Buying the Best Hat for Your Face Shape

How many times have you seen the cutest hat only to be disappointed when you try it on and say, “That beret makes my head look like a turnip!” Then you try on another one shrieking, “That floppy brimmed hat makes me look like a basset hound!”

Is there any hope of finding the perfect hat? Of course there is. Instead of trying on every hat in the store you just need to know which hat styles work best with your face shape.

If you are not sure of your face shape here’s a quick and easy way to find out: pull your hair away from your face and look at yourself in the bathroom mirror. Use a erasable marker and outline your face shape on the mirror. Then match your face shape with one of the descriptions in the table below. Obviously, there are variations of each standard face shape so go with the description that most closely matches yours.

You round faced gals should look for a hat that elongates your features. Look for a hat brim that is wider than your face. A floppy brimmed sun hat or cowboy hat will give your face the length and balance it needs. Just make sure the crown of the hat does not exceed the width of your cheekbones. Choose a style with a high crown and asymmetrical lines. That will offset the perfect curves of your round face.

Women with slender faces should consider wearing a short crown to de-emphasize the length of your face. A moderate brim width is recommended. A brim that is too wide will hang down and frame your face making it appear longer. Conversely, stay away from narrow brim styles and high or peaked crowns. They will also elongate your face. A slightly flared brim (think floppy hats, cowboys and head-hugging cloches) will conceal your high forehead thus shortening the length of your face.

Your square face is a masterpiece of angles. That said, be careful not to choose an angular hat that compounds the geometry. Consider a beret that will add curves to the equation. Go for hat styles with a rounded brim. A bowler, with its soft curves and short, upturned brim will soften the hard angle of your jawline. Any hat that sits higher on your forehead will help elongate the lower part of your face. You can also give your hat a flirty little tilt to create a sense asymmetry.

A heart-shaped face looks best in rounded hats and shorter brims. You should steer clear of wide, flat brims that draw attention to your small chin. A heart shaped face can carry off most hats however, buckets and boater styles can be particularly flattering. Be wary of brims that are too small. They will add unwanted width to your forehead. Conversely, wide brims will further narrow the lower half of your face.

You of the oval-shaped face are the luckiest of all. Oval faces can pull off almost any style hat with great aplomb. However, certain hats can make your perfect symmetry appear long and narrow, so beware! Hats with deep crowns and wide, flared brims are the best for you. Check out menswear-inspired fedoras, bowlers and porkpies for a super flattering look.

You can use these general guidelines to help with your search, but don’t get to wrapped up in the details. Just go out there and have fun shopping for and wearing your new hat!