beanies today are still ideal for the winter month as an addition to your cold-weather wardrobe, but they're a great fashion choice, as well.

 

Beanies became a staple fashion item among young people and hipsters but are now worn as an accessory by all types of people. The versatility of beanies means they're suitable for many fashion senses.

These hats can be worn with semi-casual business attire to indicate that you have a more easygoing personality. If worn loosely and pushed back, you may give off the appearance that you're an imaginative, artful person who likely engages in a creative talent, such as music or painting. The flexibility of the beanie makes it a great choice for all types of people and styles.

7. Bowler Hat

Bowler hats became popular in 19th century Britain. These hats were made so they wouldn't fall off as easily during physical activities. Gentlemen of the period wore them during hunts or riding on horseback. Their balance and function are part of what keeps them popular today.

People who enjoy an active lifestyle can wear these hats without having to worry about it flying away. These hats are also great for formal events since they give off an air of sophistication. The great thing about bowler hats is that they also tell people that you're a fun person to be around — someone who enjoys getting out and doing things while looking good at the same time.

8. Top Hat

Top hats were most often worn in the 18th and 19th centuries. After their bout of popularity, they slowly faded from the limelight up until recent years. The modern appreciation for historical and vintage fashion, as well as the emergence of steampunk, has brought these hats back to life. Top hats speak for themselves and demand the attention of everyone in the vicinity.

These hats are icons of high-class sophistication and regality and are perfect for formal events. But top hats are even more versatile than that nowadays. These hats are used in costume pieces and in certain fashion groups as a way to make a statement. A top hat tells everyone that you're a bold person who makes bold choices. You don't mind stepping outside of the box and shaking things up a little.

9. Newsboy Cap

This hat began its rise to fame with paperboys in the early 1900s. You may recognize these hats from the popular musical, "The Newsies." Now that this occupation has since faded from our society, these hats are mostly worn by horse racers.

Newsboy hats are like a flash to the past. They can complement a casual wardrobe as well as more formal attire. Wearing one shows a clear appreciation of history and all things vintage. These hats show off a bold, trendsetting attitude with a bit of edge. If you're looking to spice up your wardrobe and add a little poise, the newsboy cap might be a good choice for you!

10. Bucket Hat

Bucket hats have long been popular, and it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon. These hats are great for travelers and outdoorsy types who are looking for a protective and durable headpiece. They can be easily stored or packed and come in a variety of colors and styles.

Bucket hats suit adventurous types who value convenience and quality. They're a great, long-lasting option for many and can be worn every day for a casual fashion option. With their newfound popularity, a bucket hat can show off your nostalgia for the '90s and early 2000s and identify you as a young-hearted, on-trend individual.

Things to Consider When Buying a Hat

Different hats suit different people. Keep these tips in mind to find the best hat for your personality:

• What you want your hat to say: Think about your personality and what you want your hat to say about you. Every piece says something different, and you want to make sure you're conveying the right message. For example, wearing a top hat indicates formality, an appreciation for high fashion and a desire to make a statement. On the other hand, wearing a beanie is usually an indicator of a relaxed, laidback attitude and an artsy inclination.
• Your face shape: To help you decide which hat to pick, it helps to determine your face shape and look for hats to accentuate the features you like and minimize the features you don't. This consideration can help narrow your options and ensure you choose a hat you feel confident in.
• Comfort and materials: Consider the comfortability of a hat before making your purchase. The way a hat fits will play a big part in how often it circulates through your wardrobe. If you're uncomfortable with the hat you've picked, you may not wear it very often or for long, which defeats the purpose of introducing a hat into your lineup. Look for materials you know you'll find comfortable and wouldn't mind wearing on your head for a little while. Do your research on hat sizing so you are properly fitted for any hat you buy.

Overall, the most important thing to takeaway here is that you should find a hat that speaks to you. Your personal style is uniquely your own and plays a big part in your identity. There is a perfect hat out there for all of us — all we have to do is find it.

Find a Hat to Suit Your Personality at Hats Unlimited

There's no better way to express yourself than through your style, and accessorizing with a hat can really make your personality shine through. At Hats Unlimited, we want to make finding the perfect hat as easy as possible. We have a plethora of styles to choose from and have a dedicated staff committed to helping you find that perfect hat. We put the utmost care into our merchandise and are dedicated to helping our customers through every step of the process.

Browse our wide collection of hats by style and find that unique piece to add to your wardrobe!