How To Buy A Fedora Hat - 5 Things To Look For

Shopping for a fedora hat can feel daunting for those who are not well-versed in the different types and styles of fedoras available. While extremely popular and fashionable, knowledge of fedoras is not as commonplace as it once was. This is because fedoras are not quite as common as they were in the 20th Century. Nonetheless, their resurgence in popularity has also led to various questions about how to shop for the perfect fedora.

If you are going to invest in a fedora, you will want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. Fortunately, Bellissimo Hats provides top-quality fedoras in dozens of styles, designs, and colors, with extra features and add-ons to make every single hat a unique work of art. In any case, it is always best to do your research before purchasing an accessory that will stay with you for years to come. So, in today’s guide, we will examine 5 things to look out for when you want to buy a fedora hat!

Fedora Hat Material

The material you choose is by far one of the most important factors to consider when buying a fedora hat. When shopping for different fedora materials, you will need to consider the time(s) of year and the climate in which you plan to wear your hat. Moreover, you will have to consider that some materials are simply more comfortable and breathable than others.

For example, the straw fedora (frequently known as the Panama Hat) is commonly used in hotter climates because it is very breathable and resistant to sweat. This makes straw a great material for spring or summer events, as well as locales that tend to stay warm throughout most of the year. However, it’s important to ensure that you are getting an authentic Panama Hat handmade of real straw, as there are various imitations on the market. 

Alternatively, thicker materials and fabrics like wool or leather often feel softer on the skin and provide greater warmth, making them better choices for colder climates. That said, fur felt is often considered the highest-quality material for just about any location or season, as it is highly breathable and ideal for year-round use.

Fedora Color

While classic fedoras traditionally came in just a few different colors (white, beige, black, grey, or brown), you can now find fedoras in just about any color imaginable. Naturally, the color you choose will come down to your personal taste and the color and style of clothing that you want to wear with your fedora. You can learn more by checking out our guide on choosing the best color fedora for you.

However, if you’re looking for a highly versatile hat color or, more specifically, a hat that goes with everything, you have a few options at your disposal. Dark brown tends to go with the vast majority of clothing options, but there is no “perfect” fedora color. So, instead of focusing just on the color, you should also think about the shade of your fedora. For example, a dark shade (in any color) will look better with certain skin tones and outfits, while a light shade will look better with other skin tones and clothing ensembles.

Fedora Crown Shapes

The shape of your crown is an essential part of making your fedora truly unique. The standard open crown is completely round with no indentations. This shape often goes well with wide, flat brims. Alternatively, you have the telescope crown which is also round at the bottom but flat on the top (with a flared edge). Finally, some of the most popular styles feature indentations along the top of the crown, as well as smaller indentations on the sides for easier handling. These crown shapes include the teardrop, diamond, center dent, and cattleman crowns. You can learn more about the specific looks and functions of fedora crowns in our comprehensive fedora crown shapes guide.

Fedora Brim Style

Like fedora crowns, fedora brims come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles. Choosing the right brim for you will come down to your personal taste, as well as your desire to have increased functionality or comfort with your fedora. For example, a stingy brim (short brim) might be more comfortable if you do not want your hat to rub against the tops of your ears, while a wide brim will do a better job of keeping the sun out of your eyes and off of your face. Additionally, you may prefer the aesthetic qualities of one over the other.

If you’re looking for a straight brim, this style is often associated with large brims, though not always. On the other hand, if you want a small brim, you would be better served to choose a style like the trilby hat, which has a flared, short brim with a slight decline in the front. To learn even more about the specifics of each brim style, be sure to check out our fedora brim styles guide.

Fedora Hat Size

Fedora hat size does not just refer to the appearance of the crown and brim. You will also need to find a fedora that actually fits your head comfortably and looks natural with your particular features. Thankfully, it is relatively easy to determine your hat size with a soft tape measure or even a straight ruler and a piece of string. Either way, you will want to make sure that you get the perfect size for your head. These days, it is much easier to find fedora hats for big heads (or small heads), as you can usually find the style of your choice in a wide range of sizes, including XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL.

Design Your Own Custom Fedora Hat

As you can imagine, you may not always be able to find the perfect fedora that checks all of the boxes on your list. You might have very specific requirements that are not commonly produced by fedora manufacturers. This is where Bellissimo Hat’s custom fedora hat designer can come in handy.

When using our custom fedora hat designer, you can easily find and choose the specific hat size for your head. Then, you can move on to the more “creative” aspects of designing your hat. Currently, Bellissimo Hats offers 16 base colors to choose from, with more options to come in the future. These colors include:

• Red
• Black
• Orange
• Camel
• Coffee Brown
• Gunmetal Gray
• Purple
• Silverbelly
• Antique Rose
• Burgundy
• Powder Blue
• Sapphire Blue
• Navy
• Olive Green
• Panama
• Chocolate Brown

Once you have a base color in mind, you will need to choose the band color. Bellissimo Hats offers 14 different band colors, including:

• Black
• Rust Brown
• Sudan Brown
• Light Gray
• Dark Gray
• Navy
• Royal Blue
• Powder Blue
• Antique Rose
• Silverbelly
• Burgundy
• Red
• Gold
• Turquoise

Finally, you will need to choose the kind of inner-lining you want, as well as additional flourishes like feathers! As you can see, all of these choices put literally thousands of different combinations at your disposal. While the possibilities are not technically endless, they allow you plenty of ways to customize your fedora, making your hat completely unique to you and truly one-of-a-kind!

We hope you enjoyed this guide on 5 things to consider when you want to buy a fedora hat! If you’d like to shop for a specific fedora hat style or even create your own custom fedora hat, be sure to check out Bellissimo Hats today!