You heard it right; dad hats are back in. Recently, the trend of the more middle-aged baseball cap has come back with a vengeance. Read on to find out all you need to know about getting the best dad hats for your style.
Everyone and their dad, quite literally, are wearing baseball hats paired with a range of different outfits. But why are dad hats trending, and who got everyone back on the bandwagon? We’ve got all the answers, so keep reading!
What Even Is a Dad Hat?
Before we get into the specifics about why dad caps are trending, it’s important to understand what dad hats even are.
Dad hats, in a way, are baseball caps. However, they do differ slightly. A dad hat is a six-panel baseball cap with a simple logo and unstructured front panels. The pre-curved brim caps are usually made from cotton or canvas material. These materials give the hats a floppy and relaxed fit.
If dads are known for one thing, it’s their questionable fashion sense (as well as their awful dad jokes). That’s why hat designers create dad hats to complement outfits instead of matching them.
Dad Hats vs. Baseball Caps
The best dad hats are usually faded. The vintage look to them makes an outfit seem effortless but relatively put together.
Baseball caps, on the other hand, have a stiffer construction. As a result, you won’t find the unstructured front panels you’d find in dad hats. However, the front panels of a traditional baseball cap are rigid and hold their shape.
Where Did Dad Hats Come From?
Ballplayers have worn baseball hats since the creation of the game. Originally, they could wear any brimmed hat style, as long as it kept the sun out of their eyes.
As the sport evolved, so did the hat styles. That was until they finally settled on the baseball cap style we know and love today. Dad hats were born in the 1970s as people started donning 6-panel baseball caps off of the field. They got their name “dad hats” due to their popularity amongst middle-aged men.
Fast forward 10 years and baseball caps became associated with hip hop and rap groups. And of course, if your favorite singer can wear baseball hats, then it must be cool. This association gained even more traction in the snapbacks and baseball caps trend, and soon, everyone owned a 6-panel hat.
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Why Are Dad Hats Trending?
So, we’ve covered the origin of dad hats and why they were trending 50+ years ago. But what about now? Why, all of a sudden, have they come back into fashion?
Like many things, dad hats are trending thanks to a selection of celebrities that have been rocking them on the ‘gram. From Rihanna and Kanye to Gigi and Kendall, everyone is wearing them.
Add in the fact that we went through a pandemic with lengthy lockdowns. Hairdressers closed for months on end, and people’s hair became unwieldy. The solution? Dad hats.
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It doesn’t matter what your hair looks like. If you don’t want to make an effort that day, you don’t have to. Dad hat to the rescue. Also, dad hats are just so easygoing and let’s face it, cool. The best dad caps are easy to wear, easy to style, and also serve a valid purpose; keeping the sun out of your eyes.
Who Started the Dad Hat Trend?
Now, it’s hard to pinpoint who actually brought dad hats back into the limelight. Celebrities have worn dad hats and baseball caps since their popularity in the 70s.
Of course, you have icons such as Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Rihanna. It seems anything these ladies touch soon becomes a staple in everyone’s wardrobes.
Chance the Rapper, who even produced his own line of dad and baseball hats with New Era, has been rocking a hat on his head from the very start of his career. Kanye West, Travis Scott, Drake, and Chris Brown can also be seen regularly sporting the now trendy dad cap.
People have used the hashtag #dadhats on over 432,000 on Instagram. It’s fair to say they’re a favorite amongst the younger generation, and they want everyone to know about it.
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A Guide to Choosing the Best Dad Hats
As we mentioned before, dad caps tend to have a faded look with a simple design. Their logos will be small, embroidered, or non-existent, which makes them easy to pair with a range of outfits.
Choose a Staple Color
To get the most out of your dad cap, think about the colors you regularly wear in your wardrobe. Simple colors like black, gray, navy, or olive are all staple colors that will match everything from your favorite T-shirt all the way down to your shoes.
Style Guide: Matching Clothes for Men
Size It Correctly
Dad hats come in a one-size-fits-all. The fastening at the back, whether it be velcro, plastic snap, or a nylon belt, can be adjusted to fit your head. Remember, though, dad hats are made from cotton and thus meant to be loose-fitting, so don’t make it too tight.
Pick the Right Logo
Finally, choose a graphic that suits your personality. For example, if you’re an out-there kinda guy/gal, you may want a cap with a logo or embroidered graphic that showcases your true style.
If you’re more of a standard, stick to the basics dresser, then a hat with a colorful logo or print may not be the one for you.
Everyone and we mean everyone, can pull off dad hats.
Really, you can pull off anything if you have the confidence to do so. As all hats are a pretty basic accessory, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to rock them. And look good in the process.
In true fatherly fashion, your cap doesn’t need to be a perfect match. The whole idea of dad hats is to be relaxed, comfortable, and practical.
Dad Hats: Our Final Thoughts
Whether you enjoy shopping in a store, or visiting a site, you’ll be sure to see dad hats everywhere.
They’ve been around for decades, and they’ll be around for many more to come. So, as long as there is a dad out there, there will always be a dad hat.
As we wrap up, it would be interesting to know if you would like us to specify the best dad hats currently on the market? Do you have any dad hats in your wardrobe? How hard do you rock them? Let us know in the comment section below!
