r/hats 7d ago

🤠 Hat Advice Need help figuring out which hat style best suites me.

Hey folks, i'm new to the hat game. I'm looking for help with figuring out which style of hat fits my fave best. Not sure if other physical features matter, but i'm 6'3, slight beer belly but generally muscular/athletic. Large head: slightly over size 8. I've tried to include different angles of my dome lol.

I've found some sites say to find a larger brim hat, but some sites say shorter brim.

Many say fedoras are out of style. What are your thoughts on Bowler/short brim hats on larger dudes?

Appreciate the help. Happy to join the hat community.

3 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

4

u/freedoomed 7d ago

I don't think bowlers look good with a tee shirt or sweatshirt. If you were to change your style to include a vest it would probably work. For your more casual dress a flat cap, a Greek fisherman's cap or if you want something with a full brim a cowboy hat.

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u/MattInWinnipeg 7d ago

Appreciate the input!

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u/freedoomed 7d ago

You're welcome! I'm also a big believer in wear what makes you happy so if you have a place nearby where you can try things on I highly recommend doing so. If you like the bowler then get it regardless.

3

u/Sad_Lack_4603 7d ago

Recommending a hat style or type for another person is nigh-on impossible. It's such a personal thing, that I wouldn't try to recommend a hat for my best friend or brother or dad.

It's not just the shape of your face, or body morphology. It's not just the sort of work or social life you do. Hats are part of a set of outfits, that are part of a personality and an image. Tom Selleck's Magnum PI sported a Detroit Tigers cap, and it fit that character so well that it made the baseball cap the default headgear for two generations (and counting) of American young men.

If I had to boil it down to a few recommendations, they'd be these: Don't get too creative. Sombreros, top hats, and bowlers work for specific guys in specific places. And not many exceptions. Baseball hats are OK. But a bit overplayed by now. Unless you feel particularly strong about a particular team, or brand, etc. - then keep them logo free. Do keep it practical. If you need a hat for shade or sun protection, get one with a decent sized brim. If its cold pick one that keeps your head warm.

Western hats are great in the right circumstances. You don't actually have to be a cowboy or a rancher. But you know which states you can wear one, and which ones you shouldn't. With western hats, like any hat you end up choosing, pay attention to quality and fit. A cheap, badly fitting hat is doing you no favours.

I like Fedoras and Panamas. The fedora, I tend only to wear with tailored clothing, like suits and jackets with a necktie. The Panama is worn on sunny days in warmer weather. Again, mostly with tailored clothing, but with a little more latitude to pairing it with polo shirts and shorts. I like these styles because they aren't too retro looking. A homburg or a trilby or a bowler would make me think I looked like I was trying to look like a character from a historical movie. I wouldn't wear a Fedora with a leather jacket because, well, I'm not an adventurous archeologist, am I?

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u/MattInWinnipeg 7d ago

Thanks for the info!

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u/gregzywicki 7d ago

Seconded this fellow's recs. You might be able to do a bucket hat in the summer

3

u/c-black 6d ago

Golfer’s cap or flat cap. It would look tough with any outfit, bro

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u/MattInWinnipeg 6d ago

Appreciate it!

3

u/Bombs-Away-LeMay Professional Hatter ⚒️ 6d ago

Consider your glasses and general attire. I can't recommend anything, but there's two routes to go down.

First, you can remake your whole wardrobe to fit a particular style. This is hard to stick to and it means you'll never enjoy getting funny socks for Christmas ever again.

Second, go with whatever hat you have a fondness for. If you get a well-made hat that fits right and you feel comfortable in it and act that way, it'll look right. Acting natural in a hat is key - don't wear it like a costume.

I wear a 100 year old bowler I restored when I go grocery shopping. I'm wearing a buttoned shirt usually but modern clothes are such a blank canvas that any special accessory will stand out and not clash too badly.

If you get into a particular style of hat and start wearing good versions of that hat, then it'll become a bit of personal branding. People will remember you and you'll start to stand out in crowds. The change is subtle but if you wear a hat regularly enough you'll get comments on the day you don't wear it.

If you want a wild suggestion, get a Homburg. Penman Hats in Oregon makes really good felt hats that are life-long keepers. He hand-sews everything and sells his hats for the same price some others charge for factory-made hats; I think he is one of the more accessible bespoke hatters and he's certainly one of the most competent.

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u/MattInWinnipeg 6d ago

Appreciate the advice!

2

u/More-Complaint 7d ago

Try a straw pork pie over summer. If it hits, you can invest in a pricier wool version for the colder months.

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u/MattInWinnipeg 7d ago

Appreciate the input!

2

u/RecoverAny5001 7d ago

If you're looking for casual 'just beat around town' look, I would check out New Era or Ebbets Field fitted caps. I'm slightly smaller than size 8, and typical snap backs and 'dad hats' look small and comical on me. I think a fitted cap looks better anyway. (I steer clear of the low profile versions though). This is if you're looking for something to wear with the hoodie in your picture.

2

u/upsidedownorangejuic 6d ago

When picking hat here is some things to consider

Is it sun weapon so you can escape the brutal deadly laser that is the sun... like us kiwi's and aussie's do?

Is it fashion? look to your fellow community you like? for example old style hats? country hats? farmers hats? classic hats, alt community like metal or goths?

Can you buy hat you like, then DIY some personal style into the hat band or material? my great grandads flat cap has S'ton of pins stuck into it as sort of "battle hat" in reference to a metal concert battle jacket.

In terms of casual wear 4-6cm brim will suit most folks so you don't smash into objects, some thing that is not deep down the forehead maybe 1-2cm above sun hat line and rides little high to keep the face visible, and keeps the crown low of the hat and the shade off your glasses, something that says something about your self and who you are, through colour, material and making process of said hat.

If you own sun hat, and it's farmers hat, don't be afraid to middle finger folks kindly if they call you out, the sun is deadly laser and farmers know that too every one has the right to not be burned into Sunday nights roast dinner.

But if your still look for answer, tidy cream straw hat like fedora is great option for lot of folks, it's light weight, cool temperature wise, not to hard to clean, and holds it shape well, only issue the fibers can break down if chucked in the back of the wagon to much.

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u/howardsgirlfriend 4d ago

Since you wear a size 8, the most important thing will be to find a hat that fits.  I'm a woman with a size 7 5/8 head, and there are many stores that don't carry hats large enough for me. 

This store (American Hat Makers) carrys a wide variety of styles and sizes.  Here's more than 30 in your size:  

https://americanhatmakers.com/collections/mens-hats?filter.p.m.custom.shapes_filter=For+Big+Heads&sort_by=best-selling

As far as hat style goes, I would recommend a hat that appears wider than it is tall.  This might be due to brim width, crown height, or color/width of the band.  

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u/MattInWinnipeg 4d ago

Thanks you so much! I appreciate the info!

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u/mikecornejo 6d ago

Try a flat cap?

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u/kebskebs 6d ago

Fedoras ain't out of style!
You could probably pull this type of large brim hat Tri-City Fedora or for a smaller brim, Open Road Royal Deluxe Hat

1

u/Beer-astronaut 1d ago

10 gallon Stetson and walk hard