How to Wear a Fedora: 8 Classic Fedoras and Styling Tips

A fedora is a hat style featuring an indented crown and a short brim that typically curves upward. While the crown and brim size vary, most fedoras feature a two-and-a-half-inch brim and a four-and-a-half-inch crown. Less formal than a bowler hat or top hat but fancier than a baseball cap, the fedora hat is a versatile accessory that suits both casualwear and formalwear. Famous fedora-wearers include gangsters like Al Capone, Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart and Harrison Ford, and recording artist Pharrell Williams.

Different styles of the fedora feature various fabrics, brim sizes, edge finishes, and crown heights. The most common types of fedoras include:

1. 1. Classic fedora: A felt or wool hat, the classic fedora features a soft brim that angles up or down. A signature feature of this iconic fedora style is a ribbon, known as a hatband, lining the outline of the brim.
2. 2. Diamond crown fedora: This type of fedora has a pointed crown resembling the shape of a kite. With one main fold at the front and three points at the back, the diamond crown fedora is elegant headwear appropriate for dressy occasions.
3. 3. Safari fedora: Harrison Ford’s character Indiana Jones popularized the safari fedora, a hat style with a long brim that initially served a functional rather than fashionable purpose. These adventure hats block the sun and typically have a simple leather headband. Safari fedoras use minimal embellishments, straw fabric, and earthy material colors (such as beige, green, or tan) to mimic the natural environment.
4. 4. Short-brim fedora: More for fashion rather than function, the short-brim fedora does not provide shade from the sun. This soft-felt hat instead features a snap brim of fewer than two inches that folds up or down for flair.
5. 5. Straw fedora: Due to their lightweight material and breathability, straw fedoras suit warm-weather ensembles well. A straw hat can dress up a T-shirt and jeans or enhance formal attire. For example, the Panama hat is a classy straw fedora you can style with a blazer or suit.
6. 6. Teardrop crown fedora: The teardrop crown fedora features softer edges than the diamond crown. It has a rounded back crown and a pinched front. The subtle edges make this fedora style adaptable for casual attire.
7. 7. Trilby hat: With a short, flared brim, the trilby hat is a trendy variation of the classic fedora. Since trilbies have a narrower brim that curls upward, they do not provide shade from the sun. Another distinguishing feature of the trilby fedora is its pointed crowns, which are more pronounced than most soft-felt hats.
8. 8. Wide-brim fedora: Unlike the short-brim fedora, the wide-brim fedora has an extended brim that exceeds four inches. This hat style shields the wearer’s face from the sun, making it ideal for outdoor events. Some formal variations of the wide-brim fedora add a pop of color or pattern to the look by lining the hat’s brim with ribbon.

Fedoras are one of the easiest accessories to style up or down. Here’s how to get the right fit and start incorporating the fedora into your look:

• Choose the right hat size. Measure the circumference of your head by wrapping a tape measure above your ears. After determining your hat size, try on different fedora styles to find a hat that feels comfortable. The hat should sit on the top of your head without leaving a red mark or slipping off. You should also consider the general size and shape of your face as you try on different hat styles. Short-brim hats often complement a round face shape, while extended brims and narrow crowns can enhance a long face shape.
• Consider the season. For your fedora to feel comfortable, select a hat that’s a fit for the weather. Stick to warm materials, such as wool and cashmere, for winter, and lightweight fabrics, such as straw, for summer.
• Play with accessories. Embellishments, such as a brim ribbon and a side feather, are unique ways to make a fashion statement with your fedora. Consider adding a colorful pin to your fedora to dress it up for a formal occasion. You can also play with mixing prints by adding a patterned ribbon to a solid-color fedora.
• Select a hat material according to your outfit. While some fabrics suit formal occasions, others pair better with casual outfits. Choosing a hat material that matches the dressiness of your outfit ensures the look remains consistent. Opt for a fedora of wool or faux-animal-fur felt for formal occasions. To incorporate a fedora into a casual look, pair a lightweight felt or straw fedora with denim jeans and a simple button-down shirt.

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