Bold or subdued? Colourful or neutral? Durable or delicate? When you decide that you would like to have a custom hat tailored and your head size is measured, there are countless fabric choices. After consulting with my customers, I have developed some general guidelines to help select. They fall into three categories that I call the “3Ps”: personality, palette, and purpose. I’ll give some examples to illustrate.
Personality: If you have a flamboyant or outgoing personality, then perhaps you embrace a bold hat that calls attention to you. You dare to wear clothing that is avant-garde and you’re definitely not afraid to be imaginative or unconventional in your dress. This might be reflected in pattern and colour.
Palette: Colour choices can reflect your personal preferences. If you are averse to colour, then it’s likely you would veer toward a neutral or more muted shade. With a reversible bucket hat, the two fabric choices can be complementary or contrasting. Many like a solid on one side and a patterned (such as floral, striped, or plaid) on the other. The season might dictate the hues, for example darker for winter, lighter for the warmer months, autumnal for fall.
Purpose: Your might need your hat to match an outfit for a special event, in which case you might be more daring and make a one-of-a-kind choice. On the other hand, you might want an all-occasion hat that can go with just about anything and that you can wear just about anywhere. It might a smart casual look that you’re after – for grocery shopping or watching your kids play soccer on the weekend. Travel plans can influence the choice of hat. A sun destination might require something in a light colour, a lightweight fabric, and a longer brim for sun protection.
Hats by Tracy J 