Fedora Hats Are Rarely Sexy
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Gawd, can we please put the Fedora back in the 40’s where they belong? The odds are very much against your looking sexy in one of these. They come in a ton of styles, and maybe 2 look good – and I’m not telling you which, cos I don’t want to encourage you to run out and get one!
The truth is, 99% of all white men look ridiculous in these. And I do mean ridiculous. We’re talking the equivalent sex appeal of maybe Ed Norton from The Honeymooners. Sorry, I’m not trying to be racist, or anything, they just usually don’t look right on whitey.
They sometimes look good on black men, but only those who can really pull off the well-dressed gangster look, or old blues musicians. And the men these look the best on – Cubans and other Latinos – don’t always look sexy in them, either. Take a look at the following Hollywood celebs and tell me if you really think these hats look good!
Most people regard Jude Law as being extremely good looking. I've always found him a bit feminine for my taste, but I certainly see the appeal. Except for when he's wearing one of those ridiculous hats. For starters, it's too far back on his head, and makes him look very geeky. Also, notice the shape of his shoulders - they aren't straight across, but rather a bit angled. Now look at the brim of his hat; almost perfectly horizontal. This isn't something you would consciously notice while looking at him, but the odd contrast will affect your perception, even if only subconsciously. Now look at the picture below, where the man really does look sexy, hawt and masculine. Do you think he'd still look that good if he was wearing that silly hat?
A Very Sexy Jude Law
Justin Timberlake is not my type either, but sometimes he looks pretty hot. The rest of the time he looks like a teenager. Take that photo of him in that hat, there. He looks like some suburban kid from the 80's, trying hard to make like Run DMC. This hat has the same problems as the one Jude Law's wearing. It's just not sexy, and the contrasting rim color just makes it stand out even more. There is nothing mature or sexy about this style, and if I didn't know better, I'd guess he was about 17 years old. Now look at that pic below. That's a sexy, mature looking young man. (I have to say "young man" cos he's too babyfaced to pass for a man, yet!) But he looks fantastic in that photo. How do you think he'd look with that silly hat on?
A Very Sexy Justin Timberlake
Do you even recognize Colin Farrell in that photo with the hat? Hard to believe it's him. He looks about 20 years older than he really is, and also looks like he belongs in a detective agency somewhere. It's the gray, really. Gray is the color of the beta male. Nothing masculine there, folks. The hat style itself isn't so bad, but there it's a little too high - an inch or two less would be much better. But even so, there is nothing sexy with this look! Now look at the pic below.. that's a sexy pic, right? How sexy do you think he'd be if you put that hat on him, hmm? I'd guess not very!
A Very Sexy Colin Farrell
A Sexy Exception
Ok, I don't know who this man is, but he looks damned fine in his little hat. I'm also not sure if he's hispanic or not. If he's white, he's an exception! Notice he, too, has slanted shoulders - but the hat is also angled and almost matches the slant? This makes your subconscious reckon it's a good match. And, it is. Also notice the material; straw with a nice stylish (but not overdone) design. And the rim is perfect, the way it covers just enough of his face to give him an edge, but not so severely he looks like a mobster. Also notice his shirt goes with this - its a summer look, you wouldn't wear this in the winter. This is the stuff Cuban men look so fine in. Most white men wearing these are likely to look they belong on a shuffleboard deck! Of course, if you do hang out on the suffleboard deck, these will probably look alright.
The Blues Brothers
Now, Jake and Elwood looked cool in their hats. They still do. But this does not mean they looked sexy. This is a look a lot of white blues and jazz musicians try to pull off - honestly, I would seriously not want to share a stage with anyone trying that hard to look cool. I guess the idea came from The Blues Brothers movie.. but even if it was cool during those days.. those days were half a century ago! Wear the hat if you must, just don't expect to the chicks to flock stageside!
Honestly, I know a lot of men equate these hats with manliness. Sometimes they help in that regard - but usually not. If you do get one of these, try on several styles and take your woman with you for advice.
xx Isabella
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Comments
But what about women in a Fedora? I love my black velvet one that I (used to) wear with a tuxedo jacket, lace teddy, boots, leggings and nothing more!! I think the Fedora thing has to do with additude and intension!! The awful ones look like they are just trying to cover up a bad hair day!! As part of a sexy wardrobe, which you mention, I think Fedoras can be hot!! Blessings, Earth Angel!!
