Common Hat Types
- Army cap - is a simple, round cap with a flat top and a stiff visor in front, often made of a durable material such as cotton or a heavy-duty fabric like canvas. Shop Army Caps
- Baseball cap - a type of soft cap with a rounded crown and a stiff bill projecting in front. Shop Men's Baseball Caps | Shop Women's Baseball Caps
- Beanie & Pull-Ons - a close-fitting, knitted cap that is typically made of wool or acrylic fiber. Shop Men's Beanies & Pull-Ons | Shop Women's Beanies & Pull-Ons
- Beret - a flat, round hat made of felt or wool, typically worn by artists, intellectuals, and soldiers. Shop Men's Berets | Shop Women's Berets
- Boater - a stiff, flat-crowned hat, typically made of straw, with a broad brim and a ribbon around the base of the crown. Shop Women's Boaters
- Bowler/Derby - a hard-felt hat with a rounded crown and a narrow brim, originally worn by English men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Shop Bowlers/Derbies
- Bucket hat - a casual hat with a wide, downward-slanting brim and a rounded crown, typically made of cotton or nylon. Shop Men's Bucket Hats | Shop Women's Bucket Hats
- Cloche - is a bell-shaped hat that fits closely over the head and has a small brim at the bottom. Shop Cloches
- Cowboy & Western hat - is a type of wide-brimmed hat that is typically made of felt or straw and is associated with the American Wild West and cowboy culture. The hat is characterized by a wide brim, a high, rounded crown, and a wide band around the base of the crown, often decorated with silver or other embellishments. Shop Men's Cowboy & Western Hats | Shop Women's Cowboy & Western Hats
- Fedora - a soft felt hat with a wide brim and a creased crown, typically worn by men, but also sometimes by women. Shop Men's Fedoras | Shop Women's Fedoras
- Gambler hat - is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat that is often made of felt or straw and decorated with a band around the base of the crown. Shop Men's Gambler Hats | Shop Women's Gambler Hats
- Ivy or Flat Cap - is a rounded, flat-topped hat that has a small brim at the front and sides. It is typically made of wool or tweed and has a soft, flexible construction that makes it a comfortable and casual headwear option. Shop Men's Ivy & Flat Caps | Shop Women's Ivy & Flat Caps
- Newboy cap - A newsboy cap, also known as a "newsie cap" or "paperboy cap," is a type of round, flat cap with a small brim at the front and sides. It is often made of wool, tweed, or corduroy, and has a simple, casual design that makes it a popular accessory for both men and women. Shop Men's Newsboy Caps | Shop Women's Newsboy Caps
- Outback - is a type of wide-brimmed hat that is designed to protect the head and face from the sun. It is typically made of rugged, water-resistant materials, such as canvas or oilcloth, and has a wide brim that provides ample shade for the face and neck. ShopMen's Outback Hats | Shop Women's Outback Hats
- Panama hat - a type of lightweight, breathable hat made from the fibers of the Panama plant, characterized by a wide brim and a woven pattern. Shop Men's Genuine Panama Hats | Shop Women's Genuine Panama Hats
- Pork Pies - is a type of hat that is characterized by its round, flat top and narrow, upturned brim. Shop Men's Pork Pie Hats | Shop Women's Pork Pie Hats
- Top hat - a tall, cylindrical hat made of silk or other fine fabric, worn by men for formal occasions. Shop Top Hats
- Trilby - a type of hat with a narrow brim and a slightly taller crown, named after the novel "Trilby" by George du Maurier. Shop Men's Trilbies | ShopWomen's Trilbies
- Visor - is a type of hat that has a brim that extends only along the front of the head, leaving the top and back of the head uncovered. Visors are often made of a lightweight, flexible material such as cloth or foam and are often adjustable, with a strap at the back that allows the wearer to adjust the fit. Shop Visors
Common Hat Fabrics
- Wool - A warm and durable fabric that is often used for winter hats. Shop Men's Wool Hats | Shop Women's Wool Hats
- Cotton - A lightweight and breathable fabric that is commonly used for summer hats and caps. Shop Men's Cotton Hats | Shop Women's Cotton Hats
- Straw - A lightweight and breathable natural fiber that is often used for summer hats, such as sun hats or beach hats. Shop Men's Straw Hats | Shop Women's Cotton Hats
- Litestraw® - a revolutionary finishing technology that softens traditionally stiff straw hats to create a hat with flexibility.
