Preventing Hat-Head

Angie

I don't get hat-head. (Especially the short pixie I just had cut). When your hair is short, flat and straight - there is nothing to smoosh, IYKWIM. So in that respect, my hair is hat-friendly.

Berets are also quite roomy around the head - but not around the ears - which helps.

How do you prevent hat-head?

8 years ago

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

El Cee

Veteran

For me -- the only way I can prevent hat head is to not wear a hat... or to just wear that fab hat all day long.

8 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I can wear a hat for a short time without a problem but if I do get hat hair, I use my flat iron and smooth things out,

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

For me, the key is to wear a hat that is not too snug, which is not hard since I have a small head. But mostly I find that slouchy berets don't flatten my hair down -- they're light enough and loose enough at the crown that when I take them off, I can just fluff my hair a little and it's not much worse for the wear.

I think that the more layered your hair is on top, the less likely hat-head is. I have the most trouble with it when my hair is long and not as layered, and when I wear snug hats like ski caps. I also think that product in hair can make a difference. I think that heavier products can result in the hair staying in that hat-shape after the hat is removed. But a light spritz of hairspray after styling can help prevent static when you take off a hat.

8 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I have to wear hats nearly every day to protect my ears from wind. Sadly, fashion/appearance isn't even an issue, such is the necessity. I gather up all the hair on my crown and twist it opposite to the direction I want it to lie and secure it with one snap-barrette. I find that the bounce is restored once I remove the hat and barrette and give my hair a quick fluff with my fingers.

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

My hair is straight so all I have to do is run a brush or my fingers through it. Not a huge deal. I also prefer hats that are a bit looser/slouchy, which also helps.

I used to have big problems with static making my hair stand up (and occasionally throwing sparks!) when I wore storebought hats but it disappeared when I started wearing hand knit ones made of natural fibers. It's the synthetics like acrylic and polyester that cause the static. Polar fleece was the worst offender for me.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your solutions are creative, ladies. Good job. I'm impressed. Go Team Hair Spray and Roomy Hats.

I also wanted to add that my hat stays put. It doesn't need pins. Maybe that's because I pull it over my ears - not sure. But the wind was not a problem in the Netherlands or the UK.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Loose fitting hats, spray conditioner and a brush when you get where you're going. But yeah -- not much of an issue for short/straight/flat hair.

I agree with Diana about synthetics and static -- not nearly as much of a problem with wool hats or other natural fibers. But a good conditioner can help too; especially in the winter when everything is super dry a creme rinse or a leave-in can be a really good idea.

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

My hair is just below my shoulders. I pull it into a sleek, low ponytail when I wear hats. If the hat is on for a short amount of time I can remove the ponytail and just shake it out. For extended hat wearing I usually leave the ponytail in for the rest of the day.

I always carry hair elastics. I do the same thing on very windy days so my hair isn't a rats nest by the time I reach my destination.

I also carry a travel size can of Static Guard in my purse in the winter. Spray onto hairbrush and brush. This is also great when trying on clothes.....my fine hair goes berserk when pulling sweaters and such on and off.

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Lol the only way to prevent hat head is to not wear hats.

In all seriousness -- it depends on your hair. With hair like mine, that is naturally fluffy, hat head just happens. I can't prevent it. If I wore it long, I guess I could put it in a ponytail to minimize the appearance of the hat head, but the hat would still squash it down more than it should be squashed. If you have smooth hair that lies flat against your head, with no air between the strands, then the hat won't really do anything, I guess!

Toques (ski hats or beanies for non-Canadians) are by far the worst offenders in terms of hair-squashing.

ETA the other option is to leave the hat on all day (something I've done when I have short hair that's in need of a wash...)

8 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

A beret and earmuffs prevent hat head and keep your ears warm. A cap works well with earmuffs, too.

8 years ago

Teresa

Active Member

Speaking for the fluffy-haired folks, I always pick a hat with space around my hair--either a beret style, or a cap that has some room in the crown. And then fluff with my fingers when I take the hat off!

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Another reason my style is rate...I fluff my hair back out...but then it's crazy. So a shaggy cut.

8 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

A nice headband in soft wool also works for keeping your ears warm and not getting a hat head but it needs to be warm, soft and very cozy.

