Don't know a fedora from a trilby? Can't tell a pork-pie from a bucket? Get your Summer hat types sussed-out with this easy guide.
Baseball caps (classic or flat peak)
The baseball cap and bomber jacket combo is looking good for this year. When it comes to caps you can either go classic with a curved brim or choose a flat brim cap, known as a snapback cap.
The classic baseball cap
Athleisure and sporty luxe looks are completed with a classic baseball cap. The classic curved brim doesn't need to be chavvy. Polo Ralph Lauren, Moncler and Barbour are brands to look out for that offer premium designs on the classic basesball cap.
Flatpeak or flatbrim aka Snapbacks
Pack a punch with a snapback cap. If you want to avoid the better known sports brands, HUF, Brixton, King Apparel and Mitchell & Ness are four lesser known brands with original designs on snapback caps.
A strap-back cap looks the same as a snapback cap, but it is fitted with a belt-like strap on the back. Another fastening option is a velcro-back.
Five-panel caps
Five-panel caps have five panels instead of the standard six, creating a higher crown and boxier look. A five-panel cap has more space on the front for embroidery and decoration.
Bucket hat
Don't be discouraged by the name, the bucket hat − a casual, unstructured (floppy) hat with a medium brim made from soft fabric, looks much better on than it sounds.
A khaki or jungle print nylon bucket hat folds up easily in your backpack and will come in useful wherever your travels take you. Style it with a printed t-shirt and cargo shorts.
Fedora hat
A fedora is a low, soft felt hat with a curled brim and the crown creased lengthways. The fedora hat is perfect for smarter occasions − team with a shirt and suit or with smart tailored separates.
Panama hat
Be the man about town on holiday in a panama hat, more stylish than a bucket hat but harder to fit in your suitcase. A panama hat has a wide-brim and is made from straw-like material, originally the leaves of a tropical palm tree.
Panama hats are originally from Ecuador, with the wide brim and black tie they look very similar to a straw fedora but don’t have the indented crown.
Pork-pie hat
You can tell a pork-pie hat by its flat crown and very narrow brim, which is turned up all around. Pork-pie hats can be made from straw, felt and numerous fabrics.
Straw, khaki or navy pork pie hats with a black ribbon are on trend and a fresh alternative to the trilby. If you need protection from the sun, the narrow brim means this hat isn’t that useful – if you want sun protection you’d be better off with a wider brim hat like a fedora.
Trilby
The trilby is a structured hat with a narrow brim and indented crown. Trilbys can be made from felt or straw. Kick back in a sunny straw trilby for laidback cool or smarten up in a dapper felt trilby.
Flat cap
Want to look a bit more mysterious? Or add a touch of country style to your city look? Try a flat cap. Some men look great in flat caps; on others they just look a bit creepy.
If in doubt ask a few friends for their honest opinion. Style a herringbone flat cap with a sharp check shirt and straight cut jeans.
Beanie
The beanie is a small close-fitting hat worn on the back of the head. Keep it neat with a standard beanie or go for a slouchy beanie that has extra fabric for that laid-back beanie-sag.
A fisherman beanie is the smallest beanie of the lot, with the least hat for your buck. It sits further back on the head showing off the hairline and fitting snugly against the back of the head.
If you're going to wear a beanie in summer this is the one you want – choose a fishermen beanie in a lighweight rib. Mustard and earthy tones make a nice change to the classic black beanie.
