How to Wear Dad Hats

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 12, 2021 References

Dad hats are a type of unstructured baseball cap that are both stylish and easy to wear. You can find dad hats in a variety of colors and designs. While you can wear them with just about anything, low-key outfits like sweatshirts and jeans go best with them. Don’t wear a dad hat to anywhere too fancy, however. These hats are best for daily wear or outdoor activities.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Hat

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Try on hats or measure your head to find the best fit. Dad hats typically come as one size fits most, which will fit a head circumference of 22–23.5 inches (56–60 cm). If you’re ordering online, use a measuring tape to measure around your head.^{[1]
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- You may be able to find dad hats in a conventional sizes. A small size is 21–22 inches (53–56 cm), while a large size is 23.5–24.25 inches (59.7–61.6 cm).
2
Choose neutral tones for the most versatile hat. The best thing about the dad hat is the multiple ways that you can wear it. You can get the most use out of your dad hat if you stick to colors like gray, navy, black, dark green, red, and white.^{[2]
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3
Find a graphic that expresses your personality. Dad hats typically feature a single embroidered image, logo, or phrase. Shop around to find one that expresses your individuality and tastes.^{[3]
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- Corporate logos are popular, as are images from popular movie franchises.
- You can find dad hats with almost every major sports team’s logo on it.
- Many artists produce dad hats with a variety of political and social messages or artwork.
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Remove the stickers before putting the hat on. It is generally considered a faux pas to keep the stickers on your dad hat. Peel off and throw away the stickers before you wear your hat for the first time.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating an Outfit

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Wear the hat facing forward. The most popular way to wear the dad hat is with the bill facing forward. The strap should be at the back of your head. That said, you can wear the hat in whatever way fits your personal style: backwards, forwards, or to the side.^{[5]
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2
Pull on a sweatshirt or jacket for everyday wear. These will add to the laid-back nature of the hat. A crewneck, hoodie, or bomber jacket are all classic pairings to the dad hat. Choose something slightly oversized for a stylish look.^{[6]
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- You can wear a cotton tee, crop top, or a v-neck under the jacket.
- Zip up the jacket for a cool, street-smart look.
- Keep it casual. Avoid wearing dad hats with blazers or suits.
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Step into a slip dress for a chic look. For women, dad hats go well with slip dresses. You can layer the dress with a flannel shirt or match it with leggings. This will give you a stylish but low-key look for daily wear.^{[7]
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- You can dress up this look by wearing heels or go more casual by wearing sneakers or flip flops.
- Save this look for a casual night out. Add a bold pendant or flashy earrings to stand out.
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Wear casual pants with the dad hat. Khakis, jeans, and sweatpants all work well. High-waisted “mom” or “dad” jeans are also often paired with dad hats. The key is to choose a casual pair of pants to go with the laid-back vibe of the hat.^{[8]
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- You might wear the dad hat outside with khaki shorts and a cotton t-shirt.
- You might pair it with skinny skins, a crop top, and a large bomber jacket.
- Dad jeans, a solid-colored sweatshirt, and a dad hat will make you both comfortable and stylish without much effort.
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Match your hat to your favorite sports jersey. If you have a dad hat with your favorite team's logo, complete the look with more team merchandise. After you pull on a jersey, you can make the look complete with a pair of mesh shorts and sneakers.
- Try to avoid wearing too many teams at once. The colors and the logos might clash.
- This is a perfect look to wear to a sports event.
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Lace up a pair of sneakers or trainers to complete the look. Any sneakers will do the trick. Solid colors might match the hat better, but you can mix and match as you like.^{[9]
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- All-black sneakers may go well with an edgy logo or graphic on the hat.
- If you want to stand out, choose a bold pair of white sneakers.
- Make sure that the shoes are appropriate for the occasion. If you're wearing the hat to the beach, a pair of sandals might be better.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finding Occasions for the Hat

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Throw on a dad hat before running on errands. The dad hat is the ideal hat for buying groceries, going to the gym, or picking up take out. This is because you can just throw on the hat without any fuss. It will go with any casual outfit.^{[10]
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Cover up a bad hair day with a dad hat. Dad hats are perfect for days when your hair just won’t cooperate. They can cover the top of your head without bringing too much attention to yourself.^{[11]
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- You can push your hair under the cap or brush it out so that it sticks out beneath the cap.
- If you have long hair, put it in a ponytail and let the ponytail stick out the back of the cap.
3
Use the dad hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. The dad hat is a great style for outdoor events. While traditionally worn at sports events, you can wear yours to the beach, lake, or hiking trail.^{[12]
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Avoid wearing the hat for special occasions. If you need to dress up in formal, semi-formal, or business wear, do not choose a dad hat. Instead, you may want to choose a more formal hat, like a fedora or fascinator. A dad hat is meant for casual settings.^{[13]
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