4 Popular Hat Styles for Women

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Is this you? You find hats attractive and those who wear them stylish, but you have only the most basic knowledge about hats and hat fashion. Even though you want to incorporate hats into your wardrobe, you don’t know how or where to start. You’re worried even the best women’s caps and hats will be wasted on you.

 

This article is for you. It covers the different types of hats and provides hat-wearing tips, too, so you can take that first step into the world of hat fashion.

 

1. Fedora

The fedora is among the most recognizable hat types, particularly for Indiana Jones fans. After all, it’s one of the signature accessories of this fictional adventurer and archeology professor.

 

A fedora is a hat with a lengthwise pinch at the top of the crown and two indents at the front, one on the left side and another on the right. The crown is usually four to six inches high and, from the top, the crease at the crown is shaped like a teardrop (with the narrow end pointing forward) or a diamond. A narrow or wide ribbon band (i.e., hatband) typically wraps around the crown, sitting just above the brim.

 

Fedoras are made of a fabric constructed from felt, a non-woven textile made by matting, condensing, and pressing a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The natural fibers include cotton, wool, cashmere, or animal fur (e.g., rabbit, beaver). The synthetic fibers are typically nylon, acrylic, or polyester.

 

Style: Fedoras have a strong presence and make a statement. They are meant to stand out, so use them to frame your face and gorgeous hair. They pair well with casual outfits.

 

2. Boater

The boater is a stiff hat with a flat-topped crown, which is typically three inches (or a little over) high. It emerged in the late 19th century and was popularized by sailors and boaters, thus the name. There’s some debate surrounding its origin, however. Some are convinced the boater was an iteration of the hats worn by gondoliers in Venice, while others maintain it was inspired by the sennit hat worn by British naval soldiers.

 

Like the fedora, the boater hat for women typically has a hatband around the bottom part of the crown, just above the brim. It has a wider brim than a fedora, so it can provide adequate shade in the sun. Its crisp silhouette and defined edges give it a classic, spruce appearance, making it an excellent hat for more formal summer events, particularly yachting, sailing and other similar seaside festivities.

 

Style: Boaters pair well with dresses and feminine outfits. They look absolutely gorgeous when matched with flowy, floral and gauzy summer dresses. A boater does not hide the hair or face, so use it to frame yours instead.

 

3. Rancher

The rancher hat is often mistaken for a fedora. Like the latter, it has a crown with a lengthwise crease and indented sides. Ranchers may also be made of felt.

 

While this is not absolute, ranchers are typically taller at the crown than fedora. They may also have a wider brim. Hatbands may also be made of leather instead of ribbon.

 

The taller crown and the wider brim are rooted in North American cowboy culture. The rancher hat was created for those who spend much time outdoors herding and driving cattle. The tall crown is essential for ventilation around the head, while the wide brim is necessary to protect the wearer’s head from the sun, wind, and rain. 

 

Style: You can wear a rancher hat while working at a cattle ranch; this is its original purpose. However, it fits right in at a country music festival, concert, rodeo, or other Western-themed events. It pairs well with cowboy boots, blue jeans, a leather belt, and other Western-style clothing and accessories.

 

4. Bucket

Put a bucket hat upside down, and you’ll understand why it’s called that. Its distinguishing feature is its tall crown, typically deep enough to contain thick hair held in a high bun. The round brim slopes downward, giving an upside-down bucket hat a slightly flared appearance.

 

The bucket hat, originating in the early 20th century, is attributed to Irish fishermen and farmers. The Irishmen used it as a functional head covering against the country’s frequent rain showers.

 

Classic bucket hats are made of thick fabrics like tweed, while others are constructed out of wool fibers. However, bucket hats in lighter fabrics like cotton are also available.

 

Style: A bucket hat is perfect for hiding long tresses — great for non-styled hair days. It can also protect your hair from getting fried in the sun or wet in the rain. It’s perfectly squash-able, so it’s easy to pack and take with you everywhere. Bucket hats go well with casual clothing like shorts, espadrilles and a loose T-shirt.

 

Choose Your Hat Style

Hats are wonderful accessories. They are functional. 

 

Hats protect the head against the sun, wind and rain. Wide-brimmed hats shade your face from the sun, while narrow-brimmed hats can shade your eyes. 

 

Hats are also fashionable, framing your face and complementing your outfit, so wear them anytime you feel like it.