8 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Main hat-hair prevention strategy: super short pixie cut
Fallback strategy: a little bit of water from the nearest restroom, to coax hair into place.

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

If I'm going someplace where I really want my hair to have the best chances of looking good, I wear only earmuffs. If it's not as big a deal to have nice hair, the next step up is a slouchy beret that is not too tight. I got a nice one in cashmere from Macy's a couple of years ago. It is very lightweight but surprisingly warm.

I can sometimes get away with a beanie that is not too tight if I don't pull it down over my forehead but wear it further back on my head, kind of like how Angie was wearing her beret in the blog post today.

I agree that some of us are just more prone to hat hair. My hair is very fine and wavy and lacks volume on top; when I put a hat on, even if it's not a tight one, my hair gets smooshed—because very little is required to smoosh it! I'm going to try Emily K's trick of winding it up in a pony before putting on my hat.

8 years ago

Marlene1

Active Member

I part my hair on the left. If I wear a hat, I flip it to the opposite side (rough part on the right, hair flipped to the left.) When I remove the hat, I use my fingers to re-part my hair on the left. Not so flat that way.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Wearing a beret for a few hours the other day did my hair in for the rest of the day . Even though it's short, I guess I have enough volume going on that it looks pretty kooky after wearing a hat. I get the best results from a large brimmed fedora-type hat - and was pleasantly surprised to find my hair looking pretty much the same after wearing it. Btw - I did find the beret to be a little too tight around my ears, and after a few hours, it was pretty uncomfortable. I'm hoping it will stretch (felted wool)? Or perhaps I have a big head ? I don't know how one determines if one's head is big or not

I can see how soft and flat layers hold up better under a hat, Angie . Still not convinced I can take the plunge into pixie territory though.

8 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

I can't picture how to wear earmuffs AND a hat at the same time. I've never worn earmuffs, but aren't they connected by a stiff headband over the top? Does the hat go over or under the band of the earmuffs? I'm interested in giving them a try!

8 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Bennett, I wear the earmuffs on top of the beret, cap or beanie. That way it keeps me warm and also prevents the beret from flying away on cold and windy days. I don't know if that would be the most fashionable way but it is functional and works well for me.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Taking notes because I love hats but aaaalways get hat head! I think it's the propensity my hair has to grow in our humidity, at least in part. Also mine goes wavy very easily, which makes it look really floofy at the bottom when the top gets smooshed. Not my best look, but I have a hopeless addiction to winter knit caps!

8 years ago

celia

Veteran

Although my hair is long it is also fine and straight so I don't have that issue but I do get static if it has a lot of wool.

8 years ago

Joy

Veteran

My DDIL has long straight hair that she pulls into the back of a slouchy knit hat. She never seems to have hat hair. Static is my worst problem but washing my hair with cream rinse and using a shine product on it seems to help. The best solution might be to wear a wig as a hat...warm and no hat hair.

8 years ago

Anonymous

My hair is fine and rather straight. I usually don't get hat hair.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I don't have a solution. When I'm dog walking or birding or hiking, I always wear a hat, preferably one with a bill. Depending on how long I've been wearing the hat, my hair might look okay, or really awful. I have a problem with static no matter what. The air is just so dry here. It is interesting to hear others' solutions, especially Joy's!

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

On the topic of hat-wearing, it is snowing like the dickens in Vancouver tonight. I don't think we've had snow in three years. We've had car crashes everywhere all day long and the rest of Canada is laughing at us. My hatless head got all wet while I shovelled the sidewalk and I remember now why you're supposed to wear a hat.

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

LOL Aziraphale. My niece lives out there and posted a Facebook pic stating that it looks like Ontario now.

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

@Marilyn -- It does! Only with a lot more hills, and drivers who don't have snow tires and are consequently sliding all over the place.

Sorry for the thread hijack. Back to hats! You should wear one if it's snowing! ;-P

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

We got snow in Kingston last night, too...but luckily we are (all too) used to it here...

You know what? I love hat head!!

Seriously. My hair is so thick and in humid weather it can puff out a bit, and wearing a hat makes it nice and smooth again. It works especially well with a pixie but even longer short hair can be tamed a bit by the hat. I have found mid-length hair to be the worst mare with hats. For long hair I just pulled into a pony like Marilyn.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

THANKS for the info and chuckles. You gals rock.

8 years ago

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