As the great children’s writer An Na once said, ‘’hats are like a halo of happiness’’, and we couldn’t agree more with that sentiment!
Another fabulous writer, Catherynne M. Valente, offered similar words of wisdom. She said that ‘’Hats have power. Hats can change you into someone else.’’ And once again, that sentiment rings rather true with us.
Because here at IDEAL, we’re massive fans of all things headwear. Hats are an easy way to add a distinguishable and memorable accessory to any outfit. Play it cool or jazz it up with a variety of styles, fabrics, colors, and patterns. You can fill your closet with all the kinds of hats out there for a well-equipped fashion arsenal that will pair with any outfit you choose!
Yep, there is a hat for every occasion. It all comes down to pairing. Whether it’s large hats, small hats, medium sized ones or miniatures, with the right outfit and complementary pieces, you’ll turn heads wherever you go. Without further ado, here are 11 types of women’s hats for any occasion.
The Cocktail Hat
The cocktail hat is a pretty small, highly extravagant feminine hat; and what sounds better than that! A brilliant piece of evening wear, the cocktail hat is usually decorated with beads, jewels, or feathers. Some fashionistas even choose to think outside the hatbox, and move the cocktail hat from exclusively evening wear to dressy elegant daywear suitable for more informal settings.
Read: The IDEAL guide to hats and your face shape
The Floppy Hat
Everyone can recognize a floppy hat by its indicative wide, floppy brims. The floppy hat goes by different names depending on location but is commonly known as a sun hat and beach hat, too. While you may see this hat under the sun on soft sand, it can be worn in more urban settings, too.
The floppy hat can be quite versatile, allowing it to move between casual and formal settings depending on style, fabric, and design. It can serve to maintain function, protecting from the elements, or contribute purely to stylistic concerns, acting as a signature accessory. Create an effortlessly feminine look by pairing a refined floppy hat with a flowing, oversized white shirt. Bliss!
The Cloche Hat
The cloche hat, originating from the French word for ‘bell’, is a timeless piece that gained popularity in the 1920s. This hat is characterised by its bell-shaped design that fits snugly around the head, often extending down to the eyebrows. Typically made from felt, the cloche hat can also be found in various materials like straw for a more summery feel.
The cloche hat is perfect for adding a touch of vintage elegance to any outfit. It pairs beautifully with flapper-style dresses, tailored coats, and even modern-day casual wear. Whether you’re attending a garden party or simply strolling through the city, the cloche hat offers a sophisticated and chic look that stands out.
The Beanie Hat
The beanie hat is a cult favourite that can be worn for both comfort and style in a variety of ways.. It mixes solace, fashionability, and functionality as an easy accessory that can go with nearly any outfit and even round-off a smart style in the right hands. Or should that be; on the right heads? Anyway…
Because of the beanie hat’s versatility in terms of colour, pattern, size and fabric, it’s a piece of headwear that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. That said, it looks most at home when worn as part of a larger skater/urban style.
The Baseball Cap
Known for its sporty look, the baseball cap is a casual go-to for women across the world. While it comes in a variety of colours, its design stays the traditional rounded crown with a stiff projecting peak (though the crumpled ‘dad hat’ has been having something of a moment recently).
We’d caution against pairing a baseball cap with more formal wear (we’ve rarely seen that working as an aesthetic), but for a sporty, active look, this type of hat can’t be beaten.
The Bowler Hat
The bowler hat is also known as a derby hat, but whichever way you choose to term this hat, it’s a jaunty little number, make no mistake.
The bowler serves as a unique alternative to wide brim hats or floppy hats at outdoor events and special occasions, and can be dressed up with feathers, frills and other accessories.
Made with a simple design of hard felt with a rounded crown, the bowler hat can add subtle distinction to your outfit wherever you go.
The Fedora Hat
The fedora hat is an instantly recognisable headpiece, due its association with Indiana Jones or many an old school gangster movie. It has moved from men’s fashion into women’s as a favourite due to its elegant style and immediate statement as an accessory.
One of the draws of this hat is how it exudes confidence and is instantly recognisable, famed for its folded top, short rim, and identifiable ribbon around the base. This hat does well with mixed basics and signature pieces alike.
The Fascinator Hat
The fascinator is a glamorous hat with an intriguing history, and is a unique piece to include in your closet. Originating in the 17th century, fascinators were initially worn by European aristocracy as a symbol of status and elegance.
Over time, they evolved into the elaborate headpieces we see today, often made by hat manufacturer that was able to blend traditional techniques with modern designs. It is a grand piece of headwear that can be worn as a hat, affixed to the side or front of the head, or even a headband.
As it is made with different materials such as feathers, pearls, and flowers, it can come in a variety of styles, meaning you can wear it on any occasion, though weddings are the most popular event for fascinators. That said, more laid back events can benefit from an outfit topped off with a fascinator. Jazz up an everyday casual sundress or enhance evening dinnerware, equally, with this style staple.
The Beret Cap
A popular accessory notable for its association with a free-spirited Parisian lifestyle, the beret is a soft round hat that rests gently snug on the head. It has small dips from the body construction and is usually made with cotton or wool.
The beret, despite being distinct in shape and style, can act as a shapeshifter. It can add a feminine soft touch or chic edge to any desired outfit, and can go from casual everyday wear to evening girls’ night. This accessory is no longer restricted to the streets of Paris and can be worn effortlessly in the UK, too!
The Homburg Hat
The homburg hat is another hat that is typically worn with formal wear. Made from felt, it has a characteristically single dent running down the center of its crown. Its stiff brim is shaped in that of a “kettle curl” and boasts a bound edge trim.
More commonly associated with male headwear, the homburg has, in recent years, been worn by female models on the catwalk, and we love to see it!
The Wide-Brimmed Fedora Hat
The wide-brimmed fedora hat carves a path all out on its own. It also stands the test of time as a favourite fashion accessory for any occasion made in different fabrics such as straw and obtaining names due to style indicators of different destinations like the wide-brim straw Panama fedora hat.
It pairs well with lengthening layers as it has a wide brim, and paris well with long, neutral-colored trench coats and white collared shirts.
And with that, we doff our cap to you, and bid you good day!