A hat is a hat, right? With so many different styles available, it’s easy to get confused. With this quick guide to promotional headwear, you’ll learn the differences between the various styles of hats and how each style can benefit your brand.
Caps
Best known as baseball caps or baseball hats, these are a type of soft cap with a rounded crown and a stiff bill in the front. Caps can be fitted to the wearers’ head or can feature an elastic, plastic prong, Velcro, or slide backing that is adjustable.
Since this style is so iconic, it needs little explaining. However, there are a few different varieties to be aware of with baseball caps. The snapback hat features an adjustable snap closure at the back and generally has a flat bill. The adjustable hat is often unstructured with a curved brim and has an adjustable back. Fitted hats can have flat or curved bills and are not adjustable. Flexfit caps are similar to fitted hats, but are stretchy instead of being fitted or adjustable.
Beanies
Beanies, also known as toques or skullcaps, are knit caps made of wool or synthetic materials. They are designed to provide warmth in cold weather and are tapered at the top. Beanies stretch and hug the head, keeping the cap secure and the wearer warm.
Beanies can be topped with a puff ball or tassels and may have folded brims. Some even have ear flaps!
Shade Hats
Shade hats are wide-brimmed hats that are designed to cast a wide area of shade over the wearer. They can be made of straw or knit materials and may feature a strap that goes under the chin. Some styles of shade hat include cowboy hats, safari hats, and floppy beach hats.
Hard Hats
Designed to keep the skull safe from impact, hard hats are made of durable plastic and are regularly used in warehouses and construction sites. Since these hats are made for workers, they often include vents and other implements to keep the wearer cool. It is important to check out the specific safety compliances when ordering this kind of hat to ensure that it is appropriate for whatever the intended use is.
Now, these are definitely not the only kinds of promotional hats out there – but they are the main styles! To learn more, contact us today.