Stacie - Thanks! And yip, plenty of sexiness there. ;)
EA - This article is about men, lol. Though, if you want my honest opinion, most women look very silly in them too. That said, I've seen them work for some women when used with very sexy suits and very sexy lingerie, but most women should avoid them as much as men. I'm sure you're an exception, EA!! :)
Growing up in Denmark, hats were something "old men" wore. Maybe that's why I found it disturbing when my girlfriend some 10 years ago insisted on getting me to wear hats... including Fedoras, Homburgs, and others.
Living in Texas for many years, it was Stetsons everywhere. Now, I have no problem with that if you're outside a lot and needing to keep your noggin' from getting fried to a crisp... but inside movie theaters, at night? Going to work at the BANK?
A good read, as always...!
I agree no Fedoras, actually no hats. Val has just forced me into baseball caps for one hour per day as we walk in the midday sun like fools of English men.
That's the first hat since school days. It only cost $4.00
At least is keeps the sun off my forehead.
I Forgot wear Mr. Hewitt way
Great Hub
Just Indiana Jones, please...hmmmmmmmm...I agree
Great HUB Isabella, as always.
regards Zsuzsy
I suggest that it's a question of changing fashion rather than simply not looking handsome or sexy; I imagine that men wouldn't look sexy in powdered wigs and tricorner hats, either, despite what women two centuries ago thought of President Washington!
That being said, I've always liked the look of a nice fedora, possibly because we have some old photos of my grandfather as a young man wearing them and he was quite handsome (my grandmother thought so, anyway!). I think men generally dressed better back in the '30s and '40s, for that matter. Perhaps I'm just old-fashioned.
Oh, and EA, could you please not write more posts like that? I was temporarily reduced to gibbering idiocy by the mental image of an attractive woman dressed as you describe! ;-)
Denmark - Cowboy hats can be sexy!!! ;) Not in a bank though.. lol.
Mr. Marmalade - Glad you agree, thanks!
Zsuzsy - Thanks! :)
Doc - Nope, not that at all, sorry....! ;)) Just because something is fashionable does not mean it is sexy! And the fedora didnt look sexy in the 40s, either. And yes, I do think some clothing from then did. This is about the sex appeal of the Fedora on men from the perspective of those attracted to men. Kind of hard for straight men to say whether or not its sexy to women, dontcha think? ;-p
I do agree that some men look utterly ridiculous in fedoras, but some men just look so sexy and "tall, dark, and handsome". From my perspective, men with fedoras only look good if they already have that look about them, and the fedora hat only amplifies the dark, dangerous, sexy look. The fedora, however, just doesn't work for good boy-next-door types. :P
Great hub.
Although, wasn't the fedora originally from the 1920s, with the bootleggers? They stereotypically wore long coats, fedoras, and huge boots to hide the liquor, with a tommy gun under their coats? I could just be going off of the romanticized version of them, however, though I'm pretty sure fedoras are from the 1920s, not '40s. :)
Brandy - Thanks, and yes, I agree, they need that "look".. but that exact look is too difficult to explain concisely, so I did not mention it. ;) The Fedora is actually much older than the 40's or 20's (from the late 1800's) the 40s are just when it reached the height of fashion. ;)
Ah, okay, makes sense.
It would actually be pretty easy to explain the look with actors. I could recommend you some actors who have that look, if you'd like, and then you could write a hub about it. If you want recommendations (and eye-candy :P), just contact me and I'll give you my AIM name or something.
Thanks for that Brandy. :) Unfortunately men do not perceive the same way women do, and they would not have a clue as to *why* it was sexy. I could convey it easily enough in a short paragraph, but I just can't be arsed, lol. ;))))
Another great hub, I bought one Mexican Sombrero hat but that is too radical. Colin Farell's hat looks awesome.
Cgull - His hat doesnt look bad, but it took almost all of his sex appeal away. ;)
You're very right, Isabella. One observation I have made regarding men in hats is that all too often there is no consideration given for the shape of a man's head, neck and shoulders. There is a reason so many types of hats exist for both men -and- women, and it seems like this fact is forgotten.
Maybe if there were fashion tips for, say, choosing the right hat... hmm.
