Adjusting Wedding Hats: Tips For A Perfect Fit

Wedding hats are a fun accessory and a great way to round out your wedding theme. Whether you're a guest, part of the wedding party, or the bride or groom, a hat can be a stylish addition to your outfit. However, it's important to consider various factors such as the dress code, venue, couple's preferences, and cultural and religious aspects. If you're unsure about the hat etiquette, it's usually safer to skip wearing one altogether. But if you're inclined to don a hat, there are ways to make sure it fits you well and complements your overall look.

Choose the right materials

When making a wedding hat, choosing the right materials is essential to ensure it complements your style and the aesthetic of the wedding. Here are some tips to help you select the appropriate materials for your wedding hat:

Consider the Occasion and Dress Code

The type of wedding you are attending will influence your choice of materials. For example, if the wedding has a western theme, you might opt for a cowboy hat. If it's a beach wedding, a floppy sun hat or a hat made from woven straw would be ideal. For a formal event, such as a white-tie affair with an English, royal theme, a fascinator or a hat with elegant fabrics like sinamay, which can be worked with to create various shapes, might be more suitable.

Choose Materials that Complement Your Style

The materials you choose should enhance your overall style and appearance. If you have dark hair, avoid dark-coloured bases and fabrics as they will blend into your hair. Instead, opt for bright colours or fabrics with some texture, such as sinamay, which can be worked with to create various shapes. If you have fair hair, stay away from pale colours, unless you are the bride, in which case, an ivory-coloured headpiece is a perfect choice.

Select Materials that Flatter Your Face Shape

The shape of your face will also determine the types of materials that will look best. If you have a square jaw, softer lines and asymmetrical designs will complement your defined features. For round faces, sharp angles and slants can add interest. If you have an oval face, almost any style will suit you, so you have more flexibility in your material choices.

Keep it Subtle and Avoid Overdoing It

When it comes to wedding hats, less is more. A few carefully chosen materials, such as feathers, beading, ribbons, or artificial flowers, can be far more effective than an overly elaborate creation. Select materials that complement each other well and remember that sometimes, a simple headpiece can be just as striking as a large hat.

Ensure Comfort and Functionality

In addition to aesthetics, consider the comfort and functionality of the materials, especially if you are attending an outdoor wedding. For example, if you're attending a beach wedding, choose materials that provide sun protection, such as a wide-brimmed hat made from woven straw. Also, consider the weight and breathability of the materials, especially if it's a warm-weather wedding. You want to ensure your hat is comfortable to wear throughout the event.

Avoid clashing with your hair colour

When choosing a wedding hat, it's important to consider your hair colour to ensure your hat complements your hair and doesn't clash. If you have dark hair, avoid choosing a hat with a dark base or fabric as it will blend into your hair. Instead, opt for bright colours, as darker hair can pull off bolder hues. If you have very fair hair, steer clear of pale colours, as they will likely wash you out. However, if you're the bride, feel free to embrace your big day and wear an ivory-coloured headpiece with pride!

If you're a guest, it's also essential to consider the dress code of the wedding. For a formal church wedding, a simple, tailored style like a pillbox hat is a perfect choice. For a country outdoor wedding, you can afford to wear a more comfortable, bohemian-style hat, like a floppy hat. If you're the mother of the bride, you'll want to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your hat, as you'll be meeting and greeting guests and having your photo taken. Opt for a side-sweep hat or a perching hat like a cocktail or disc hat, so your face is visible under the brim.

When choosing a hat to complement your hair colour, consider adding some decorative accessories. Traditionally, wedding hats are embellished with flowers, feathers, or other accessories on the right-hand side. If you have dark hair, you could choose a hat with bright, colourful feathers or flowers to add a pop of colour. If you're a redhead, consider a hat with subtle green or blue accents to enhance your hair colour. For blondes, a hat with soft pastel accents can complement your hair colour beautifully.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a hat that makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you're unsure about the dress code, don't be afraid to ask the couple for more details. Remember, it's their day, so respect their chosen dress code and ensure your hat doesn't take attention away from the happy couple!

