A Guide for Choosing the Right Hat
Are you looking for the perfect summer hat? How will you know if it is the right hat for you? Hats are not just for summer sun protection, they should also be stylish!
You simply can’t start searching for the right hat without considering the shape of your face. Keep in mind that you should never buy a hat that resembles the shape of your jaw line. Plus the crown should not be narrower than your cheekbones. Here are some pointers to determine what hat goes best for your face shape.
♦ OVAL
Almost any hat shape will work for you. However, choose hats with a streamline shape and large brims which are swept upwards because these will flatter your face the most. Crowns should be either round or square. Wear them forward or across the brow. If you are short or petite with an oval face, narrow proportioned brims will be most flattering.
♦ ROUND
You can choose hats with small or medium brims with asymmetrical styles. Crowns should be square shaped. Wear them forward or slightly slanted to give your face additional length and reduce the roundness. Avoid hats that have rounded crowns.
♦ LONG
Wide to medium to fuller brims are suggested. Look for trims that will draw the eye up. Simply wear them straight or forward. Sharp and straight styles are best because they cut the length of your face. Don’t buy hats with tall, narrow shapes. Purchase hats that bring balance to your shoulders and your body.
♦ SQUARE
Large brims accompanied by soft lines and upturned brims are encouraged. Crowns should be round or curved edge square. On this face shape, the taller the hat the better. Wear your hat slanted or tilted to one side to reduce the square edges. You can add earrings to improve your look.
♦ WIDE
Bretons, or upturned brims, work best for this face. Off the face styles are also encouraged. Pillboxes are also good for wide faces. Wear them back a little bit to add lift to your face.
♦ HEART
Asymmetrical designs will flatter a heart shaped face. Square or round crowns are good. Wear them tilted to one side. Choose a small hat that draws attention upwards. Or something with an eye-catching trim. Never wear large or heavy shapes.
♦ TRIANGLE
You should divert everyone’s attention from your jaw line. Look for something that emphasizes your eyes. A short, uneven brim and lofty crown should do the trick.
Emphasize your eyes and draw focus away from your strong jaw line. Or you can go with a hat with rolled or up-swept brim. Wear it straight across the brow or hairline. Stay away from pointed hats or hats with sharp angles.
*profile brims compliment all shapes of faces.
If you are not sure what the shape of your face is, here is what you should do. Stand in front of the mirror and with a bar of soap, trace your reflection. Then stand back and objectively look at the traced image.
In addition, consider your skin color in choosing the perfect hat. Look for something that will accentuate your skin tone. Hats with warm colors like pink or rust are recommended for pale skin. On the other hand, darker skin tones can wear almost any color. Keep in mind that black is never suggested for very dark skin tones and rarely for anyone unless it is worn high and well way from your face.
Don’t forget to take your height into account. Narrow brims with higher crowns will make shorter people look taller. Tall women should look for a flat crown. Remember that the height of a hat should always be in proportion to the body and its width should not be wider than the shoulders.
All of the rules stated above are very helpful and should be followed to end up with the perfect hat. However, there is always an exception to every rule. If you feel you are comfortable in a particular hat and it gives you the confidence you need for a specific occasion, then by all means go for it!
Hi Kathi, Thanks for the hat tips! Being a hat lover myself, I am always on the alert for new possibilities.
I’ll look forward to your next email.
A fan,
Pat
Hi Kathi, Thanks for the hat tips! Being a hat lover myself, I am always on the alert for new possibilities.
I’ll look forward to your next email.
A fan,
Pat