Thanks! And, you know.. I considered making one.. but there are so many hat styles (even of individual hats styles, like the Fedora) and so many head shapes, and so many ear shapes, and so many hair styles, and so many forehead variations, etc, etc.. oi, I'm exhausted just thinking about it, lol. I'll pass! But you go on and feel free to write that mammoth sucker! ;)
Alright, lol. Now that you've said it, it's like... ouch. It'll probably take a few days just to work it all out. :P
Ouch what?? I hope you don't think I was directing that at you - I just meant I know men would still be clueless about what the look meant. Thats all! ;)
No, no. The "ouch" was about how much research and writing will go into just one hub about it. What you said about how much effort will go into talking about the various head shapes, etc. sounds like a gruesome, arduous task full of days or weeks of research and writing. :)
My Friend is going to be pissed when he reads this...
Isabella: "Kind of hard for straight men to say whether or not its sexy to women, dontcha think?"
True, but we men are always trying to figure out what you women will find sexy so we can dress that way. Sometimes we guess right, sometimes wrong (usually with disastrous though sometimes hilarious results). And sometimes we just give up and go find somebody who'll flat out tell us. "Hmmm... They think that turtlenecks are sexy... Never would have guessed that... Fedoras look goofy to them? Really? Never worn one; guess I dodged that bullet... What else do they like?"
:-)
After reading your article, it is time for a little hat shopping! lol
Brandy - Ah, ok then. :)
CP - Sorry!
Doc - Well some men look good in them..as for what else looks sexy, I'll get to that soon!
Montagraph - Are you kidding??
I see what you mean. Or is it the way they wear them? The exception seems to be wearing it smarter.
No.. its not really "how" you wear it. :) Many of these can't be worn "smarter". The way you wear them is very important, but the particular hat is very important too. Also important is the shape of the man's head, face, ears, etc... its very complicated! Notice most of the men in this thread are resistant to the idea these hats are the opposite of sexy, while most of the women flat-out agree that they are, lol. I guess this is why so many men are walking around looking silly in them - they refuse to listen to us! ;)
Hey, Bogey pulled it off and still could if he were alive today.
Yes, but Bogart wasnt the sexy, studly, leading man type, he was the dark, quiet, angst ridden type. This article hasnt said they dont look *good* it says the don't look *sexy* Y'all men are just really proving my point that you don't get it when women explain what is sexy and what isnt, lol. BTW, are you still not able to see my blog?
Isabella: "Y'all men are just really proving my point that you don't get it when women explain what is sexy and what isnt, lol."
I think that's a good point. "Looks good" and "looks sexy" are not the same thing. A woman may look "good" in a nice dress or well-cut suit, but she looks "sexy" in a snug pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
I also agree about choosing the right hat. Back in the day when men wore hats as a matter of course, they put as much effort into choosing the right one as we would put today into choosing the right shirt or jacket (they also kept themselves otherwise properly groomed and dressed, unlike the men you have pictured; do they have some objection to using a razor???). I seem to recall reading that Churchill was VERY conscious of which hat he wore on various occasions. He might not have looked sexy, but he certainly looked "right".
Doc - Yes, sexy and looks good are not always synonymous. :) And some men DO look sexy in these - Harrison Ford certainly did. But it was as much about WHO he was that made him sexy. And most men - most people - just don't have that kind of charisma, and you need that to pull certain styles off.
You've just got a narrow sense of what's sexy. It ain't just about looks, or how well one fits into the Zeitgeist or attracts media eyeballs.
BTW, one reason guys wear dorky fedoras (fedorkas?) is that it can be tough to find good ones, and the stylish aspect of them has (mostly) been wiped right out of the culture. Watch old movies, and not just Bogart movies, and you'll get some idea of what hat wearers are on about.
Fedoras make a man look like a man and not some hatless or backward baseball cap, droopy pant wearing child-man. It is about time men started dressing like men and not what some silly blog is spewing as sexy. Men should also drop the sandals and faux hawks while we are talking Style.
Attire w/ Fedoras....a lot of your pictured examples are not very well dressed to be wearing a fedora...or their fedoras are of more modern design.
Meh. I like my hat. So does my wife. I don't care who else does. But I enjoy the fact that there's an ad for Village Hat Shop beneath the article.
Awwwww..... look at all the visitors from the fedora lounge. Its sweet that y'all have a club like that. You should teach each other how to read, though.
I didnt say hat wearing was bad - there are a lot of sexy hat styles, this just isnt one of them. I also said Fedoras can be sexy sometimes, and have even included 2 examples. I also said they can look cool - but that does not mean they look sexy.
A Fedora might make some of you look better, but that doesnt mean it makes you look sexy, and it surely doesn't make you a man. That's just about the silliest allusion ever made. Thanks for visiting!