- Felt - A dense and sturdy fabric made from wool fibers that are compressed and shaped. Felt is often used for fedoras and other formal hats. Shop Men's Felt Hats | Shop Women's Felt Hats
- Litefelt® - proprietary to Bollman Hat Company brands, including Bailey 1922, it is a revolutionary process that takes a natural unstiffened premium wool felt hat and treats it with a water-repellent and shape-retentive proprietary process.
- Fur Felt - Using 40% beaver and premium rabbit and hares fur, special felting techniques are used to create a very fine, ultra-thin, and lightweight hat. Shop Men's Fur Felt Hats | Shop Women's Fur Felt Hats
- Genuine Panama - is a term used to describe hats that are made from the finest quality Panama straw. Panama straw is a type of woven straw that is made from the leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, which is native to Central and South America. Genuine Panama hats are considered to be the finest quality hats made from Panama straw. They are known for their fine weave, light weight, and breathability, which make them ideal for use in warm weather. Genuine Panama hats are typically hand-woven by skilled artisans, and each hat is a unique work of craftsmanship. Shop Men's Genuine Panama Hats | Shop Women's Genuine Panama Hats
- Polyester - A synthetic fabric that is lightweight, durable, and moisture-resistant. Polyester is often used for athletic hats and caps.
- Leather - A strong and durable natural material that is often used for hats with a more formal or classic look, such as leather caps or driving hats. Shop Leather Hats
- Silk - A lightweight and luxurious natural fiber that is often used for dressy hats and formal headwear.
- Linen - A lightweight and breathable natural fiber that is often used for summer hats and headwear.
- Cashmere - is a type of wool that comes from the cashmere goat. It is prized for its softness, warmth, and lightweight. Cashmere fibers are much finer and softer than regular wool fibers, which gives cashmere fabric a unique texture and feel. Shop Cashmere Hats
- Superfine Velour - specific to Bailey Hats®, this finish starts with ultra-fine wool that is 16 microns and gets extra slow initial felting.
- Elite Finish - hats start with a fine 16-micron sheep's wool and get twice the carding and wet felting. Proprietary sanding and hand finishing bring this luxury wool to life.
- Lanolux® - superior wool fibers are sanded and finished to provided a sueded and unique hand feel. This process contributes to excellent shape retention and durability.
- Raindura® - specific to Bailey Hats®, this process includes a revolutionary, thermosetting yarn that is hand woven inside of a paper fiber straw hat body.
Common Hat Terms
- Crown - The top part of the hat that covers the head and is often the main body of the hat.
- Brim - The flat or curled part of the hat that extends out from the crown and provides shade from the sun or rain.
- Band - The decorative strip of material that goes around the base of the crown and helps secure the hat to the head.
- Button - The top of the crown that can be left plain or decorated.
- Visor - A type of hat with a brim that only covers the front of the head, allowing for ventilation.
- Peak - The front part of a visor or cap that sticks out from the forehead.
- Bill - Another term for the peak of a visor or cap.
- Eyelets - Small holes on the crown of a hat that allows for ventilation.
- Grommets - Small metal rings that reinforce the eyelets on a hat.
- Sweatband - The inner band of a hat that touches the forehead and absorbs sweat to keep the head dry.
- Lining - The inner fabric of a hat that provides comfort and helps retain the shape of the hat.
- Strap - A adjustable piece of material used to secure the hat to the head, often found on baseball caps.
- Tassle - A decorative hanging strand of material, often found on winter hats like beanies.
Common Hat Crowns
The crown is the top part of a hat that covers the head and is often the main body of the hat. There are several different types of hat crowns, each with its own unique shape and style. Here are some of the most common types of hat crowns and their definitions:
- Brick Crown – A Brick crown is typically used on fedora-style hats, and is often paired with a wide brim that is curled downward at the front and back. The brim may be flat or have a slight curve, depending on the preference of the wearer.
- Bronc Crown – A Bronc crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a high, teardrop-shaped peak at the front that is often pinched or creased to create a distinctive, pointed shape. The sides of the crown are slightly angled and may be creased or pinched to create a slightly asymmetrical profile.
- Bull Crown – A Bull crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a flat top that is typically lower than that of the Rodeo crown. The sides of the crown are slightly sloped, creating a subtle, rounded shape that is less angular than the Rodeo crown.
- C-Crown - A C-Crown is shaped like the letter "C," with a curved top and a narrow brim. This type of crown is often found on cowboy hats and other western-style hats.
