Choosing the right hat for your face involves learning your face shape and choosing something that accentuates your best features. A hat can elevate your style and accessorize well with a range of outfits. Here are our best tips to find a hat that suits you.
Step 01: Determine Your Face Shape
Understanding your face shape is essential for finding a hat that elevates your style and looks great. To find your face shape, look in a mirror with good lighting and note the outline of your face.
Face shapes fall into one of the following definitions:
- Round: A round face has soft edges and appears equal in length and width.
- Oval: Oval faces are slightly longer than wide but are less angular with rounded curves at the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. This is the most versatile face shape that works with almost every hat style.
- Square: The square shape is actually more of a rectangle. All major features, including your forehead, cheekbones, and chin, will have a similar look, almost like you could draw a straight line down the sides of the outline.
- Heart: Heart shapes are widest at the forehead with pronounced cheekbones and a narrow chin.
- Long: A long face shape is sometimes also called an oblong shape. If you’re in this category, then your face will be notably longer than it is wide, with a high forehead and narrow chin.
- Diamond: With this face shape, your cheekbones will be the widest part of your face, with a slightly narrower forehead and chin/jaw.
Long Hair - Should You Pull Your Hair Back When Checking Your Face Shape?
Your hairstyle can influence how you (and others) see your face shape. If you pull your hair back to check your face shape, you will get the most “accurate” impression of the curves and lines. However, there are two ways you could approach this:
- If you have a hairstyle that will show while wearing a hat, then you shouldn’t pull your hair back while checking your face shape.
- If you plan to pull your hair back or keep it under a hat, then definitely pull your hair back while checking your face shape.
Step 02: Choosing a Hat Best Suited to Your Face Shape
Now that you understand your face shape, you can consider some hat styles that flatter your natural features.
- Add Height to a Round Face: Beyond elevating your style, your goal when wearing a hat with a round face should be to add a little height and some hard angles. Wide-brimmed hats and flat caps work perfectly for this, but be careful not to wear anything that sits too low on your forehead. Fedoras, Sun Hats, and Cowboy Hats are popular picks.
- Versatile Options with an Oval Face: If you have an oval face, then you should be able to pull off any type of hat. Whether it’s a wide-brimmed Outback Hat for hiking and lazy days at the beach, or a Felt Bowler for formal occasions, you can choose a style that resonates with you and not worry about proportions.
- Soften a Square Face: Soft edges and rounded crowns are perfect for square facial features. Hats with round brims are perfect to bring some proportional softness to your look.
- Balance a Heart Shaped Face: Fedoras are perfect to balance a wider forehead and a narrow chin. Avoid anything with an overly wide brim to keep your features balanced.
- Shorten a Long Face: A lower crown can make a long face appear shorter, and many people with long face shapes look best with wide-brimmed and Panama-style hats. Our Panama Fedora in Slate Gray is the perfect choice if you want something versatile that works with casual and formal outfits.
- Reduce Cheekbones in a Diamond Face: Medium-brimmed hats are ideal for a diamond face. They will add width and take a little emphasis off your cheekbones.
Step 03: Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
While it’s true that certain hats suit certain face shapes, there are plenty of people who pull off a bold look when throwing conventions out the window. Confidence is key to looking great, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, hat types, and fabric patterns to get something that suits your personality and sense of style.
- Try tilting a hat or cap to add some personality and edge to your look. A subtle tilt can dramatically change the overall fit, feel, and look of a hat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Look Better Wearing a Hat? Is There a Secret I’m Missing?
There’s no “secret” to looking great in a hat, but there are three simple tips you should follow:
- Choose a hat that suits your face shape, following the tips we’ve shared above.
- Wear a hat that you feel confident in. Confidence is the most underrated aspect of looking great in a hat. If you don’t love the hat you’re wearing, people will know.
- Match the hat to your outfit by choosing colors and styles that complement your look.
How Tight Should a Hat Fit?
Hats should be snug enough to stay on without moving, even when you’re active, but not so tight that they cause discomfort or throbbing. You should be able to fit your index finger snugly between the sweatband and your forehead. If it feels loose, then your hat is too big. If you can’t move your finger, then it’s too tight.
Hats can compress with time, especially when they aren't worn often. You can use a Hat Stretcher to make a minor adjustment to size and help a hat maintain its shape.
Which Color Hat Goes with Everything?
Neutral colored hats are the best choice if you want something that will work with most of your wardrobe. The best examples are black, brown, beige, gray, and khaki. Darker neutral colors are perfect if you want something that works just as well in both casual and formal settings. Lighter neutral colors look fantastic in the spring and summer months.
Whether you want something special for formal occasions or an everyday hat to refine your style and complement your clothing and accessory choices, The Smokin’ Gentleman has the best collection to help you find something you will love. Browse our hats today and try a fresh look that brings out your best features.
If you live in the Port Jefferson, NY area, stop into our shop to see our local inventory and speak with one of our salesmen to help pick out the perfect hat for you!
Address: 308 Main St, Port Jefferson, NY 11777