... thank YOU. :)
One more thing y'all need to realize.. yes, these Fedoras in the pics with Jude Law, Timberlake and Farrell are very unflattering. But these guys are far better looking than the average man, they have personal stylists, and they STILL are wearing a style thats completely unflattering and unsexy. If *they* can't find a good style, it's riduclous to expect the average man would do any better. And that's why I say they are RARELY sexy. Spandex can look good on the right woman - but that doesnt mean we should advocate it, ffs.
I find that many men who wear these types of hats (including myself) identify with the time period you mention in your article. People dressed to impress and had better manners. It was a time when people were more sophisticated. I guess i find it ironic for someone that makes a living writing smut to be the one to criticize.
I think that "smut" comment crossed the line, lets not get personal as her fedora sexy factor is not personal just an opinion of hers on most men who wear them. Isebella has said she usually doesn't think it is sexy but it can be. We all have opinons, valid or not can be a perspective. I wear a fedora everday but I can completley understand what she means. Many men don't take into account what brim lengths, pinches, crown heights, bands look good on them. Plus If you don't shave and wear t shirts with a fedora it will look unsexy because the man is not looking the best he can be. Isebella you have one person from the fedora lounge who understands, I may not entirelly agree with you but you would know what looks sexy to you and some women alot more than I would.
Mr. M - I make a living as a professional singer and as a sex columnist. The books, while publlished, I write for my own pleasure. Maybe you should read one, sounds like you're fresh out of pleasure.
Nick - Thanks for coming to my defense. :) That guy in the next to last photo looks absolutely gorgeous, and so does Indiana Jones. Their hats are flattering on them. If every man wore a Fedora that was equally flattering, I'd happily declare them sexy hats. But most men do not take these things into account.. I bet yours is sexy. ;)
I guess, Isabella that sometimes some looks are liked by men and some looks are liked by women. Sometimes I sport a look that's liked by men but not by women. And I have had men complain about the way my hair is, and then when I change it, women say they had liked it the way it was.
So, by 'sexy' I guess you mean, 'attactive to women,'
and I'll trust your judgement,
especially since you are a sex columnist! :)
Sexy eh? Where's your full lenght picture? No fair cheating, one from the last 30 days.....Here comes the phony pic....lol....Ol Bet
Kenny - Well of course I mean sexy to women... did you think I was giving advice on how to look sexy to other men? That's not my area of expertise. ;)
I'm going to leave this other comment up, too - because this is the classic male response when he's feeling insecure. A real man would know whether or not he was sexy, and would just disregard this article, assuming he was one of the exceptions.
Gentlemen,
A valuable lesson to be had here. Let's translate, shall we?
Isabella Snow - Y'all men are just really proving my point that you don't get it when women explain what is sexy and what isnt, lol.
Translation. I am right. As a woman, I magically speak for all women. You do not and cannot hope to understand our secret club, and so I must explain it to you. Obey me unquestioningly and score.
Isabella Snow : Nick - Thanks for coming to my defense. :)... I bet yours is sexy. ;)
Translation - A man who concedes to female caprice is "sexier" than a man who doesn't. The issue isn't your hat, it's your brain. Believe this unquestioningly and score.
Isabella Snow's profile, tellingly written in both first and third person: Isabella is also a Recovering Feminist (which means I used to be one, but have since recovered), with loads and loads of opinions to force on you poor, unsuspecting souls.
Translation: I want to have my cake and eat it, too. You'll buy it for me. Maybe I'll let you lick the spoon.
At least the last bit tells it like it is. She warned you, boys.
Think for yourself, dress for yourself, and take pride in yourself, and women will come. Take it from Indiana Jones - it's not about who wears the fedora, it's about who wields the whip.
Believe this unquestioningly and score.
I don't see a single fedora amongst all the celebrity photos you have shown. I think you need to understand what a fedora actually looks like before you try to reach an assessment as to whether they look good on anybody.
Indiana Jones - Do real men name themselves after fictitious characters? I didn't think so. I'll leave your comment up, just because it's so contradicting I find it amusing. If you have no regard for my opinion - indeed, if so many of you find it pointless or unworthy of your attention - why are you giving it so much?
TMF - You're wrong, but thanks for the unsolicited comment. Do you even know how the Fedora originated? You're wearing a hat made famous by a woman. Oh, the irony.
My, my, my! This thread certainly seems to have struck a nerve with some folks!