Pick a style to suit your face shape

When it comes to choosing a wedding hat, it's important to consider your face shape to find a style that flatters your features and makes you feel confident. Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect hat for your face shape:

Oval Face

If you have an oval face, congratulations! You're in luck because almost any hat style will suit you. From classic fedoras and sun hats to wide-brimmed hats, the options are endless. You can also experiment with more unique styles like bowler hats, berets, flat caps, or bucket hats. So, feel free to let your personality shine through and choose a hat that matches your mood and outfit.

Long Face

For those with a long face, the goal is to add width and balance the proportions. Wide-brimmed hats, such as sun hats or Panama hats, are a great choice. Hats with rounded or low crowns, like bowler hats or cloche hats worn low, can also soften your features. A fedora, with its short crown and wide brim, is another excellent option to consider.

Round Face

If you have a round face, look for hats with high brims and angular shapes. Wide-brimmed hats like fedoras, trilbies, or fuller-shaped caps can add definition and elongate your face. A beret, cloche, pork pie hat, or a beanie pulled low will also work well. Wearing the brim at an angle can further enhance the effect.

Square Face

For square faces, opt for hats with rounded or curved edges to soften the strong angles. Wide-brimmed hats, such as fedoras, trilbies, or fuller-shaped caps, can add a flattering softness. You can also try a cloche, bucket hat, wide-brimmed Panama, sun hat, or a baseball cap. Wearing the brim at an angle will create a beautiful, flattering silhouette.

Heart-Shaped Face

Heart-shaped faces typically look stunning in hats with medium brims. Most hat styles will work, so feel free to experiment. Try a baseball cap, newsboy cap, fedora, boater, cloche, homburg, trilby, or beret, and find what makes you feel amazing. Wearing the hat at an angle will also help slim your face and draw attention to your eyes.

Don't go overboard

When making your own wedding hat, it's important not to go overboard with the materials. A couple of feathers, some beading, or a beautifully structured fabric like sinamay can be really effective. You want your hat to complement your outfit, not distract from it.

If you're attending a wedding as a guest, it's important to consider the dress code and the couple's preferences when choosing whether or not to wear a hat. While a hat can be a great accessory, you don't want to draw too much attention or block other guests' views with an oversized hat.

If you're unsure about the etiquette or feel that hats are too old-fashioned, it's best to skip the hat altogether and opt for other accessories like a statement purse, shoes, or jewellery.

When it comes to the mother of the bride or groom, it's important not to overshadow the bride with an extravagant hat. A simple headpiece in a flattering tone can be just as striking and will ensure the mother's face is clearly visible in photos.

Remember, less is more! You don't want to overwhelm your outfit or your face with a hat that's too big or too bold. Keep it classy and elegant, and you'll be sure to look fabulous.

Use hat sizing tape

Hat sizing tape is a great way to ensure your wedding hat fits perfectly. It's an easy and effective method to make your hat slightly smaller, so it sits securely on your head. This is especially useful if you are planning to wear your hat all day and don't want to fuss with adjusting it.

Sizing tapes are usually made of foam, felt, or soft latex, and they come with a self-adhesive backing. This means you can simply stick the tape to the inside of your hat, and it will reduce the size without causing any discomfort. The foam or felt options are great if you want a more subtle reduction, while the soft latex option offers a more substantial size adjustment.

To use hat sizing tape, first measure the amount you need by wrapping it around the inside of your hat, just above the sweatband. You can trim the tape to the required length, and then stick it in place. It's a good idea to start with a smaller amount and test the fit, as you can always add more if needed.

The tape is designed to be discreet, so it won't be visible when you're wearing your hat. It's a simple and cost-effective solution to ensure your wedding hat is comfortable and secure, allowing you to focus on enjoying the celebrations without worrying about your hat.

Frequently asked questions