Choosing the best hat by your
You pick and choose, use our handy filter to find the best hat for each season. If hats are new to you or you want to buy one for someone else, take a moment to read our handy mini guide at the bottom.
Introduction:
Buying a hat can be a tough decision, especially when you are looking for an accessory that reflects your style and personality. There are several aspects to consider when choosing your (first) hat.
First, it is important to determine what type of hat you are looking for. There are different styles and each type has its own unique look.
In addition, it is essential to find the right size. Hats come in different sizes and it is important to choose one that wears comfortably.
Another consideration is the material of the hat. Today, hats are made from a wide range of materials, such as straw, wool, felt, leather, and so on.
Each material has its own unique properties and may be suitable for different seasons or occasions.
Finally, you should also consider your personal taste and style preferences. Choose a hat that suits your individual style and goes well with the rest of your wardrobe.
Together we will go through all the little details so you can buy your ideal hat.
The different types of hats.
If you ask a few experts, you’ve probably heard of a fedora or maybe even a trilby.
It may sound strange if you’ve never heard of it, and I completely understand that. After all, it’s not like the old days when everyone wore a hat. But these days the hat is back and you see them more and more often.
Below are a few designations so that the next time you ask about a hat model, you will come across as a real hat expert to the salesperson (or your friends).
- Fedora
- Trilby
- Bowler
- Top hat
- Homburg
- Porkpie
- Traveller of bush hat
- Straw hat
- Panama hat
- Boater or “tits” in the Antwerp vernacular (best not to go near English-speaking sayings)
Now you see certain styles popping up much more often, because the trends today are different than they used to be. A hat used to be seen primarily as a status symbol, but that is less the case now, if at all. Although certain ceremonial hats are still worn on special occasions.
At Harbor Of Men, we like to make things easy for you. We have conveniently classified our hats by season (use our store filter). It is important to note that spring and fall are virtually the same, except that one ends in a warm period and the other in a cold period.
All hats, regardless of type, are different depending on which season they are designed for. Most summer hats are breathable, lightweight and protect you from UV rays.
Winter hats, on the other hand, protect you from the cold, insulate warmth and, in most cases, are water-repellent.
A fedora type in summer will be made of very different materials, such as hemp or straw, than a fedora intended for winter and made of wool or hair felt.
Different materials of hats.
As mentioned earlier, hats can be made of different materials, but this depends on the season for which they are intended.
- Spring hats: During this period, hats are mainly made water-repellent and windproof. Typical materials for this are wool, felt and waxed hats.
- Summer hats: With it being so hot during this period, please do not wear hats made of wool or any other material normally worn in winter. The best choice are natural straw hats made from palm leaves or other plant materials. These are extremely lightweight and breathable due to the weave. (You will thank me for this tip)In my personal opinion, the Panama hat is definitely the best summer hat. They are lightweight, stylish and provide excellent sun protection.
- Autumn: Practically the same as a spring hat.
- Winter hats: Now the best hats are made from animal materials. Animal coats such as wool, rabbit or beaver are naturally water repellent, insulating and warm.
Where is the best place to buy a hat?
Now it is not possible to walk into a hat store everywhere, but if you find one, this is the best option. There you can feel each hat, try it on and see if it actually looks good on you or not.
At our place, Harbor of Men (in case you’ve already forgotten the name), I quietly let each customer try on all the models. No is not an option until you have tried it.
It often happens that people come in with a specific model in mind and say, “I only want to try that model.” But on trying, they then say, “Hey…. uh… not as pretty as I thought after all…”
As soon as I suggest another model that was originally rejected, I hear, “Ah…. wow, I didn’t think that one would look so good.”
Trying is the message! Unfortunately, you can’t do that online, but if you wear a hat for a while, you’ll find out with experience what suits you well and what doesn’t.
So if you’re in Antwerp, feel free to stop by and we’ll be happy to help!
Are all the hats on the website men’s hats?
Our focus is mainly on hats for men, also called men’s hats. However, this does not mean that our hats are not suitable for ladies. On the contrary, we have many female customers who look beautiful and cool with our hats.
Most Fedora types are unisex. However, most ladies wear smaller sizes of hats than men, usually ranging from 55 to 57, while among men, the most commonly worn sizes are usually between 57 and 59.