Critics, let me say that Isabella has written several hubs on how men should dress to be "sexy". I have found her suggestions to be generally good. For example, on Isabella's advice, I reluctantly tried wearing a turtleneck, a piece of clothing that I thought went out of style about 30 years ago (and good riddance!). I was certain that I'd look... well... gay... but was pleasantly surprised when my GF told me that it looked sharp. Need I say that I'll be wearing them more often?
Though I initially argued with Isabella's opinion about fedora hats (had to thrash out the difference between what looks "good" vs what looks "sexy") I agree with her opinion on hats, too. I'm sure that some men DO look quite sexy in them, just as I'm sure that some men look quite sexy in ballet tights. If your wife / GF / women you know say you look hot in a fedora, then by all means wear one. Personally, the few times I've tried on a fedora, even though I thought it looked sharp, it evoked laughter (and not the good kind!) from the women who saw it. Needless to say, I don't wear a fedora no matter how cold my head gets.
It boils down to this as far as I'm concerned: an attractive 31 year old woman is handing out free advice that will (hopefully) help my batting average when it comes to the opposite sex. I'm willing to give it respectful consideration.
This is a funny read. People do get sensitive about style, or at least gross generalizations. But I must point out one thing.
Did you really fault a guy who didn't use his real name (Indiana Jones)? From you bio: "Isabella Snow is actually the penname of a 31-year-old, professional blues singer."
Pot, meet kettle.
Doc - It can only be explained by insecurity or illiteracy - which do you reckon?
Thomas - If I was calling myself Barbie or She-Ra, your comment might make sense. However, I'm published under this name. If you don't see the difference between that, and typing "Indiana Jones" or "Thomas" into a comment box, I don't know what to tell you.
Isabella - I am a woman. Looks like you don't necessarily always know what is what, perhaps? ;-)
Then you should have an easier time admitting you were wrong, and those are indeed Fedoras. I do hope you don't believe there is only 1 style. ;-)
Isabella,
I'd just chalk it up to a difference of strongly-held opinions.
Just be glad you didn't write about baseball caps! Some people get VERY touchy about those!
I chalk it up to this being precisely why men dont have a clue about sex appeal - they rarely listen to the people they're trying to appeal to. If they knew what sexy was, they'd be too busy getting women to be leaving all these daft comments. You've only seen 1/2, the rest were unpublishable.
But they were more tolerable than those left by an alleged female who, when corrected, could only reply with some inane comment about my not recognizing her anonymous comment as being female. I suppose there's little point in allowing further comments from this little club, as they don't really seem logical enough for an objective discussion.
I couldn't live up to Ms. Snow's definition of sexy no matter what I wore. As a pudgy, scruffy, late 20's guy who's biggest thrill comes when I get to play with my dogs, snuggle by the fire with my wife, or watch the first snow of the year, I'll just wear what I am comfortable in. Including brown Indi-Jones-looking fedora.
Ms. Snow, I have no problem with you speaking your mind. You seem to have different priorities than I do, but so be it. Some of these guys need to grow up and stop taking themselves, you, and "being sexy" so seriously.
Wow, did you actually register just to comment on this article? I'm flattered, but I don't get the fascination with my opinion. And people say *females* obsess over fashion! Men are, apparently, much worse. You wouldn't see a group of women doing this if I said mom-pants weren't sexy!
Iz, they know not of what they speak but you do!!! The whole hat fascination that comes in every other decade or so is just annoying. You're not cool or Bogart if you wear one. The only thing it looks like is someone trying way too hard to be both. May the fedora rest in peace!
Wow... people really got their knickers in a twist over this. No offense to anyone reading this, but fashion is fashion. It's not life itself. Geeze. With how people have reacted, I'd think this was a hub dictating to everyone how to live life, and that every way but this way is wrong. Gods, it's a style of hat. It's fashion. Move on and get over it if you don't like what she had to say. There's a lot of things more important than if you feel in some way sleighted because she expressed her opinion that the fedora isn't sexy on everyone. In fact, there is no one fashion that IS sexy on every single person, so move on already.
I'll have you know I look pretty damn sexy in a fedora. That's what she said anyway. :D
Scott - Thank you! I luurve you!
Brandy - Too right!
Mark - See, now thats a normal comment. You should see the one from the last guy - frigging encylopedia!!
Stacie Naczelnik says:
2 years ago
So true, and an entertaining read. Nothing like breaking up the work day by looking at some sexy men.