The wide-brim hat is one of the favorite trends this summer, and women have endorsed this trend not only for sun protection but also as a stylish accessory. And for amplifying the drama factor, the designers have extended the brim a few inches wider for a more eye-catching look.
A wide-brim hat is the fashion accessory that can add a personal touch and the chic factor to any outfit. This headpiece is versatile, and you can wear it anywhere starting from casual dressing to a wedding, to the beach, festivals, or evening outs.
Wearing a wide-brim hat not only protects you from the heat or cold but also adds a charming note to any looks.
Here are a few styling tips on how to choose a wide-brim hat
Flatter your face shape**:**
- long face should choose a medium-sized brim with a shorter crown to balance out the length of your face
- round face should avoid wearing a hat with a rounded top. Instead, wear a medium to wide brim hat with a higher top to elongate the face.
Flatter your skin tone:
- fair skin tone should choose darker tones such as dark blues or green, grey, brown, or burgundy to add contrast and bring warmth and color
- dark and olive skin tones can wear almost any colors but keep a distinction between your skin tone and hat color for a more aesthetic look.
Keep the proportion with the rest of your body:
- petite women should avoid wearing too wide brims as they can overpower the entire look. Medium rims, like a fedora hat style, is the most flattering and keep a balanced look
- tall women can wear wide brim hats in contrasting colors and try to avoid small and short-brimmed hats as they look out of proportion with your body
As a rule of thumb: the brim of the hat should be within the width of your shoulders.
Choose hat styles that match with your outfit:
- casual outfits go well with a floppy hat – team a floppy hat with a bohemian dress or with a swimsuit for a day at the beach
- stylish and polished outfits pair very well with structured fedora hats
What not to wear with a wide-brim hat:
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sunglasses and a wide brim hat can be too much, and they compete instead of completing your look. You look more like you are trying to hide instead of standing out. Although, if you plan to spend a day on the beach than the duo go well together.
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avoid embellishments like feathers, flowers, or colorful ribbons. An exception is the Derby hat when the hat is the centerpiece of the outfit and hats ornaments are appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a wide-brim hat that flatters my face shape?
A long face suits a medium-sized brim with a shorter crown to balance its length, while a round face should avoid rounded tops and instead choose a medium to wide brim with a higher crown to elongate the face. Matching the hat's proportions to your features keeps the whole look harmonious.
What size hat brim works for a petite woman?
Petite women should avoid brims that are too wide, as they can overpower the entire look; medium brims, like a fedora style, are the most flattering and keep the silhouette balanced. As a rule of thumb, the brim of the hat should stay within the width of your shoulders.
What color hat suits my skin tone?
Fair skin tones look lovely in darker shades such as deep blues, greens, grey, brown, or burgundy, which add contrast, warmth, and color. Dark and olive skin tones can wear almost any color, though keeping a distinction between your skin tone and the hat color creates the most aesthetic result.
Can I wear sunglasses with a wide-brim hat?
Generally the two together are too much; they compete with each other rather than completing the look, and you can appear to be hiding rather than standing out. The exception is a day at the beach, where the duo works well together.
Which hat style matches which outfit?
Casual outfits go beautifully with a floppy hat, such as pairing one with a bohemian dress or a swimsuit at the beach, while stylish, polished outfits pair best with structured fedoras. Avoid embellishments like feathers, flowers, or colorful ribbons unless it is a Derby occasion, where the hat is the centerpiece and ornaments are appropriate.