Talk to me about hats... - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about hats...

Runcarla

Veteran

Are there any 'rules' to selecting a stylish and complimentary sun hat? Height and Shape of crown? Width of brim?

I am treating Rosecea with a topical prescription medicine with excellent results, however the derm says that it will make my skin even more susceptible to sunburn. I will continue to use high SPF creams and sunblock, but I would like to get stylish with hats as well. Currently I am lusting after a Panama style hat.

I think my head size is 'medium' at 22 inches (counting big hair), but my face is small and I don't know if the style will suit.

I've never looked good in baseball style hats and I don't feel like my current summer hats score a '10'.

Any advice? Suggestions? Your experience with hats?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Anonymous

I think a panama will work for you . I have a small face too , ( and a little round head ) and also look like a jerk in a baseball hat . A fedora or panama seems to work for me .

L'Abeille

Veteran

I wonder how much width of shoulder s comes into play in determining which brim styles flatter. I have fallen for many fedoras and panamas that look great on the hat rack and great on other people but when applied to my head, the brim suddenly shrinks to 1 inch or less in appearance. On the other hand, really wide brims -- the kind so wide it is hard to stop them flopping -- look just right, and not unusually wide at all; meanwhile the other women in my family or friends are overwhelmed by the same hat yet can carry off a cloche beautifully.

I really have no middle ground, it's either cartwheel brims or berets. Great for sun protection, but extremely vulnerable to wind, so chin strap is another feature to look for.

Kathie

Veteran

No suggestions on width of brim, but, I just purchased the hat in the finds, and love it. Hat selection for me is limited by a 23.5” head, coupled with lots of hair, so I’m always thrilled to find hats that come in sizes. I was worried that the brim on this would be too large, but it’s not- lots of sun protection, but without approaching floppy territory.

Brixton 'Joanna' Straw Hat

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5

Ginger

Veteran

For what it's worth, I think a panama style is *almost* universally flattering. On long and very slender face with little hair volume to balance, a wide brim can be too much proportionately. (I have seen this with a relative.) But I think it's an extreme, because I also have a long face, and wide brims are pretty awesome on me. And they look great on other people I know with all different face types. So go for it!

Kathie touched on the one thing I would caution about: be careful about floppy construction. If you live where brisk winds are likely, a floppy brim is a MAJOR nuisance!

Also for wind, it's super easy to add a hat elastic to a hat with a sweatband inside. Wear the elastic behind your head under your hair, and it's both invisible but still keeps the hat on securely.

12 Pieces Tan 10 1/2" Barbed Elastic Cord for Hats and Fascinators - 9 Colors Available

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2

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Another small face but also small head here, and I find fedora/panama styles pretty flattering if I get the size right. Seriously, I can wear children’s hats — no wonder i disappear in group photos if I’m not in front (and I hate being in front!).

I find hats one of those things that you just need to try and try on more until you find the right fit. Some of them just have weirdly high crowns and seem to poke way up above my head. I bet you’ll find some great ones! I can see you wearing them really well.

Joy

Veteran

Small head here so I do best with a child’s hat, however I do find a big brimmed hat valuable for reading when sitting outside. You may need to try a lot of hats. One that will stay on in a breeze is a must.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a big head, and I wear a Tilley. It’s made in Canada. It’s not sized S,M,L, but by actual hat sizes. It’s definitely gear. But I had a thing removed from my leg last year, and I’m all about sun protection. It has a chin strap for when it’s windy.

https://www.tilley.com/us_en/

ETA: I’m not sure what size brim mine has.

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Style Fan

Veteran

Carla, I have a hat with a SPF 50. I bought it in Florida. I would look for one of those first. There are a few companies that make them. I also have a gorgeous one that looks like straw but it is too big for me.
Try a fedora and panama style. They seem to work for a lot of people.

I have several hats. I love hats. I think I have the kind of head and face that looks good in them. I have no idea if it is big, small or in between. How do you know?

DonnaF

Veteran

If you find the hat you love a bit too big, don’t forget about these babies (in Finds).

Jeffirm Jeffirm 20Pcs Black Hat Size Reducer Self Adhesive Foam Sweatband, 0.15in and 0.19in

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4

Anonymous

Zero experience with non winter hats here, and only 3 hat articles in the archives at all.
Lets give Angie some homework

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I like the hats you show, Carla, but I’m not sure the brim would be wide enough to actually shield your face from sun. Normally I find only a baseball style cap or a straw hat with a brim that’s as wide as the cap bill will keep sun off my face.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

For me the most important style consideration is the stiffness of the brim. A floppy downward angle is very unflattering on my face. Ideally the brim needs to be 4-5 inches to provide full sun protection. The problem is that it is a big commitment, especially if I am going to be in and out. If anyone knows of a foldable hat that is not floppy I would be delighted!

Synne

Veteran

How about a cool cap? I just ordered this one. I like that it has a tweed-front, and the colour mimics my hair colour. It won't be "too loud" as many hats are.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I like Synne’s idea- I saw some straw baseball hats the other day that were super cute and visually surprising.

Hats are so unpredictable! Some look fab and some awful, and the difference might be a tiny measurement in the crown or a tiny difference in the angle of the brim.....

madeline

Veteran

Hats are hard for me too. You might want to look at the Coolibar website. Their specialty is sun protective clothing, including hats.

kkards

Veteran

for me the most important part of a sun hat...it must be washable
sweat+ sunscreen = yuck

Sara L.

Veteran

Hats are so tricky! I like to wear them for sun protection too but never like how I look in them.

Tina

I love my Panama hat. It's from Ultrafino.

https://ultrafino.com/collecti.....a-hat?variant=8699990868004

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ChrisM

Veteran

After seeing JAlieen’s Tilley, I got one too - love it. I take a size 7 7/8 - which makes my noggin oversized for a woman, and it fits and I’m so happy to have it! I love wearing a hat for hiking and any outdoor stuff but need it to breathe. This Tilley should do the trick.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The hat must fit, and actually protect you from the sun

smittie

Veteran

I would Definitely suggest a Panama hat, with a very wide brim. I’m pretty sure these wide brim styles are on trend.
I’m glad your rosascia treatment is going well.
I have a Panama hat from JCrew that I enjoy but it is bulky to carry around!
It’s still worth the hassle, IMO.
I’m a strong believer in being outside, and hat-wearing. I plan to get more hats this summer, and integrate them into my style more.

JAileen

Veteran

Although I wear my Tilley out in the wild, I have a hat just like this one for gardening. The brim isn’t as stiff as the Tilley, and it’s floppiness was annoying me. So I sprayed the brim with starch. That really helped stiffen it up. Of course I’ll have to redo it each time I wash it.

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