Men's summer hats: types and selection rules

Headdresses have taken such an important place in the wardrobe of modern men that in the universities of France and Italy, designers are taught a separate course on their creation. And for good reason: a men's summer hat, which will become a convenient, beautiful and functional accessory, is a whole art.

The first men's hats, mentioned by historians, were called "pileus" and had a completely simple design. A headdress was considered a sign of prosperity, and only those with a special status and representatives of some religions had the right to wear it. The first straw hats were found on cave paintings in Egypt and were also worn only by VIPs. But the first hats with brim appeared in Greece: the so-called petasos were worn by the gods and persons close to them.

As a sun protection and everyday accessory, hats began to be worn only in the twentieth century - partly due to the popularization of men's sports and the need to protect the head from the sun, in part - thanks to fashionistas from America. Hats for men began to evolve rapidly: they began to be made from raffia, dense cotton fabric, light wool and many other materials, and the shapes changed in accordance with the style of the century and the mood of the masses.

Most hats for men have common features:

• crown - this is the main part of the hat, covering most of the head;
• band - a special tape that frames the crown and has two purposes: to protect the hat fabric from sweat and to attach additional elements;
• visor - the protruding front part of the headgear, usually with a solid frame, designed to protect the eyes from the sun;
• fields - also a protruding part, but located already along the entire diameter of the hat and well protecting the face and even shoulders.

The choice of a summer hat must be approached especially carefully, because this accessory will not only bring a zest to your image, emphasize elegance and masculinity, but also protect you from ultraviolet radiation. Stylists believe that in the wardrobe of a modern man there should be several models of hats: at least one beachwear, one for everyday use, and a more sophisticated business option.

There are several models of men's hats that are perfect for the summer season.

• Panama - a lightweight headdress with short brim, which was invented in hot Ecuador. Lightweight, versatile and practical, Panama is useful for everyone - you can wear it on the beach, on a picnic, or on a walk around the sultry city. They are made from light cotton fabrics, often in contrasting colors and with bright prints.

• Baseball cap - a traditional American accessory with a visor. Originally used as sun protection for baseball players, it has become a sophisticated attribute of the modern fashionista thanks to its many modern designs.

• Boater - light and elegant straw hat, often with large brim. Initially, such wicker headgear was the main symbol of Venetian gondoliers, but practical Europeans quickly introduced the accessory into their everyday wardrobe.Historians say that around the same distant times, straw hats were fashionable in distant and sultry Asia. Men's raffia and straw hats are usually made with a low crown and clean lines to emphasize the masculinity of the wearer.

• Fedor - a universal men's piece with characteristic "hollows" in the crown, intended for the fingers. The inventors of the "fedor" are considered to be dandies who have improved their favorite headwear by adding notches to make it easier to lift their hat when greeting or saying goodbye.

• Cowboy hat - easily recognizable accessory made of hard leather, which, despite the dense material, protects well from the heat.

• Kepi - the progenitor of baseball caps, invented by either gangsters or European fashionistas. This headdress also has a visor, but it is usually made of more expensive and dense materials, and the crown is made with a slight slouch. A great option for dudes and office workers!

• Trilby - Another traditional narrow-brimmed headdress, often made of felt or other dense material. Despite its warmth, it is often chosen by men as a summer hat, as it goes well with formal suits.

• Asian hat - a classic cone-shaped headdress of the inhabitants of the Far East. This rather specific accessory can often be found in the fields and forests of Japan, Vietnam and China, but in recent years, with the growing interest in Asian culture, it began to appear in the metropolitan areas of Europe.

Stylists argue that there are no universal rules for choosing a headdress and when buying, you should start only from your own preferences and the image that you want to create. But in order for the selected product to serve you for more than one season, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

• the ideal hat should blend well with the oval of your face, emphasizing your features, not overlapping them;
• if you are the owner of a thin face with pronounced cheekbones, pay attention to accessories with a narrow crown and short brim;
• happy owners of charming cheeks are recommended to choose hats with wide brims and a massive crown - models made of jute, straw, as well as classic “fedoras” are perfect for you;
• fashionistas with aquiline noses should also choose beach hats with large brims: classic models or brighter ones, cowboy or straw;
• when choosing a hat, pay attention to the material and tailoring - models made from natural materials with smooth, high-quality seams are guaranteed to serve you for more than one season.

Since a straw hat is the most popular summer hat, let's take a closer look at the rules for choosing this accessory.

A hat woven of straw or jute should not cause any discomfort when worn, therefore, make sure that there are no pieces of straw sticking out from its inner side or a headband is present, which will protect you from the unpleasant sensations due to increased sweating in summer. Also remember that such a summer hat for men can easily fly away from the wind, which means it should fit well around the circumference of the head.

For hats for men, see below.