- Cassidy Crown – A Cassidy crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a slightly higher peak at the front that is often pinched or creased to create a distinctive, pointed shape. The sides of the crown are slightly angled and may be creased or pinched to create a slightly asymmetrical profile.
- Cattleman Crown - A cattleman crown is characterized by its high, rounded shape, which provides a classic and timeless look. The cattleman crown is typically wider at the top than it is at the base, giving the hat a distinctive, conical shape.
- Center-Dent Crown - A center-dent crown has a slightly indented top with a slight bulge in the center, giving the hat a classic, timeless look.
- Cheyenne Crown – A Cheyenne crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a tall, teardrop-shaped peak at the front that is often decorated with a small crease or pinch. The sides of the crown are slightly angled and may be creased or pinched to create a distinctive, asymmetrical profile.
- Cool Hand Luke Crown – A Cool Hand Luke crown is characterized by a tall, flat-topped crown that is slightly wider at the top than at the bottom. The sides of the crown are slightly angled, and the front is often slightly higher than the back. The crown may also have a slight pinch at the front.
- Diamond Crown - A diamond crown is shaped like a diamond, with four sides that slope down towards the base. This type of crown is often found on newsboy caps and ivy caps.
- Gus Crown – A gus crown on a hat is a type of crown that is defined by the presence of a gusset, which is a triangular or diamond-shaped piece of fabric that is added to the top of the crown.
- Hondo Crown – A Hondo crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a high peak at the front that is often pinched or creased to create a distinctive, pointed shape. The sides of the crown are slightly angled and may be creased or pinched to create a slightly asymmetrical profile.
- Marlboro Crown - A marlboro crown is a specific type of cattleman crown used on cowboy hats that is named after the Marlboro brand of cigarettes, which used a similar design for their advertising. It is sometimes also called a "teardrop" crown because of its shape, which is similar to a teardrop or a pear.
- Optimo Crown – A Optimo crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a peak that is slightly off-center and angled to one side. The sides of the crown are slightly pinched or creased, with a gentle curve that follows the contours of the head.
- Outdoorsman Crown - An outdoorsman crown is typically more rounded than other types of hat crowns, which helps to provide extra protection from the sun and rain. It is also sometimes referred to as a "deep dish" crown because of its bowl-like shape.
- Porkpie Crown - A porkpie crown is short and round, with a flat top and a narrow brim. This type of crown is often found on porkpie hats and some fedoras.
- Rodeo Crown – A Rodeo crown features a central crease that runs from front to back, with a high peak at the front and sloping sides that create an angled, triangular shape. The front section of the crown is usually taller than the back, which gives it a distinctive and striking appearance.
- Teardrop Crown - A teardrop crown is shaped like a teardrop, with a rounded top and a narrow base. This type of crown is often found on cloche hats and bucket hats.
Telescope Crown - A telescope crown is tall and cylindrical, with straight sides that taper slightly towards the top. This type of crown is often found on top hats and fedoras.
Common Hat Brims
The brim of a hat is the part that extends downward from the crown, providing shade and protection from the sun and rain. There are many different types of hat brims, each with its own unique style and purpose. Here are a few examples:
- Bound Brim - A bound brim is a brim that is trimmed and finished with a ribbon or other decorative trim. This type of brim is often found on traditional styles of hat, such as the cloche and the bowler, and gives the hat a classic and timeless look.
- Down Angle/Casual Brim – A down angle/casual brim on a hat refers to the way the brim is angled downwards at the front and/or back of the hat. This is in contrast to a flat or straight brim, which runs parallel to the ground all the way around the hat.
- Flat Brim - A flat brim is exactly what it sounds like - a brim that is flat and straight all the way around. This type of brim is often found on baseball caps and other types of sportswear, as well as on some more unconventional styles of hat.
- Rolled Brim - A rolled brim is a brim that is rolled up and stitched in place, creating a distinctive, curved look. This type of brim is often found on boater hats and other nautical-inspired styles, as well as on some avant-garde fashion hats.
- Snap Brim - A snap brim is a brim that can be snapped up or down, allowing the wearer to adjust the amount of sun and rain protection that the hat provides. This type of brim is often found on fedoras and other types of casual headwear.
- Turn-up Brim - A turn-up brim is a brim that can be turned up or down, much like a snap brim. However, unlike a snap brim, a turn-up brim is typically sewn in place, making it less adjustable. This type of brim is often found on traditional styles of hat, such as the trilby.