A great majority of our customers have never worn a hat before. Following hair loss due to cancer chemotherapy treatments, they suddenly find themselves looking for hats, turbans and wigs, and having no idea where to start. We have prepared the following guide, to aid you in your hat selection, whether you are a seasoned hat wearer, or a chemotherapy patient who is buying a hat for the very first time. When wearing a hat, you will want to consider the following:
Consider Your Overall Shape
A hat should be no wider than the width of your shoulders.
If you are petite, you should choose hats with a low profile crown and a small brim. Avoid big hats, which can overpower you.
If you are tall, hats with a wide brim and a shorter crown are most flattering. Stay away from narrow and angular shaped hats.
If you are full figured, full brimmed hats that are wide can balance your shape.
Consider Your Face Shape
If you have a long face: Choose wide hats. Hats with wide flat brims or curled/floppy brims work well. Try pulling the brim of your hat down to your eyebrows to shorten your face. Avoid narrow brims (which add length to your face) and hats that are tall.
If you have a round or square face: Select hats with high brims and asymmetrical shapes. Avoid round, circular, or floppy-shaped hats. Wear your brims on an angle whenever possible.The crown of your hat should be at least as wide as your face.
If you have a heart shaped face: Wear hats with asymmetrical shapes.
If you have an oval or triangular face: You can wear almost any style of hat. Make sure that the crown is never narrower than your cheekbones.
For more information on determining your face shape, please see our Wig Style Guide.
Consider the Position of the Hat
If a hat isn’t flattering when you first try it on, you may need to adjust how it is placed on your head. You may not be wearing it far enough forward or back. The hat should be angled to its best advantage. Try tilting it slightly to the right or to the left. Angle it from every direction and view it from every angle. Experiment until you find the optimal look.
Consider Accessories
If you wear glasses: Try upturning the brim of your hat for a more flattering look.
If you have hair: Try tucking your hair behind your ear or putting your hair up for the best look.
Earrings: Experiment with different earrings to add interest.
Give your hat a whole new look by adding an interesting pin hat pin. There are rhinestone pins, flower pins, and hat pins in a wide variety of materials, including fur, leather, and fabric.
Scarves are a wonderful way to dress up a hat. Tie a scarf around the perimeter of a plain hat for an upscale, dressy look.
Ribbons, bows and trims from your local fabric or craft store can be used to personalize your hat. The possibilities are endless.
