The 4 Best Hat Styles for Every Face Shape
Figuring out your face shape can be a key way to find the most flattering accessories for your wardrobe, whether it's the perfect pair of shades or even the right hat. When it came to hunting down the best hat shapes for different face shapes, we went to two stylists for their expert input. It turns out hats are more versatile than you might think.
Honey Artists stylist Stephanie Tricola says, "I think that any hat is flattering on any face shape! It's about the size of the hat—the brim and the crown can't be too big or too small. It's all about balance. That's what I suggest to all my clients who want to try out hats. I don't focus on the face shape as much but focus more on the style and size of the hat. If you want to wear a style, I say go for it! Don't limit yourself." That being said, there are certain ways to further flatter your face shape by finding the perfect hat.
Keep reading to see the best hat styles for four of the most common face shapes, according to two celebrity stylists.
Oval
Oval-shaped faces typically have a wider forehead than the chin, with more curves to the side of the face. McCamey says, "Oval faces, feel free to embrace your inner Penny Lane: Don a '70s-era felt hat and start stalking a band. The floppier the better, or a cowboy hat—any hat with a wide brim to cut across your forehead and balance out the length of your face." Like McCamey, Tricola also recommends a wider brim, saying, "Along with the cowboy hat, I think a wide-brimmed hat is a great option for oval, heart, and square faces. Again, it's super summery and chic—perfect for the pool. It's also a great sun protector, which is killing two birds with one stone! I think anybody can pull off this look."
Square
Square faces are typically characterized by a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline of equal proportion. When it comes to finding a hat for this face shape, Tricola comments, "I think a baseball hat or a newsboy hat is great for a square face. The only difference between these two hats is the brim size. Personally, I like to shop for men's baseball or newsboy hats because I like the oversize look." McCamey takes a similar approach, favoring styles with little to no brim: "Square faces can show off the latest hat trend: the beret. Slouchy and soft styles like berets and beanies will soften your features, whereas anything too angular will compete with your jawline and come across too strong. Check out Gucci's leather berets for a chic beret update."
Round
If the width and length of your face is about equal, and you have prominent, rounded cheeks, you might have a round-shaped face. McCamey elaborates, saying, "Round faces are usually as wide as they are long, so anything with a tall crown is going to accentuate this. If your face is round, go for asymmetrical shapes or slant a straight-brimmed hat into a cool angle to balance out your roundness. Avoid beanies or anything slouchy that doesn't hold its shape. If this is impossible, wear them pushed back on your head." Tricola gets a little more specific, saying, "I love a good fedora hat. I'd say a fedora is best on a round or square face. Pair it with a cool prairie dress, and you're good to go—also looks cute with a jean dress and boots."
Heart
If you've got a heart-shaped face, you're in luck when it comes to building your hat collection. Stylist Britt McCamey of Honey Artists says, "Heart-shaped faces, lucky you! The most versatile of face shapes—you can pull off almost any hat. Avoid anything wide-brimmed or too slouchy, as they tend to drown this delicate face shape." Tricola zeroes in on one of her favorite styles for this shape, saying, "For oval-, heart-, and square-shaped faces, I recommend a cowboy hat. They're great for summer and add a really cool edge to any outfit. For a heart-shaped face, the cowboy hat offers a really great balance. Plus, they're so much fun!"
This post was originally published on August 6, 2017, and has been updated.
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