The Hat Styles to Always Keep in Your Closet
The perfect finishing touch.

Hats don't get nearly enough love compared to shoes or handbags. Perhaps because they're misunderstood? So we're here to explain the difference between a fedora and a panama hat, and why we're #TeamBucketHats. Like the perfect pair of earrings or that statement bag that ties a look together, the right hat can offer that same finished feeling. The next time your ensemble is looking a little blah, spice it up with one of the six hat style options ahead. You'll have to experiment a little with what works for you, but before you deem yourself as "not a hat person" (there's a hat for everyone out there!), take the time to peruse all your options and take all the hat selfies.



Gucci GG Velvet Baseball Cap
You have your casual baseball caps that you wear to games, and then you have your fancy baseball caps you wear on occasion as the statement-making accessory to your outfits. This Gucci cap is made in Italy from plush velvet jacquard and is woven with the house's iconic GG logo.


Beanie
A knit cap of variable slouchiness that be worn a few ways, including but not limited to: high on the back of the head; down over the ears with the brim turned up; or all the way down in an effort to brave the cold (they're the most functional of hats!). They're even office appropriate.

Fendi Intarsia Cashmere and Wool-Blend Beanie
For harsh winters, bundle up in this cashmere and wool-blend beanie. It can be worn folded over or slightly slouchy, depending on how you style it. Make it a complete winter accessory set with the matching scarf.











Fedora
Panama hats and fedoras might look the same at first glance, but the difference is in the material. A fedora is always made of felt while panama hats are made from lightweight woven materials like the leaves of a jipijapa plant (if it's legit). Fedoras work with every outfit, so you have nothing to lose.



A Sun Hat
A traditional sun hat, as the name insinuates, protects and shields your face and head from the heat. The accessory can be made from any material that's both breathable and moisture-wicking, while the brim width can be from two to four inches wide. Technically speaking, you can use any hat as your "sun" hat—but with so many cute options available, invest in a proper protective head gear.



Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at Marie Claire, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's now the Senior Commerce Editor at House Beautiful, where she owns coverage on deals and sales across home decor and accessories, in-depth product reviews on furniture and appliances, as well as news around new product launches since 2023. With help from leading designers and tastemakers, Marina spotlights quality products while tracking current design trends, a skill she’s mastered over six years in fashion media. Marina holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stony Brook University, beginning her career in narrative-driven commerce coverage as an editorial assistant at PopSugar.