From Beanies to Fedoras: Your Essential Hat Guide for Casual and Formal Looks

Finding your own style can be a harrowing process but it all boils down to trial and error. 

Where other self-improvement endeavors can be copied, outlined, or otherwise studied, finding your own style is an infinitely more personal process if you want to stand out and stay comfortable. 

That isn’t to say there’s no hope or that the many, many guides online about this topic are useless, but developing your personal style will always be personal. 

So over the next few weeks I’ll be helping you redesign your wardrobe that will allow you to have fun finding your style, minimize fashion faux-pas, and maximize YOU in your style. 

There will be links to purchase all of these essentials but don’t feel pressured to buy everything on this list– building your wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight and you’ll benefit from not having so many choices right off the bat. 

Starting from the top– hats (pun intended).

When you start looking at hats you’ll quickly find that there are way more styles than you think there are and hats that you thought were one style are a completely different sub-genre of hats. With that in mind I’ve simplified the plethora of styles out there into 8 major styles that should cover the different styles you come into contact with. These are

Formal

• Fedora

• Trilby

Casual

• Fitted cap/ trucker hat

• Dad hat

Both

• Safari hat

• Field hat

• Beanie

• Scally cap

The distinction between formal and casual is somewhat arbitrary but if you’re just getting started this should help you get a picture of what hats you might need for your desired look. 

When buying accessories such as hats, focus first on finding something generic. Before you get stuck buying 6 different hats to match your 7 suits, find a hat that works with the majority of your wardrobe. I recommend a cream or chocolate color in addition to the universal black hat. 

At dolcevitaMEN.com, our curated selection of hats makes it easy to find versatile, timeless styles that compliment your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking for a classic field hat or a modern beanie, we prioritize quality materials and timeless designs that elevate and accentuate your style.

Now if your wardrobe is more formal, you’ll obviously want to shy away from beanies or baseball caps, but that doesn’t mean you should shoot all the way to a fedora. Fedoras are going to lift your fit up (as long as the fit is already good) but it can easily be “too much,” especially for everyday, business style attire. 

This is where a field hat could come in handy, it can be dressed up or down but doesn’t make or break your fit like a fedora can. Again, how you style your hat is up to you but you want to avoid something that clashes with the tone of your fit. Clashing vibes can make even the best pieces look like a haphazard mess when they’re just mashed together.

Speaking of clashing vibes, beanies are a lot more versatile than you’ve been led to believe.

One example is the “watch hat.” This is one of those styles I referenced earlier, basically a beanie but not quite. Obviously, a beanie with a puff ball on the end of it isn’t going to fit a formal look but a nicely rolled beanie can serve the functional purpose of a hat without detracting from a more business formal outfit or elevating a casual date night outfit past where it needs to be. 

What sets our hats apart is their ability to seamlessly blend with both casual and formal styles. A safari hat paired with loafers and a linen suit can create a relaxed yet professional summer look, while a scally cap worn with a tailored overcoat and Chelsea boots exudes effortless sophistication.

Like with all styles, accessories, and fashions– a hat is what you make it. Take some time to evaluate the clothes you have, the style you want, and then determine where a hat can fit into your wardrobe and which one. 

Thanks for reading, below you’ll find links to various styles available at dolcevitaMEN.com the best place to elevate your wardrobe, no matter what style you’re aiming for. You can use code “HEADGEAR” for 15% off any hat on the site.

As you start building your hat collection, remember that these accessories are only the beginning. In our next blog, we’ll dive into pairing hats with different types of outfits to create versatile outfits for every occasion. Whether it’s a wool fedora for winter or a safari hat for spring, the right hat can tie your entire look together. Stay tuned for more styling tips!