Hats and Outfits: Perfect Pairings for Every Style
If you've ever found yourself staring at an outfit in the mirror, wondering how to take it to the next level, it probably needs a hat.
Hats are the perfect accessory for all manner of looks, from everyday wear to suits and dresses for formal occasions. But we so often forget about them as an accessory, so when we do want to make a statement with a hat, we don't know how.
If you're on a mission to learn how to style hats and outfits, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll be sharing how to find the perfect hat for any occasion, from casual outings right through to fancy events.
Matching Hats with Casual Wear
Let's start with the easiest: pairing hats with outfits for casual occasions.
The best hat styles for a casual look are baseball caps, bucket hats, and snapbacks. The right hat for you depends on your own personal style—a fitted baseball cap is more of an understated choice for simple jeans-and-t-shirt combos, while snapbacks make a bold fashion statement with streetwear, and bucket hats are ideal for festival-inspired or urban outfits.
Don't forget about beanies, another casual hat choice that looks great with almost everything. A black beanie is a simple way to complement pretty much any outfit in the winter, and it means you don't have to bother styling your hair.
Elevating Formal Attire with Hats
There are a few formal events (weddings, funerals, the races) that call for a fancier hat. The right hat for your formal attire should make a statement without clashing with your outfit—something that's harder to get right when your outfit is more likely to have its own statement style already.
Our top tip is to make sure the hat complements the colors of your outfit. For example, you could wear a hat that color-matches with your shoes, handbag, or other accessories, or a pop of color on your dress or suit. If you're scared of getting the color match wrong, go for a neutral hat (black, white, or beige) instead.
In terms of the best hat styles for formal occasions, you can't go wrong with fedora hats, bowler hats, or Panama hats for men, and pillbox hats or small fascinators for women.
Seasonal Hat and Outfit Combinations
So, that's how you can accessorize with a hat in casual and formal events—but how do you rock a hat through the seasons? Here's how to wear different hat styles throughout the year.
Starting with summer, this is obviously the time of year to wear sun hats. Pair your summer outfits with straw hats, or go for a wide-brimmed floppy hat to make a statement. Cowboy hats are another fun choice, ideal for pairing with leather boots and edgy concert outfits. For everyday wear, choose neutral-colored hats that'll go with most dresses or t-shirt-and-shorts combos.
We've already mentioned the beanie as the perfect hat for winter, particularly a knitted hat that keeps your head warm. In transitional weather, pair a flat cap or felt fedora with trench coats and outfits incorporating denim.
Accessorizing with Hats: Dos and Don'ts
Are there any big no-nos when you're accessorizing with hats? How can you get it right every time? We've shared the dos and don'ts of using hats to accessorize in the table below.
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DO... |
DON'T... |
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Keep your accessories in balance. Skip the statement necklace or earrings if your hat already says enough! |
Wear hats that don't match your outfit's intention, like a floppy beach hat to the office. |
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Match the material and color of your hat to your bag or shoes. |
Push a hat too far back on your head (it'll affect the look and even change its shape) |
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Pay attention to the weather. The last thing you want is for your hat to get ruined by rain or whipped off by wind. |
Ignore your face shape and body size when choosing a hat. These should both influence your choice. |
Inspiration from Celebrity Hat Styles
When it comes to pairing hats with outfits without looking like an idiot, celebrities show us how it's done.
Rihanna is well known for using baseball caps and beanies in edgy, high-fashion outfits, while Harry Styles is a fan of wide-brimmed hats with vintage suits, and Pharrell Williams single-handedly brought the structured fedora back into the limelight.
If you want to know how to wear a hat with a formal outfit, Google Kate Middleton, and you'll get plenty of inspiration from this fashion-forward royal.
Inspired to hat-cessorize like your favorite celebs, or prefer to make your own bold statement? Either way, you're probably in the mood to do some hat shopping. If it's baseball caps you're after, we've got everything you could want for a casual look, from fitted hats to snapbacks. Check out our collection here.
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