Spoiler alert: Dad hats aren’t just for dads. But, seriously. What exactly is a dad hat?
Well, it is simply a baseball cap. It is not a snapback, flat brim, or fitted hat. However, they all look the same, somehow. A dad hat is a baseball cap made of canvas or cotton with a slightly curved brim, but not too curved, and fits the wearer a little loosely. And unless you’re a dad, in which case it’ll probably fit you nicely.
So, if you have no idea what dad hats are, relax; you are not alone. And don’t worry because we’ve got everything covered in this article. Enjoy!
What Are Dad Hats, Really?
A dad hat is a six-panel, pre-curved, unstructured cap with an adjustable closure, usually made of a soft, washed cotton blend and available in various colors and designs.
Canvas or cotton are the most common materials used in dad hats. Buckram is commonly used to line the stiff, sturdy brims. Buckrams are also used to stiffen the crown on structured dad hats.
But dad hats can also be made from a variety of materials. For instance, dad hats made of corduroy are stylish and trendy. On the other hand, polyester, wool, and linen are examples of other fabrics used to make dad hats.
You’ll also notice that the brims of dad hats are often stiffened with wood or cardboard. At the same time, the bands that keep the cap from falling off could be made from rubber or Lycra.
What are the Key Design Features of Dad Hats?
As we already mentioned, dad hats or floppy caps are similar to baseball hats or baseball caps. But they have distinct features that you’ll indeed recognize once you see them. And to help you differentiate dad hats from other hats, we have listed below its key features for your reference.
The Brim
One of the distinguishing characteristics of a dad hat is its pre-curved brim. Snapback trucker hats for men are typically stiffer, with a flat bill or a slightly pre-curved visor. The curved brim of a dad hat looks good on everyone, not just on dads (pun intended).
The Fit
A dad hat conveys a laid-back and relaxed vibe. Dad hats are usually made of soft cotton or canvas and are incredibly light and comfortable to wear. On the other hand, snapbacks have a bold, in-your-face appearance, whereas dad hats are more subtle and designed to look and feel good.
The Design
Dad hats typically have an unformed body, a simple design, and a faded style. Unlike trucker hats and snapbacks, which have large logos and rugged designs, dad hats usually have a small logo, an embossed design, or no logo at all. We suggest that you stick to simple colors like olive, navy, black, and charcoal gray for the most wear out of your dad hat.
The Closure
Dad hats frequently have velcro or slide closure and are generally one size fits all. Some dad hats may also come in the snapback style.
The Style
The thing about dad hats is that they don’t have to match your outfit. Dad hats are designed to be worn casually and are intended to look relaxed and comfortable. They’re ideal for outdoor activities and recreation such as fishing, camping, and hiking. Dad hats go well with khakis, jeans, sweatpants, or any comfortable outfit matching the hat’s relaxed vibe.
The Best Dad Hats for Men
Dad hats are a hot trend right now. And there’s a cool dad hat for everyone with so many great options in colors across the spectrum. Some feature embroidered or iron-on emblems from today’s pop culture, fun throwback images, or recognized top brands.
Below are 10 of the top dad hats in the market today.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger was a famous brand in the 1990s, known for its bold logos and bold branding. In the meantime, the minimalist’s preferred headwear is the dad cap. On paper, they shouldn’t be able to work together. However, things are pretty different.
Tommy’s caps are made of cotton twill and come in a variety of colors. They feature a more recent, scaled-down flag motif. The ideal choice for those who want to channel some noughties swagger.
The North Face
But it’s unlikely that you’ll be wearing a dad cap to climb K2’s north ridge. If you do, you’ll be glad The North Face’s outdoor experts made it.
The California label has long served as a link between the worlds of streetwear and outdoor activities. As a result, it’s an excellent choice for a new hat that can withstand the elements while camping out in the Supreme line.
Patagonia
Expect good quality and simple styling, and you can even trade in your old clothes for credit on new ones, thanks to the brand’s Worn Wear program. As a result, you can wear one of its tastefully branded dad caps and feel good about yourself.
ASOS
If there’s a hot new item, ASOS, the world’s largest online retailer, is likely to have a budget-friendly version. A bewildering array of dad caps with exciting textures, seasonal colors, and added touches like embroidered motifs could be found among the site’s vast collection of hats for summer and winter.
So, if clenching your elbows while battling your way down the high street with endless shopping bags in tow isn’t your idea of a fun weekend, this is the place to be.
Stussy
As a streetwear brand, Stussy relies heavily on caps, whether 5-panels, snapbacks, or, in this case, dad caps. Script branding is standard, as are plenty of questions about where you got your hat.
The Best Designs Hats for Men
Bee Embroidered Brushed Cotton Dad Hat
This dad hat is made of soft brushed cotton and is unstructured for a more relaxed fit. It is available in a variety of colors to suit men and women. This cap has a cute bumblebee embellished on the front and an adjustable slide buckle closure.
Black History Month Fist Hat
Wear this awesome dad hat to show your support for the hugely important BLM movement. This cap features the instantly recognizable Black History Month fist symbol on the front above the pre-curved visor. It is made with a unique look to look well worn. There are also Black Lives Matter various designs.
Schnauzer Dad Hat
When they’re out walking the family dog in this stylish embroidered hat, dog parents will look the part. This hat not only keeps the sun out of their eyes and the heat off their heads, but it also has an adorable Schnauzer pup embroidered above the peak.
The Bottom Line
Vintage dad hats will never go out of fashion. Teenagers and young adults are rocking it in this new era for one of two reasons. Either they’re wearing it as a fashion accessory to complete their look, or they’re hiding their bad hair with it. Dad hats are unisex and one-size-fits-all, despite their name.
READ ALSO: What are Snapback Hats?
